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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
Hello folks,
Wanted to pass on that long time Café member nathanpain (aka Nathan Sparks) is going thru tough times. His 24 year old wife was diagnosed with stage 2 infiltrating carcinoma breast cancer and is having surgey today. I urge all of you to keep Nathan and his young bride in your prayers and perhaps send him a word of encouragement as they go thru this tough time. Thank you.
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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A Teles New user Brazil 15 Posts |
You must to belive in God´s hands and the tecnology medical. Good health for you.
Best regards A Teles |
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
I just realized this topic was here. I didn't take time to respond to all of the amazing pm's & emails I got, because I was going to start a topic like this. Thanks to all who pm'd and emailed, it really does help. So here is the update as it stands right now. First a slight correction, Alyssa is 29 not 24, still way too young for this junk. On the 24th of October she had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. The surgery went fine and they didn't have to remove all of her lymph nodes, only 6 for testing. We got the call from the doctor 2 days later, & he thought that they got it all, & that the margins were sufficient. A week later was our follow up appointment, everything sounded great, except that the results for the estrogen receptor test came up missing. At the time we didn't know how important that test would be. On voting day, Alyssa got the call at work, her cancer was not estrogen receptor positive, but it was a her 2 type of cancer. This basically means that it is a real aggressive beast, and that the chance of reoccurrence is even greater. This really sucked, and my wife worried so much that she moved the oncologist appointment from November 29, to November 9. For some stupid reason, we have no local oncologist (well he is here 1 day a week), so we had to drive 90 minutes to Des Moines. We got crazy lost because we didn't trust our Mapquest directions, this time the directions were perfect, go figure. We got there early, filled out the paperwork, and then met the oncologist Dr. Roy Molina. The whole appointment lasted 2 hours. We got more bad news here. The cancer was a stage 1 cancer, which is early, but it was a grade 3 which is the most aggressive. This gives her an 82% chance of being alive in 10 years, if she gets no further treatment. If we add chemo & radiation to that the percent gets up to 87%. Not horrible odds, but yet still very scary. She starts chemo on November 30. She hopefully will qualify for a clinical trial, so she has a chance to get the chemo drug she wants, as opposed to the red devil. I think that’s it for that.
The worst thing about this in Alyssa’s eyes is that Christmas will be ruined. Every year we put aside a measly 200 dollars to buy all our Christmas presents. This year that is not even an option, because we need to make sure Alyssa is around for many more Christmases to come. That money will be better spent on medicine. But she is so selfless that she worries about our 3 year old and the presents he won’t get, rather than making sure she survives this. Then we found out that a year’s supply of the medicine she needs after the chemo is done, will cost about $45,000…YIKES!!!! We are looking into filing for bankruptcy, something I never wanted to do, but it seems it may be a necessity now. We have been thrown into 2 worlds that we know nothing about, and we can only hope we make it out the other side. That’s all for now. After each step I will pop in with more info. Thank you all, Nathan (Pain) Sparks
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airship Inner circle In my day, I have driven 1594 Posts |
I don't want to raise false hopes, Nathan, but I live in Iowa, too, and you might want to check and see if your wife is eligible for Medicaid coverage. If she is, there is a possibility that she could receive retroactive benefits for the 3 months PREVIOUS to her approval for Medicaid. There's more info here:
www.dhs.state.ia.us You can also dial '211' and tell them your situation, and they will lead you to the best assistance available. Whatever you do, don't consider bankruptcy until AFTER she has received ALL the medical care she needs. You want to make sure all charges are discharged or reassigned in the bankruptcy. In other words, don't even think about it until you have creditors bashing down your door. Also, talk to the doctors and hospital about any way they might reduce or eliminate some or all charges. Many will when they see your situation. You also need to talk to the drug companies to see if they can provide medication at a reduced charge. Good luck, and God bless you all. -Mark
'The central secret of conjuring is a manipulation of interest.' - Henry Hay
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Nathan,
For three months, I worked for an advocacy agency for women's health care. I left the job when they took me off data entry and put me on answering phones. I felt like I was giving medical advice, even though I was assured that I wasn't. However, when I was on data entry, I came across the website http://www.needymeds.com. If I remember correctly, it lists the drugs in alphabetical order, and requirements for assistance. Some even allowed for there to be some type of health insurance and still be eligible for assistance. It may also list them according to manufacturer. Also, check to see if Iowa has some type of program like Breast Care that Arkansas has. The agency I worked for was apart of the YWCA and assisted those who were ineligible for Breast Care (you had to be over 40 and no medical insurance to be eligible for Breast Care, but Encore assisted women of all ages). Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
Thank you both for your help. We are looking into all options. It really is staggering to me, all the responses I've gotten from people here. It truly makes tears appear in my eyes, not a great trick considering I can cry at a cereal commercial, but never has anything I read at The Café done that before.
