Looks like I'd gambled and lost

[joeea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent I'm sure that waiting for the biopsy results pushes everything else out of your mind right now. But, regarding SS, in some cases people can get a "redo" back to their Normal Retirement Age. See this thread: http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...its-80023.html This made it a little easier for me to rationalize waiting.

You can get 6 months worth of "redo", but no more than that.
You cannot go from 68 back to 66.

[Independent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeea You can get 6 months worth of "redo", but no more than that. You cannot go from 68 back to 66.

The links I provided seem to say otherwise. The key is to "file and suspend" at NRA, not to just ignore NRA.

[scrabbler1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsmeow MD Anderson is not a chain. MD Anderson was created by the Texas Legislature and is part of the University of Texas system. It does have several locations in the Houston area as well as a few outside of Texas. It was created to be a comprehensive cancer center. US News and World Report ranks MD Anderson #1 in the US giving it a score of 100/100. I am not sure that looking at cancer survival rates along is the best way to assess cancer care. MD Anderson has a lot of people who travel from out of town to get care because their cases are difficult and not treated well elsewhere. It has access to some cutting edge treatments that aren't available elsewhere. In short, I would guess that as a group many MD Anderson patients are sicker than average (for cancer patients). Years ago I had a friend who received treatment there for a difficult cancer. She consulted with several places before choosing MD Anderson. The place that was her second choice (another fine facility in the Houston area) told her flat out that MD Anderson was better for what she needed. Anyway, she had some tests at multiple place and was struck with how careful and thorough MD Anderson was. We are actually planning to move out of the Houston area but still within Texas. One factor which argued against the move was MD Anderson not having offices in Texas except near Houston. That said, if I ever had cancer I would at the very least get a second opinion from MD Anderson. As for cost - on my current insurance MD Anderson is in network for my insurance. It does take Medicare. A few years ago when all the PPOs vanished from Houston one of the controversial things was that MD Anderson was not in network on any ACA plans. I think that is still the case but I'm not sure.

Even though we have some good medical centers here in the LI./NYC area, my mother was sent to MD Anderson soon after she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in 1991. She spent two long stretches (6-9 weeks) there in 1991 before returning home. Her disease was mostly under control for 4 1/2 years until she finally succumbed to it in 1991. Thanks to MD Anderson, she was able to lead a pretty normal life for those 4 1/2 years.

[Just_Steve]

In no particular order.

MD Anderson, TX
Sloan Kettering, NY
Dana Farber, MA

The top 3 cancer treatment centers in the country.
If I have a reoccurrence they are the only places I would ever consider.

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katsmeow MD Anderson is not a chain. MD Anderson was created by the Texas Legislature and is part of the University of Texas system.

It is a little confusing, as MD Anderson does have a "network" of affiliates across a lot of the US. These centers have some access to the expertise at MD Anderson, and have agreed to use the same evidence-based system for choosing treatment options. They also have to report their results to MD Anderson. These centers do feature the MD Anderson name heavily in their advertising, and I'm pretty sure Anderson makes money from this relationship. So, it is a bit like a "chain.". On the face of it, it does sound like a good way to improve cancer treatment beyond MD Anderson's center in Houston. In practice, I don't know how much of this is marketing and how good the treatment is out in the hinterlands. It might be great, I don't know.
My FIL was treated at MD Anderson, I went with him on a road trip for one of his treatments. It was an impressive place.

[always_learning]

OP, I'm so sorry you are going through this.

I'm a firm believer that our mental health affects our physical health, so please take care of your mental health, too, as you go forward.

Wishing you the best possible outcome.

[cyber888]

So sorry to hear that. I hope u dont have cancer. Im taking my SS at 62 or 63. Im not waiting till 70.

[joeea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Independent The links I provided seem to say otherwise. The key is to "file and suspend" at NRA, not to just ignore NRA.

I have no idea what "NRA" means in this context, nor how it lets you go from 68 to 66.

[Gumby]

MOD HAT ON

One of the great things about this site is that the members genuinely care for each other, as this thread abundantly demonstrates. In response to Bondi's post, many have shared encouraging words and anecdotes about their family and friends. We're certain that Bondi appreciates it. We surely do.

We have, however, been reminded by one of our physician members that treatment regimens and prognoses for any disease are both: a) highly individualistic and b) rapidly evolving, given new understanding and technologies. That is particularly true for this disease. Accordingly, we want to remind any who are reading this thread now or in the future that anecdotes are just that - one persons's story. It may not, indeed probably will not, apply to any other person. If you have a medical issue, you should always consult your own doctor and ask questions until you understand the answers. Because, for all our good intentions, we are still all just some guy or gal on the internet.

