What a Day for a Bronchoscopy!

Today, I got a nice little note from Facebook saying that 69 people who liked me on my page haven’t heard from me in a while and then I was ordered to write a post!

On August 6, I was rushed again into the hospital with another SVT episode.  I will be writing more about those later, and what I have learned about their relationship to lung cancer.   Anyway, after my SVT was controlled I was given a CT scan and the doctors up here thought it would be a good idea for my oncologist to see the results.  I had a sinking feeling, especially when the ER doctor waved his hands in the air and said, “Looks the same as it did 20 or so months ago!

To make a long story a little shorter, my oncologist looked at the scan and said he saw a slow progression.  So, I made the trip down to Indy in mid- August and was asked if I would like to try to see if I might be eligible for a program at IU Simon known as Precision Genomics.   This is targeted therapy and again an explanation about that is for another post. 

In order to find out if I am eligible I had to undergo a bronchoscopy yesterday.   This is a not fun procedure that is done to capture tissue from the lungs to see what cells will work for certain targeted therapies and which will not.  I am going to insert an illustration for my reader’s enjoyment.  AS you will see it is not a good time.  

The bronchoscopy procedure is used for several other reasons, but for me a good amount of tissue had to be extracted to be tested.   In  the needle biopsy that was done in 2012 to determine if I had cancer, not enough was extracted.    

More options are available to me now than there were then.    But, if the results of biopsy show I am not a fit then we will go on to chemo.    

"Don't Get Caught in the Financial Mess that is Cancer" - a Fellow Cancer Survivor

In the beginning I was told by a fellow cancer survivor to be careful with my finances as I went about the bureaucracy that is cancer, testing, treatment, insurance issues, and so much more.  Here are a few of the organizations that might be able to help.  If you know of more, let me know.

Financial Help

Co-Pay Relief- copays.org- 1-866-512-3861

Patient Advocate Foundation- patientadvocate.org- 1-800-532-5274

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition-cancerfac.org

I really believe that having to worry about all of this during a time when you are fighting for your life is criminal.   I love the way certain individuals rant and rave that being self-sufficient is the only way to be a great American- these people have obviously either never been thrown into the sea without a life preserver or they are just so self-absorbed that compassion is not in their vocabulary.

The following excerpt from Social Work Today  highlights in concrete numbers the impact of financial stress on cancer fighters.

"According to the survey, 66% of patients with major financial challenges suffer depression or anxiety, 29% delay filling prescriptions due to financial pressures, and 22% skip doses of their medications. Sixty-three percent of oncology social workers surveyed said financial issues reduce patients’ compliance with their cancer treatment even though that treatment is key to their recovery. Additionally, 40% of patients reported depleting their savings, almost 30% reported dealing with bill collectors, and 54% of those handling a major/catastrophic financial burden said it had become more difficult in the past year to afford treatment.

Furthermore, 68% of cancer patients and caregivers surveyed reported that the patient is experiencing financial hardship due to medical bills, and 55% of all cancer patients surveyed said the stress of dealing with costs negatively affects their ability to focus on their recovery."

Beyond the hell of the disease of cancer- lies the beating heart of financial strain- reach in any direction you can to ward off the money beast.

I would love to hear any ideas that you or someone you know have used to work with financial difficulties during a cancer journey.  And, please, no part time job applicants need apply.  I would love to see one of them blend a chemo or radiation side effect with a job at Mickey Dees!

The Annie Appleseed Project - On Chemo Brain

http://annieappleseedproject.org/documents/chemobrainIDEAS.pdf

Back into Life

This morning I picked up my daughter, Rita,  to go to Kroger, here in Waynedale.   We just picked up a few things and then we were out.  When I first moved to Waynedale over 30 years ago, this store was named Rogers, then some years later, it became Scott's and now - well- you know.

When I was in my thirties and the kids were young, every Friday night we would hustle up to Rogers, and I would hand the cashier money for the food we would take home.  It was a struggle then- I never thought I would see the end of the tunnel.  At times, the stress of the financial load was almost unbearable.  I look back on those days now- and have a certain sadness for that young woman who was so burdened in her own mind that life had become a daily struggle just to survive.  

But, then, I think, it is the same for all parents, really.  We want the best for our kids.  We are willing to go to any lengths to get them to a place where they can be self-sufficient- and as a mother - a place where they are safe.

Too late we find out that there are no real safe places in life- just momentary respites.

Life is fragile- but fun!
Life is sad, at times- but can be glorious!
Life is often tedious and boring- but can offer a huge and wonderful surprise!

My Beautiful Grandson at Five 

Cancer Plan 4 Life-

Cancer Plan 4 Life    - Click and Watch the Video!



I was involved in the Beta testing for the Cancer Plan 4 Life program and it is second to none. As they say in the video there is nothing like it online. Cancer Plan 4 Life also motivated me to join the YMCA which led to my involvement in the first Livestrong Program at the Jorgensen YMCA

World Lung Cancer Day- August 1, 2014

Betsy Thompson of the Lung Cancer Survivors Foundation is the driving force behind the third annual World Lung Cancer Day that is being celebrated around the globe this Friday, August 1, 2014.   I first came to know about Betsy when I was about six months into my diagnosis.  Because I suffered from horrible insomnia during chemo, I often would do research and find sources of information and help for my condition or assistance for caregivers, or even information about clinical trials that showed promise. 

During one of these very late night excursion I found Lung Cancer Survivors Foundation on Facebook.  There is a good description of their mission at this link (http://startsomegood.com/Venture/lung_cancer_survivors_foundation)   OR you can join the Facebook group at (https://www.facebook.com/LCSurvivors)

Celebrate World Lung Cancer Day this August 1, 2014!

Northeast Indiana Cancer Services

Beginning Wednesday, September 10, 2014 from 9am to 11am NE Indiana Cancer Services will provide a Creative Workshop Series “The Artist’s Way”.  It is an 8-week series based upon the book by Julia Cameron.  Please call NE Indiana Cancer Services at 260-484-960.  The series will be held at Artworks Galleria at Jefferson Pointe, Behind Panera 4110 W. Jefferson Boulevard.   There is a 10 registration fee, but there is NO fee for the series.  Reservations must be made by September 5.