Left in limbo after diagnosis
I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer following a mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy. My GP is referring me to the hospital, which will take a couple of weeks. My GP says they aren't able to tell...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Yango - sorry to see you've joined the club - but ask any question of us & we'll give you honest & helpful answers as we've all 'been there'.
The shock & stress of being diagnosed is not a good experience - and the waiting for the appointments etc is the pits - so please make sure you have someone with you at your appointments as a 2nd set of ears. Being in shock - you don't always 'take in' everything that is said at the time. I recorded my appointments so I could go back over it afterwards, too.
Even if you have private health insurance, there can be big $ gaps over time .... ask the surgeon about his fees - he may be able to treat you as a public patient & not have the added expense of going private. I had surgery private & am about $6000 out of pocket, yet for my radiation I went 'public' & it cost nothing. I live in a rural town, so had to go to a major town for the surgery & radiation - and the hospital had a hostel in the grounds, where I stayed for very low cost for the 4 weeks for my daily radiation. It was almost a holiday, as the radiation didn't affect me too much at all (other than some emotional blips!) I completed my radiation this time last year.
Where abouts are you roughly (city/town) as we have members in most areas who may be able to put you onto services available near you - or even catch up for a chat if you like. @marcel - you too - if you put your 'city/town' in your profile, others may be able to be more specific re what's available near you.
Once you have your surgery & pathology & have a plan - it will all slot into place. It is just this 'no man's land' right now that is so painfully annoying & frustrating! grrr
take care xxx
The shock & stress of being diagnosed is not a good experience - and the waiting for the appointments etc is the pits - so please make sure you have someone with you at your appointments as a 2nd set of ears. Being in shock - you don't always 'take in' everything that is said at the time. I recorded my appointments so I could go back over it afterwards, too.
Even if you have private health insurance, there can be big $ gaps over time .... ask the surgeon about his fees - he may be able to treat you as a public patient & not have the added expense of going private. I had surgery private & am about $6000 out of pocket, yet for my radiation I went 'public' & it cost nothing. I live in a rural town, so had to go to a major town for the surgery & radiation - and the hospital had a hostel in the grounds, where I stayed for very low cost for the 4 weeks for my daily radiation. It was almost a holiday, as the radiation didn't affect me too much at all (other than some emotional blips!) I completed my radiation this time last year.
Where abouts are you roughly (city/town) as we have members in most areas who may be able to put you onto services available near you - or even catch up for a chat if you like. @marcel - you too - if you put your 'city/town' in your profile, others may be able to be more specific re what's available near you.
Once you have your surgery & pathology & have a plan - it will all slot into place. It is just this 'no man's land' right now that is so painfully annoying & frustrating! grrr
take care xxx