Yep, I did it. Broke the New Years Resolution to avoid hospitals. Did it on Feb 5th, 2012.
Wound up in the Emergency Room for unspecified chest pains.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
2012 Goals --- going back to school and a story
So far one of the goals for 2012 has been met.
The Spring Semester at UNLV (University Nevada Las Vegas) started on Tuesday, Jan 17th. So, of course I was there (without the bells) for my first college course in nearly 6 years ... Introduction to Epidemiology. Then on Wednesday my second class started Public Policy and Health Care. Does anyone notice a theme here? I suppose since 'acquiring' Cancer a year ago, I have developed a greater interest in the nature of health care in the US. After all, last year was easier on us (financially) than it would (could) be for others because we have awesome Health Insurance. I was able to get really good care (aside from the 'usual' glitches), in both in-patient and out-patient environments. Regular testing and not having to take alot out of pocket or worrying about if we were going to have to pick and choose what the priority was ... then again, that may make us the unusual not the norm.
In Jan 2010, I had my first arm surgery for some nerve damage received several years before (falling off a bike of all things), and my mother said, "it's a good thing you have insurance, what would you do if you didn't have insurance?" I told her, "still have the work done." The condition had gotten to where I had lost functionality in my right hand (clawing and wasting, classic signs of peripheral nerve damage), so it was something that had to be done. She then asked, "How would you pay for it?" I told her then, "Everything is negotiable." Which is the case. If I had been uninsured at the time of the first surgery, I would have gone to the surgeon and asked what it would cost for the procedure if I was paying 'cash.' I imagine, it would have been about 50% less that the insurance would be billed. The insurance companies negotiate rates with their providers, the providers charge a rate (which may vary from person/person or insurer/insurer) and then there's cash/personal guarantee of payment.
So, how does this apply to my adventure last year with synovial sarcoma?
The medical system is insanely convoluted, so I want to learn more about what makes it tick.
The much touted 'death panels' already exist if you don't have good health insurance or the money to pay for the procedures (which is why so many people wind up in bankruptcy from medical expenses)
I was terribly fortunate with the medical insurance provided by my husbands employer (group insurance rules)
The anticipated changes in the health care laws, what are the pros/cons and how much of a difference will they make to the public health arena and the people who need the care.
to be continued ...
The Spring Semester at UNLV (University Nevada Las Vegas) started on Tuesday, Jan 17th. So, of course I was there (without the bells) for my first college course in nearly 6 years ... Introduction to Epidemiology. Then on Wednesday my second class started Public Policy and Health Care. Does anyone notice a theme here? I suppose since 'acquiring' Cancer a year ago, I have developed a greater interest in the nature of health care in the US. After all, last year was easier on us (financially) than it would (could) be for others because we have awesome Health Insurance. I was able to get really good care (aside from the 'usual' glitches), in both in-patient and out-patient environments. Regular testing and not having to take alot out of pocket or worrying about if we were going to have to pick and choose what the priority was ... then again, that may make us the unusual not the norm.
In Jan 2010, I had my first arm surgery for some nerve damage received several years before (falling off a bike of all things), and my mother said, "it's a good thing you have insurance, what would you do if you didn't have insurance?" I told her, "still have the work done." The condition had gotten to where I had lost functionality in my right hand (clawing and wasting, classic signs of peripheral nerve damage), so it was something that had to be done. She then asked, "How would you pay for it?" I told her then, "Everything is negotiable." Which is the case. If I had been uninsured at the time of the first surgery, I would have gone to the surgeon and asked what it would cost for the procedure if I was paying 'cash.' I imagine, it would have been about 50% less that the insurance would be billed. The insurance companies negotiate rates with their providers, the providers charge a rate (which may vary from person/person or insurer/insurer) and then there's cash/personal guarantee of payment.
So, how does this apply to my adventure last year with synovial sarcoma?
The medical system is insanely convoluted, so I want to learn more about what makes it tick.
The much touted 'death panels' already exist if you don't have good health insurance or the money to pay for the procedures (which is why so many people wind up in bankruptcy from medical expenses)
I was terribly fortunate with the medical insurance provided by my husbands employer (group insurance rules)
The anticipated changes in the health care laws, what are the pros/cons and how much of a difference will they make to the public health arena and the people who need the care.
to be continued ...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Good tidings for all and the strangest reasons to be happy
When I look back on 2011, there are a number of things that sound trivial, but, really become important in the broader scope.
