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You Can't Put a Price On A Life - This Just In.....Yes You Can
In my case, the costs are approaching 500k since the first of the year, 2020 up to June 2020. And the costs continue to rise. My blog post today is about the continuing rising costs of healthcare. Take a look at the article here>> https://bit.ly/2YC9uG3
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Has your doctor suggested any "non-pharmacological" methods of pain control?
Like acupuncture, meditation, or exercise? Since the opioid crisis hit, some cancer patients are having trouble getting the pain relief they need. Here is an article about one method of pain relief without pain meds. Jun J. Mao, MD, MSCE, on the Need for Non-Pharmacological Pain Management in Cancer Survivors June 19, 2020…
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keytruda
how long before it takes effect? I was given my first dose a week ago and am wondering if I am too far gone. Any info would be helpful
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Someone asked me if it was worth it to go through a surgery to have a port put in.
I'm sure there will be lots of others that will agree. But my answer is a GIANT YES!! Yesterday's surgery was as simple as they get. The worst part of the whole deal was getting up early to drive 3 hours to the facility and have it done. The pre-op was simple. The worst part of that? Getting stuck in the arm one LAST time…
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how to deal with stress, anger and guilt as a caregiver
I feel angry about being a caregiver and that causes stress and quilt in me. i feel guilty as my mother has always been my rock, my safe port, and has always been there for me. I am so worried that somehow i will miss up the picc line with flushing, or cause an infection in her pleural catheter site, with the drains i do,…
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pain
good morning all, I am a 8 years cancer survivor dealing with pain. this pain doctor / clinic is just another money making scheme. for those of us that need the medicine we have to jump through hoops. yet I see all the time people are hospitalized from overdosing on fentanyl and heroin or meth. so they categorize Percocet…
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angry out bursts
I have found myself over reacting to really small things. I used to just let things roll off my back, now i find myself, having angry outbursts, and at times not realizing what i just said. it is as my ability to screen my thoughts has gone amuck,
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Are you making future plans for after treatment or waiting until it's over?
I have found myself getting ready to mark something on the calendar or start making plans for something that might be for next year, but then I stop and think to myself that I better wait and make sure I make it through this before I start planning things for the future. Anybody else do this?
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Someone recently posted that they needed help with things through their cancer treatments.
While they didn't say what they needed, I understand that most of us do wind up needing help with something. This link is for our resources page that has links to hundreds of places that will offer help to those who qualify. Click link to look https://www.whatnext.com/cc/Resources_For_Cancer_Patients_Survivors_And_Family
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I haven't done the research on ports lately, but Vandy tells me that the Bard Powerport is supposed
For those that have had a port and looked up the info, what's the difference between a power port and a "regular" port like I'm sure I had before? I know the old one I had was probably twice as big as this one. It had a lot more metal on it too. Do you know any of the differences?
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Myelin Sheath damage
Has anyone suffered from myelin sheath damage from 5-fu chemo protocol? If so, what was treatment options?
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We received an email from a member talking about the topic of whining about what's bothering us, whe
and if it should be done here. He goes on to explain that whining about our problems is a good thing letting us vent, letting us help and support each other, and helping to educate others about some of the things that might pop up in their own cancer experience later on. So, let's whine! What's bothering you this week?
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Do you find that these holiday weekends that provide an opportunity to get together with your family
Since my diagnosis I enjoy these opportunities to get together with family and friends. We will have a good size group of people at our house tomorrow and I so look forward to these days. This one will be a little strange, everyone will be required to have a mask on and no hugging me. We are trying to be cautious. But I…
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How many radiation treatments did you have?
My plan now has 45 to be done, this number has changed twice. Did your number change during your treatments? Added some or took some away?
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Sleep issues, what works besides full on sleeping pills?
I'm sure it's just my head running full speed ahead, but what, if anything, have you found that helps to put you asleep and keep you there? I either can't go to sleep or when I do, I wake up every hour. Any tips?
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HOw long did your side effects from radiation hang on after your treatments were over?
I still have a lack of taste, low saliva output, my sense of smell is minimal, and a basket full of other side effects around my head and neck. My side effects are primarily from radiation to the head and neck, but side effects from other types of cancer are similar. What side effects do you have that are still having…
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Someone asked me about going to start chemo treatments and what they should take with them.
