Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 That price is amazing!! You are using a prostesis aren't you? If you get a good one clothes shoudn't be a problem. It was amost 3 years before I had my reconstruction and I don't know if I would do it again if I had the choice. But that's just me!! Hang in there, you are doing great!! hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I wasn't on Tamoxifen. I asked about it but the doctors didn't think it was indicated as I was postmenopausal (back in 1991 the rules were different). My chemo drugs were paid for by my insurance. I had tx at 2 different hospitals and I found it odd that the prices of the meds varied so much between them. The American Cancer Society has protesis they give out for free here. Is there a group like that in Australia? I know how expensive they are, I had to have 2 of them due to the fact I was pregnant when I got the 1st one and needed a smaller one after having the baby. I donated them both to the ACS. And my insurance also paid for them. hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I understand. I have a preteen boy and I think boys are cheaper than girls in the long run. At least until I have to start paying for his dates, LOL. And he isn't interested in girls yet, just expensive Playstation games! I will soon have no insurance and like where you are. Only the very low income people qualify for help. While I will be living on almost nothing it seems to be too much to qualify for aid. Oh well, we have a free hospital here and I work there part-time so I know some of the doctors. Maybe I can get around the lines somehow, LOL. hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I'm in Louisiana, USA. Many people in the US don't have health insurance. Those that do usually have it through their employment. Hospitals don't have to take you here if you don't have insurance, they have to stablize you and then send you to one of the "charity" hospitals where the lines are long.The free hospitals are usually the ones run by the state universities, like the one I work part-time at--Louisiana State University Medical Center. If you have no money you qualify for Medicaid, but if you have anything at all you pretty much don't. I was covered by my employer when I was working and since my marriage, I have been under my husband's policy. Soon I will have to try to buy some insurance privately and it can be very expensive. My son is 12, 13 in a couple of weeks. He has a Playstation 2 and a GameCube. He likes those RPG games but I usually make him rent them from Blockbuster because he ends up winning the games in a short time. Seems crazy to pay $50 for a game for him to play for a week and never again, LOL. He also plays a game online called Runescape. It is a free RPG game that is really neat. I only have the one son. I was pregnant with him when I was dx with IBC. I had the MRM while pregnant but had to wait for the reconstruction. I had tram flap done when he was around 2-3 years old. I had my chemo while pregnant too. He is healthy and I have been too. I have been really blessed for sure. My boobs matched when first done but then I lost weight and now the new one is about a cup size smaller so I wear a thingy that is supposed to be for regular women to make them a cup size larger, LOL. It could be worse. I just didn't want any more surgery after the reconstruction if I could avoid it. hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I just got my first prothesis. Its an amoena, & I love it. I dont know why I waited so long, my husband has a good insurance. We are still waiting to see if they pay for the 2 bras I also bought at the shop.lol Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Hi Pam, What price do you all pay? No I'm not using a prostesis yet....its going to cost me $300 and things keep coming up. Its my daughters final year at high school and we had to send her to New Zealand as she was in the state Hockey team and now her graduation is coming up ......I have a little cushion in my bra at the moment.Maybe after Christmas. > > > That price is amazing!! You are using a prostesis aren't you? If you get a > good one clothes shoudn't be a problem. It was amost 3 years before I had my > reconstruction and I don't know if I would do it again if I had the choice. But > that's just me!! > > Hang in there, you are doing great!! > > hugs > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I am stage IIB and just passed my 14th yr since surgery. You are in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com Tamoxifen..... Hi everyone, I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I don't seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had my mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at how good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now that so many people survive with that grading. I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm hoping that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult when buying clothes now. I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try to do more often. I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost me $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets subsidised ,whatever that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 or $4 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 , Did your doctor tell you that Tamoxifen will make you gain 10 pounds? that's the only side effect it has according to my oncologist. I had breast reconstuction right after the mastectomy, meaning that the plastic surgeon took over once the surgeon finished the mastectomy. I think the mastectomy itself is not painful but the reconstruction is, since they insert the tissue expander under your muscle. What type of reconstruction are you planning to have? Sara ________________________________________________________________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Hi