Rare Lois R Posted July 23, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Hi...we had an old thread that was put in by Laura (Community Manager of CC) but it is really old so thought I would start a new one since most everyone on here is usually helpful and friendly:) and sometimes we just need to vent....... I am asking if ya'll could put in a good word for me (to whoever you would normally ask)....this week I was diagnosed with a chronic form of Leukemia....it is treatable with a pill.......albeit a VERY, VERY expensive pill:eek::rolleyes:...... I am having a bone marrow biopsy on Monday so I will have more answers after that but the Doc did tell me the pills can range from 4 grand a month to 8 grand a month:eek: Yes, I have insurance from work but what happened to affordable meds?:confused:.... Oh, the good part of this is the Doc said this form of cancer is the form to get (if you are going to get it at all)......that it is not terminal. But it is still a shock and any good thoughts would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise kitty Posted July 23, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Oh, Lois I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I don't know you, but you come across as such a genuinely kind & thoughtful person :) Yes I'll be putting in a good word for you, but I think that whatever powers that be probably have you on their 'good' list already. Best thoughts & wishes for strength to deal with your new situation. Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted July 23, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Hi Lois -- you were one of the first people I remember "meeting" on this site, and you are always so helpful and friendly -- as well as a fellow solo traveler. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my thoughts as you go through this. It's amazing that they can treat this with a pill. It may be expensive, but isn't it great that it is available for you, now that you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartbda Posted July 23, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Oh no!!! "Putting in a good word" for you. Email me ANY time you need to vent, rant or just talk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 23, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Thanks girls......I really appreciate it:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 23, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted July 23, 2016 (edited) Hi Lois -- you were one of the first people I remember "meeting" on this site, and you are always so helpful and friendly -- as well as a fellow solo traveler. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my thoughts as you go through this. It's amazing that they can treat this with a pill. It may be expensive, but isn't it great that it is available for you, now that you need it. Hi Cynthia....it is great but not sure what is going to happen if it is really more than I can afford to pay:eek:....out of pocket will be my deductible and 20%...Blue Cross pays 80%...... I will just have to wait and see what happens on Monday. Edited July 23, 2016 by Lois R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvscruising2007 Posted July 23, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Wishing you well and sending only positive thoughts your way. Have faith that things will work out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 23, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Thanks Jane:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 23, 2016 Author #9 Share Posted July 23, 2016 And you want to hear a part of left out......I woke up Tuesday night with a HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE pain on my right side......near the groin area......it was a kidney stone:eek:......I had to drive myself to the emergency room........went in with that, came out with cancer...... they did blood work and my white count showed 180,000:eek:..... the normal white count should be between 7,000 and 11,000.......... I don't wish a kidney stone on anyone......it was the worst pain I can remember........you can't lay still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awhfy Posted July 23, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 23, 2016 Ah Lois, double whammy. Hopefully it's not as expensive as you've been quoted. I concur,kidney stones are immensely painful. Hope you feel better quickly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancun01 Posted July 24, 2016 #11 Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) So sorry to hear this Lois. Don't get ahead of yourself about the cost until you get the results of the biopsy on Monday. Fortunately, the emergency people were diligent and didn't just treat the kidney stone and send you home. Regardless what a shock for you! As much as you like to travel thank goodness you were at home. Please let us know how you get on next week! Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Take good care of yourself! Edited July 24, 2016 by Cancun01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherilyn70 Posted July 24, 2016 #12 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lois, i am so sorry to hear you are having to go through this. I am glad to hear that it can be treated as a chronic illness though and allow you to live long term. :) Cancer meds can definitely be very expensive. One of the drugs I was on for 2 years was 9k a month (is the one that turned my hair pure white). The good/bad news is that you'll reach your out of pocket max on it and will know how much you'll have to pay out for the year. I appreciate knowing that it will always be 6k for the year and we have it worked into the budget now. Once you have the actual name of the drug you can apply for financial assistance with the drug manufacture since you have private insurance. Talk to your doctor, they may already do this on your behalf. If not is fairly easy to do yourself if you know the manufacturer. Often they will knock the cost down to barely anything until you hit a max amount with them for the year. This can be very helpful especially in the first year. I've been battling cancer for 3.5 years now (unfortunately terminal) so I have a lot of experience with this. If you ever need to vent or rant or have questions about dealing with all of this feel free to hit me up. If you're on Facebook you can find me as sherilyn70 in a people search. