Shift in Stage of BC |
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trip2 
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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 Topic: Shift in Stage of BCPosted: Jun 24 2008 at 6:56am |
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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/acs-nfc061808.php#
"LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS INCREASES RISK OF DEATH AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS"
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Beth Anne
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Joined: Apr 24 2008 Location: Clairnbridge, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 376 |
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Posted: Jun 24 2008 at 8:10pm |
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Pam,
Sad but true
 Beth Anne
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Dx 5/07 DCIS Stage3 gr9 A/C x 6, Abrax x 16 Bi-Mass 2/08
Navelbine x 12, finished radiation end of July 08. DX Brain Met's 2/09StageIV CK3/09.Brain resection4/09 WBR Dreaming of dancing with Ned! |
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Jessie
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Joined: Aug 07 2007 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: Jun 25 2008 at 4:36am |
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It IS sad. I'm very anxious to know how the concept of "national health care" would impact the situation. What a complex problem it is --- and what easy answers the polititions give !
I'd like to know how the same study would compare if conducted in Canada and other places with national health care. Any feedback from you snowbunnies ?
 Jessie
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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Nancy
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Joined: Jul 23 2007 Location: Altoona, PA Status: Offline Points: 3814 |
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Posted: Jun 25 2008 at 7:34am |
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Hey Jessie,
If we think that Congress, those representing us, actually give a rats behind about those less fortunate...we are kidding ourselves. They and their families, have possibly the best health care that anyone could ever have.
Am I suprised by the findings?? NO!!! It is a given fact that if you don't have good coverage, your health will suffer. How sad, how very very sad.
In one of my posts on my thread, I told you of a young woman who required a prothesis. She had a mastectomy, but was on Medicaid. My daughter at that time worked at a orthotics and prostheses office. My daughter had to put in many many requests for this woman, whose only desire was to feel like a young woman again. Or as close as you can come to feeling that way with a prosthesis. This young woman was African American, and actually cried to my daughter.
There are the "HAVES" and the "HAVE -NOTS". The have -nots probably make up a larger percentage of the population, and the haves do not care. They have the financial means to take care of everything. Perhaps at some time in their lives they too will find themselves in dire straights...having lost their jobs, homes, etc.
Nancy
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Jessie
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Joined: Aug 07 2007 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: Jun 25 2008 at 8:37am |
 Nancy, the difficulty of having -- and keeping -- good health insurance is an issue for all of us except the really rich and, you're right, those in Congress ! Only Bill Gates can afford to not worry about insurance........
I'm 64 and could retire, except for the health insurance issue. I need to continue working almost two more years so that I will satisfy the "retirement" eligibility and get my company's health care supplement to Medicare. I never dreamed I would be working solely for the purpose of health insurance. And I work for a medical university !
One of my former coworkers here, age 50, has a brain tumor, has had 21 (!!) brain surgeries over the past year and will continue to need more to maintain her shunt. She'd worked here for over 20 years, yet will be terminated this month --- no more health insurance. If she were 55, she could retire and qualify for retirement benefits, including health --- but NO. No insurance company would cover her at any cost. Under COBRA, she can continue under the company health plan for 18 months -- paying a fortune to do so -- but then what?
I hate the thought of Uncle Sam making medical decisions for me, it would almost certainly be a rationing program to keep the costs down. But the rule now is that one has to be rich or tied to a large corporation -- and LUCKY -- to feel secure that you have access to quality health care.
We have the best health care in the world --- but most don't have access to it. Something HAS to be done.
 Jessie
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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colleen
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Joined: Jun 02 2008 Status: Offline Points: 38 |
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Posted: Jun 25 2008 at 12:31pm |
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That's why we should vote Democratic in November of '08....sorry couldn't help myself.
dx april 08
stage1, grade3,
lumpectomy may 08
rad begin june 30th
no chemo
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Beth Anne
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Joined: Apr 24 2008 Location: Clairnbridge, Ireland Status: Offline Points: 376 |
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Posted: Jun 25 2008 at 4:15pm |
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Jessie, It is the plight of the middle class to be driven to bankruptcy for health care. When my friend in SoCal was going through BC treatment, they had to put a morgage on their home to pay for medical treatments. As I would stand in line at the pharmacy to pick up her drugs that she needed for treatment, and pay a small foretune for those drugs... I would watch those who didn't even speak the language get all of the top of the line medical supplies and drugs for free...
