Hello everyone,
A couple months ago I laid on the floor to stretch because my back was aching. I felt an ache in my right breast and unconscioulsly reached over when I discovered a lump. My granddaughters were coming the next day to visit from Virginia so I left the lump in my breast, and the lump in my heart on the back burner till they left.
I immediately made an appointment for the doctor. After seeing the doctor she referred me to an imaging center for a mammogram and ultra-sound. It took a week for the results on the mammogram to come back. (torturous)
I received the results in the mail, the mammogram was negative. This perplexed me and I called the doctor just to be sure I could breath again. She then told me that the ultra-sound showed something and she wanted me to go to a surgeon at a nearby hospital for further treatment.
I was perplexed, because the same clinic also did biopsies. She was cryptic, mentioned IBC and I was too shocked to ask the right questions. I made the appointment with the surgeon and then waited another 2 weeks to get in. Last Friday I saw the surgeon, and I have once again been referred to Loma Linda Hospital in Redlands.
They suspect I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer, which I had never heard of before. I woke with a huge red rash on my right breast a few years ago, there was also some strange puckering. I went to the doctor at that time and he told me it was cellulitis and he gave me antibiotics. Evidently this is a symptom of IBC.
Anyhoo, I closed my ebay store, and began getting things in order here at the house. I am just waiting for the call to get the MRI, then I will be admitted to the hospital for surgery. Without a doubt I will lose my right breast, and they told me that it is also in the right lymph nodes of my armpit.
Loma Linda is an excellent teaching hospital, and in that case I feel a sense of comfort. My head is in a pretty good place, but my Darlink and my daughters are struggling with it all.
I know many others have travelled down this path I am just beginning, and their voices, and stories will light my way.
My point in coming here is to let you know that any positive thoughts and prayers are welcome, and that this board has taught me a lot, even though I pale in comparison to the knowledge most of you have of vintage clothing.
So, keep me in your thoughts, and I do wish everyone a wonderful "Holiday Season." I have every intention of coming back strong!
Sincerely,
Nadine
Edit: 12/31/2007
Good morning everyone,
I wanted to update you on what has been happening with my breast surgery. After waiting a week for a phone call from Loma Linda I called and someone there told me that they had applied for Medi-Cal for me and that she felt from my medical report there would be no issues. After weeks of waiting I called and found that it was a Breast Study and they had indeed turned me down. I could not believe it. Without a biopsy and diagnosis it is just an MRI Breast Study to them.
I then called back to Riverside needing to know just what was going on? I spoke to a nurse in the same Surgery Clinic who then told me that she would have a Social Worker and Plastic Surgeon call me. During this time I am hoping a call will come. I might add, to this day no one from Riverside has called or mailed me telling me that I have been rejected for the breast surgery or what the next step is.
This is going to sound off to you who are reading, and I was hesitant in my first post to write of this on a public forum, but since my original post, I've been rigorously advocating for my health situation, and the shame I felt has fallen by the wayside. I stand a frustrated woman who's winter has rubbed me raw with the pain. Many many moon's ago, when I was another women in the late 1980's I separated from my childhood sweetheart for 8 months. Upon our getting back together I hesitantly agreed to have breast augmentation. I won't bore you with the details. That was 20 years ago.
I am a conservative woman so few people even knew of this development as I always wore jackets and sweaters. I suppose I was ashamed because it wasn't a choice I made on my own. Still I did it and take responsibility.
The lump, along with the rash and puckering is what led the first doctor to refer me to a surgeon. It was the surgeon who informed me that the implant had broken and the rigidity was caused by my own tissue forming to fight back. He then referred me to Loma Linda for the breast study, as I could not have a biopsy nor surgery without the surgeon having a better view of the breast.
I believe the mammogram exacerbated the already broken implant because I've been in quite a bit of pain and my energy is sapped completely. Basically, I am miserable and in constant pain.
Now, I did not just sit about on this, I can tell you I called every single agency, and was led to many more, that I hoped could help an uninsured woman get help. These agencies are funded by the government and have strict guidlines. It is very problematic. I personally used the "Every Woman Counts" organization to get the mammogram and Ultra-sound. At that point their funding ending, and that is why the MRI was denied.
