Forum Discussion
Hi I have just been diagnosed
What a shock on the 7th Feb to find out the news I had my surgery on the 14th Feb, soooo lucky to be done so quick, not a lot of time to dwell on things. I have been told I have a grade 2 IDC and only 1 lymph was involved. I have seen the radiologist oncologist yesterday and lucky I had joined this group thanks to the BC nurse, and had done some research before I went to the appointment. Wow the charges. I did ask about public for this bit and was told that you have to wait, don't get a specialist etc etc,like to know more from anybody who has had it done on the northern Gold Coast. I asked her about the survival rate for my age, and as I had surgery it was 82% , with chemo only another 2% hormone therapy is 3% at 5 years, My question is are all the side effects worth it to have chemo if that is suggested to me, as I am not a well person anyways, have other health issues.
I see the chemo oncologist on Tuesday, then doing more research before making a decision.
Any feedback would be extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and good luck with your journey.
what are the show popular tags mean ?? at the bottom
17 Replies
- god luck for tomorrow
- Thanks @youngdogmum
I suffer from anxiety and for me sitting in waiting rooms is one of my triggers. So will see on Monday what my out of pocket expenses are & if I can afford it maybe go private.
enjoy your weekend 😉 - Basically what I’m saying is there is little to no difference except sitting about waiting a bit longer. If this is going to annoy you and you can afford the out of pocket gap if there is one, head to the private. If not, go public, same treatment same radiation therapists. I live really close to GCUH so getting to and from isn’t an issue but if you have to travel from Tugun for example to then have to wait maybe 45 minutes a few times, private makes more sense. Most of my waits were less than 10 minutes :) @HunnyB
- @HunnyB if it’s several thousand dollars definately not... a few hundred maybe? GCUH was fine otherwise. If you’ve got no out of pocket which is quite unusual as private health doesn’t cover all of it from what friends have told me, then sure go to the private :)
- Hi @youngdogmum
I had my first appointment with Icon at GCUH this week. Fortunately I don’t need chemo just 3 weeks radiation. I do have private health which will cover me for radiation. I didn’t know Gold Coast Private was even an option for radiation which is odd because that’s where my surgery was done. After your experience with Icon & visiting the dept at Gold Coast Private, if you had the choice would you still go to GCUH. Sorry to ask this but I’m still very overwhelmed by it all.
xx - Thinking of you and hoping for the best as you navigate all this. Eightdays.
- kamada said:Just a comment on those overheard prices. I have gone private for both chemo and radiation to get the Dr I wanted and for convenience. My chemo didn’t cost me anything because of Private health cover and my med. oncologist works on a no gap basis. Radiation is costing me though. I have to pay the full amount up front (which is probably what you heard quoted and made you nearly choke @kezmusc 😳😂) but the 80% Medicare rebate is put in my acct overnight which brings it right down. All up 6 weeks of radiation is costing a bit under $3000 but we chose that to minimise the inconvenience and stress of hours of travel each week and hopefully minimise any fatigue. Hope that gives some help with making a decision @Berchel14. Hope you are able to find a good balance between your treatment and the limitations of the lupus. Btw 3 weeks in to radiation and no fatigue worth mentioning. Exercising is a big help there 😘
thank you appreciate all the advice I am getting It blows your mind a bit LOL - kezmusc said:Hi @Berchel14
Just a quick note on public vs private. I'm not in your area (I went to Mater Springfield) but I did my chemo and radiation in a private hospital as a public patient. A lot of doctors work in both sectors.
I saw the same consultant for every treatment as I would have seen paying privately. You absolutely get a specialist consultant oncologist and radonc and there was no waiting time.
I remember seeing people pay their accounts for radiation and nearly choked overhearing the prices.
Deciding on chemo or not is never easy. Have a chat to the onc and see what they say then you will be in a better position to decide. I think when nodes are involved they will generally recommend it. I had 5 nasty ones so chemo was pretty much a must do and the added benefit was %11. They'll take into consideration your age and any other health problems also. Ask a zillion questions lovely.
xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you - thank you
- Dear @Berchel14,
Great info above, and I'm sure there will be more valuable advice, so I will just say
from jennyss in Western NSW
