Well it has been awhile since I journaled, so I thought is was about time. Truth of the matter is I don't have much to say. I envy those who can put their thoughts and feelings out there. It can be quite cathartic. I am still in the same boat. No job, no health insurance. I went down to my doctor's business office to sign some papers for the business manage to sent to the drug companies so that they will pay some of the costs of the drugs. She said to me be patient, this could take awhile. I laughed to myself and thought, she is the one that needs to be patient. I have been checking all the job boards for something that might interest me. I have applied for a few things, but nothing yet. I also put in for my unemployment. I should receive my first check in about a week. Funny thing is that the Texas Workforce Comm. determined that they did fire me because of my illnes. Makes no diffence though. I am not sure however if I have to disclose the fact that I have been ill with cancer to future employers. I know they cannot legally not hire because of that, but how could you prove they did not hire you because of that. I have been looking into some discount health things, that are not nearly as good as ins. but would help defray some of the costs. In as much as I do not feel up to going back to work so soon after chemo I feel I must at least look. I hate the dreaded interviews. Physically I am feeling pretty good. Still a little tire, but it is getting better. I am eating like a horse. Everything tastes so good to me lately. I liken it to being pregnant. I guess it is my body needing the nutrients, and being starved for so long. I am afraid of putting on too much weight. The weather here in Texas has been lousy. Rainy and cold. Since the chemo I feel the cold so much more. Typical for this time of year. The good thing is by the middle of March it will be warm and sunny. Everything will start blooming and be very beautiful. Looking forward to that. I too am one of those that the weather has an influence on how I feel. Love and hugs to all of you. I appreciate your frienship more than you know.Anita
Replies
Hi there Anita,
I feel very lucky to have good insurance coverage. Poor YOU!!! Did you not get Social Security Disability? It took me forever and lots of silly paperwork, but I have it now for whenever I can\'t be working. I think you have to wait for a couple of months...but it sure helps on catching up on bills. Once I started back to work I let them know I didn\'t need it.
They told me that if I have to go back on, I can and won\'t have to jump thru all those hoops again. It also makes us eligible for medicaid. Your Dr. should have told you about this, as they do have to fill out a part of the paperwork. Anyone with ovarian cancer is considered eligable.
It\'s crazy, I had a girlfriend from Texas who had no help when she had breast cancer and chemo. I am wondering if it\'s the State that\'s not providing you with what you need? Still, I think you should look into the Soc. Sec. disability...get the paperwork (it\'s like a book) and get the process started.
Other than that (which is obviously something HUGE in your life) I am glad that you are feeling okay. Makes me wonder if I was given more drugs than the average patient, or why I was so incredibly ill? I was hospitalized for a week, at least, each chemo treatment. I had all sorts of dreadful reactions and many times thought I was going to die from the treatment.
I normally have a high pain threshold, so the things I read make me wonder....
I do hope you can get some financial help with Soc. Sec.. You are already dealt enough troubles with the dang cancer!!! GRRRR, makes me
mad just to think of your situation.
hugs and lots of love to you from lindamae
Thanks lindamae. I am collecting unemployment but no ins. or medicaid. I will check into SS disabiliy.
Wishing you the best...I know things will turn around. SS disability is a great idea! It\'s funny, I never thought so much about healthcare until I got sick, now that\'s all I can think about, it\'s so unfair...We should all be more aware of it, hopefully we\'ll be able to vote some one in one day who can and will make a difference. Many hugs...
Kia
I will put in some extra prayers up above for you! God loves & helps us the most when we need it! Remember, when we feel like we are out there all alone..that\'s when there are only 1 set of footprints! HIS!!! He carries us thru it! I think that someday someone high up in authority will get sick enough for things to change!! although I would never ever wish this on anybody! Hang in there friend! We love you! Kim :) hugs xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I am really sorry that you have had so much to deal with. It really is not fair that you don\'t have medical insurance! This really ticks me off. I know that you said the insurance company had a right to terminate your coverage since you were late, but it sill isn\'t the right thing for them to do. Contact your congressmen and women. They should be made aware of how the insurance companies rip people off.
You take care sweetie, and rest when your are tired. Drink lots of water. You are feeling extra hungry because your body is recuperating. This cancer business is for the birds! I hate it. As always, keeping you in my prayers. MsBea
I am so sorry for what they have done to you. You have been through so much and know I\'m rooting for you. It is amazing what people can get away with now a days. And it is crazy that they can sleep at night. I\'m with Msbea and it ticks me off bigtime.....It is great to hear you are feeling good again. That is a blessing. When do you go for follow up? Much love and hugs to you.....Beth
If it has been established that you were fired because of your illness then why can\'t you sue the company or get some compensation? They shouldn\'t get away with this.. Loads of love.. and you do write very well... xxxxxx
I have been in touch with an Employment Lawyer and she said that Texas is a \"Fire at Will\" state. Since I wasn\'t out on \"official sick leave\" (I hadn\'t been there a year when this happen) I have no recourse.
Gosh.. your system just sounds increasingly more stupid and unhelpful to me..I really hope something can be done about it and America can catch up with the rest of the civilized world on this issue.. love and hugs to you xxxxxx
I\'m looking forward to that warm weather too. I think the cold snap just broke here, and I hope there\'s not going to be another one. I\'ve had enough. If my fur tells me correctly, I think winter\'s done. I am starting to shed!!
Anita, your situation leaves me at a loss for words, except to be so angry that your former employer, insurance company, and the state of Texas can be so stupid! It just seems incredibly unfair. I\'m glad you\'re receivin unemployment insurance and hope you\'ll be able to get SS disability as well. Keep strong, your body is healing and needs care and comfort and nutrients! Are you taking Megace (megestrol)? It\'s an anti-estrogen , cancer-fighting drug (progesterone) since our cancers are apparently hormone-sensitive. One of the side effects is that it increases appetite when given to cancer and AIDS patients. I\'m taking it now which is good because I otherwise wouldn\'t want to eat a lot of the time, but once I\'m done with treatment my oncologist is going to scale the dose back a little so I don\'t go nuts! Hugs to you and hope you\'re feeling a little stronger and better each day - LuELlen
No I am not taking that. My appitite is just fine. A little too fine I\'m afraid. Funny you should say our cancer is hormone sensitive. Back in I think it was \'94 I took Prempro and took it till they took it off the market in\'02. When I asked my gyn onc if my cancer was related to that she said no. But I don\'t believe it. Any comments would be appreciated.
My cancer is both progesterone and oestrogen receptive, so that either of these hormones are unhelpful.. There is a hormone receptor test that can be carried out on tumour samples and I would recommend it to be done for any one taking any sort of hormone therapy.. wish I\'d had it seven years ago... My Gp prescribed Tibalone HRT as this was the best he knew to do for my menopausal symptoms.. However, I believe, the specialists treating my cancer should have had more of an input here Hind sight is a wonderful thing.. and no sense worrying about what has already been done.. except to perhaps help others in the situation we were in then.. love and hugs xxxxxx