marylloyd

It really is sad in this country, at this time in history, any of us are having to deal with all of this. I don’t want to get political but we must have some sort of universal health care for every citizen in this country. We should not have to deal with all of these financial issues when we are fighting for our lives-it’s inhumane!! Anyway my husband did not have any insurance when he was diagnosed. He worked very hard in his early fifties to become licensed to teach high school science(because there were tons of openings for science teachers !!) but after completing his studies all he was able to get were temporary one year contracts. They always replaced him with younger people. He had worked the year before he was diagnosed and was on unemployment up until about three months before he got sick. We couldn’t afford the Cobra deal- it was $1600/ month for both of us. We were just in the process of trying to get approved for a major medical policy( he had been denied previously due to being overweight and having high blood pressure) when he became ill. I remember my first thought when he became ill and an ambulance was called was- oh no. we don’t have insurance, maybe I can just drive him to the ER. That’s sad. I had to start worrying about money from the first instant he was ill. It turned out that we were better off not having any insurance than we would have been with crappy insurance. The social workers were working with me within days to get him qualified for Medicaid and on SS disability. If we had insurance none of that would have happened-I’d have been on my own. It was VERY tough for a few weeks. We had to cash out his teachers retirement that he had worked so hard for, we each had some money in IRAs which we both had to cash out and I had to cash out my life insurance policy.We basically had to be impoverished as far as cash assets were concerned. We were lucky though because they did not hold our farm against us since it was our home and I was able to continue my little greenhouse business in order to pay our farm payment and taxes. Ohio’s medicaid program has paid for everything with no problems though, so I am very grateful. Even though neither one of us have any retirement left or savings etc it could have been a lot worse.My husband really gets down sometimes about our money situation. He feels well enough to work for someone but no one will hire him. He’s 60.5 years old with a very serious cancer. He would have to have good insurance and then what happens if he lost the job? We’d be right back to square one. He’ll be on Medicare by January so that will ease the financial restraints a little but I keep worrying that they will decide he isn’t disabled enough and kick him off, then what happens if he gets really sick again? It’s ridiculous. I’m going to write a book, maybe I can get on Oprah and talk about all of this! Ha!Ha! Mary

I’m sorry Sophie that things didn’t work out. We went through the same thing 2 years ago but at least my husbands liver was healthy. He had some necrosis from the lack of blood flow to his left lobe but no disease. I would really concentrate on supplements and foods that can provide optimal liver health. I did a lot of research and really started giving Tom supplements and foods that weren’t just anti-carcinogenic but were really good for his liver.I really believe it has helped. Also I talked to a women a year ago who told me her husband had CC and cirrhosis and was doing just fine with no treatments what so ever. He had an external drain and they were just scanning him to keep track of things. He had been diagnosed for several years. I guess it just depends on the individual and the type of cancer but there really is hope. Take care and concentrate on getting as healthy as possible! Mary

HI Jeff,
Enjoy yourself in Maine. We went there for our honeymoon almost 28 years ago. I’d like to go back. My son is in Peru until Sept. and my husband wants to go very badly. I figure my son will eventually move there permanently so there’s no rush but then we shouldn’t put things off either. We’ve been living in a state of denial the past year or so but I know things could change very quickly. I just need to win the lottery- then we’d take off , no problem!! Oh well I’m glad to stay home and enjoy our birds and flowers. We have a barn full of swallows that I love to watch. Take care of yourself and we’re sending positive prayers and thoughts your way!! Just keep on fighting!! Mary

Candy,
My husband had radiation treatments along with Xeloda. That was followed by brachytherapy. He actually did not have a resection but they tied off the blood supply to the left half of his liver and it completely dissolved away.I believe this cut off the blood supply to the tumor too which helped the chemo and radiation “kill” it. He is tumor free at present and has had no treatments since Nov. 06. His tumor markers are all normal. I really think that chemo and radiation is a good idea for your brother. It really did not have any bad side effects. Mary

Great news Kris- I’m sure you can’t wait to get the drain out! My husband had his 3 month check-up and MRI and he is still in remission. Great news all around this week!It’s wonderful to have so many positive posts!! It gets pretty depressing around here sometimes so everyone keep up the good work!!! Best wishes, Mary

Hi Belle,
My husband has had both stents and drains since diagnosed in June 06. The stents are less bothersome but you have to deal with infection with both. THey usually use stents if possible but if not then they will put in an external drain. They require more care obviuosly, flushing the drainage tube, skin care at the drain site and emptying the bag. The stents just need to be changed every 2-3 months with an ERCP procedure. Take care. Mary