Dr. K. Keller Category

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Radio Interview, Its Your Health – Done!

The interview on “Its Your Health” radio was this morning.
A few minutes ago.
Wow.
The time flew
and there was so much I didn’t get to say.

Information that I wanted to share.
Information about my situation.
Information that I have gone through
Information that may help others.
.

My monthly medical bills – depending on what tests I need done – are between $15,000 and $17,000.
Yes – Per.Month.
The cost for the 5 medications that I am on is almost $15,000 per month
Monthly infusion and blood tests – tack on an additional $400.
PET / CT scan adds $1,200 every 3 months.

With the PAPs (Patient Assistance Programs) that I am qualified for, my monthly medicine bill goes “down” to $4,500, plus the cost of the tests.

Not easy for a currently unemployed temp secretary who is doing it all alone…

I really wanted to touch on the PAPs – Patient Assistance Programs. These are SO Important!! These are “offered” by the drug companies for people in need – that would be me. If you are in need, PLEASE contact the drug company and ask if there is a Patient Assistance Program that you would qualify for. Most drugs have some form of a PAP.

When you go for appointments or tests, Be Sure to tell them your story – that you have no insurance, that your insurance doesn’t cover this or that or whatever. Most medical facilities offer discount rates for people in need.

As I said – now is Not the time for pride.
Ask for help.

There are people out there who WILL help you.
People who Want to help.
Regardless if you are a precious toddler, a young adult, or – like me – an “old fat gal”.
People Will Help.

I am here, asking for help.

I have gone through my savings and the small inheritance I got from my Grandfather ($30,000) to purchase a home. My own home. My first home.
Gone.

Now I am dependent on fundraisers and donations.
The kindness of Family, Friends and Strangers.

The kindness of people helping.

Each month is a struggle to pay for my meds.
Each month is terror that I will not be able to afford to continue to fight this battle.
I do Not want to die.
Not yet…

Thank You So Very Much to Lisa Davis! and “Its Your Health” radio for giving me the opportunity to get my info out there!!

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Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Needle Aspiration Biopsy – July 18 2008

I had the Needle Aspiration Biopsy back in July of 2008.  It was not too painful, but Definitely necessary.

I remember when Dr. Keller told me that the pathology report showed a benign cyst and “only” a very bad staph infection. Given my Family history of cancer, I was So Very Relieved.

Looking at the report I don’t see where it says anything about a staph infection at all… obviously I don’t know how to read a pathology report.

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Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

Mastectomy

Up til now I’ve been saying “surgery”.  Knowing full well it will be a mastectomy.  An Amputation.  They will take my breast.  My left breast.

This should not have happened.  I went to my Primary Care Physician, then went to a Breast Disease Specialist as recommended – I put my well being in the “Specialist’s” hands.  This happened on His Watch. And he says I’ll “Be Fine“.

I wonder how he’d feel if he had to cut his testicles off because someone failed on that watch…?

Let’s hope he would be fine.

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Friday, March 13th, 2009

PET Scan – Results

Dr Keller FINALLY called with the PET (Positron Emission Tomography ) Scan results today.  Seems there was a miscommunication between him and the Radiologist as to who was to contact me.  I Would have thought it would be Dr. Keller, since he IS my Dr.  But better to get the info late Friday than to have to wait out the weekend.


Despite how I feel cuz of the chemo, it’s not such a bad day for me. According to what Dr. Keller read to us (both me and Mom) from the report, the results show that the cancer has not spread! He said that there was no evidence of the cancer having spread (aka metastasis), that it was all contained within the breast!!!  We Are Sooooooo Relieved!!!  Now I can get a bit more normal sleep!!!!!


Not all good news – a tad of slightly bad – Dr. Keller did say that there were 2 lymph nodes which look to have some cancer activity. Dr. Keller stated that the chemo should address them, they will most probably be removed when I have my surgery and then be hit with the radiation treatment after surgery. He said that I have been staged at a “Stage 2″. YAY!


The most common areas that breast cancer spreads is the brain, the liver and the bones. With a full year of incorrect treatment for a staph infection, I was Very Scared for a negative result. Seems I dodged a bullet, A Big Bullet, so I can sleep a little easier!! And I Will!!


I may have breast cancer now, but I will be a Survivor.


Cancer Glossary:

https://www.breastcancertreatmentcoach.com/glossary.html

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Sunday, March 8th, 2009

Riptide

So much has happened in such a short time, and more to come…I feel like a small fish caught in a big wave, being tossed around without any control.

I’m scared, but grateful that Dr. Keller is on “My Team”, but also pretty mad that it came to this under his watch.  Wondering how this happened.  He’s supposed to be the “Specialist”… Anyway, he sure has stepped up to make sure I am being taken care of, so for that I am “grateful”.

Next week will bring a lot of changes.  I’ll have the port implanted tomorrow morning, Hopefully the PET scan (IF the machine is fixed), the first chemo and Neulasta injection on Wednesday and Thursday.  We’re Hoping that the PET scan comes back with some positive results.

I’m really scared.

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