I was diagnosed with cancer exactly 1 year ago (alright, I was told it was cancer on Jan 14, 2011), since then life has been a little upside down, sideways and inside out.
The things I decided not to take for granted:
My husband. He absolutely hates hospitals but he came to visit me every day of my confinement (14 days over 1.5 months), and was there the whole time for my surgery. He also chose to sleep on the couch for awhile to make sure I got what he calls "good sleep"
My family. They were all insanely supportive and helpful of anything Dave or I would need. My mother for staying to take care of me (and not giving us food poisoning). Dave's Mom for driving me around to appointments and not spilling the beans to my mother.
My/Our Friends. Lots of kind thoughts and no one made me feel funny when I was bald.
A good doctor. Everyone needs a good one to help you through the maze that is the medical system.
Nurses
The strangest reason to be happy ... The aches and pains I have in my right hand. Why? I had been told for months that I could lose the arm, depending on the ease/difficulty on removing the tumor and if it were to spread. So, to have the aches and pains, isn't such a bad thing.
I was diagnosed with cancer exactly 1 year ago (alright, I was told it was cancer on Jan 14, 2011), since then life has been a little upside down, sideways and inside out.
The things I decided not to take for granted:
My husband. He absolutely hates hospitals but he came to visit me every day of my confinement (14 days over 1.5 months), and was there the whole time for my surgery. He also chose to sleep on the couch for awhile to make sure I got what he calls "good sleep"
My family. They were all insanely supportive and helpful of anything Dave or I would need. My mother for staying to take care of me (and not giving us food poisoning). Dave's Mom for driving me around to appointments and not spilling the beans to my mother.
My/Our Friends. Lots of kind thoughts and no one made me feel funny when I was bald.
A good doctor. Everyone needs a good one to help you through the maze that is the medical system.
Nurses
The strangest reason to be happy ... The aches and pains I have in my right hand. Why? I had been told for months that I could lose the arm, depending on the ease/difficulty on removing the tumor and if it were to spread. So, to have the aches and pains, isn't such a bad thing.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The first week of January ... in review
It's official, 2012 is here, the sky is blue and the weather is remarkably tolerable.
My hand has it's moments of pain and suffering and remarkable elation. So, so far I have nothing particularly pithy or earth-shattering to mention ... but, it's probably because I've forgotten what it is I wanted to say.
sigh
My hand has it's moments of pain and suffering and remarkable elation. So, so far I have nothing particularly pithy or earth-shattering to mention ... but, it's probably because I've forgotten what it is I wanted to say.
sigh
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 A Retrospective
December 30, 2010 was the day I went in for a surgical procedure to determine the exact nature of the tumor in my forearm.
Is it going to be a schwannoma or a neurofibroma? One is malignant and cancerous, the other benign and no big deal ... sounds like the definition of benign and malignant doesn't it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_peripheral_nerve_sheath_tumor (sorry you have to copy and paste the link into your browser window).
In any case, my grandmother used to say whatever you're doing in New Years Day is what you'll be doing for the rest of the year. Last year on New Years Day, I was sick and recovering from the surgical procedure I had on the 30th. Hmmm ... maybe there was some merit to what she used to say.
My goal for 2012 is to not spend time in the hospital. 2011 had two weeks too many in the hospital (and probably too many CT scans, MRI's, PET Scans, forearm x-rays, needle sticks, the list goes on).
Happy 2012 to all.
Is it going to be a schwannoma or a neurofibroma? One is malignant and cancerous, the other benign and no big deal ... sounds like the definition of benign and malignant doesn't it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_peripheral_nerve_sheath_tumor (sorry you have to copy and paste the link into your browser window).
In any case, my grandmother used to say whatever you're doing in New Years Day is what you'll be doing for the rest of the year. Last year on New Years Day, I was sick and recovering from the surgical procedure I had on the 30th. Hmmm ... maybe there was some merit to what she used to say.
My goal for 2012 is to not spend time in the hospital. 2011 had two weeks too many in the hospital (and probably too many CT scans, MRI's, PET Scans, forearm x-rays, needle sticks, the list goes on).
Happy 2012 to all.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Happy Dance Happy Dance
In the last few weeks I've had a CT Scan, and and MRI and all the results are in ...
... Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
An awesome Christmas gift.
... Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
An awesome Christmas gift.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Former Miss Venezuela dies from Breast Cancer
Seeing information about people passing away at such a young age from cancer makes me sad.
No, it not is from increased empathy from my own experience with cancer ... or is it?
No, it not is from increased empathy from my own experience with cancer ... or is it?
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