Head and Neck cancers Support Group

frankly I have a situation that is really worrying me so I woke up really uneasy. Then I started to freak out a bit. I hate that, when you wake up, in the night, and you are on edge, feeling hot, kind of clammy sweaty. And you are not sure exactly why.

I know some of my issue is I am having problems with my teeth, due to having had radiation treatment, years ago on my mouth area. Radiation destoys every living thing, and it really is nasty to teeth. You would think years later this would be resolved but in fact, I found out that because it almost totally destroyed my salvia glands I do not have the protective spit to keep away bacteria. So now I have an abcessed tooth. I have gotten medical attention but the oral surgeon is suggesting I need to go into a hyperbariatric chamber, (this is the one they put scuba divers in for pressure treatment), for 30 different treatments. OK uh,has anyone seen these chambers? Most of them, especially in smaller cities, are small. During cancer treatment I developed claustophobia. These things do not mix in my eyes. I figured ok then they can sedate me.
Thats just the way it is but then once I get past that, there is the factor that these sessions are extremely expensive!! So I will be left with this huge bill! Frankly it is overwhelming to me. The whole thing is.

To begin with, my parents each died of cancer or the treatment of it, then an year later I got cancer. It was an oral cancer and I do NOT chew or smoke. This was several years ago and I feel I paid my dues. I beat that nasty old cancer and now it should be drs saying good for you!!! Instead of , well now you have a new issue because of the treatment you got years ago. Its like raising all of that up all over again, and I had put it to rest totally.

I have been at peace with my journey of cancer. And I do view it that way. I found that cancer made me a better person. But I didnt think that it would be sticking with me like a red flag for my life!

I feel so much frustration and anxiety over the whole issue. And I am angry! Now they tell patients to pull out their back teeth but back then this wasnt the norm..they told you to have any cavities checked..if a tooth was cracked get it pulled excetra. I just feel gyped. I should be hearing..here is an extra grand off your apt because you beat cancer and our society thinksn thats great!!! Hurrah for you!!! you get a reward. But what I am hearing is, you have to have expensive treatments in a complex small confined space, that may cause a nervous breakdown oh and lets add it may cost 60 thousand dollars which you might be responsible for 12000 of it. Oh and get this, your dentist will not take out the teeth for you, forget that dental insurance of paying the copay of 30 bucks, nope you have to go to an oral surgeon where you have only 20% off covereage. Therefore those 2 teeth normally 60 bucks if taken out, only $400.

When I originally got cancer I never asked why me, I never thought not fair, I thought I am gonna beat this, it will NOT take me like it did my parents and I will live on.

now I feel like Not fair not fair not fair.

Suggestions on this would be helpful.
Posted on 11/06/09, 05:11 am