STUCK- Mastectomy with no recon in sight due to insurance loss.

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1vamom
1vamom Member Posts: 167
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Coming up on 3 year mastectoversary.  It was all rough, as Cancer is.  Almost 3 years ago, I had left side mastectomy.  I have spacer and implant "installed".  "Way back when..." plans were for a DIEP Flap recon.  Surgery has been put off several times, due to both an unplanned pregnancy (I had been in menopause since chemo, found out the morning I signed in for surgery for recon I was pregnant, and ultimately lost the baby),  and just complete disinterest on the part of my "boyfriend", also my 7-year old daughter's father, we live together, but I get that this really just doesn't matter to him.  I have NO support to take care of me or my daughter if I need "time off" for recovery.

   A few months ago, I lost my health insurance, Medicaid.  This has really made my life difficult, as i was taking anti-depressant, ADD meds, and Tamoxifen, and had to stop "cold- turkey".  Not fun.  I Homeschool my daughter, quite successfully, but loss of these meds has made things hard. Loss of medicaid has also ruined my chance for any recon surgery.  I am now completely without insurance, my "boyfriend" who works, pays all the bills, has health ins through his work. 

  I am really completely "freaking out" every day that goes by with no Tamoxifen, no meds i need, and no end in sight.  I sometimes have very physical panic attacks when I am out and about, ( trouble breathing, shaking, desire to hide), I HATE walking around with one boob, and one very noticeable fake.  Nothing is even, the fake is up near my neck, the other hangs way lower, i look like a freak, and constantly catch people STARING.   Male person i live with is not at all supportive, acts like concerns I have about cancer coming back is just an irritant, and isn't to be counted on.

Anyone else "stuck in the middle" with no fix in sight?

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  • Mom2Tots
    Mom2Tots Member Posts: 30
    edited September 2013

    Im really sorry for every thing that you are going thru.  One "solution" could be for you and your boyfriend to get married.  But, I guess even though the two of you have lived together for 3 years, thats not an option.  Perhaps with healthcare reform and the insurance exchanges, you might be able to purchase coverage.  Best wishes.

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  • aaoaao
    aaoaao Member Posts: 593
    edited September 2013

    Sorry for all you're going through.  The way you're being treated sounds cruel to me.  Hopefully, with the new insurance act going into effect January 1st you can get insurance.  As for now, I can't really help with advice for the reconstruction but maybe there is help for the meds.  You really need to be on Tamoxifen to help prevent recurrance of the cancer.  I'd contact the American Cancer Society to see if they can help.  Also contact the manufacturers of the meds you were taking and see if they have a program to help.  I believe Phizer has one.  Finally, is there a low cost community clinic in your area.  When I was working and had no insurance, such a "great" employer, I went to my community clinic and they based my fees on a % of my income.  They also had a pharmacy and filled my prescriptions based on this %.  My son was unemployed and they paid 100% for his meds/visits and I paid 25% based on my income.  Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance but this is all I am aware of at this time.

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited September 2013

    Why did you lose your Medicaid?. I know having "too much" income will knock you off and also if you do not keep up w/your case worker. Be sure to contact that person to see if you now have what is called a " spend down " account where you have to pay some up front before it wll kick in. It may be because of your boyfriends funding that is making you go below cutoff. I am a older then you I know but I have been living lop sided for 7 years now because I should have had a lift done on the other side. I was 58 at the time but still slim and attractive. Funny how plastic surgeons lose interest when they are not getting payed big money. Of all the monies that fund the BC charities it amazes me that such as yourself , me and others never got the complete treatment we should have had.  I had a live in fiance and we married 2 years after my surgery but ultimately it did not work out. Accepting less and marrying less is never a good thing. Best to try to get back on Medicaid if you can. I never had that option. Hang in and remember there is a whole lot more to you than boobs so if anyone thinks otherwise they are idiots.

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  • aaoaao
    aaoaao Member Posts: 593
    edited September 2013

    The site location for the finding help with meds is here:

    http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/prescriptiondrugassistanceprograms/prescription-drug-assistance-programs-using-a-drug-assist-program

    http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/prescriptiondrugassistanceprograms/index

    http://www.pfizer.com/

    https://phahelps.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited September 2013

    Kroger has generic Tamoxifen on their $4 list. It is 9.99 at Walmart.

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