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Sunday, June 28th, 2009

PASSED: Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald (recurring breast cancer)

NEWS: Dr. In S. Pole Rescue Loses Cancer Battle

One minute you’re “Up” with Joy and Hope, the next minute you read something like this and its a Horrible Crash of emotion… this cancer is Such An Evil Disease. Another Warrior with a (seemingly) strong and supportive partner.

Dr. In S. Pole Rescue Loses Cancer Battle
Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald Was The Center Of A Dramatic 1999 Rescue
BOSTON, June 24, 2009

(CBS/AP)

Her husband, Thomas FitzGerald, says she died Tuesday at their home in Southwick, Mass. The cause was cancer.

Nielsen was the only doctor at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station when she found a lump in her breast in June 1999, raising fears of cancer. Weather conditions didn’t permit a rescue, so she performed a biopsy on herself with the help of staff.

She began treating herself using drugs dropped by parachute in the dark polar winter in July, in a mission documented by CBS News.

Despite her illness Nielsen kept busy with her duties up until she left the South Pole, her sister-in-law, Diana Cahill, told CBS News in 1999.

“She didn’t have time to focus on her condition at all. She’s a very giving person,” Cahill said.

Following the dramatic airlift, she told The Vindictor newspaper she wanted to return to the Antarctic.

“It was such a wonderful place. I still love it. I would do it again. Even knowing what happened to me, it was the best year of my life,” Nielsen told the newspaper.

Her cancer went into remission until 2005.

Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald, 1952 – 2009

Tags: breast cancer, Cancer, Dr. Jerri Nielsen FitzGerald

Posted in anger, Cancer, despair, Emotions, Fallen Warriors, frustration, overwhelming, sadness, scared | No Comments »

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Off On A Hunt – Finding An Infusion Center

It was a Busy day today…

When I talked with Barbara T (the Financial Manager) at the Burzynski Clinic and told her that the charge of $1000 per infusion AND an Additional $1500/month to “handle” the (3 small vials of) Zometa was just more than I could afford, she told me “Well, we have to survive here”.

Excuse me? How About Me Surviving Here? If I can’t afford to stay at the Clinic, then I can’t pay for You to “survive” and if I’m dead, then I certainly am not paying for Your “survival”..

Then she looked me in the eye and Said “You are the one getting your medicine for free, right?”, like because I am getting financial assistance with my meds, that means I have the $2500/month extra to spend on other (unexpected) charges?

Nooooo… I’m getting the financial assistance because I don’t have health insurance and because I can’t afford the meds… I was Told $4500/month for my PB and my Case Management, I Signed a Paper Stating $4500/month, and That is what I have budgeted for.

If you can call applying for financial assistance, compiling info on organizing fundraisers and getting ready to sell on eBay “budgeting”… more on eBay (TeamDenise) later…

I guess they must have more patients than they can handle to not care if someone is unable to afford their services due to unexpected And Substantial increases in charges.

I want to live, I Believe in the Burzynsky treatment – I would NOT have stopped my chemo path and come to the Clinic if I did not believe. I Want To Live.

I swear, I’m starting to feel like this unconditional faith is similar to the years of faith I put in Clifford and look how That bit me in the big behind! Big.Time.

So… due to Those financial issues, I had to go by my (Totally Awesome) PCP’s (Primary Care Physician of the past 15yrs – Dr. Ronald Taylor) office and get him to write a prescription for Zometa for Novartis Oncology (the company that has granted me financial assistance with my monthly infusion of Zometa – the drug for the bone cancer).

I had to confirm that North Cypress Medical Hospital’s Infusion Center would accept physical receipt of my Zometa and would be able to give me my infusion and what the charges would be for receipt, compounding the drug into IV, infusion and storage (3 months per shipment). I was given a preliminary “ok” , but I have learned that “preliminary” is Not a confirmation, so I am not all excited… I was also given a cost range of $160 – $210, but – again – I have learned take numbers at face value where medical is concerned, so I will wait for a formal confirmation.

But it Seems like it will be doable…

We Shall See.

Tags: Cliff Grimes, Clifford F Grimes, Clifford Grimes, Mr. Sack, Zometa

Posted in anger, appreciation, Burzynski Clinic, Burzynski Clinic Financial Charges, Cancer, Dr. R. Taylor, Emotions, frustration, Gene Therapy Drugs, hope, venting | 2 Comments »

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

PASSED: Farrah Fawcett (anal cancer)

Farrah Fawcett died today, she was 62 young… She had been diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. Although doctors declared her free of cancer in February 2007, a few months later they learned that the cancer had returned. Fawcett’s particular kind of cancer strikes only about 5,000 people a year, though if caught in time, it is usually very treatable. Usually.