NP
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
Hey guys,
We could really use some positive energy tonight...today we got a call from the doctor and they found a spot on her right lung on an xray...she gets a test tomorrow to see what it is... thanks for the support, Nathan
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Nathan,
You and your wife are in our prayers pal... We've been 'under the gun' with Mary and a breast cancer issue ourselves, so I know the strain you are under. I don't know what your Faith is, so I won't go there.. I will, however, offer you this: Never, EVER, borrow trouble...So they found a spot...Sure, it could be something bad, but then again it could be a glitch in the developing process, or a computer smudge...It HAPPENS, and that could be all there is to it. The point is: You don't know yet. So don't add this to your already heavy burden. If it turns out something to be concerned about, worry about it THEN... For right now, in this moment? Go cuddle with your wife and whisper in her ear how much you love her....Reminder her that you are there no matter what... Then reminder her of a specific, wonderful memory you guys share...So she can get a good nights sleep... Rest, above anything else, is paramont to her right now. God Bless you both, you are being prayed for my friend. Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
The spot turned out to be nothing...thanks for the comfort. Chemo starts on November 30.
Nathan
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Thank God Nathan, great news!
Please let her know that we are praying for her and thinking of her...I've been through what she's about to experience, although MANY years ago... So, there is hope, you just have to stay strong. We're here for you Nathan. Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
The news today is that Alyssa is eligible for a clinical trial for her chemo...the bad part is that she is getting 6 sessions of the red devil...every 2 weeks for 3 months...that stuff is hard on the heart...
Nathan
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
I won't profess to be an expert on this, far from it actually, but you might want to check on Homeopathic supplements (All natural stuff that won't interfer with the Chemo) that will help her heart sustain the damage from the Chemo...
Also, check into the "Cancer Treatment Centers of America"...From what I've been able to discover, these folks have the whole picture in mind when approaching treatment modalities. Whatever you decide or do, just stay strong for that precious woman and keep in touch with us with updates. Prayers continue... Sincerely, Terry (Prof. Piper)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
Actually my wife is taking a whole line of supplements from Usana Health Sciences. Several of which will help protect the heart. Thanks for the excellent words, PP!
NP
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
No thanks necessary NP...
Just being there for a brother man, isn't that what it's all about? Prayers continue... Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
Tomorrow is the big day...first chemo...keep the positive vibes out there, guys!
Thanks, NP
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Rick Elite user Va. 452 Posts |
My prayers are with you and your wife bro..
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
Obviously our prayers and good thoughts are with you and your wife NP...
Remember, you are never alone. Ever. Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Thoughts and prayers are with you!
Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Nathan Pain Inner circle iowa 2825 Posts |
Thanks...everything went better than expected today...she feels sick right now, but better than expected.
NP
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Professor Piper Special user Somewhere, out there... 770 Posts |
This tells me that she is one tough woman!
Good thing she has one heck of a tough man for a soul mate! Keep good thoughts going pal... You both WILL make it through! Prayers continue. Prof. Piper (Terry)
"Nemo has been found! He was on an Admiral's Platter at Red Lobster!"
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