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seirei
New User
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Tennessee
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 Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:13 am Post subject: New to the forums but not new to the illness |
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Hey all *waves*
Just a bit of history...
I moved to Dominican Republic in July of 2005. I was constantly sick with colds/flus, not sure if I was giving my lymph nodes a workout or what. Anyway my symptoms started in January of 2006 with pain in the back of my neck. I felt something there which the first doctor diagnosed as neck muscular soreness. I, of course, didn't believe him because I noticed I was having to take more and more acetominophen b/c of pain and swelling. Normally I don't take anything for even a headache. I was talking to one of my fellow colleagues who was experiencing pain in her neck and she soon found out that it was thyroid problems. Even though I was probably thinking that it was thyroid issues by that time I was more relieved to know that there was an english speaking doctor that I could go and talk to rather than having everything translated to me. My new doctor seemed to be more understanding and very sympathetic to the misdiagnosis. She had an ultrasound done followed by a ct scan which found the mass in my neck. By that time I was getting fevers, chills, night sweats, and other flu like symptoms. Doctor #2 decided that it might be tuberculosis or some type of lymphoma. I had already been doing some research on my illness and so I was familiar with tuberculosis. When I started looking up info on lymphoma and I saw the word "Cancer" I really started to worry and to be honest I feel like I knew from that point. I didn't have very much money while I was there and my friend's father new a pathologist who was willing to give me a discount but I had to see his colleague initially. Anyway, now onto doctor #3 and of course they still could not figure out what was the problem and of course b/c the doctor was not willing to do treatment for tuberculosis b/c he wanted to know what the mass was and the surgeon wasn't willing to do the actual biopsy b/c he wanted the doctor to figure out if it was tuberculosis or not and of course the doctor wasn't sure. Anyway, round and round we went. I finally ran out of money and had to contact the United States Consulate for help. By that time my symptoms and pain were at its worst. I was feeling so weak that I could barely walk.
Due to thinking that I had tuberculosis I couldn't go live with my grandmother b/c she is consistantly ill and I couldn't go live with my sister b/c she was concerned about her children. My only option was to go back to where I was, in Florida, go straight from the airport to the hospital. When I got there I told them that I might have tuberculosis. I was admited after a half a days wait. I spent two weeks in the hospital and of course I was diagnosed with NHL. This was back in April of 2006. Having no where to go I spent 6 months in an assisted living facility while undergoing chemo. Funding had ran out with the assisted living facility and I was about to be placed in a Homeless Shelter when I was told by my doctor that he wanted to add on at least 3 more cycles of chemo AKA 6 more treatments plus 25 treatments of Radiation. Having already gone through 6 months of all this I couldn't bare another day doing it alone and I knew my time was running out in the assisted living facility. I was given an opportunity to move more north to be closer to my loved ones and I took it.
Now I haven't had a treatment since I left Florida in October. I have no insurance and know nothing about the system in Tennessee. Lately I have been having the same neck pain. I'm back to taking acetominophen for the pain. I finally convinced myself to go see a doctor again b/c I have been fooling myself thinking it had gone away. My appointment was today and the new doctor was real nice and very upfront. The only things I remember him talking about is possibly being at my limit for chemo, bone marrow transplants, ct scans, pet scans, needing funding, etc etc.
So anyway, tomorrow I start my fight for funding.
I'm ready though b/c I have someone who cares very much for me.
That's all I really wanted.
With love, I can take over the world.
Hope this helps and yes I'm a post wh0re! HAHA!! Unfortunately they aren't always this long though.
Nice to read about you all!
Seirei <3
Check out my blog if ya want  |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3949
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: New to the forums but not new to the illness |
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Welcome, Seirei.
It sounds like you have been through a lot in the last year or two. I know that the financial side of having cancer is hard… at times, harder than the cancer itself. But your doctor can help you in many ways. He can help you apply for free medication and for disability if you need that.
In addition, go to your local hospital and ask to talk to a social worker. He/She can help you find other financial aid.
Good luck.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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seirei
New User
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: New to the forums but not new to the illness |
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Thanks very much for your reply and welcome 
Btw you should update your blog when you have the time of course.
Today, I was so geared up to start the fight to find funding, as I call it.
What have I done? ...
I slept.
Why?
When I know that my life is in my own hands why can I do nothing but sleep?
Something encouraging please?
It drives me utterly mad especically knowing I used to be a, slightly higher than average, motivated person. *shakes her head*
Seirei <3 |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3949
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: New to the forums but not new to the illness |
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Hi Seirei,
It sounds like you might be depressed. Talk to your doctor about that. He can give you a mild antidepressant that might help you through this time. Some with the pain… tell your doctor. It maybe that there is something he/she can tell you about dealing with the pain. Sorry that I can’t give you any clearer answers. Take care.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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