Completely overwhelmed
so, found lump a week ago, had biopsy 3 days later after mammogram and ultrasound. Had to wait to today for results. Thought was going to have lumpectomy and radiation but today told it's a triple negative high grade tumour so seeing oncologist next week to talk about chemo. feel very under researched! I had spent the intervening days looking at all the lumpectomy reading and therapy, now feel like I have hit by a truck... my main worry (after the cancer and my kids) is costs, I do not understand how the health system works for cancer. My consultant has sent me to a private oncologist, is this normal? I have bupa (who, when I thought it was lumpectomy said they cover costs) but I don't know what they pay. I am having CT and bone scans on Monday, and I know there is a rebate on that. I am just so confused, just wanted to talk, thanks X
Newly diagnosed over Christmas..
Hello to everyone going through this frightening journey. I am a 59 yo post menopausal woman who at this moment feels absolute terror. i had a routine mammogram and was recalled due to cancer being detected. Grade 2 established after core biopsies. I’m still coming to grips with the diagnosis, for some odd reason, I felt routine mammograms would have detected the cancer sooner. I am going through the public health system so have to wait up to four weeks to have surgery. The price to pay if you can’t afford private health insurance. I’m not complaining about the wait, I’m thankful our public health system is so accessible. I have been to the Breast & Cancer clinic three times and not once has any health professional discussed the cost of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. I was under the impression that all the treatments would be covered by Medicare. Today, my friend informed me that post surgery treatment would cost thousands of dollars! I had no idea. I don’t have the finance to cover the costs involved and would appreciate input from anyone in the same financial crisis. Hoping to receive any advice. Kind regards Tidden
Breast reconstruction costs.
Hi, just navigating the wonderful world of breast reconstruction need to have bilateral mastectomy, ( getting done next couple weeks) haven't made up mind about reconstruction due to financial costs. I have private health insurance and currently going privately through treatment, but have hit the reconstruction hurdle. Any one can give me an idea of out of pocket costs and advise as to wether is time to go public and how do you jump from private to public., and has anyone had a "goldilocks" mastectomy ???? Thank you .
Cost of private radiotherapy
I reduced private health cover due to being single with mortgage . Now I’ll need radiotherapy after surgery . I’m a teacher so hoping to do private - but- have to ring health fund Monday. Public long way from home and I live alone . Any idea on approximate costs if I choose to go private over public... so many decisions ... thank you 🙏
Public or Private (please help!!)
After diagnosis of High Grade DCIS with Mastectomy required. My husband and I are both on the aged pension, and have struggled to maintain private health insurance. I live in a rural area which has no access to reconstruction surgery in the private or public system so I need to go to Melbourne. What worries me a lot is the gap fees if I have to go private because of the need to act fairly quickly. I would love to chat with anyone that can help me with information on how it all works and any idea of the cost process. Thanks
Private hospital
I get my Herceptin at a private hospital under a govt funded scheme. Today they decided my temp was too high, My BP was too high and my heart was racing too much to have treatment. They sent me to their ED on the understanding I wouldn’t need to pay. I got there and the triage nurse told me I had to fork out $420. I told her I would leave and go to the public but thank you. She asked me to stay while she spoke to the doctor and then came out and said they would do it this once but not again. I informed her I was happy to leave. At that point the doctor came out all smiles and ushered me in. The triage nurse had to have her last say and called out to me, “so you don’t have insurance at all?” Half an hour later triage nurse comes in and tells me I will have to pay for any scans. Once she left I told the dr No scans thanks. He agreed with this request. FOUR HOURS later they give me a script for a viral infection! Even the public was quicker than this. I am now tired sore and cranky not to mention really hungry as I haven’t been able to swallow. I then came home and wished my daughter a happy birthday and put dinner on. Just as well we finished making her cake last night. Okay. Rant over.
Reconstruction Costs
Don’t know why or what planet I was on, but I thought if you had breast cancer your reconstruction would be covered, as it wasn’t classed as cosmetic surgery. Well apparently I am so wrong. If I was to continue on the Private Patient path what would the be possible cost give or take. Or would I be best going on the Public waiting list and of so is anyone here in Brisbane who might know approximately how long the wait list is I had hoped to get a reconstruction next year, I’ve just been warned that it’s expensive so not sure I can afford it now. Which is leading me to think and wish I had asked for a DMX and I would have just gone flat 😢 don’t get me wrong, even though I’ve only got the temporary crocheted prosthesis, I find it hot and it just doesn’t look good no matter how much I try and play with the stuffing 😳, I’m just not that comfortable in my own skin to go out without the look of being close to even
Testing question
My 44 year old daughter has been treated at Wesley Brisbane for cysts in her breasts for years. Now they have found something suspicious in her breast and want to do MRI. She’s had them before but this one needs to be done at a particular time of the month, and she’s had her uterus removed so no periods. They said if it’s not the right time, they will repeat it. She can no longer afford all this. She rang breastscreen and they said all they can do is book a mammogram for October, which is twelve months since her last one ( when Wesley found this lump). Her GP said she needs the MRI but can’t order a bulk billed one. Does anyone know where she goes from here. Neither of us want her to wait till October. She will pay for one MRI if needed but can’t do much more than one.
OUT OF POCKET COST FOR DIEP.
I had reconstruction with implants in 2012. I have just found out my left implant has ruptured. I am in a private health fund and was looking at DIEP instead of implants again, but was told the cost is $20,000. I don;t know what I will get back from my health fund and Medicare. Anyone had it done private and can give me an idea on outer pocket expense. Can not wait to go on Public waiting list. Debbie
