Berrypatch Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Hello Everyone! Well here I am admitted to the hospital the 2nd time this week. Just got the news that I have lung cancer. For the last month I’ve had a dry cough and been SOB. Finally this past Monday morning I went to the ER an they did tests and found that I had fluid in my pluera. They did a thorocentisis and drained 1000cc of brown fluid. As soon as I saw that I knew. I am a breast cancer survivor of 12 years. I had stage 3 grade 3. They removed my right breast, and I had the chemotherapy and radiation. So this cancer is in the right lung. This is all I know for now. I have an appointment with the oncologist on 4/12. Now I have pneumonia in the lung that was drained and getting IV antibiotics. So here is my dilemma. I work full time and have health insurance. I will be eligible for Medicare in December. If the chemo and surgery and radiation is anything like it was with the breast cancer I will be sick as a dog! I was off work for 7mos. My job no longer has short term disability available. Only 12 weeks of FMLA. My husband wants me to retire. My job is very physical. What can I do for health insurance?! The little money I have saved up for retirement will probably be spent on medical expenses. I was planning on retiring in 2023 and working part time, but this will not be an option now. I just took a pill to sleep. I hope to get to know some of you, and learn more about all this. Thanks for listening! Berrypatch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJM Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Damn. So sorry to hear this news. A couple comments. First....since you are a survivor already you should know that treatment for cancer has advanced quite a bit. Both in effectiveness and in side effect controls. Second...sounds like you do not have many details yet? Please try to wait until you have the details prior to freaking. Last....Dont worry about money yet. Check out SSDI. I'm guessing you would qualify quickly. As for health insurance. Milk your job for all you can. Ask for a reasonable accommodation. You mentioned your job was physical, are there other jobs where you work that aren't as physical? Also, play the game. Wait as long as you can to start the FMLA clock and then do whatever it takes and pay for your insurance. They have to offer it. And talk with your boss. Not all bosses are A holes. Wishing you the best Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Berrypatch, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and pneumonia. I agree with Tom, it is very early and you haven't received a stage yet or results of biomarker testing or a treatment plan. So one step at a time. Try not to plan anything until you have complete information. I know that others on this forum have been through the SSDI process and can speak to that. My cousin had breast cancer 5 years ago and also went through surgery and chemo. From what I understand, that surgery is more difficult and the chemo is stronger than what lung cancer patients go through. But your treatment plan should be tailored for you and any genetic mutation that may be found. Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan cover a lot. I've been lucky to only have paid fairly nominal amounts out of pocket for my treatments, procedures and hospitalization since my diagnosis of Stage IIIB at age 66 in October 2019. Waiting until the 12th will be very hard, but you've probably learned patience with your previous cancer ordeal. Hang in there, we're here with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse L. Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 First off let me offer my sympathies on your health issues. However, I will end this line of thinking right here, because that's only a very small part of what you really need... 1. You have to have a firm diagnosis of what you have... You've been through this before so you know deep down that takes scans, tests, examinations, and a thorough analysis by a team of specialists to derive a plan of action to deal with what you have. That will take time, but keep in mind these processes are much faster and more efficient than years ago. In my case of stage 3a lung cancer the process has only been going on for a few months and I've already had surgery, started chemotherapy, and radiation is waiting in the wings in case I need it later. Mind you everyone's diagnosis is different and yours will be very different than mine for sure. 2. Treatments have improved markedly in the last few years...so much so that that Dr. Google is a poor representation of life expectancy in cancer cases. Statistics always seem to give expectancy in terms of 5 years which is in reality now quite asinine. Improvements and breakthroughs in cancer research have led to available treatments not even thought of just 2 to 3 years ago. 3. It sounds like you're older and given your situation perhaps maybe you should be thinking a little bit more in the short term rather than planning years out. Let's face it, there's no guarantee out there and no matter when any of us may face stuff like this or worse, the bus factor (getting run over by a bus), IT IS NEVER COVENIENT. It in fact will always be inconvenient. So, plan for the worst and hope and pray for the best. We are old and like everyone else in this world no one gets out of this alive. However, we can do things to extend our life though... 