I finally sent out a "Can Anyone Help Me" email to my my Senator, Congressman, and local officials. All gave me a standard reply but one women from the "Center4thecure" has been in contact with me and says she is trying to help me get medicaid. I gave her each and every person I have talked to and the agencies, as well as all my medical information. I believe the holidays have slowed the process down, I am not hanging my hopes tightly to this rope, but it is something.
Through an online support called explantation.com I have found more information on my current situation and have found a local surgeon who will help me, as well as send my tissue to the lab, at which point I believe every organization with the "pink" will line up to help me, if the results show the suspected cancer. The surgery is $5,400 give or take a dollar or two. My three children have given me $3,000 dollars and my wonderful girlfriends have been taking up collections to help with the surgery. I have no extended family. It has not been about the money, I know somehow I will find a way, it is just that they would all care enough to put their own money towards my care. My heart is enlarged. I reopened my ebay store again, (can you believe I had to pay to get everything back in my store?) and have sold almost all my gold jewelry through the holidays. I have been holding tightly to my vintage dresses I've bought from some of you. I am doing what I must to regain my health. My daughter came from Virginia to help me, and I am showing her the ropes on ebay when I feel up to it, so at least my store can continue. Plus she is wonderful company when I am down.
I finally called the original doctor on Friday and hopefully I will hear from her. I am stumped, frustrated, and still wondering if I have cancer. My holidays were frought with fears, known and unknown. I was first afraid to have the surgery and am now fearful I haven't. Horrible. Regardless, I will have the surgery hopefully by the end of January, which seems eons away right now, but my kids are waiting for their income tax.
Most days are spent in bed, but I do have good days with less pain. I am not sure what this situation is doing to my body but some days I can barely walk and even typing this sends pains all the way to my elbows. I'll admit that by evening I am without patience and just want to go to bed.
Well, there it is. My darlink has been wonderful through this, working as well as cleaning the house. I feel rather unsubstantial at times.
I move forward with hope and covet your positive thoughts and prayers.
Nadine
A couple months ago I laid on the floor to stretch because my back was aching. I felt an ache in my right breast and unconscioulsly reached over when I discovered a lump. My granddaughters were coming the next day to visit from Virginia so I left the lump in my breast, and the lump in my heart on the back burner till they left.
I immediately made an appointment for the doctor. After seeing the doctor she referred me to an imaging center for a mammogram and ultra-sound. It took a week for the results on the mammogram to come back. (torturous)
I received the results in the mail, the mammogram was negative. This perplexed me and I called the doctor just to be sure I could breath again. She then told me that the ultra-sound showed something and she wanted me to go to a surgeon at a nearby hospital for further treatment.
I was perplexed, because the same clinic also did biopsies. She was cryptic, mentioned IBC and I was too shocked to ask the right questions. I made the appointment with the surgeon and then waited another 2 weeks to get in. Last Friday I saw the surgeon, and I have once again been referred to Loma Linda Hospital in Redlands.
They suspect I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer, which I had never heard of before. I woke with a huge red rash on my right breast a few years ago, there was also some strange puckering. I went to the doctor at that time and he told me it was cellulitis and he gave me antibiotics. Evidently this is a symptom of IBC.
Anyhoo, I closed my ebay store, and began getting things in order here at the house. I am just waiting for the call to get the MRI, then I will be admitted to the hospital for surgery. Without a doubt I will lose my right breast, and they told me that it is also in the right lymph nodes of my armpit.
Loma Linda is an excellent teaching hospital, and in that case I feel a sense of comfort. My head is in a pretty good place, but my Darlink and my daughters are struggling with it all.
I know many others have travelled down this path I am just beginning, and their voices, and stories will light my way.
My point in coming here is to let you know that any positive thoughts and prayers are welcome, and that this board has taught me a lot, even though I pale in comparison to the knowledge most of you have of vintage clothing.
So, keep me in your thoughts, and I do wish everyone a wonderful "Holiday Season." I have every intention of coming back strong!
