Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I'm going insane. I'm having increased pain under my right rib. Friday I was having trouble breathing in deeply. I told myself it was stress. I had told the stupid rad. Onc. nurse last week that I'd been having intermittent pain there for weeks so she says she wasn't putting it down because it wasn't new or some ditzy thing like that. Also I've been having stabbing pains to right breast. They had found a funky cyst there about 10 months ago but said they were almost positive it was benign. Maybe this is stress. I have been EXTREMELY stressed this week. Last Monday I gave med. onc. papers for sending my path to MD Anderson but they screwed it up and it didn't go out until Friday. On top of that, my referral to him stopped on Thursday. Last Monday I asked primary for new referrals but when I stopped by Thursday they hadn't got them yet or couldn't find them. The referral person only works mornings and I went in at 2 p.m. I literally think I'm going crazy. On top of all this, I'm supposed to start WBR/PCI this Wednesday but the deal was I wouldn't start it until the path report came back which we figured I'd have by then. Also, if this is cancer in breast and wherever, it will be extensive and I was told definitely I couldn't have PCI then - my insurance I think. Also the path report is being sent to my medical oncologist who can't see me until I get the referral. At this point, I think I called the referral person 5 times. Any positive words and prayers will be fervently appreciated. Maybe I AM going crazy but that pain under the rib is where my liver is and they did find lesions there - possibly cavernous hemangiomas there and I've heard that occasionally they bleed. After the third attempt at my lung biopsy, I had extreme almost unbearable pain there. The doctor doing biopsy said my lungs weren't collapsed and just gave me pain medicine without investigating. I can't have an MRI because of previous brain aneuryism and metal clip in brain. I'm not even allowed in a MRI room. Also changing docs is a problem. I'm HMO. There are only two groups (both rad and medical oncology) to choose from. I've already seen and dismissed the other medical oncologist because on the initial interview she gave me 6 minutes then told me she would see me in three weeks since she was going on vacation. The radiation oncologist has the best equipment in the county. My primary - I might change. I hope some of this post made sense. Sorry it's so long. Help. Maybe I am going crazy. I'm so stressed I can't sleep or eat. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Cat, I will definately pray that you get some relief from that terrible pain and start to feel better soon, in the meantime heres a hug for comfort((((((Cat))))))) FYI, I'm a Cat too, thats what my friends and family call me.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I'm way too new to all this to have any good advice for you, but prayers and sympathy? You betcha. You've got 'em. I really do think stress - particularly in a situation like this - just magnifies everything, including symptoms. Try to take things one, logical step at a time and if possible, is there anyone on the medical team who will advocate for you? My internist's nurse is a true gem. She's a breast cancer survivor herself....and she's been great in helping me coordinate everything, get information, get copies of my records, etc. Is there anyone who could do that for you to sort of help you coordinate all of this? Meantime....make a list, take things in order and try your best to eat and get some rest. My internist gave me a prescription for Ambien. I don't take it every night...but with all the tests this week, it's been hard to sleep. I've been so anxious....so a little help thru chemistry seemed a good idea! Good luck....I hope everything falls into place for you soon. Know you've got our prayers and calming thoughts and that you're NOT crazy.....or at least not any crazier than you were to begin with! (I have to tell myself that too! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I'm going insane. I'm having increased pain under my right rib. Friday I was having trouble breathing in deeply. I told myself it was stress. I had told the stupid rad. Onc. nurse last week that I'd been having intermittent pain there for weeks so she says she wasn't putting it down because it wasn't new or some ditzy thing like that. Did you put it in the records YOU'RE keeping? Get it added to the record at radiation oncology - ESPECIALLY if it was not noted in the first place - as in "continuing from x date"... Also I've been having stabbing pains to right breast. They had found a funky cyst there about 10 months ago but said they were almost positive it was benign. Maybe this is stress. I have been EXTREMELY stressed this week. Last Monday I gave med. onc. papers for sending my path to MD Anderson but they screwed it up and it didn't go out until Friday. On top of that, my referral to him stopped on Thursday. Last Monday I asked primary for new referrals but when I stopped by Thursday they hadn't got them yet or couldn't find them. The referral person