There is so many problems with the system and those of us who are able to pay for the insurance to get good care are "lucky" if we don't loose our homes.
The care for the poor is substandard in many ways and this leads to poor over all out come, and that is just wrong! But it is also wrong for hard working people to go broke just trying to get the treatment they need.
I don't know what the answer is it just needs to be fixed.
Just my little rant for the day!
Take care,
Beth Anne Edited by Beth Anne - Jun 25 2008 at 4:17pm |
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Dx 5/07 DCIS Stage3 gr9 A/C x 6, Abrax x 16 Bi-Mass 2/08
Navelbine x 12, finished radiation end of July 08. DX Brain Met's 2/09StageIV CK3/09.Brain resection4/09 WBR Dreaming of dancing with Ned! |
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trip2
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Joined: Jun 03 2007 Location: Under Palm Tree Status: Offline Points: 8549 |
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Posted: Jun 26 2008 at 6:38am |
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The stories you hear of people out there ill w/whatever disease and having to struggle to get the help they need is totally unfair. Some of the things I hear make me furious but I sure don't know the answer. The national medical care doesn't seem to sound like a good answer to me according to what Connie and others have posted. You are right it is the middle class taking the brunt. They work and have insurance, do everything right but still have to struggle to get their treatment meds, keep their home. Look at the mom's that have posted that have small children raising them alone and in their free time trying to pay bills while taking chemo. Can't even imagine what they must go thru. You have the ones who choose for whatever reason not to work and they seem to pretty much get what they need regardless. Then our insurance goes up and the struggle continues.
I don't know the answer. I am just me sitting here at home on my puter, nobody special but I wonder if part of the problem is the drug companies, doctors, clinics, hospitals, the deals the make, politics.
Those people aren't struggling. While they are out on a cruise some drug company paid for they have patients at home waiting for an appointment and are desperately sick.
Oh I'll shut up. Edited by trip2 - Jun 26 2008 at 6:46am |
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Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007 BRCA 1+ |
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Jessie
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Joined: Aug 07 2007 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 515 |
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Posted: Jun 26 2008 at 9:31am |
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Pam and All,
I think Pam's hit on one of the complexities of the situation. The deals made between hospitals and the insurance companies are major. When I look at a statement from the hospital for a CT scan, I see a "basic cost" and a "discount amt". The "discount amt" is a negotiated deal between the hospital and my insurance company, and is usually about 1/2 of the "basic cost". If I had no insurance, would I be charged the "basic cost" without a discount ? How fair is that ?!?
There are also "deals" between providers and drug companies. My son is an ACNP. When Steve writes a prescription for a patient who he knows can't afford to get it filled, he can submit a form to the drug company --- and the drug company will provide the medication at no cost. My impression is that this "service" is totally up to the descretion of the provider, and how many people even know this is possible. In return for the free meds, the drug company hopes that, in situations where a choice of drugs is to be made, Steve will more often prescribe his drug.
Recently, the Controller of the university had an "Eat with Doug" lunch with my department. He discussed efforts underway to make the medical center more efficient, more profitable, more patient friendly, etc. It's a massive and complex effort and nothing was mentioned about positioning for the likelihood of a national health care situation. During Q&A time, I ask about that. His reply was that we were already in that situation because Medicare sets the charges for medical costs, but that further control by Uncle Sam is not expected.
Well, I'm glad I'm not charged with solving the health care problem. The more I learn, the more complex it seems to get.
 Hugs,
Jessie
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IDC,Stage I,Grade 3,dx 4/06
dbl mast 5/06, systemic MRSA post surgery septic shock, heart attack triple bypass 1/07 no chemo due to infections and heart issues so far NED! |
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