I have breast cancer. :-(((

simple girl said:
Hello all! I haven't been on the site much b/c of being preoccupied with my health stuff, but I hope to resume being a more active member soon.

Much has happened since I last updated my thread. I found out my tiny invasive cancer was the aggressive HER2+ type. Because it was so tiny, I received conflicting opinions on whether I needed chemo and Herceptin or not. I finally flew to see a specialist at MD Anderson, and she strongly recommended tx.

So, I finished my 6 weeks of radiation in March and then a few weeks later had my port installed for chemo...and unfortunately had a complication of a partial lung collapse. Eeeks! That landed me in the hospital for 2 days. I did recover fully from that, thankfully. Then I did 3 months of chemo with Herceptin. That sucked royally, to put it mildly. I finished chemo in June. I am now 4 months PFC (post f*cking chemo...yep, it deserves that title). I am doing much better, although I do have some residual side effects from chemo that I am dealing with.

I am back to work and dance and all my normal activities now - feeling much better - yahoo! I am considered cancer free at this time - "NED" - no evidence of disease. Now my biggest challenge is trying to return to "normal" life and not let the recurrence fear "demons" get into my mind. I'm doing ok with that, but it does take some effort to not let my worries about the future ruin my todays...my goal is to not let cancer take any more enjoyment from me!
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Welcome back, SG. Good news after a long rough spell. I am very glad for you.

Ha
 
What an ordeal ! I am so glad you are on the mend . Maybe a group of other Cancer survivors would help you with the mental aspects ? Take care & Keep dancing !
 
Hi simple girl, nice to see ya' around again. Sorry you had to go back to work, but it is good that you can. Stay healthy.:)
 
Dancing bear
emoticon-animal-058.gif
and I are so pleased to hear from you....:flowers:
 
Moemg said:
What an ordeal ! I am so glad you are on the mend . Maybe a group of other Cancer survivors would help you with the mental aspects ? Take care & Keep dancing !
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Thanks! I have an extensive online support group of FANTASTIC women I couldn't have done this without! And I also go to a monthly Young Breast Cancer Survivor's support group which is great. There are a ton of resources out there if you just look for them.
 
MichaelB said:
Hi simple girl, nice to see ya' around again. Sorry you had to go back to work, but it is good that you can. Stay healthy.:)
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Ha ha ha - it's only part-time and doing something I love on my terms. Fortunately hubbie is happy with his FT job and has made it very clear to me that he doesn't want me to work if it makes me unhappy. I am so thankful for the years we spent working towards FIRE. Having a big nest egg sure did take away financial pressure over this past year.

Now...did my diagnosis ruin our chance to FIRE b/c of insurance issues? We'll see how this all goes with the Obama plan in 2014, if it doesn't get repealed. Without it, I'm guessing my chances of finding a plan we could afford would be zero. It's obviously a big concern of mine.
 
simple girl said:
Now...did my diagnosis ruin our chance to FIRE b/c of insurance issues? We'll see how this all goes with the Obama plan in 2014, if it doesn't get repealed. Without it, I'm guessing my chances of finding a plan we could afford would be zero. It's obviously a big concern of mine.
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Not necessarily, but it does leave fewer options. Assuming your coverage is from your DH's policy, under the current system when he leaves his job COBRA regs allow him to continue with the same group policy for 18 months (at full, unsubsidized price + administrative fee). After 18 months you would then get a conversion policy, which is guaranteed issue, individual coverage, for each. You won't have much choice, most states have only a few conversion options, it doesn't assure you the coverage will be the same, but it will have to meet coverage standards (set by the state) and pre-existing conditions cannot be denied. The price tends to be steep, but it is an important option for those that would be otherwise ineligible for health insurance.
 
MichaelB said:
Not necessarily, but it does leave fewer options. Assuming your coverage is from your DH's policy, under the current system when he leaves his job COBRA regs allow him to continue with the same group policy for 18 months (at full, unsubsidized price + administrative fee). After 18 months you would then get a conversion policy, which is guaranteed issue, individual coverage, for each. You won't have much choice, most states have only a few conversion options, it doesn't assure you the coverage will be the same, but it will have to meet coverage standards (set by the state) and pre-existing conditions cannot be denied. The price tends to be steep, but it is an important option for those that would be otherwise ineligible for health insurance.
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Yes, coverage is from DH's policy. Is the conversion policy you are talking about what is considered the state's high risk pool? Or is it the new option that will be available under the Obama plan in 2014? Anyway to find out what the price likely would be before pulling the plug on working?
 
simple girl said:
Yes, coverage is from DH's policy. Is the conversion policy you are talking about what is considered the state's high risk pool? Or is it the new option that will be available under the Obama plan in 2014? Anyway to find out what the price likely would be before pulling the plug on working?
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Current regulations (COBRA) guarantee you (well, technically DH) the right to continue his same policy for 18 months. Once that runs out other regulations (HIPAA) guarantee you the right to buy individual coverage, called conversion - as in converting from group to individual. It is a federal mandate. The state determines what policy qualifies for conversion and price is less regulated, but it is a policy. What state are you interested in (not prying, maybe we can find a link to something more specific). Implementations is different in each state.