Sincerely,
Nadine
Edit: 12/31/2007
Good morning everyone,
I wanted to update you on what has been happening with my breast surgery. After waiting a week for a phone call from Loma Linda I called and someone there told me that they had applied for Medi-Cal for me and that she felt from my medical report there would be no issues. After weeks of waiting I called and found that it was a Breast Study and they had indeed turned me down. I could not believe it. Without a biopsy and diagnosis it is just an MRI Breast Study to them.
I then called back to Riverside needing to know just what was going on? I spoke to a nurse in the same Surgery Clinic who then told me that she would have a Social Worker and Plastic Surgeon call me. During this time I am hoping a call will come. I might add, to this day no one from Riverside has called or mailed me telling me that I have been rejected for the breast surgery or what the next step is.
This is going to sound off to you who are reading, and I was hesitant in my first post to write of this on a public forum, but since my original post, I've been rigorously advocating for my health situation, and the shame I felt has fallen by the wayside. I stand a frustrated woman who's winter has rubbed me raw with the pain. Many many moon's ago, when I was another women in the late 1980's I separated from my childhood sweetheart for 8 months. Upon our getting back together I hesitantly agreed to have breast augmentation. I won't bore you with the details. That was 20 years ago.
I am a conservative woman so few people even knew of this development as I always wore jackets and sweaters. I suppose I was ashamed because it wasn't a choice I made on my own. Still I did it and take responsibility.
The lump, along with the rash and puckering is what led the first doctor to refer me to a surgeon. It was the surgeon who informed me that the implant had broken and the rigidity was caused by my own tissue forming to fight back. He then referred me to Loma Linda for the breast study, as I could not have a biopsy nor surgery without the surgeon having a better view of the breast.
I believe the mammogram exacerbated the already broken implant because I've been in quite a bit of pain and my energy is sapped completely. Basically, I am miserable and in constant pain.
Now, I did not just sit about on this, I can tell you I called every single agency, and was led to many more, that I hoped could help an uninsured woman get help. These agencies are funded by the government and have strict guidlines. It is very problematic. I personally used the "Every Woman Counts" organization to get the mammogram and Ultra-sound. At that point their funding ending, and that is why the MRI was denied.
I finally sent out a "Can Anyone Help Me" email to my my Senator, Congressman, and local officials. All gave me a standard reply but one women from the "Center4thecure" has been in contact with me and says she is trying to help me get medicaid. I gave her each and every person I have talked to and the agencies, as well as all my medical information. I believe the holidays have slowed the process down, I am not hanging my hopes tightly to this rope, but it is something.
Through an online support called explantation.com I have found more information on my current situation and have found a local surgeon who will help me, as well as send my tissue to the lab, at which point I believe every organization with the "pink" will line up to help me, if the results show the suspected cancer. The surgery is $5,400 give or take a dollar or two. My three children have given me $3,000 dollars and my wonderful girlfriends have been taking up collections to help with the surgery. I have no extended family. It has not been about the money, I know somehow I will find a way, it is just that they would all care enough to put their own money towards my care. My heart is enlarged. I reopened my ebay store again, (can you believe I had to pay to get everything back in my store?) and have sold almost all my gold jewelry through the holidays. I have been holding tightly to my vintage dresses I've bought from some of you. I am doing what I must to regain my health. My daughter came from Virginia to help me, and I am showing her the ropes on ebay when I feel up to it, so at least my store can continue. Plus she is wonderful company when I am down.
I finally called the original doctor on Friday and hopefully I will hear from her. I am stumped, frustrated, and still wondering if I have cancer. My holidays were frought with fears, known and unknown. I was first afraid to have the surgery and am now fearful I haven't. Horrible. Regardless, I will have the surgery hopefully by the end of January, which seems eons away right now, but my kids are waiting for their income tax.
Most days are spent in bed, but I do have good days with less pain. I am not sure what this situation is doing to my body but some days I can barely walk and even typing this sends pains all the way to my elbows. I'll admit that by evening I am without patience and just want to go to bed.
Well, there it is. My darlink has been wonderful through this, working as well as cleaning the house. I feel rather unsubstantial at times.
I move forward with hope and covet your positive thoughts and prayers.
Nadine
