Newbie Here

 

What scares me the most is what this will do to us financially.  We're retired and living on a fixed income and I've been reading about the costs of chemo.  Holy Cow!!!!!!!!

 

At this point, the disease doesn't frighten me.  With one exception everyone in my family has had cancer. In fact, I had cervical cancer 20 years ago and came out just fine.

 

But I know that I'm entering foreign territory now so I'm grateful for all the warmth and support I see on this forum.

 

Onward and upward, as they say.

 

I welcomed you on another thread, but 'hey! who's counting??  You are not the oldest person on this site.  I'm going to be 73 in January and there are others who are about that age or older.  I was 65 at diagnoses, but just today, Aug. 20, 2013, I had my 7 year follow-up and was declared cancer-free by my oncologist.  I was Stage IIb, Grade 3 with 1 cancerous lymph node.  I had a mastectomy followed by very agressive chemo treatments.  I know you are at the beginning of your journey, but so were we all once.   Just keep posting and we will be your "cheerleaders" .  Remember, no question is too small or too large.  No question is stupid when it comes to triple negative cancer.  Ask away, we are here for you.

 

God Bless,

Lillie

Congratulations on your 7 year anniversary!!!!    Here is a toast to you!

 

Wishing you many more to come.  Party time... 

 

"Cancer free" is something I can't wrap my head around.   Maybe in time, I'll get to that point.

 

I like your new picture.   I'll have to figure out how to do one of myown.

 

Lots of Love to you,

 

Diana

 

 

Nana MiMi, I am encouraged by your comments about Medicare coverage and your lack of nausea. I have Medicare supplemental insurance but have never had to use it before so I'm hoping it will be adequate.

 

I've started a spreadsheet to track expenses, and a hardcopy journal to keep track of details and questions for the docs.  I also have started a blog www.beat3neg.blogspot.com where family, friends, and anyone else who's interested can follow my adventure.

 

I'll be a regular visitor here; lurking, absorbing information, and contributing if Ican.

 So sorry that you are facing a new cancer.  I know you are anxious about waiting for the surgery, but 8 days is really an acceptable (and sometimes considered quick) time period.  I had to wait 5 weeks between diagnosis and surgery due to coordination of surgeon and plastic surgeon schedules.

 

Listen carefully to your medical oncologist about pros and cons of doing chemo at your age.  70 tends to be the cut off age for when to offer chemo depending on side effects, risk vs benefits. 

(If taking chemo reduces recurrence risk from 20 to 10% - is it really worth it?)

 

I don't know what kind of Medicare or supplement you have - that will determine your out of pocket.  I have major medical through my hospital and used all "in network" physicians and groups so that I would have the best coverage.  I kept very careful records of every co-pay, RX payment and deductible / medical balance payments because we decided to pull from our 401K get back what we had paid out of pocket.  The total came to about $9,000 over 12 months - that was with no radiation therapy. We had a $1000 deductible per person.   I know everybody has different situations, but that was my out of pocket.

 

Good luck!