hope Category
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
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!!
Tags: Dec 2009 interview, interview, It's Your Health Radio, Its Your Health, Lisa Davis, radio interview
Posted in appreciation, Burzynski Clinic, Coping, Doctors, Dr. K. Keller, Emotions, excitement, Getting The Word Out, gratitude, hope, Special People, strength | 2 Comments »
Monday, December 28th, 2009
The interview on “Its Your Health” radio has been rescheduled to Dec 29, 8:30-8:50am CST.
That’s tomorrow.
Woo Hoo!!
Thank You Lisa!
TeamDenise!
Tags: Dec 2009 interview, interview, It's Your Health Radio, Its Your Health, Lisa Davis, radio interview
Posted in Emotions, excitement, Getting The Word Out, gratitude, hope, Special People | 1 Comment »
Monday, December 21st, 2009
I am being interviewed on a Boston radio station!
It’s pretty exciting…
The show is “Its Your Health” and the host is Lisa Davis – a gal who I connected with via Facebook. Don’t ask me how cuz I don’t remember, but she seems nice.
But I do remember that she mentioned that she wanted to interview me about my battle without insurance.
She remembers me and wants to share my story.
My story.
She also has interviewed Suzanne Somers several times, regarding her new book, Knockout, which addresses cancer and specifically mentions Dr. Burzynski and The Burzynski Clinic. So I will be happy to share my tests results.
I’ve known for about a month that this interview might be upcoming, but didn’t have a firm date. There was talk of “sometime in January”, so I’ve been waiting…
Waiting, waiting waiting…
Hoping
but not expecting.
Now I know.
The interview will be tomorrow – Dec 22 – at 10:50 EST.
Tomorrow
I’m nervous…
Need to get ready.
I’m excited…
Excited to get the word out some more
TeamDenise!
Tags: Dec 2009 interview, interview, It's Your Health Radio, Its Your Health, Lisa Davis, radio interview, Suzanne Somers
Posted in Alternative Treatments, Aminocare A10, Antineoplaston Therapy, appreciation, Burzynski Clinic, Burzynski Clinic Doctors, Cancer, Dr. S. Burzynski, excitement, Gene Therapy Drugs, Getting The Word Out, gratitude, hope, sadness, scared, Special People, Team Denise, tired | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
Got the results from Dr Deleon today and I have to say that I am Happy.
Very Happy.
Very.
Very.
Happy.
The Results…
Interpretation of scan via Burzynski Clinic (treatment clinic)
The follow-up study again shows a parenchymal density involving the left breast with minimal activity. This has significantly decreased since the previous study. The size also has decreased when compared with the previous study of 08/10/09. It is difficult to have an accurate measurement due to the difficulty in separating the normal tissues from the abnormally active parenchymal tissue. No axillary lymphadenopathy is present. No other abnormal hypermetabolic activity is identified in the chest. No enlarged lymph nodes are shown in the mediasternum… Again noted is a sclerotic lesion involving the ribs, spine and pelvic bones, suggesting osseous metastatic disease. These are not hypermetabolic.
CHEST: STW
Left breast mass: 20% decrease since previous (August 2009); 47% decrease since baseline (April 2009)
Report via Houston Medical Imaging (scanning facility)
IMPRESSION
PET CT scan is negative for definite active neoplastic disease. Left axillary lymph nodes have completely resolved and changes noted within the left breast are consistent with post therapy fibrosis. Osteoblastic bone lesions exhibit no measurable hypermetabolic activity.
No Current Abnormal Hypermetabolic Activity.
Dr. Deleon has been Very Clear in cautioning me – this is Not remission, this is Not cured.
Supposedly, the cancer is currently Dormant.
Dormant.
Treatment Must Continue.
I will continue to do so as long as I can afford it.
So… things appear to be going well.
For now.
For this I am Extremely Thankful.
Thank you for your support
Thank you for the strength of your prayers, kind words of encouragement and good wishes.
Please Don’t Stop.
Scans of the full reports:
Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
Posted in hope, Results, scared, Tests | 3 Comments »
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Had PET/CT Scan #4 today, every three months and this was the time… the third one at Houston Medical Imaging. Again, the cost was $1,200.00, out of the fund… ouch. Yep, a financial hit.
It was another good experience; Juliette was the tech this time, though we did get to see Zaki while there – they are both such nice people. Congrats to Juliette & Diego on the birth of their new daughter – she is Beautiful! Mom and I talked with them both for a bit about their new addition, they are so proud!
Back to business – the stick was good and easy, I hardly felt anything! Juliette gave the infusion… again, I had to wait a period of time- around an hour, and then the test commenced. That took another 40 minutes or so. Overall, it was tiring…
PET Scan #3 (and the Baseline Bone Scan) were also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.
PET Scan #2 was also done at Houston Medical Imaging, which gave results in a crisp, clear, and color, image.