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy 7 edge using Tapatalk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvery Seas Cruiser Posted July 24, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lois, I send you my very best wishes. I'm so sorry to learn you have to go through this ordeal. Please keep us informed of your progress when you feel able. We are all rooting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dulcimergirl Posted July 24, 2016 #14 Share Posted July 24, 2016 So sorry, yes, the meds are expensive, but you are lucky they are available. I have gastric cancer, and it has spread to my liver, no telling how many cruises I have left in me. Prayers for your living a long, long, long, time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #15 Share Posted July 24, 2016 So sorry to hear this Lois. Don't get ahead of yourself about the cost until you get the results of the biopsy on Monday. Fortunately, the emergency people were diligent and didn't just treat the kidney stone and send you home. Regardless what a shock for you! As much as you like to travel thank goodness you were at home. Please let us know how you get on next week! Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Take good care of yourself! Thanks so much....yes, the ER folks were really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailor_Sally Posted July 24, 2016 #16 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thinking of you & wishing you the best ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lois, i am so sorry to hear you are having to go through this. I am glad to hear that it can be treated as a chronic illness though and allow you to live long term. :) Cancer meds can definitely be very expensive. One of the drugs I was on for 2 years was 9k a month (is the one that turned my hair pure white). The good/bad news is that you'll reach your out of pocket max on it and will know how much you'll have to pay out for the year. I appreciate knowing that it will always be 6k for the year and we have it worked into the budget now. Once you have the actual name of the drug you can apply for financial assistance with the drug manufacture since you have private insurance. Talk to your doctor, they may already do this on your behalf. If not is fairly easy to do yourself if you know the manufacturer. Often they will knock the cost down to barely anything until you hit a max amount with them for the year. This can be very helpful especially in the first year. I've been battling cancer for 3.5 years now (unfortunately terminal) so I have a lot of experience with this. If you ever need to vent or rant or have questions about dealing with all of this feel free to hit me up. If you're on Facebook you can find me as sherilyn70 in a people search. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy 7 edge using Tapatalk. Thanks for the kind words and helpful things about the meds and I didn't know you were terminal.......I am sorry:(...... I also have AFLAC (besides my main insurance)....I will do as you suggest about the manufacturer too...I should know more next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thanks to all of you.......I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherilyn70 Posted July 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Thanks for the kind words and helpful things about the meds and I didn'tknow you were terminal.......I am sorry:(...... I also have AFLAC (besides my main insurance)....I will do as you suggest about the manufacturer too...I should know more next week. Yes, I've reached that point where we're on one last hail mary chemo in 3 weeks... if that fails then I'm starting a hospice plan. Still trying to get some more cruises in though. :) Sent from my Samsung Galaxy 7 edge using Tapatalk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #20 Share Posted July 24, 2016 So sorry to hear this Lois. Don't get ahead of yourself about the cost until you get the results of the biopsy on Monday. Fortunately, the emergency people were diligent and didn't just treat the kidney stone and send you home. Regardless what a shock for you! As much as you like to travel thank goodness you were at home. Please let us know how you get on next week! Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Take good care of yourself! Thanks:).....I will keep you posted. Guess sometimes things can go round and round in the mind:eek:....and you are right, I could have been away and who knows what could have happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #21 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Yes, I've reached that point where we're on one last hail mary chemo in 3 weeks... if that fails then I'm starting a hospice plan. Still trying to get some more cruises in though. :) Sent from my Samsung Galaxy 7 edge using Tapatalk. I have a cruise booked for October and I am going on it with my sister.:) After that, I have a short weekend cruise with a group of friends in November......those are the only 2 I have booked and will then see how things go. My best thoughts are with you too:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 24, 2016 Author #22 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lois, I send you my very best wishes. I'm so sorry to learn you have to go through this ordeal. Please keep us informed of your progress when you feel able. We are all rooting for you. Thanks so much:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted July 24, 2016 #23 Share Posted July 24, 2016 So sorry to hear this, Lois. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Kathi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CupcakeSusie Posted July 24, 2016 #24 Share Posted July 24, 2016 I'm only new here but I'm sending love to all battling cancer. Lois, I'm so glad your prognosis is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEINER Posted July 24, 2016 #25 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Lois.... Sending lots of prayers and hugs your way that everything will we ok!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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