Canadian Health Care

I never had Neulasta or Neupogen through my six cycles of every three weeks chemo. My blood was checked every time before chemo and since it was OK, there was no need for more medications. Some people who had lower counts had one of those drugs. I think Alpal is right that it is sometimes used as a matter of course and on an as needed basis in other places.

I had a fever during my first chemo nadir period requiring me to go to hospital emergency and according to the FEC-D treatment protocol that meant I had to either lower the drug dose for the remaining chemo by 25% or have the Neupogen shots. As I didn't have much time to think about it I took the lower dose for the second chemo but after doing some research (the shots don't prevent critically low neutrophils but do shorten the period you have them) decided for my safety to have the shots for the remaining chemo sessions.

I also had a fever during my fourth session, the first with taxotere, this time requiring a  3 day hospital stay, so you can see what I mean about the Neupogen not preventing wbc problems. According to protocol with the second fever neutopenia I had to lower the dose of the toxotere by 25%. If I hadn't been taking the shots I would  have had to lower the dose of the drug by 50%.

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When it was established that my private insurance covered the Neulasta shot, I was given it after each treatment, by my home care nurse (my wounds from my lumpectomy didn't heal until after I finished chemo, so I had a nurse coming every other day throughout treatment). I had severe bone ache from it, and if I had to do it again, I think I'd see if my WBC count was low enough to warrant it.

Hey E:

Have you developed a taste for flesh?

I'm looking forward to an update. 

Had my first Gemzar today - ok except for horrific head ache. Thought I'd mosey on over and see what my Canadian buddies were doing, not to post, just to lurk. I HAVE THE SAME INSURANCE AS THE WOMAN FROM LOUISVILLE. YES, I AM SCREAMING!!! I even got the damn robo calls about getting a mammogram (1 year after my Stage IV diagnoses). Maybe BC/BS knows my baby boy is an attorney? Hehe! Oh no, we don't need Health Care Reform! Whew! Hope you're all doing well. I miss you!

Not to worry, Alpal. The Republicans are apparently suggesting we pay for our medical services with chickens.

Hmmm. 

I just cannot picture my onc knowing what to do with a live chicken. 

LOL. 

Hi everyone!

Rico - no craving for flesh yet, but those brains in the fridge are starting to look tasty.  :-%  (that's me smiling through a mouth full of brains)    And yes, I'm stocking up on chickens, turkeys, and other poultry so I can pay my doctor.  And hell, I may as well send some to the IRS to pay my tax bill.  Who's with me?

Lindasa - I have my second visit on Monday, but it's just for blood work and a physical exam.  My next series of shots is on May 10, and Meg will accompany me to watch for signs of zombiehood.

Alpal - CRAP!!  I AM SCREAMING WITH YOU!  Better lay low and wear camouflage.  My bet is they'll cease and desist now that their secret is out.  I wonder who their next target will be?

So today, my radiation oncologist tells me that she thinks I have 3-5 years before I reach my expiration date.  Why, oh why, did I have to ask the question??

*slapping self*

E

LOL!!!  Thank you, Rico!  I needed to hear that.  :-)

Both of my grandparents were doctors.  They were often paid with chickens and preserves.  We have a stuffed deer head in our log cabin that was payment from a patient.  They always said the worst payers were the people with money because they just couldn't understand how the "little money" that they owed would make such a big difference to a doctor. 

Rico,

She did say that was her best guess, and she didn't know what effect the vaccine would have, and I could be an outlier and all that....  I was just hoping she'd say 5-10.  It was a shock hearing 3-5.  It doesn't seem possible since I'm in remission now. 

PIP - Your grandparents sound awesome!  I can't imagine going to my doctor, though, and offering to pay for my chemo with chickens or house-painting or any other kind of service.  What could I possibly do that would equate to tens of thousands of dollars?  It might work for a few people who have a valuable and specialized skill or product, but it wouldn't work for the vast majority of us urban-dwellers.

Stats/averages are just numbers E....and you're not a number. I agree with Rico...your rad onc is full of sh*t. Keep doing what your doing. I pray this vaccine trial is successful for you and many others.

E,

I am doing fine. 

I crave statistics, numbers, quantities, probabilities, information of any kind all the time.  I want the reason, the meaning, the root cause all the time.  I want suggestions, solutions and outcomes all the time.

I understand how you feel.  It's who you are.  It's who I am.

We just need to remember that all of the above is subject to human thought, misunderstanding, interpretation and error.  None of it should stop us from enjoying this very moment.

Tell me the stats for something and I will work my butt off to prove them wrong.  I have already done that!

Edited to say -- Oops, posted twice!

Good news!  I just read in the Globe & Mail (aka Mop & Pail) that the Ontario government has seen the light and is going to start funding the Oncotype DX test.  Altogether the gov't has committed $115M this year for various research projects, including stem cell research and genetics.

The article by Lisa Priest went on to say that one of the reasons for funding the Oncotype DX was because it can potentially save many $$ in expensive chemo tx.  She actually used the figure of $10K.