Keeping group coverage is the key, if you drop it for more that 62 days you lose all the protections.
 
MichaelB said:
Current regulations (COBRA) guarantee you (well, technically DH) the right to continue his same policy for 18 months. Once that runs out other regulations (HIPAA) guarantee you the right to buy individual coverage, called conversion - as in converting from group to individual. It is a federal mandate. The state determines what policy qualifies for conversion and price is less regulated, but it is a policy. What state are you interested in (not prying, maybe we can find a link to something more specific). Implementations is different in each state.

Keeping group coverage is the key, if you drop it for more that 62 days you lose all the protections.
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We currently live in Alabama, but I'm not sure if this is where we will eventually retire. Florida is high on the list. However, if there was a state that was better for us insurance-wise we would consider making that our primary residence and then doing part of the year in Florida.

Thank you for your input - it's been a while since I've read about FIRE health insurance stuff, so I'm rusty on it all. :)
 
My stars and little comets, lassie, you have been through the mill!

I am so glad for you!

DW and I know of MDA. They will fight like hell for you. If we ever have the Big C [again] [but I mean the BIG C] (and if we have the $ :( ), there we will go.
 
simple girl said:
We currently live in Alabama, but I'm not sure if this is where we will eventually retire. Florida is high on the list. However, if there was a state that was better for us insurance-wise we would consider making that our primary residence and then doing part of the year in Florida.
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If you stay in Alabama, AHIP is your new best friend https://www.alseib.org/healthinsurance/ahip/ I would describe it using the same words DW occasionally uses to describe me (better than nothing :))

A conversion policy is not group, it's individual coverage. If you have it when you move you won't be able to use it to get new coverage in a new state.

Thank you for your input - it's been a while since I've read about FIRE health insurance stuff, so I'm rusty on it all. :)
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Sure thing. Before year-end this will not all be settled but at least we all should have a better idea if it makes sense to brush up on the old regulations or learn more about the PPACA. You're probably better off waiting, and spending the next month enjoying the fall. :) At least that's what I plan to do...
 
Hi There Simple Girl!

I am glad that you are doing better...we have been supporting my brother while he trudged through surgery, radiation, & chemo for colon cancer. He is now "cancer free," and we are all focusing on enjoying each day. A good support system is absolutely essential! I hope you continue to heal quickly and completely.:flowers:
 
Well, you certainly have been through the mill! It's good to hear things are looking up. I did see an occasional post but figured you would fill us in when you were ready. Welcome back [-]Simple[/-] Strong Girl! :flowers:
 
MichaelB said:
If you stay in Alabama, AHIP is your new best friend https://www.alseib.org/healthinsurance/ahip/ I would describe it using the same words DW occasionally uses to describe me (better than nothing :))
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the link! Even though things will be changing soon, and we won't be ready to FIRE for several more years, at least this gives me a ballpark on prices to expect for various coverage options. Much appreciated!

MichaelB said:
A conversion policy is not group, it's individual coverage. If you have it when you move you won't be able to use it to get new coverage in a new state.
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I was thinking that might be an issue. So what happens when you travel somewhere for vacation? No coverage?


MichaelB said:
Sure thing. Before year-end this will not all be settled but at least we all should have a better idea if it makes sense to brush up on the old regulations or learn more about the PPACA. You're probably better off waiting, and spending the next month enjoying the fall. :) At least that's what I plan to do...
Click to expand...

I will join you in enjoying the fall and not worrying about this for now! :D
 
Hey simple girl, glad to hear that most things are going good for you in your life struggle with "C". As you may remember, my wife went through it back in 1986. She read up on the latest posts and said to give you her best. Please keep us posted on what's going on.
 
Welcome back, Simple Girl. So happy to hear the positive news.
 
Glad to hear that you are cancer free. I am sorry to hear what you have been through though. You do have such a great attitude. It will be nice having you back.
 
So glad that your long, hard fight has been won. Never stopped thinking of you.

Amethyst
 
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