Chemo June 2010

TMarina it is a federal law that insurance companies HAVE to pay for a scalp prothesis if you have cancer and are undergoing chemo.  But you will need to get a prescription for it from your oncologist and submit the prescription along with your receipt to get reimbursed.  My insurance company pays up to $150.  I just have to submit my prescription and receipt and I'll get reimbursed.  Talk to your oncologist and tell them you need a prescription.

Northerngirl - I had a MUGA scan before going on Adriamycin.  They look for a score of 50% or higher.  I had MUGA scan drama, where the tech didn't do mine correctly and showed me at 46.5%.  Then I had it re-taken at the cancer center and the tech was competent.  My score?  82% - amazing, huh????

Angelwoman1- I was given information about this group that works to provide wigs to women undergoing chemo treatments. Their web address is www.hairpeace.org. I hope this helps.

My insurance co does not pay for a "cranial prosthesis" unless the hair loss is permanent.  I got a free one at the American Cancer Society. You just have to call to set up an appt.  I ordered a second one from their catalog website tlcdirect.org.  Its only $45, but of course you pay for what you get--meaning they are not high quality. They do have some better ones too, but I'm just too cheap!  I did spend a lot on hats and scarves though!

I had my first TC treatment yesterday afternoon, and came through it with flying colors. The needle stick in the port was surprisingly the worst part of the process (not that it was that bad). I am still feeling fine this morning, although I am a bit waterlogged from trying to push fluids to get the Cytoxan out. My treatment nurse said she felt that if I were going to have side effects, they probably won't kick in until Monday due to the pre-med steriods.

I just want to wish all you lovely ladies a great, side-effect free weekend. I'm so thankful for this group.

 kaycee

angelwoman-  Don't give up on making your insurance pay for your wig.  Somewhere on a thread here I read that your doctor must write a specific description on his prescription in order for it to qualify, otherwise they will try to say it is cosmetic.  I wish I could remember the wording.  It is all about how it is submitted to insurance.  Perhaps contact the American Cancer Society or the Look Good Feel Better group.  Also, I would think the wig stores know a LOT about getting wigs aproved by insurance.  Keep trying and I bet they will cover it.  I'm sorry they are not more civil about this.  Imagine having to fight them over something like this!

chicagomaki- Call your dr. they can prescribe a rinse... funny, I believe it's actually called- magic mouthwash... some people have mentioned it works great.

Chicagomaki - I have a mouth sore (not sure it was caused by the chemo, I also have a problem wisdom tooth in the same spot) and the onc nurse recommended something called Oracort to me (not sure if this is what it is called in the USA). It's amazing - it has lidocaine to numb the area, and other stuff to protect it - it doesn't heal the sores but it puts a protective layer over it so the cells can regenerate - you can't feel the sores at all!

hope this helps

Latte

TMarina - contact your state insurance commissioner about the wig coverage. and your plan  The women's cancer rights act was passed in 98 or 99 and contains few exceptions for coverage of prothesis, reconstructive surgery, etc. due to cancer. Don't just take your insurance company's say so.  They're hoping you'll get discouraged and not pursue it. 

TMARINA, thank you for asking, im still running a fever 99.6 been 9 days since first AC, im very scared it wont go back to normal. i dont know why i have a fever. i  really dont want to go  to DR cause its a hard place to be still, i mean (emotionally)...i took Tylenol in hopes it goes down. i think i have a small sore on the side of my tongue. ive been doing the salt water rinse,i feel like im so scared all the time. maybe cause this breast cancer is new to me  still? im really trying to stay positive but its hard.... i hope your well

Tmarina, ok, i will, thank you, me too im so exhausted,im scared to sleep,i hate this!!!

Cheyanna,

Hang in there, I think we all have these feelings, I certainly do!  i think it's a 'one day at a time' kind of thing.  I keep telling myself 'I can always quit if it gets too bad, nobody can make me do this', which gives me some sense of control, which helps.  I have been disgustlingly healthy for my first half century, never spent the night in a hospital, never broke anything, had a couple wisdom teeth removed and outpatient surgery for a bunion, that's it!  Consequently I am a total hypochondriac freak about this chemo, I'm sure every SE is going to be life threatening, and if someone coughs in the grocery store I run in the opposite direction.  So far, having chemo is definitely worse than having BC (which wasn't bothering me at all) from a quality of life perspective!  I am merely counting the days until it's over.  I figure if I make it through 2 rounds that has to be a lot better than no chemo, and if I make it through 2 rounds then I can probably make it through 4.

Julia 

  

Chey--Try to get some rest!  Best thing for you.  I had a phenergen rx and took it when I felt so bad and needed to rest--PA said it was ok.  It does double duty--knocks out the nausea and helps you rest.  Cheap and effective...

It's Day 7 post first round of chemo.  Feeling my old self pretty much.  Still reach up to make sure i have hair--how funny--Im sure someone would tell me if they noticed it missing. 

Going tomorrow to hopefully get a wig.  The place I ended up is associated w/ a hospital.  I showed her a picture of a style I like from the internet and she's ordered five wigs for me--hopefully i can find something that doesn't make me feel like i'm playing dress up. 

Chey--it is so scary because each day you wake up not knowing how you are going to feel.  Hopefully, it will be more predictable the next round. 

Julia2--it is truly one day at a time and one chemo tx at a time.  Never dreamed in my wildest dreams i would be counting down chemo treatments!  But five to go!!

Love you all!!

Carol913 - <<I am having a little confusion on knowing how to use this Forum. I see that several people have written things to me, but I don't get an email telling me so. Is it that an email will be sent out only if a REPLY is done to a specific post?>>

At the top of the page, click on "My Home" and then select "Preferences".  You can check the box to receive an e-mail notice when you have a private message.  I don't believe it will notify you if you have a reply on the board, just a private message.  Hope this helps!

Beanius, I am very prone to thrush also. I often take Diflucan to counteract thrush when I am on antibiotics. It is a wonderdrug! Nystatin is an older thrush medication that works also, just takes longer.