Farrah was Very Blessed to have a strong and supportive partner in Ryan O’Neal. His devotion is so very admirable, but makes my heart hurt so badly.

2006 to 2009…

Three short years. Three years to try to live, three years to try and fill with experiences you might miss, three years to prepare for what might happen. For what did happen…

Only Three Years.

‘Charlie’s Angel’ Farrah Fawcett dies at 62

Slideshow: Farrah Fawcett dies at 62

FALLEN ANGEL: Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62

Farrah Fawcett – Through the Years

PHOTOS: Farrah Fawcett: A Look Back at an Amazing Life

Farrah Fawcett, 1947 – 2009

Tags: anal cancer, Cancer, Farrah Fawcett

Posted in anger, Cancer, despair, Emotions, Fallen Warriors, frustration, sadness, scared | No Comments »

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

CUT ME SOME SLACK.

I swear, I am so STRESSED Right Now, if I get One More Thing on added to my “Gotta Get This Done NOW” list, I think I am going to blow a flipping gasket.

I HAVE BREAST CANCER which (according to test results) HAS SPREAD TO MY BONES and I HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE. I am (STILL) FIGHTING for Treatment and Medicinal Assistance. I am SCARED OUT OF THIS WORLD. I also Have To WORK FULL TIME. THAT is where my time is going.

This is Tough.

I’m Alone. Yes, I have my Mom & Dad (in Corpus Christi, 4 hrs away) and my Friends – the ones who have “stuck around” (a phone call away)… but after the day is done and the lights are out, I Am Alone. And the dark is a very scary place when you’re alone and contemplating your mortality…

Clifford is a Waste of a SACK of TURD for how he did to me.
At least good turd can be used as fertilizer.

It.Just.Sucks.All.Around.

Tags: Cliff Grimes, Clifford F Grimes, Clifford Grimes, Dallas, Mr. Sack, Slack

Posted in anger, Coping, Emotions, frustration, scared, tired, venting | 7 Comments »

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

Burzynski Clinic – Even More Charges.

I received yet Another call regarding finances from the Burzynski Clinic. Seems they are not satisfied with the $4500 per month for the Sodium Phenylbutyrate and “Case Management”, PLUS the $1000 per month for administering manufacturer provided Zometa infusion. NOW – since I am receiving assistance with my medications, and not purchasing from the Clinic - they intend to charge me $1500 for a “Medication Management” fee.

What The Heck?? With the exception of the Zometa, the meds are shipped directly to me. The Zometa is shipped in a 3 month supply and stored at the Clinic… and they want to charge me $1500 a month for that? To store 3 small bags??

Burzynski Clinic Drs are the ones who told me to go to the manufacturer’s and submit for assistance. They NEVER said ANYTHING about charging me Anything thing if I did get assistance!

I’M The One who got all the paperwork together and sent everything in. I’M the one who had to be sure the Clinic Drs got the forms completed and faxed in.

Seems every time I turn around, another triple zero fee is being added to my account.

Do they NOT realize that over charging does NOT help their bottom line, all it does is make treatment less accessible to more people?? I’ve referred at Least 4 people to the Clinic, NOT cuz I get any reimbursement, but because I Truly Believe. HOW can I continue to refer when I see how charges are added without consideration?

I don’t mind paying my fair share, but I DO have a problem with people kicking others when they are down. And Right Now – I Am Down. So Stop Kicking!

Yes, I believe in Burzynski’s protocol and treatment – TOTALLY. But I’m suddenly not sure if I’ll be able to continue on this path… nor to recommend it to others… And That Scares the Heck Out of Me.

Tags: Money

Posted in anger, Burzynski Clinic, Burzynski Clinic Financial Charges, Coping, Emotions, frustration, venting | 3 Comments »

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009

Burzynski Clinic – More Charges.

I received word from the Burzynski Clinic today that I have an outstanding balance to pay. A little over $4000.

Ok, I got a shipment of Sodium Phenylbutyrate and I was waiting on a bill to come. But they are acting like I committed some kind of crime, and stopped any services. Of Course I intend to pay! I chose this path because I Truly Believe in it.

Yes, I paid.

I was also informed that I will have to pay a $1000 infusion fee with the Zometa – per infusion. What The Heck? $1000?? Per Infusion?? I was only paying about $300 per infusion for chemo!