This is a good time to refresh our "What to Take to Chemo" article. So let us have your "must haves" while at chemo. What would you suggest?
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I am still waking up with a swollen bottom lip and neck. I was told it's probably lymphedema, I've n
I know that if it's in your arms or legs there are compression sleeves or stockings to wear, but have any of you had this in your head/neck, etc. like this? I don't know what could be done for it. For now, it's not a big bother, I just can't feel my bottom lip and sometimes spill a little coffee when trying to drink it in…
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So, how many sticks does it take you for them to finally find a vein?
I always tell them ahead of time that I'm a hard stick, I've had chemo, bad veins, blah, blah, blah. Usually they will look at my arms and get a concerned look on their face, then start digging. When I go to Vandy, 99% of the time it's one stick, usually painless. The last time it was three times. Today, it was 2 times…
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I just read an article about one of the people from Seattle that had the coronavirus. His hospital b
That's just unimaginable! My highest bill ever was 375,000 and I thought that was crazy. What's been your highest bill? These things are like jokes anymore, like we are playing with monopoly money.
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Have you ever considered that the road we go down with our cancer is left to chance in many points i
At any given office visit, biopsy, scan, blood test, MRI, or physical exam, things can either go right or take a left and go wrong, down that highway to hell. That's where I am again, sitting at a stop sign and waiting to see which way we are going. It all starts today with a PET Scan, surgery on Wednesday and depending on…
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Have you ever gone to urgent care?
I got stung by a wasp or hornet on my little finger on Sunday afternoon and had a severe allergic reaction. I was having any breathing problems so I decided to go to urgent care instead of the ER. I had an excellent experience - in and out within an hour and only a $20 copay. Have any of you used urgent care for small…
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Are you carrying some anger around with you through your cancer diagnosis and treatments?
I'm guilty of this myself. There doesn't seem to be an end to what keeps getting stacked on top of a cancer patient. Just as we think things are going pretty good and this might turn out OK, BAM, something kicks you right in the knees, I have a saying that I use all the time. Every time something else happens either with…
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One of our members Lisa Lurie, founder of Cancer Be Glammed is in search of your opinions on life af
Cancer Recovery Life & Style Survey Many surveys exist about medical care, but very few focus on the day-to-day recovery & lifestyle needs of women with cancer. Until now! If you have had cancer or are currently undergoing surgery and/or treatment, Cancer Be Glammed & Wrapped in Love want to hear from you. The survey is…
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Have any of you been contacted by an attorney or contacted an attorney about this Zantac causing pro
I halfway think it's just a lawyer scam where they will get all the money and each patient gets 20.00 but you never know. The curiosity is killing me. (bad choice of words, I know)
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For those with ER+ breast cancer diagnosis re: soy in everything these days
I became frustrated while grocery shopping the other day. I have become very much more ingredient conscious since my diagnosis and learning that those who are ER+ should avoid soy products (among other things). They have special sections in the super market for diabetics, lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant etc. but we…
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Looks like I may be following in Greg's footsteps
3:30 Wed morning, I got up to go to the bathroom. Glanced down, noticed iodine called fluid gushing from my navel. My PCP told me to go to the ER. I have a hernia (what is with me and hernias!) but there is also a blob. Partially solid, partially liquid. In the hospital Wed to Friday as they fight over whose problem I am.…
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How have you been doing coping with the isolation that the Corona Virus has brought?
But cancer patients have been somewhat in isolation for years, due to a compromised immune system. Have you noticed a difference? Has it caused you any issues? How have you dealt with the additional isolation? Our blog post today has some information and tips on coping with that isolation, take a look here>>…
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Genetic testing
Has anyone with prostate cancer knowledgeable about genetic testing? Where is the best place to read about this. My husband has been tested and we are waiting for the results.
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Scared of going in for check-ups during the pandemic !!!
I have many overdue check-ups and I am freaking out. Luckily I found this article I am going to follow every check point https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/how-to-safely-go-to-your-doctor-during-coronavirus/art-20486713?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=living-with-cancer