PET Scan #1 was not such a good image, leaving the results with lots of questions, and recommendations.
Again
I’m hoping
praying
for some good results.
(Results will – of course – be posted when I get them)
Tags: Houston Medical Imaging, PET Scan, PET/CT Scan, scan
Posted in Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, frustration, hope, Tests | 1 Comment »
Monday, November 16th, 2009
There is So Much controversy around Dr. Burzynski and his antineoplastons. Seems to me, that a treatment that spares the body the ravages of chemo, while providing good results should be #1 on the list of the drug companies to explore, instead of attacking the Dr who has brought this treatment to light…
Antineoplaston Therapy
“…HOW ANTINEOPLASTONS WORK
(Dr. Burzynski believes that) antineoplastons are nontoxic, naturally occurring peptides, amino acid derivatives, and organic acids that fight cancer with few if any side effects. Traditional radiation therapy and chemotherapies poison cancer cells and healthy cells as well; antineoplastons cause no harm to healthy cells. Although the detailed mechanism by which antineoplastons work is unknown, they may act as biochemical microswitches to turn off the genes that cause cancer, called oncogenes, and activate the genes that fight cancer, called tumor suppressor genes.
Because these drugs are harmless to healthy cells the body can be flooded with antineoplastons, and only cancer cells are affected. Patients typically carry a small pump that delivers antineoplastons directly into the bloodstream at regular intervals. Some patients take capsules orally.“
I am Literally Betting My Life on This Treatment…
Posted in Alternative Treatments, Antineoplaston Therapy, Burzynski Clinic, Cancer, Dr. S. Burzynski, hope, New Treatments | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
A Gentleman who I went to high school with (just a Few years ago) recently reconnected with me via Facebook. His daughter battled lymphoma in 2001 – she became a Warrior during her freshman year of college. Jeff, his wife and their 2 sons were right by her side as she battled and won! She is now happily married with 2 beautiful sons of her own. What a True Blessing for their family!
Jeff found me via mutual FB Friends, and felt empathy for my situation. He has emailed me kind words of encouragement and prayers.
To help get my story “out there”, Jeff surprised me by posting my story on a forum that he is active on – Lone*Star Speed Zone. It is titled “Help for a friend, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month“. I am very touched by this kind gesture.
Yes, boardgames are my passion, but my Dad is a “Gearhead” (eh – in high school, I believe we called it “motorhead”) and I was raised with horsepower under the hood – and Loved it!
Thanks, Jeff!!
Tags: Lone Star, Lone*Star Speed Zone, racing
Posted in appreciation, Coping, Emotions, encouragement, Friends, Friendship, Getting The Word Out, gratitude, hope, Special People, strength, Team Denise, Warriors | No Comments »
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
For her new book, Knockout, which highlights cancer treatments, Suzanne Somers interviewed doctors and medical professionals providing treatments across the board – conventional, integrative, alternative. Dr. Stansilaw Burzynski (of The Burzynsky Clinic, located here in Houston, Texas) was one of the Doctors interviewed; I am a patient of Burzynski Clinic.
Dr. Burzynksi is attributed with discovering antineoplastons, and developing antineoplastin therapy. One of the factors that allows some cancers to grow out of control is the presence of abnormal enzymes, a byproduct of DNA methylation (a chemical modification). In the presence of these enzymes, the normal life cycle of the cells is disrupted and they replicate continuously. Antineoplastons have been shown in the laboratory to inhibit these enzymes
Ms. Somers is doing lots of promotion for her book – touring, radio and tv shows. On October 22 2009 @ 9:00pm ET, Larry King will air an interview with Suzanne Somers and several of the Doctors in her book, including Dr. Burzynski. This is an interview I hope to either watch live or at least be able to download via the transcripts…
No, Ms. Somers is NOT a cancer expert, nor is she a medical professional. I see her product as informative, nothing more… Information that others may not have had the opportunity to acquire and bring into their own knowledge-base.. Information that may be of benefit to them or someone they care for…
Dr.Burzynski’s Cancer Therapy on TV Mon Oct 19 @9pmEST
Burzynski’s Antineoplastin Therapy is the treatment path that I have chosen. It is Very Expensive, but I TRULY believe that this is my Best option for recovery and remission, without the harmful and long-term effects of conventional, high-toxicity chemotherapy. This is where my Full Belief lays.
We can only hope…
Hope.
Tags: Knockout, Larry King, Suzanne Somers
Posted in Aminocare A10, Antineoplaston Therapy, Burzynski Clinic, Dr. S. Burzynski, Getting The Word Out, hope, Other Things | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
I keep watching this, it’s so very powerful to me… I watch, I listen, I cry, I smile.
This is how people Should be, in their best moments – in their Every moment.
Please…
Stand By Me.
Tags: Stand By Me
Posted in Coping, hope | No Comments »