only works mornings and I went in at 2 p.m. Not sure how a cyst would act. Were it JUST a stabbing pain in the right breast, it may very well be stress - BUT, my stress stabbing is always on the left side, in the area of my heart... Get that checked out - the pain and the cyst both.. (Stress my a**) Is your face breaking out? Any other symptoms of stress you normally exhibit? (My face breaks out in something like hives, my innards get all tied in knots...) One thing to remember is that EVERYONE has a boss or supervisor. If everything is being stalled by someone that works part-time, get the name of the supervisor and call them... Not sure who it is? Call the number on the back of your card and talk to a service rep - if you don't get the help you need, ask for his/her supervisor... KEEP NOTES! Keep a notebook by the phone, document who you talk to, their extension/operator number (if at all possible), WHEN you talk to them (day AND time), and a brief note about what was discussed... That way, when you are asked who you talked to, when you called, etc. it's not a generalization of "a few days ago" AND you may have a legal leg up against them... I literally think I'm going crazy. On top of all this, I'm supposed to start WBR/PCI this Wednesday but the deal was I wouldn't start it until the path report came back which we figured I'd have by then. Also, if this is cancer in breast and wherever, it will be extensive and I was told definitely I couldn't have PCI then - my insurance I think. Also the path report is being sent to my medical oncologist who can't see me until I get the referral. At this point, I think I called the referral person 5 times. Oh, you're not crazy, you are HIGHLY frustrated....do you feel tears trying to pop out? You have hit that brick wall and it seems there is no one available to help you...TIME TO CALL THE HR DEPARTMENT AT THE JOB THAT GIVES YOU THIS INSURANCE!! THIS is uncalled for, this is putting a delay in your treatment and it needs to be worked around. Call in the big guns, Cat! Keep that notebook with when you call and leave messages, as well... Any positive words and prayers will be fervently appreciated. Maybe I AM going crazy but that pain under the rib is where my liver is and they did find lesions there - possibly cavernous hemangiomas there and I've heard that occasionally they bleed. After the third attempt at my lung biopsy, I had extreme almost unbearable pain there. The doctor doing biopsy said my lungs weren't collapsed and just gave me pain medicine without investigating. I can't have an MRI because of previous brain aneuryism and metal clip in brain. I'm not even allowed in a MRI room. How about a CT? Not AS sensitive of a test, but a good look on the inside.... I cannot BELIEVE your doctor - time to grab him by "the boys" and get an understanding! If he's not going to care for you, he needs to pass you to someone that will... Did they even x-ray your chest to SEE if your lung had collapsed? Also changing docs is a problem. I'm HMO. There are only two groups (both rad and medical oncology) to choose from. I've already seen and dismissed the other medical oncologist because on the initial interview she gave me 6 minutes then told me she would see me in three weeks since she was going on vacation. The radiation oncologist has the best equipment in the county. My primary - I might change. Best equipment doesn't mean squat if the doctor doesn't know how to use it! HMO - geez! There ARE ways around it, make yourself "special" and get the care you need - maybe start calling attorneys and drop the word "lawsuit" for medical negligence... This is SOOO unacceptable. DON'T let yourself fall between the cracks (cuz they will). Help. Maybe I am going crazy. I'm so stressed I can't sleep or eat. NOT good....very much not good. Try to get some resolution to this mess, ask about anti-anxiety medication from your primary...and Cat, you're NOT going crazy, you are panicked (and with good reason, you're being ignored)... Work on breathing, get yourself under control, and kick some medical a**! Work your way up in the HMO, don't take "no" as an answer, ask to speak to someone higher up. The more they get away with not doing, the more money they "save" - keep pushing! Take care, Cat! Wish I could help with those phone calls... Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharyn Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I know this is a difficult time... it sounds like you have so many different things on your plate that you are being bombarded from all angles. Just TRY to take one thing at a time, and BREATHE. Stress can do horrible things to a person so you must try to calm down a bit. I will pray for you and for peace of mind. Love, Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awpoint Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Good Heavens Cat--I wish you had my daughter there--She can get it done! But she can't come so follow all Becky's advice. I am so sorry you are having to fight this by yourself. Try one of Beckys bubble baths and then start over. Praying for strength for you in this terrible situation. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Cat, Melinda just told me that she gets a shooting/stabbing pain from what was repeatedly diagnosed as a large cyst/imflamed groups of milk ducts in one of her breasts (this was originally dx'd when she was 17 and she has been seeing a breast specialist every couple of years to "keep tabs on it"--esp. since her mom got breast cancer the first time). Because she has always been "too young" for a mamogram--they have been dx'ing her with ultrasound. She plans to demand a mamogram as soon as school is out (despite the fact that she is still "too young") now that her mom has gotten breast cancer for the second time. She has consistantly been told, though, that they do NOT think it is a tumor as a) it changes size and tenderness it has not grown/changed since she was 17 and c) that breast tumors don't usually hurt (something she questions more now). But she wanted me to let you know that she definately gets shooting/stabbing pains there on a regular basis--and has for years! So maybe what you have really is a cyst. But, still, please monitor it! I hope this helps. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Geoff (and Melinda) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 Oh, you sure do have a lot building up right now, and we all know how that feels. Just one thing I have to add though, is usually breast cancer is not painful at all--i don't know what that is in your breast, but I would tend to think it's not a cancerous mass---- I hope this all gets straightened out pretty soon..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaL Posted May 22, 2004 Share Posted May 22, 2004 I wish I was there to give you a hug. You have alot going on right now...prayers to you....and please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MO_Sugar Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Have they done an xray to rule out a plueral effusion? That can cause pain in that area also. I get a nasty pain when it is time to get mine drained and it has never collapsed my lung so far (squashed it but not collapsed). Healing prayers headed your way! God Bless, MO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Cheryl- Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Cat, I hope your pain subsides. You know, after being diagnosed with cancer,every ache and pain becomes possible cancer. As my dear friend Don Wood says "Don't borrow trouble." It very wel could be just stress. I will pray for you none the less my dear. Praying for good results, Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Dear Cat, My prayers are with you as always. I hope and pray you will find relief from your pain, stress and Dr problems! You are so supportive to all of us that I just wish I could be there and give you a big hug!! God Bless You My Friend, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 You are in my prayers. Anxiety is almost the worst part of being dx'd with cancer. Ask your doc for something to take for it. Then follow Becky's advice and kick some medical butt. I wish you the best and hope you get good results from now on. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bean_si (Not Active) Posted May 23, 2004 Share Posted May 23, 2004 Thanks everyone for the prayers, information and compassion. During the day, I'll meditate, pray, read inspirational books, etc. and this often helps to bring myself to a feeling of calm. Then at night, I'll wake up and my "monkey mind", as the Buddhists would say, starts to jump around like ---- a monkey. I can't seem to stop it. It stumbles blindly, mindlessly, from one worry to another. I think I need to be put on some anti-anxiety meds. I don't have the right words to tell you how much it means that so many are there for me. It seems to me that God must love you for your compassion. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted May 24, 2004 Share Posted May 24, 2004 Prayers coming your way Cat! Your not going insane, you are just riding this darned awful roller coaster which is enough to drive anyone bonkers! I don't even have the disease, but I do have to watch my beloved husband going through it and I think I am more crazy than he is! Do hope you get that pain seen to soon, you shouldn't have to go through this. Love and positive vibes, Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phyllis Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Hi, I am sorry I just now saw your post. I am sorry you are going through all of this right now. You have so much to deal with all of the time. Lord, you deserve a break. Stress drugs are great. It helps you focus on all of this c____! I hope things get better real quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Prayers going your way, Cat. Can't add much to whay have been already said, but sending good vibes and wishes. J.C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brm1949 Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Prayers for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted May 26, 2004 Share Posted May 26, 2004 Cat my thoughts and prayers are with you. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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