Re: Cancer survivors

AkaGoldie · ‎04-14-2010

I posted that I did it and it worked for me yada yada yada, did anybody see it? Or did I just think I posted it? Goldie

JackieHN · ‎09-23-2011

I did the probiotics and never got mouth sores. Have to keep the flora in check during chemo. I used ultimate flora 30 billion during chemo and still take it. I spoke to my oncologist first about it. She said good idea. OK, anything you take from now on during chemo especially vitamins and herbs has to checked with your Dr. No antioxidents during chemo.

Anaivy hope cancer care can help your patients. They were wonderful to me. Called me at home and asked if there was anything they could help me with. Now we had a social worker that the Cancer Care lady referred me to. I didn't want a social worker. She said I already gave her your name. She said listen to me. There are a lot of grants out there. They help pay for chemo, radiation, and mammos. I said it's good to know if anyone asks. I said my medical insurance pays for all of that. So after she said I was impossible she put in for transportation money. They sent me a check for 200 bucks. It paid for my parking when I went to chemo and radiation.

F1wilder · ‎01-03-2015

I'm still here on Earth! Yeah!! Thank you all for the kind words as they are worth millions (dollars, hugs, ice cream scoops) to me!

As myshell624, over in BB, said I've been having problems with my eyes and it became too hard to keep up on the forum. I thought my vision was getting bad because of age, although I did notice some double vision. I finally decided to get them checked at Mayo and come to find out I have 20/20 & 20/30 vision - that's the good news. BUT I have something called Corneal Dystrophy, where bits of the cornea flake off. I then had an appointment with a double vision specialist who found I not only have Binocular Diplopia (double vision with both eyes) but also Monocular Diplopia (double vision with one eye) in my left eye. I didn't think that was possible, but I'm told my left eye has mountains and valleys causing the image to be distorted entering my eye. Regular double vision can be treated with glasses with prisms. I was referred to a cornea specialist. He suggests and fitted me for Scleral contact lenses which are giant hard lenses. He got my vision to be almost perfect, but now I'm in a bind with my insurance company who denied coverage. These are custom-made lenses that last for several years, costing (with all the extra appointments involved) around $1000. I can't pay that out of my pocket. So I wait.

More importantly, I had another nodule/tumor appear in my lung. A big scare! I just had my 2 month check and it's completely gone. My Melanoma treatment drug, Yervoy, is still working. Yeah!! Not only is the Yervoy working in my favor, but I know each and every good thought, fingers crossed and prayers you've sent my way has been equally well received.

Thank you!!!!!!

I'm sorry I've not been around for cancer, skin cancer and Melanoma support. I want to be a giver much more than a taker. I promise to be here to give.

(BTW, now I have a grand excuse for my typos)

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

F1---glad you are back and while you have been thru more fun and adventures glad that you are on the right track with your eyes----insurance companies---makes me so freaking angry!!!! but I wonder if your eye people will set up some sort of financial plan for you. I just had over a thousand $ worth of work done with my stupid tooth that ins wouldn't pay but I pled my case with the dentist offices and they are working with me. Just a thought. I'm glad you are back!!!!

PAM

JackieHN · ‎09-23-2011

It's about time you got back to the board F1. We missed you. these insurance companies can drive you crazy. Everything is a fight with them. You will just have to fight for it. Your Dr will have to write a very convincing letter to them. Good news about the nodules.

GC good luck today with chemo. Let us know how it went. remember lots of water and eat small meals.

AkaGoldie · ‎04-14-2010

Hi F 1 we are glad you're back to post with us, i hope you get you ins issues worked out. Can be a real pain! I went for my annual eye exam a few weeks ago. Last may he told me I had the beginnings of cataracts, well when I went in this may he said the cataracts need to come out, they are ready. I'm not ready to have cataract surgery, so I'm going to just deal with it. I thought cataract surgery was for people in their 80's . I said I'm aging in dog years! Every year I age seven! So depressing, I had a bout with gout in my foot , so I hobbled in to the eye drs on a cane. I'm just not liking all this. Things have been hopping around here, we have several new posters and one of them gcr18 is having her first chemo treatment today. I'm saying prayers for you grc18, please post when you can and let us know how it went. Anyway good to hear from you F1, hope you will hang around and post with us and help us cheer on our new posters, belle how are you doing? Check in, if you can. Hugs to all..........Goldie

AkaGoldie · ‎04-14-2010

Hi F 1 we are glad you're back to post with us, i hope you get you ins issues worked out. Can be a real pain! I went for my annual eye exam a few weeks ago. Last may he told me I had the beginnings of cataracts, well when I went in this may he said the cataracts need to come out, they are ready. I'm not ready to have cataract surgery, so I'm going to just deal with it. I thought cataract surgery was for people in their 80's . I said I'm aging in dog years! Every year I age seven! So depressing, I had a bout with gout in my foot , so I hobbled in to the eye drs on a cane. I'm just not liking all this. Things have been hopping around here, we have several new posters and one of them gcr18 is having her first chemo treatment today. I'm saying prayers for you grc18, please post when you can and let us know how it went. Anyway good to hear from you F1, hope you will hang around and post with us and help us cheer on our new posters, belle how are you doing? Check in, if you can. Hugs to all..........Goldie

HerRoyaLioness · ‎03-13-2010

F1 - so good to hear from you! Glad your eye situation is better and the lung nodule is gone. It seems like we never quit dealing with things.

Goldie, yes I think I remember your ice chip post! The thing I miss the most about aging and chemo effects is my mind.....

Yes, like Pam, the ice chips and salt and soda mouthwash worked for me, and I think I got every side effect known to mankind from chemo.

I never got the bad nausea or threw up, but I had steroids and 3 different long lasting anti-nausea meds infused into me before the chemo and was sent home with 2 different meds for nausea. Never had to use them. My stomach didn't feel good when I ate something, but I would drink pure ginger tea and it would settle down. Of course food tasted like #*$%, soda crackers were my friend and even they weren't the best. No liquid tasted good, not even water, they were all terrible, but I drank lots of water anyway, but still ended up getting dehydrated and had to in for IV hydration, even with all the Gatorade I drank. Oh the joys, I'm starting to remember them.......but I survived through it and maybe shouldn't be talking about it, I don't want to discourage anyone, but in case these things happen to any of you - it's normal and you will get through it! I think I had a little of the "worst case scenario" syndrome going on for a while!

Take care everyone,

LL

F1wilder · ‎01-03-2015

Thank you everyone. Honestly, I began to think all of my medical drama sounds like a serious case of.......what's the clinical term for "all in my head"? ${#emotions_dlg.confused1}$

Anywho...I see Mayo doctors so what my insurance doesn't cover is on payments. They've been very good to me. These scleral lenses have to be paid up front because they are custom made. My 3 ophthalmologists all have written letters, plus all codes have been resubmitted. When I spoke with the predetermination department with my insurance I was told "they" like to have 4 or more codes for something to be approved. I told them I only have 3. She suggested a few "dummy" codes. I'm not about to ask my doctor's to do this (although I did mention it to one of my doctor's secretary).

Super-duper luck, gcr18! Think of this as an adventure, a real tough one. But one you will get through and have stories to tell of your strength and bravery. You are at the top of my "positive thoughts" meditation today. Feel my good vibes sent to you.