Dichotomy – splitting into two polarized groups; opposed by contradiction; differentiated between practice & theory
It is that time for me to get the full work up and see where I have been. The breast MRI. It gives the ONC a hindsight snapshot, allowing her to peer into what my boobies have been up to this past year.
The breast MRI is the annual gig. The PetScan is done bi-annually to see if those bugger cancer cells have decided to nest anywhere else in my ample frame (I am 5'1" ...almost; and 103 ...on a good day).
Here's the issue. I am being told (and by no means am I willing to take this as the definitive last word) is that my private PPO health care plan will most likely not pick up the tab on the MRI unless a mammogram demonstrates its indicated. That in itself would not be unreasonable ...except... (and yes, here it comes) IT HAS BEEN AND STILL IS MEDICALLY RECOGNIZED THAT MY CANCER (ILC) CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED WITH A MAMMOGRAM!
To add insult to the idiocy, a mammogram would unnecessarily expose me to radiation (and radiation is bad). The form pushers at the PPO, however, are saying that they need the "inconclusive" mammogram (again) prior to authorizing the MRI (note, this thinking does not take into consideration what I, as the patient, needs). The inanity (I am so liking the "i" words today) is that the MRI facility says that this is not uncommon (the paper pusher garbage that is) and they typically schedule the mammogram 1/2 hour before the MRI and then there is no delay, both are paid for, and I can be on my merry way...having been exposed to an unwarranted dose of radiation (that may ultimately result in...?) and costing the insurance company more $$$...all so the proverbial boxes can be checked.
If I cannot win this current pissing match regarding my OWN health care? Well, it appears that by insisting on doing what is medically required, and no more --- i.e., outside the parameters of protocol, the price tag for my independence would be $1800.00 out of pocket.
the lunacy of it all...I have ilc as well, or 'had', hopefully......knowing I was high risk of getting invasive cancer after going through several rounds of lobular carcinoma, insitu, I never did have an MRI....stupidly, I was going to one of the top hospitals, seeing doctors in the breast cancer unit, supposedly one of the best and no one even suggested that I have a digital or a MRI, until I requested one and then it was too late. I already had ilc. Now, I am angry and feel that what happened to me was completely unnecessary. Don't even get me started on all the dollars thrown into bc research. Have you read the report the NY Times did on why there is no cure for cancer? Researchers say their hands are tied and the research that really may bring about a cure, can not be done...do you even believe there will ever be a cure? I don't. I could write more but will stop. I hear your frustration and I agree with you, completely. This is beyond lunacy.
ReplyDeleteDee
Dee - in my opinion, the reason there will never be a CURE breast cancer is becasue the CAUSE is far too lucrative for the niche industry that has been created around our "pink and fluffy" disease. "The" premier medical onc here in Phoenix (a complete pompous ass!) pointedly shared with me that there has been no progress in bc research, protocol, or treatment in the last 50 years...it is just packaged differently. Ironically, he candidly indulged me with this "insight" as a way of trying to persuade me into buying into the toxic adjuvant treatment -- the only thing he could offer.
ReplyDeleteScream with me!
I will keep you in my thoughts for keeping the ILC at bay!
TC
Dee,again, Cancer is 'big business' and there will never be a cure...too many cancer clinics, cancer units which fund hospitals, too many oncologists, radiologists, cancer 'workers' would be out of a job, money made from the 'drug industry', no way is that coming to a halt. What we WILL see is more treatment - drugs, new equipment, surgeries, etc. When the Cancer Society calls ME to ask if I will collect money for them in my neighborhood, the answer is NO. It does no good. I don't want more treatment options. I WANT A CURE for it, period and that just is not going to happen. I am sick of all the 'pink' related everything from the grocery store, drug stores, everywhere you look. I am screaming, at least inside! If I were to do things over, I would have had NO chemo and NO estrogen blocking drugs. THe side effects (treatment) are nearly worse than the disease. Glad to see that someone agrees with me. We're in the minority from what I can tell.
ReplyDeleteDee
Dee - true, to a certain extent we are in the minority. But, check out brestcanceraction.org. They share a lot (not all) of our frustrations. And, they are the only bc advocacy group I have found that does NOT take contributions from Big Pharma.
ReplyDeleteTC