nne, I love hearing that....thanks > I am stage IIB and just passed my 14th yr since surgery. You are in my prayers. > Hugs > nne > Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html > > Check out my breast cancer ornaments at: > http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html > also check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at: > http://www.cancerclub.com > Tamoxifen..... > > > > Hi everyone, > I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I don't > seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. > I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had my > mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. > I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at how > good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. > We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she > explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now that > so many people survive with that grading. > I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm hoping > that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult when > buying clothes now. > I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try to > do more often. > I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a > health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost me > $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets subsidised ,whatever > that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 or > $4 . > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Pam, We only get help here if we are on a low income.....its just that my daughter breaks my wallet hehe > > > I wasn't on Tamoxifen. I asked about it but the doctors didn't think it was > indicated as I was postmenopausal (back in 1991 the rules were different). My > chemo drugs were paid for by my insurance. I had tx at 2 different hospitals > and I found it odd that the prices of the meds varied so much between them. > > The American Cancer Society has protesis they give out for free here. Is > there a group like that in Australia? I know how expensive they are, I had to have > 2 of them due to the fact I was pregnant when I got the 1st one and needed a > smaller one after having the baby. I donated them both to the ACS. And my > insurance also paid for them. > > hugs > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Hi Sara, In all my books that the Australian Breast Cancer Society have sent me it always says on the bottom...there is no evidence that Tamoxifen causes weight gain.... But I will be aware and watch my weight. I follow the weight watchers format so maybe if I start to put on weight I will drop back a couple of points as I'm a life member so aren't trying to lose any at the moment. My surgeon does the reconstruction and I have no idea what options he will give me. I know someone thats had the trans flap and has told me that she has problems with the scar all the time so I'm not sure what to do. > > , > > Did your doctor tell you that Tamoxifen will make you gain 10 pounds? that's the only side effect it has according to my oncologist. I had breast reconstuction right after the mastectomy, meaning that the plastic surgeon took over once the surgeon finished the mastectomy. I think the mastectomy itself is not painful but the reconstruction is, since they insert the tissue expander under your muscle. What type of reconstruction are you planning to have? > > Sara > > ________________________________________________________________ > Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. > Now includes pop-up blocker! > Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 Pam, Where are you from? We have free hospital if you want to wait. I paid for my mascetomy as I would have waited 6 to 8 weeks and I didn't want to risk it. I will be waiting for my reconstruction though. Did you get your other boob fixed to match your reconstruction? I have a 15 year old boy who has a Playstation and a 13 year old boy who has an x box so I hear you hehe > > > I understand. I have a preteen boy and I think boys are cheaper than girls in > the long run. At least until I have to start paying for his dates, LOL. And > he isn't interested in girls yet, just expensive Playstation games! > > I will soon have no insurance and like where you are. Only the very low > income people qualify for help. While I will be living on almost nothing it seems > to be too much to qualify for aid. Oh well, we have a free hospital here and I > work there part-time so I know some of the doctors. Maybe I can get around the > lines somehow, LOL. > > hugs > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 My medical card (here in U.S.A.) paid for my prosthesis which retailed for $300.00. Is it an Amoena like mine? I also got a " temp " one (retails around $40.00) that is about as good as the other (made by Camp, Tri-Leisure Form). I hope you'll just get a " temp " one at least. It makes it a lot easier to just stuff it in any bra and get on with living. Janie > > > > > > That price is amazing!! You are using a prostesis aren't you? If > you get a > > good one clothes shoudn't be a problem. It was amost 3 years before > I had my > > reconstruction and I don't know if I would do it again if I had the > choice. But > > that's just me!! > > > > Hang in there, you are doing great!! > > > > hugs > > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 I took tamoxifen for about one week recently and then switched to arimidex (I'm post-menopausal) because the tamox. gave me what felt like menstrual cramps (an old, familiar feeling) and leg pain. Scared me about uterine cancer, so I switched. No problems with arimidex yet. Janie > > Hi everyone, > I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I don't > seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. > I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had my > mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. > I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at how > good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. > We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she > explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now that > so many people survive with that grading. > I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm hoping > that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult when > buying clothes now. > I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try to > do more often. > I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a > health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost me > $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets subsidised ,whatever > that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 or > $4 . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 , Maybe the haven't found out for sure that it causes weight gain but doctors like to cover their butts just in case. In my case I was told I would gain 10 pounds, but I just gained 5. I have always been very slim, so it actually did good to me. I live in the US in the state of Florida, and they passed a law here where they say that a patient with breast cancer will not pay for any of her surgeries, not even reconstruction or the one where the even up the other breast. Insurance companies tried to outsmart me, but I was very well informed and they wound up paying for everything. Sara ________________________________________________________________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Hi Sara: <<I live in the US in the state of Florida, and they passed a law here where they say that a patient with breast cancer will not pay for any of her surgeries, not even reconstruction or the one where the even up the other breast.>> ==>So who pays? Surely not the State of Fla? ~Amber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 The insurace company pays for it all - cool heh! Sara ________________________________________________________________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I got an Amoena too and it's so fine. My medicaid paid for it, plus a temp one, and two bras. Janie > I just got my first prothesis. Its an amoena, & I love it. I dont know why I > waited so long, my husband has a good insurance. We are still waiting to see > if they pay for the 2 bras I also bought at the shop.lol > Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Pam, Its always so interesting to hear about other countries..... I get a lot of my sons games at car boot sales for $10 and $15 so it works out quite cheap. How came you can't be still covered by your hubby's insurance?. I could have paid into private insurance but I left it to late and I don't think that anyone would accept me now that I've had BC.There is long waiting lists here on The Gold Coast . I was on the waiting list for a colonoscopy for over 2 years and I was only rushed through because I got BC. They are trying to fix the problem because its been in the media the last month or so and you know how media talks...gets things moving. Are you happy with your tram flap? > > > I'm in Louisiana, USA. Many people in the US don't have health insurance. > Those that do usually have it through their employment. Hospitals don't have to > take you here if you don't have insurance, they have to stablize you and then > send you to one of the " charity " hospitals where the lines are long.The free > hospitals are usually the ones run by the state universities, like the one I > work part-time at--Louisiana State University Medical Center. If you have no > money you qualify for Medicaid, but if you have anything at all you pretty much > don't. I was covered by my employer when I was working and since my marriage, I > have been under my husband's policy. Soon I will have to try to buy some > insurance privately and it can be very expensive. > > My son is 12, 13 in a couple of weeks. He has a Playstation 2 and a GameCube. > He likes those RPG games but I usually make him rent them from Blockbuster > because he ends up winning the games in a short time. Seems crazy to pay $50 for > a game for him to play for a week and never again, LOL. He also plays a game > online called Runescape. It is a free RPG game that is really neat. > > I only have the one son. I was pregnant with him when I was dx with IBC. I > had the MRM while pregnant but had to wait for the reconstruction. I had tram > flap done when he was around 2-3 years old. I had my chemo while pregnant too. > He is healthy and I have been too. I have been really blessed for sure. My > boobs matched when first done but then I lost weight and now the new one is about > a cup size smaller so I wear a thingy that is supposed to be for regular > women to make them a cup size larger, LOL. It could be worse. I just didn't want > any more surgery after the reconstruction if I could avoid it. > > hugs > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Yes I have a little cushion shaped like a boob,they sent me a pattern as well but I can't sew lol > > > > > > > > > That price is amazing!! You are using a prostesis aren't you? If > > you get a > > > good one clothes shoudn't be a problem. It was amost 3 years > before > > I had my > > > reconstruction and I don't know if I would do it again if I had > the > > choice. But > > > that's just me!! > > > > > > Hang in there, you are doing great!! > > > > > > hugs > > > Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 My nose has had some bleeds since I started......Is this normal? > > > > Hi everyone, > > I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I > don't > > seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. > > I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had my > > mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. > > I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at how > > good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. > > We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she > > explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now > that > > so many people survive with that grading. > > I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm > hoping > > that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult when > > buying clothes now. > > I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try to > > do more often. > > I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a > > health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost me > > $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets > subsidised ,whatever > > that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 > or > > $4 . > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 Sara, I'm on 2 weeks holidays from work and I've just had my 1st week off. I hopped on the scales and I've put on 2 kilos aghhhh.......I'm sure its not the tamoxifen as its too early for that....think it's because I'm not walking to work everyday and eating more and moving less aghh. I can't wait to talk reconstruction. > > , > > Maybe the haven't found out for sure that it causes weight gain but doctors like to cover their butts just in case. In my case I was told I would gain 10 pounds, but I just gained 5. I have always been very slim, so it actually did good to me. > > I live in the US in the state of Florida, and they passed a law here where they say that a patient with breast cancer will not pay for any of her surgeries, not even reconstruction or the one where the even up the other breast. Insurance companies tried to outsmart me, but I was very well informed and they wound up paying for everything. > > Sara > > ________________________________________________________________ > Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. > Now includes pop-up blocker! > Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 That's something you need to ask your doctor. wrote: My nose has had some bleeds since I started......Is this normal? > > > > Hi everyone, > > I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I > don't > > seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. > > I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had my > > mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. > > I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at how > > good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. > > We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she > > explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now > that > > so many people survive with that grading. > > I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm > hoping > > that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult when > > buying clothes now. > > I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try to > > do more often. > > I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a > > health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost me > > $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets > subsidised ,whatever > > that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 > or > > $4 . > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2004 Report Share Posted October 31, 2004 I haven't heard anything about nosebleeds, I could only ask the doctor who gave you the tamoxifen. Janie -- In breastcancer2 , " " <mickal05@y...> wrote: > > > My nose has had some bleeds since I started......Is this normal? > > > > > > > > > Hi everyone, > > > I started my tamoxifen 3 days ago and so far so good......I > > don't > > > seem to be having any side affects unless its too soon to tell. > > > I can't believe that it is over 5 months already since I had > my > > > mascetomy.Time has gone so quick. > > > I went back to my GP a few weeks ago and she was amazed at > how > > > good my scar was...she said that my surgeon did such a great job. > > > We went through the results and I got a bit teary when she > > > explained things to me. 2B is what it was graded but I know now > > that > > > so many people survive with that grading. > > > I have an appointment with my surgeon next month and I'm > > hoping > > > that he will bring up reconstruction. I just find it difficult > when > > > buying clothes now. > > > I keep reading your posts but haven't posted much. Shall try > to > > > do more often. > > > I was worried about the cost of tamoxifen as I haven't got a > > > health care card but when I went in to the chemist it only cost > me > > > $27.65 for 60 tablets. Apparently Australia gets > > subsidised ,whatever > > > that means lol. If I had a health care card it would only cost $3 > > or > > > $4 . > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 1, 2004 Report Share Posted November 1, 2004 I could keep my coverage under my exhusband's insurance but it would cost me over $400/month and I can't afford it. Well, I could keep it for 18 months anyway. It's no big deal, I plan on staying well (don't we all) and I have friends at LSUHSC so I should be able to avoid long lines if I get really sick. I love my tram flap! It was a hard surgery and took a long recovery time but well worth it. I was lucky that I didn't have any incisions across my stomach so I was able to have it. I didn't want a saline or silicone implant. If it had come to that, I think I would have just not had the reconstruction. I buy games from Ebay for my son, it is cheaper that way. Renting them is cheap too and you can find out if he really likes them that way. I don't find too many at garage sales, of course, I don't like garage sales--you have to get up too early on Saturday to get the good stuff, LOL. hugs Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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