4. And apparently you are concerned about your finances as well. Many of us can understand where you're coming from. As stated there is always SSDI (from what I hear automatically qualified if you are diagnosed stage 4) and I know that once eligible for that you will also become eligible for Medicare two years after that. Now mind you, there a lot of folks out there more competent than me that may be able to address your financial concerns. I am sure they will soon weigh in on your situation as well. For sure, all is not lost for you in all cases...you will be fine. 5. Be happy for what you have and no matter what, try to make your life better...be positive!! There's nothing to be gained by being anything but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Hi, Berry, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You've gotten good feedback already and there's not a lot I can add until you know more (type of cancer/stage/proposed treatment). SSDI is one option, as mentioned. Stage IV automatically qualifies you. But there's a 5-month waiting period before you qualify for benefits, which doesn't help at the present moment. Iif you qualify for Medicare in December, though, you really would need coverage only for the rest of this year. You should qualify for COBRA to continue your current healthcare coverage. That is pretty expensive, but again, you need it for only a few months. I take it your husband doesn't have group health coverage? Depending on your treatment (and your response), you might not feel NEARLY as bad as you did when treated for breast cancer. The treatment protocols have improved a lot, and for some people there are pills they can take (if they have certain targetable mutations) in lieu of chemo. It's good to plan ahead, but there's a chance you could continue to work through the end of the year--you won't know till you see what treatment is recommended and how you feel. I have no idea how demanding your job is--that makes a big difference, too. Worst case scenario, I think in your shoes I might take out a personal loan to pay for COBRA premiums till December, when Medicare kicks in. You could file for Social Security retirement benefits and then switch to SSDI if you qualify for that (which would increase your monthly benefit a bit). And just pay back that medical loan over time. 6-7 months worth of premiums shouldn't be too terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berrypatch Posted April 4, 2021 Author Share Posted April 4, 2021 Thanks everyone for your advice. I was discharged from the hospital this afternoon. Good to be home! My husband is retired and on Medicare. We are looking into options for continuing insurance. we are in a wait nd see situation. I told my 3 adult children my diagnosis today. They are are understandably stunned. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do, as they lost their father to cancer a year ago. Anyway, I will be reading with interest the posts on this forum. As soon as I get a better idea of what I’m dealing with, I will update. And I’m sure that I’ll have more questions and concerns. Again thank you all for the advice. Have a Happy Easter! Carol (Berrypatch) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse L. Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 I can understand fully how hard it is to tell people your condition...from experience it is hardest to tell people closest to us. But from such adversity you will find strength and so will those close to you. Remember that they will be watching you and they will emulate your attitude...be positive and they will be so too... As I've told you in a previous post you got this...it's just a matter of taking it one step at a time. One of the hardest things to do as well is giving in to the fact that our fates are only partially our own; whatever you may believe in has a plan for us all, whether we agree with that or not. As long as we can though we need to fight... Keep us all posted on your situation; as comrades in arms so to speak we care as no others will... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy N Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Sorry to hear of your second go-round with cancer. Everyone has already given you some excellent advice. I don't know about the hospital that you are receiving your care through but they might offer some sort of "charity care" program that you could apply for. Even those of us with insurance may have some deductibles that have to be met before the insurance starts really kicking in. I applied for this through the hospital that the cancer center I go to is affiliated with and I was approved. Instead of owing my deductible of $5300, it was reduced to $530! It doesn't hurt to ask if there is such a program you could apply for. Your patient navigator might be able to point you in some directions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 Carol, Welcome here. I've survived 17 years of this nastiness and after reviewing your posted information, I would suggest your life priorities now be: your health first and everything else a distant second. You are in the diagnostic phase of our disease and this progresses step-by-step, sometimes inch-by-inch. Postpone insurance concern or work decisions until you have a treatment plan. Once you have a treatment plan, then work alternatives can be sorted. We'll help you with the sorting. Stay the course. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Carol, You've already got such excellent counsel from some pretty smart folks so I just want to welcome you here and let you know you're not alone. Ask any questions you have and we'll share our experiences with you. Please keep us updated as your diagnostic process moves forward. Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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