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Andrea Barnett Budin · 10-12-2007, 11:50 AM

Fabulous article, Brenda! Enlightening and utterly scary. I'm hoping you're doing all right insurance-wise. I am one of the lucky ones in that regard. And, as I've heard Elizabeth Edwards say, she and her husband want the best of medical care for every one! How do we do that? I don't know.

I do know that my Cancer Center is no longer giving Aranesp injections (to boost flagging red blood counts). My insurance company is presently (after 9 months of decision making and stalling and leaving patients *hanging* on...) covering the cost. But I must get a scrip from my doc. Fortunately he is not afraid to prescribe it, w/potential law suits if problems arise w/heart or advanced ca into head and neck area. Then I must take the script to the pharmacy, wait a day for them to get it in and then SELF-INJECT. This system needs fixing. I am broken-hearted over those who can't get important treatment -- even though it is *available*! This is not acceptable.

What is your situation in this regard, Brenda. BTW, you can read my signature about my med history and if you have any questions -- please shoot them over to me. After 12 yrs of I don't know how many doctors appts, infusions, imaging centers and on and on I've been to, and through -- I have accrued a professional patient's awareness. Like being married to a doc (my daughter is married to an OB/GYN and can answer the most amazing panoply of questions re this specialty almost as well as her husband, though not skilled in performing exams and surgery). I have learned a lot about a subject I wish I didn't have to know about, but am empowered all the same (far more than as a newbie, back in the day -- '95).

Andi

10-12-2007, 11:50 AM	#7
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	Heavy Herceptin user reporting in... Fabulous article, Brenda! Enlightening and utterly scary. I'm hoping you're doing all right insurance-wise. I am one of the lucky ones in that regard. And, as I've heard Elizabeth Edwards say, she and her husband want the best of medical care for every one! How do we do that? I don't know. I do know that my Cancer Center is no longer giving Aranesp injections (to boost flagging red blood counts). My insurance company is presently (after 9 months of decision making and stalling and leaving patients hanging on...) covering the cost. But I must get a scrip from my doc. Fortunately he is not afraid to prescribe it, w/potential law suits if problems arise w/heart or advanced ca into head and neck area. Then I must take the script to the pharmacy, wait a day for them to get it in and then SELF-INJECT. This system needs fixing. I am broken-hearted over those who can't get important treatment -- even though it is available! This is not acceptable. What is your situation in this regard, Brenda. BTW, you can read my signature about my med history and if you have any questions -- please shoot them over to me. After 12 yrs of I don't know how many doctors appts, infusions, imaging centers and on and on I've been to, and through -- I have accrued a professional patient's awareness. Like being married to a doc (my daughter is married to an OB/GYN and can answer the most amazing panoply of questions re this specialty almost as well as her husband, though not skilled in performing exams and surgery). I have learned a lot about a subject I wish I didn't have to know about, but am empowered all the same (far more than as a newbie, back in the day -- '95). 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...