A quick hello....

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
Things have been really hectic here.  It started right after Labor Day and it's still going on.  But I've been reading everyone's posts and it sounds like life has been pretty stressful for lots of us.  I've been walking a lot on the track at our gym while listening to my ipod and that seems to be the only place I can relax.
 
Our leak is still in the "almost finished" stage.  Mostly I ignore it.
 
I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on Nov. 21 but am trying to move that up to earlier in Nov.  Just have a feeling about things.
 
This week I'm going to NY to see the onc.; that's always good for an anxiety headache or 2.  Yesterday, I called the gastroenterologist's office re: the colonoscopy.  His receptionist put me on hold and then told me he'd call back at 1:00, right after lunch.  Well, duh, since when does lunch finish at 6:30 pm?  That's when the same receptionist, not even the dr, called back.  Gosh, how I detest having to have any contact with medical system.
 
Our COBRA is expiring on Dec. 31 so we've been looking into new health ins.  Researching THAT actually can cause a major depression.  How can some snot in an office who knows nothing about BC ask me: "if your 7 yrs. out from DX, why are you still taking a cancer drug (femara)?"  It takes a lot to get me going, but I wanted to reach into the phone and throttle her.  I have never been without health ins. in my whole life.  Now, because I need to take femara as well as lipitor because femara raises blood cholesterol, apparently I'm a VERY bad risk.  I know we'll work this out, but why does it always have to be so difficult? 
 
Isn't the fact that we've all survived this wretched disease worth anything?  Does everyone have to get cancer in order for anyone to actually empathize.  I'm really disgusted.
 
Well, my "quick hello" wasn't so quick or very cheerful either.  Forgive me,  I'm just at the end of my thether.  Hugs from here, Luci

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.  Albert Camus

2
Luci:
 
When are you coming to NY?  Maybe we could hook up. 
 
You do sound stressed.  I read about the iPod, and was saying, OK, at least one of us has some serenity going on, then I read further and realized that we just have to deal with so much crap.  Honey, please know that you'll get what you're supposed to, and it will be wonderful.  It's all going to work out!  We haven't been taken this far to be dropped on our buts now! 
 
Keep on being good to yourself.  You deserve the best!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

Ellen

3

Luci, have you checked with your state government insurance commission? I believe the HIPPA law requires the portability of medical insurance. I know that the State of Alabama has a state insurance that state residents are eligible for if one has exhausted their 18 or 24 months of COBRA coverage. I know that it is expensive and I believe that it covers pre-existing conditions and it does guarantee "continuity" of insurance which is so important when you are again eligible for med insurance from an employer. In Alabama the Program is called AHIP and is found at SEIB.state.al.gov. Perhaps something similar will get you to your state's program (SEIB is for State Employees Insurance Benefits -- Don't ask me why AHIP is located at their web site.) If nothing else Google your state's insurance commission site which should help.

Judy

ps I just googled "new york health insurance hippa" and got to the site you need, if you are interested.


Post Edited (JUJU8872) : 10/30/2005 1:34:00 PM (GMT-7)