Can not believe it.
Shock, denial, anger - cant imagine how I can move towards acceptance. Newly Dx. Initially was stage 2, then told stage 3 and now looking at stage 4 with lung mets. What the! This roller coaster is ...
Forum Discussion
All the best for your biopsies this week @Denhamia xx.
As you do have to travel for some of your treatment, consider joining the Rural & Regional Private group as we have lots of info there for fellow 'travellers'. Your GP will have to sign off the original IPTAAS Document (re specialists that you see - a different form is needed for each one that you have to travel to see.) Then there is the 'travel diary' that I get the Specialist's receptionist to sign off as well (several trips can be made on the one page, so that you can claim all of them at once.) There is a 12 month timeframe to make the claim in.
You are covered for both fuel and a percentage of accommodation, if you need it, for travel that is at least 100k away .... or if you run up 200k in short trips over a week. (If you stay with family or friends, there is also a $20 co-payment/day.)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/28-living-in-regional-rural-and-remote-areas
Also check out this post that has a lot of info on the forum - and some other areas you may like to take part of .... you can show off your art & craft, garden, furkids and other bits ... also info on going to hospitals & how to 'self monitor' yourself with ticksheets on how you are going xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
I hope you have good support from family & friends .... lean on them, and if they offer assistance/help - let them help you xx It can be anything from mowing your lawn, to pickup the kids from school .... Make sure you have someone with you at your appointments for physical and mental support - and consider recording your meetings, as it is very difficult to remember everything that is said at the time. xx
Keep busy doing what you love doing .... maybe cook up some meals & freeze them, so that on days you don't feel like cooking - you have something 'ready to go'! (Specially for after any surgery, too.)
take care, sending big hugs xx
Here is some info on Patient Travel Schemes for all states (accurate as of 2023) - check out the NSW column ....
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/pats-fact-sheet-and-guide-2023.pdf
As you do have to travel for some of your treatment, consider joining the Rural & Regional Private group as we have lots of info there for fellow 'travellers'. Your GP will have to sign off the original IPTAAS Document (re specialists that you see - a different form is needed for each one that you have to travel to see.) Then there is the 'travel diary' that I get the Specialist's receptionist to sign off as well (several trips can be made on the one page, so that you can claim all of them at once.) There is a 12 month timeframe to make the claim in.
You are covered for both fuel and a percentage of accommodation, if you need it, for travel that is at least 100k away .... or if you run up 200k in short trips over a week. (If you stay with family or friends, there is also a $20 co-payment/day.)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/28-living-in-regional-rural-and-remote-areas
Also check out this post that has a lot of info on the forum - and some other areas you may like to take part of .... you can show off your art & craft, garden, furkids and other bits ... also info on going to hospitals & how to 'self monitor' yourself with ticksheets on how you are going xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest
I hope you have good support from family & friends .... lean on them, and if they offer assistance/help - let them help you xx It can be anything from mowing your lawn, to pickup the kids from school .... Make sure you have someone with you at your appointments for physical and mental support - and consider recording your meetings, as it is very difficult to remember everything that is said at the time. xx
Keep busy doing what you love doing .... maybe cook up some meals & freeze them, so that on days you don't feel like cooking - you have something 'ready to go'! (Specially for after any surgery, too.)
take care, sending big hugs xx
Here is some info on Patient Travel Schemes for all states (accurate as of 2023) - check out the NSW column ....
https://www.ruralhealth.org.au/sites/default/files/publications/pats-fact-sheet-and-guide-2023.pdf