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Andrea Barnett Budin · 09-17-2007, 04:38 PM

$$$$$$$$$$ CORRECTION. For H the cancer center BILLS $8,000 ev 3 wks. They get around $2000. It's a game. They keep billing more and getting more, but the #s don't actually coincide. And then, it's back to the Aranesp issue, which I won't repeat but is above in my post. Apparently not an issue in Canada.

U.S. NEEDS HEALTH CARE REFORM. We all know that. Insurance co's are making medical decisions, even contrary to our docs recommendations. Clerks behind a desk can override him/her, just to save $$$$$. And Medicare leads the way, which is not a good thing to say the least. And yes, you judge a society by how they care for he less fortunate among them. We're in a quagmire of a mess. But I did get to choose 5 oncs on my own, choose my surgeons, etc. And I can purchase Aranesp on the black market, from Canada and self-inject. IF I had a whole bunch of $$$ to afford such a luxury. Our system is badly broken and we all know it.

My neice is uninsured b/c she comes from divorced parents and he won't pay and she can't pay, so my neice hasn't been to a GYN ever, etc... New administration has to fix this + solve Iraq... Meanwhile...

Andi

09-17-2007, 04:38 PM	#18
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	$$$$$$ Correction. $$$$$$$$$$ CORRECTION. For H the cancer center BILLS $8,000 ev 3 wks. They get around $2000. It's a game. They keep billing more and getting more, but the #s don't actually coincide. And then, it's back to the Aranesp issue, which I won't repeat but is above in my post. Apparently not an issue in Canada. U.S. NEEDS HEALTH CARE REFORM. We all know that. Insurance co's are making medical decisions, even contrary to our docs recommendations. Clerks behind a desk can override him/her, just to save $$$$$. And Medicare leads the way, which is not a good thing to say the least. And yes, you judge a society by how they care for he less fortunate among them. We're in a quagmire of a mess. But I did get to choose 5 oncs on my own, choose my surgeons, etc. And I can purchase Aranesp on the black market, from Canada and self-inject. IF I had a whole bunch of $$$ to afford such a luxury. Our system is badly broken and we all know it. My neice is uninsured b/c she comes from divorced parents and he won't pay and she can't pay, so my neice hasn't been to a GYN ever, etc... New administration has to fix this + solve Iraq... Meanwhile... Andi __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...