MOD HAT OFF

[MarieIG]

Bondi, so sorry to hear what you are going through. I hope you have a good support system. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[kimcdougc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound It is interesting that your dad must have had some symptoms that parallel those of pancreatic cancer, else they would not do the biopsy to check that out. Is he still suffering from these symptoms?

They did an ultrasound and ran many tests before discovering a huge cyst or growth on the head of his pancreas. This then prompted the two biopsy. Seems, best guess now is it is just a cyst and at the age of 81 they won't do anything since he has no other symptoms. He had shortness of breath and that was about all the symptoms he had at first. Full work up was called for.

It was a very crazy two months for us and for him. One day he thought he was a goner in less than two months and then to have an aortic valve replacement to back to living independently in the last 4 months. It has been over 6 months since the cancer scare.

He did not have any blood markers for the cancer, yet the Dr. at M.D. Anderson that did the first biopsy stated in his professional opinion, my dad still had terminal cancer.

I believe there is always hope. I also, in my personal opinion, that God is in control of it all.

Thanks for your interest.

[kimcdougc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby MOD HAT ON One of the great things about this site is that the members genuinely care for each other, as this thread abundantly demonstrates. In response to Bondi's post, many have shared encouraging words and anecdotes about their family and friends. We're certain that Bondi appreciates it. We surely do. We have, however, been reminded by one of our physician members that treatment regimens and prognoses for any disease are both: a) highly individualistic and b) rapidly evolving, given new understanding and technologies. That is particularly true for this disease. Accordingly, we want to remind any who are reading this thread now or in the future that anecdotes are just that - one persons's story. It may not, indeed probably will not, apply to any other person. If you have a medical issue, you should always consult your own doctor and ask questions until you understand the answers. Because, for all our good intentions, we are still all just some guy or gal on the internet. MOD HAT OFF

+1

[Cut-Throat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondi688 I have never been sick. I had never been hospitalized or had any surgery. I did not have to take any medication. My father. a two packs a day smoker, died of lung cancer at 83. My mother is still alive and quite lucid at 93. So I figured I 'll wait till I am 70 to take out social security benefits because I do not need the money at 62 or 66. But I just found out I probably have pancreatic cancer and am waiting for the biopsy result. Oh well, them are the breaks.

Hopefully everything works out for you.... However your concern about when to take Social Security is not relevant for your situation as you described it.

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimcdougc They did an ultrasound and ran many tests before discovering a huge cyst or growth on the head of his pancreas. This then prompted the two biopsy. Seems, best guess now is it is just a cyst and at the age of 81 they won't do anything since he has no other symptoms. He had shortness of breath and that was about all the symptoms he had at first. Full work up was called for. It was a very crazy two months for us and for him. One day he thought he was a goner in less than two months and then to have an aortic valve replacement to back to living independently in the last 4 months. It has been over 6 months since the cancer scare. He did not have any blood markers for the cancer, yet the Dr. at M.D. Anderson that did the first biopsy stated in his professional opinion, my dad still had terminal cancer. I believe there is always hope. I also, in my personal opinion, that God is in control of it all. Thanks for your interest.

A pancreatic cyst and pancreatic cancer are different problems. I’m glad your dad is doing well.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeea I have no idea what "NRA" means in this context, nor how it lets you go from 68 to 66.

I take NRA to mean Normal Retirement Age.

[marko]

Bondi, hang in there. Lot's of folks are pulling for you here on this forum and, I'm sure out in the physical world!

Please keep up posted and lots of us will keep you in our prayers.

[Independent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeea I have no idea what "NRA" means in this context, nor how it lets you go from 68 to 66.

"Normal Retirement Age". I think they used "Full Retirement Age" on the page I linked. But they sometimes use "Normal Retirement Age" with the same meaning. For example: https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/nra.html

Did you read the first post in the linked thread?

[Gunny]

Hi Bondi, I'm Gunny. Now we are friends so I can request prayer for you, my friend, at church this morning. Hang in there. The fat lady ain't even in the building.

[sakowitzm]

Two thoughts to add.

First - when my wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (incurable blood cancer) at age 43, the consensus was for 3-5 years. That was in 2003, 15 years ago. She's not in the best shape today, but she's still with us, and kicking MM's arse. So don't succumb to general rules of thumb.

Second, completely agree on going to a recognized cancer specialty place for a complete work-up and consult. We went to the Mayo Clinic early on, and that visit gave us a more complete picture and lots of options for treatment. We've been back at least a dozen times, over the years - they are always up on the latest research and treatment possibilities.

Best of luck to you in your treatment!

[Capwest28]

Bondi thinking about you and hoping for positive report.