Breast cancer

[mare]

I want to know if anyone out there has dealt with this.
My pulmonologist suggests I go for an opinion at MSKCC in NYC, my insurance company is not giving me pre-certification to go., they want me to stay "in Network"

Looking or any ideas or suggestions.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Just looking for a little more information here, do they suspect you have breast cancer, have you been diagnosed with breast cancer...?

DO you have an HMO insurance plan?

 

[anonymous]

I have been diagnosed. Had the biopsies and CT scan and bone scan. luckily it has not spread. But very concerned about getting the most up to date treatment and not sending my CF out of control with chemo. Yeah got an HMO. talked to them today and they thought a second opintion should be covered but first have to be sure that there is not an oncologist in the network who can specialize in CF/cancer treatment. The surgeon I saw thinks I should just have a masectomy, do radiation and chemo. He does not understand the complications of CF. Even having surgery for that scares me to death!

 

[Emily65Roses]

Holy frickin hell. Like she doesn't have enough with just the CF... let's give her cancer too!! What fun! Well you seem to be dealing with it better than most (better than I'm sure I would). You will be in my thoughts. And most certainly, good luck to you. Keep us updated on how you're doing. I'd like to know. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">
Never had cancer myself (though I had pre-cancerous cells on my cervix and as a solution after one complication on top of another had my cervix and uterus removed), but I hope you're doing well. With love from a CFer.

 

[anonymous]

Yes I have had my "cup runneth over"! Not only have dealt with the CF all my life. I lost a sister 12 years ago to CF. AND have lost my parents, grandmother and some other family members to cancer. I know what devastation Chemotherapy can do to your body. (I am also a healthcare worker) and I know what "CF gone wild" can do also. I believe in always trying to live life to the fullest and having a positive attitude. AND being very aware of my body and being very diligent in my care. Remember I am 50 years old!

I have never done well with the CF centers in my past, they wanted to be too aggresive with drugs.. My MD"s have always been very cautious with Anitbiotics so that my Pseudomonas doesnt become resistant to drugs.

How could I deal with the "pseudomonas if my lymphs glands are removed in a masectomy?

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I know a young woman here with cf and cfrd. She´s about 37 years old now and had breast cancer some years ago. As far as I know, she had an IV before the operation, because her lungs where quite bad. They took off one of her breasts, but I don´t know for shure if she had also a chemo. What I know is that the cancer didn´t come back and that she is feeling quite ok with one breast. She said she didn´t want to have another operation just because of forming a new one.
I wish you all the best and much luck for the new year!!!

Uli,42,Germany

 

[anonymous]

When I was diagnost with my CF, my md and my lung dr fought over where I would be tested as my lung dr wanted me to go out of network because he didn't trust the testing at the in network hosp. My lung dr had to contacted my md several times and he finally gave the reerral. As for my HMO I had to write them a letter of appeals because this process of them wanting me to go here and the other wanting me to go there was about a month and a half. Which is too long to wait when you think you have something that is terminal. I have an HMO and they were pretty firm about my dr having to say where I had to go. So my appeal didn't work but the dr finally allowed me to go to get the test. I also had to go through this same process to go to see a CF center. So I would just demand it, it is your health. Someone will listen.

 

[mare]

<img src="i/expressions/sun.gif" border="0">Here's my latest update. I went to see the Breast surgeon-oncologist at MSKCC in NYC. She was really neat and the entire place in sooooo organized!
This surgeon made me feel good in one respect that her plan is still for a masectomy but that they will be doing reconstruction at the same time.
she can understand the importance of not being put "under" more than necessary. They are trying to get me set up with an appointment with the pulmonary depart. there so there can be some feedback as to weather I can have the surgery, radiation, treatments, etc. Getting another mamo done done there and appointments have been set up with the plastic surgeon. My surgery is scheduled for 1/31/05. hopefully will be out in 2 days. Their pathologists are looking at my slides again as the previous diagnoses were too vague to tell them what type of cancer it is so that treatments can be determined. There are so many different types of chemo; we will see. Girls...keep in mind that women who have not had children are at a greater risk for breast cancer. many of us cf'ers fall into that category so please be diligent with your mammo check ups.

 

[anonymous]

I am so glad that you are going to Sloan.. I live in NJ and someone that I have always considered to be a mother was dx with Breast cancer and she went there she had her sugury, chemo and radation there. I have gone with her many, many, times.. They are the best ever by far.. They are so cutting edge and on top of everything.. I know without a doubt you will do great there..They also have little off sight places in NJ one of them happens to be at my work where you can go if you don't want to drive into the city, then again you may live there....

Good Luck and you are in my prayers,
Jennifer

 

[mare]

<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> Hi Everyone! I had my mastectomy on 2/7 and I am home on 2/10. They kept me another day to keep an eye on my lungs.
Otherwise the surgery went well. Apparently there had been an issue when I was extubated in the OR. I didnt want to breathe and I had to be reintubated. Did get the tube out fairly quickly. Spent 3 hours in surgery & 8 hours in PACU- then off to the floor. I gave the nursing staff a hard time when needed. Had problems getting my breathing treatments, Im sure they have not had too much experience with a CF'er on a cancer floor. I reminded them a few times that I have managed to become 50 years old by being this insistent with proper care.
I am having a problem now with a little congestion but I did call my regular lung doc and he changed my antibiotics, so that should help.
Next step is to see what the treatments wll be. the breast surgeon/oncologist said she will have to research what I am going to be able to tolerate. kinda glad I had the episode in the OR so they could be reminded how different a CF'er is from other cancer patients.
My spirits are good though and overall Sloane is a great place and the doctors are awesome.

 

[shamrock]

Its fantastic news that all went well. Keep us updated. Hope all goes well. I'll be thinking of you<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"><img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[jaime]

Thats wonderful. I was just thinking about you and hoping you would post an update. Im glad everything went well!

 

[Diane]

I am so glad to hear you are doing well !!<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0"> Keep up the good work, and thanks for updating us <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

~Diane 40 / cf/ diabetes / b.cepacia

 

[mare]

Hi, healing well from the surgery. Monday was the worst day though, the super antibiotics they gave me stirred up my Asthma (like CF isnt enough)and I had to take a trip to my Local Emergency Room. I have lost my voice because of the Thrush that the drugs have also caused. Now taking Predisone, dc'd the Antibiotics early and doing better now. Have my first followup appoint in NYC tomorrow and hopefully get my drains removed so I can resume Postural Drainage., and get some ROM in my arm back.
Thanks for all your support