I’m suddenly getting a Reeeeally bad feeling about all this…

Tags: Money

Posted in anger, Burzynski Clinic, Burzynski Clinic Financial Charges, frustration, tired | 1 Comment »

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Chemo Phase I, #4 – April 23 2009

It gets harder each time. Harder and Harder

Longer to recover.

My body aches,my muscles, my bones, my head. The dizziness, round and round…
Harder to drag myself out of bed.
Out of bed, where I want to stay.
To sleep
Forever

It would be so easy to give up
After everything that’s happened this past week
But I can’t.
I won’t.
I will not.

The anti-nausea meds keep the vomiting at bay, but not the feeling of nauseousness… not the reaction of my body to attempt to rid itself of this evil fluid. The natural reaction.

The damage this poisoning is doing will be with me for years…

Tags: Adriamycin, Chemo Infusions, Cytoxan, nausea

Posted in anger, Chemo, Chemo Drugs, Chemo Reactions, Chemo Treatments, despair, Emotions, Feeling Ill, heartbroken, Mom, rejection, scared | No Comments »

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Please Donate To A Good Cause – Team Denise!

(The following is an email which I sent out today. I am Scared To Death and So Mad about what has happened to me. This is a disease that should be “Easily” managed if addressed in time; but now, because I was treated incorrectly for 9+ months, I am now fighting for my life.)

April 20 2009

Because I Want To Live – Please Help If You Can, and PLEASE Keep This Email Going!

My name is Denise. I live in Spring, Texas – about 25 miles north of Houston.

I’m 49 years old, single, no children. Three dogs, one cat. I rent my home, I own my truck. I have no partner, no financial assistance… I’m a temp office worker, an Admin, aka secretary, in Houston, Texas; I work Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:30. I’m one of the “worker bees”. I pretty much live paycheck-to-paycheck. Like so many others…

I have Family and Friends who I am Blessed to have in my life. I am truly fortunate to have the love, friendship and support of my Family and very good Friends.

I have no health insurance.

I’ve been diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductile Carcinoma. An Invasive Breast Cancer. It was mistreated for over a year, with 9+months as a “staph infection”, which allowed the cancer to grow and spread throughout my body – to metastasize. I currently have been diagnosed with metastatic bone cancer and am awaiting the results for metastatic liver cancer. I will be undergoing a head/brain scan to evaluate the possibility of metastatic brain cancer. I am waiting for my official “staging” diagnosis, but am a probable Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.

My medical outlook is not good. I am trying to maintain a positive mental and emotional outlook, but sometimes it’s difficult.

I’m sending out this email, asking for help. I know things are tough for many people out there, but I’m hoping there will be some who find it in their heart to help me.

I Want To Live.

I’m keeping a Blog to detail this journey I am on, please “meet” me there – http://teamdenise.org/.

I am documenting the appointments and events which I am going though. I have medical reports, images and information which I am downloading daily. I am keeping an online budget of my expenses. I am keeping an online list of my Doctors and all info regarding my situation, diagnoses and treatments. If you don’t see something that legitimately concerns my situation, check back in a day – I may just not have gotten it online yet. Or you can email me – any questions can be directed to me at denise@teamdenise.org, I will reply as soon as possible.

Please read more about me and my situation here: http://teamdenise.org/about/

Please Help Me Survive. Please consider donating directly to my cause, there’s a “Donate” button located on my front page (http://teamdenise.org/)

Please donate a dollar… heck, if you feel like it, donate a few dollars!

Whether you are able to donate or not, I would appreciate if you could find it in your heart to forward this request on. Hopefully others will be able to spare a few dollars for my cause. Others who might have been affected by this horrible disease – who may have lost someone, who may have fought for someone, who may have survived themselves. Others who are able to help me.

I Want To Live, I Want To Survive, But I Can’t Afford To Do It Alone. So I am reaching out…

Whatever You Do, Whatever Religion You Follow, Please Keep Me In Your Prayers – I Believe Prayer is Powerful!

With Hope and Faith,

denise

denise@teamdenise.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Thanks for your support!
Every dollar, every prayer, every good wish helps me survive!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
A person’s choice of religion is of no issue to me,
Everyone has their personal calling,
But I DO believe that prayer is a Powerful force
So if you pray, Please Keep Me In Yours.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*
Please check my website for my progress!
http://teamdenise.org/
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*

Tags: Donations

Posted in anger, Cancer, Emotions, frustration, hope, Requests, Team Denise | No Comments »

Sunday, April 19th, 2009