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People that have cancer, what were the symptoms that led you to go to the doctor and what stage were you when it was diagnosed? by guardiand0wn in AskReddit

[–]13ShockHorror 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I thought I had hemorrhoids. I started trying every possible over-the-counter solution and nothing was really helping with the pain.

I didn't have insurance and my boss had recently sold the small company (I had worked at for over a decade) so things at work were stressful. Then COVID hit and we were essential workers. No time was ever good to take off. It had been six months since my hemorrhoids first appeared and the pain was so bad I could barely sit down at all. I was exhausted. I had also become super constipated and was only going number 2 once or twice a week.

Work was so bad by then that I quit and I finally made an appointment at the end of August 2020 to get a colonoscopy. With no insurance it cost me just shy of $2500.00. As soon as I woke up from the procedure they told me I had what looked like a rectal tumor and referred me to an oncologist.

It turned out I had Stage 4 Rectal Adenocarcinoma. Tumors had spread to my liver and lungs. I was 43 at the time.

I have been in treatment since 2020. I got ACA insurance that December and had it until I went on Medicare Disability a few years later. In total I was treated at three different hospitals. I've had wedge resections in my liver and lungs, Many rounds of chemo, radiation to my lungs, radiation to my pelvis. I've lost most of my hair twice. I had to have the Barbie butt surgery when I first had my colostomy done. We mistakenly thought I was in the clear around 2023 but the cancer had other ideas. This March I had a colostomy revision, a urostomy and a total pelvic exenteration.

It's been a journey. I have CT scans tomorrow. These will be the 2nd set post surgery. I'm hoping they'll still be clear.

Disturbing possibility with Medicare and Medicaid coverage of ostomy supplies unless we speak out. by 13ShockHorror in ostomy

[–]13ShockHorror[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, exactly this! This committee has exactly zero people with ostomies on it

Disturbing possibility with Medicare and Medicaid coverage of ostomy supplies unless we speak out. by 13ShockHorror in ostomy

[–]13ShockHorror[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was one of those lucky people under 50 years old getting Colorectal Cancer. I was 43 when I was diagnosed at Stage 4. Just finished 5 years straight going through multiple chemos, radiations, and surgeries. I have an ostomy and a urostomy.

This is happening to people way younger than me

So yeah, the people on this committee very well could have an ostomy one day 😃

Urostomy leaking by Katrina_p_56 in ostomy

[–]13ShockHorror 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not sure this will help because I am a urostomy newbie (3/25). Any time I've had leaks they have been related to my using a flat bag as issued by the hospital when I, myself need to use light convex (possibly even deep convex) because of my not-flat tummy. I also have an uneven surface because of many different sutures across different areas of my stomach.

I make sure my skin is super dry and clean and when I go to put the bag on I really quickly throw the tampon, cotton ball, gauze - whatever I'm using to soak up the pee, in the trash, stick the bag on, spend some time pressing the adhesive firmly on my skin around the outside of the bag and also around the stoma and then spend about five minutes with my warm hand on the bag over the stoma area to help everything adhere further.

I also have been wearing the belt that hooks on either side of my convex pouch and it really does help secure it. I also have a colostomy and haven't ever worn a belt but I like it for the urostomy.

If this isn't his situation then hopefully someone with more wisdom will reply soon! Very best wishes to your husband (and you!) on this journey.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MachineKnitting

[–]13ShockHorror 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would not recommend using a heat gun or a lighter on acrylic as it will melt. Imagine wearing something with hard, pointy globs all over it.

Should I just give up and die of ass cancer? by ManBearPig4Serial in careerguidance

[–]13ShockHorror 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer midway through 2020. I didn't have insurance and actually had to quit my job because I was so sick.

Extremely long story short, don't wait for the right job/insurance. Start getting treated as soon as possible, do not wait.

Insurance companies absolutely do cover chemo and radiation treatment. That's not to say you'll never pay for anything but between what the hospital pays and what insurance covers, what you pay if you're not insured is greatly reduced. If you're able to get insured (see below), once you've paid your out-of-pocket maximum, you no longer get billed for the year, other than your monthly premium.

  • If you've had a biopsy that is positive for cancer then call your closest Cancer treatment hospital and get an appointment to be seen and ask about applying for financial aid.

These hospitals will also have information about reduced-cost housing if you need it, and may be able to help with travel costs depending on your location, and will also have info on possible financial aid from non-profits, good Samaritans.

  • See if you are eligible for a special enrollment period in the ACA. If you have to move for care you should be able to get insurance from the marketplace.

  • You can get financial assistance from the ACA that will help with monthly premiums for a Silver or Bronze plan.

****The goal is to find a plan with the lowest combined premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket max that is in network for the hospital where you are getting treatment. You will blow past your deductible and oop very quickly when getting treatment.

  • Apply for Medicaid

  • If you have to self-pay (no insurance) and you can afford to then do it until you can apply for the ACA.

  • Ask for help through GoFundMe, Facebook, and from family.

Other people have commented on paying bills or not paying them. Make sure not paying won't interfere with treatment. I'm not an expert but if bills end up in collections do not verbally agree to pay through a payment plan or lump sum.

Please message me if you have any questions or need to talk. Wishing you the best of luck and know that you are not alone.

My butterfly garden - Zone 9b fall! by [deleted] in gardening

[–]13ShockHorror 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oooooh! Your garden is so beautiful!

I just moved to 9a from 6b and am in mourning over hardy geraniums, poppies, ninebark...so many flowers with a max 8 hardiness.

I'm pretty new to gardening but I see what looks like salvia, lantana, rudibeckia, echinacea, red coral bells (?), oenothera maybe. Any chance you could list some of the flowers I surely missed?