Another question. Specialized treatment options for military

btgoss · Regular Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 20

Well tonight has gone downhill rather nicely.
I have just learned that wife of my wife's cousin has "many, large" tumors. It seems she had a tumor removed a few years ago, and then when her husband was shipped over to war she did no follow up. (I hope that part of the story is wrong, but I have very little information right now.)
Obviously my wife and her family would like to help as much as possible, and that incudes bringing them here to see my doctors. I was wondering if anyone knows how the military handles special medicial cases like this? Does anyone have any links or resources that will help?
She was appearently told by her doctor that they should allow the situation to "run it's course". This doesn't sound good either.
Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Brian

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Brian

It's great that you and your family is trying to help. I don't understand how the military could be involved in this story. Is she deployed ?

regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

btgoss · Regular Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 20

Hi Leo,
Yeah I see that was not clear at all in the original post.
She is not in the military, her husband, my wife's cousin, is a career soldier. It appears the Army at least is being very helpful to them, and so far has been very supportive.
I am still trying to deal with the fact that she chose not to follow up with a doctor after a first tumor was removed. I suppose we all have our moments when we want to stop our treatment, and I guess some of us make that decision at some point (depending on how our treatment is going.) But to start off by doing nothing, that is something that I cannot understand.
She is scheduled meet with a surgeon soon, and hopefully this doctor can give them some hope.

Brian

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

Well, even if she chose not to follow up at that time for whatever reason, she is still entitled to receive the best possible care. I wouldn't think she would not be eligible for benefits or insurance converage based on that. I am glad she is seeing a doctor shortly to continue her treatment. I wish you and her all the best.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

btgoss · Regular Joined: 31 Mar 2005 Posts: 20

It has been a long time since I have been able to read or post on this site.
So I thought I would update this thread.

The wife of my wife's cousin, whom I originally asked the questions about chose not to have surgery, nor did she choose to meet with a surgeon about the possibility of surgery. So it was looking rather bleak for her, but thankfully someone was able to get through to her, and she began to take a double dose of Gleevec.
She has had a remarkable turn-around on this drug, and her tumours are shrinking. Of course her insurance company was not going to pay for the drugs at first, but the threat of leaking news that they were letting the wife of a career military man die, was enough to get that worked out.
At this point I don't know if she is fully aware of the nature of Gleevec, which from what I have been able to learn often shows these remarkable effects at first, but then gradually stops working. In her case this is not so bad, as perhaps this will give her the time she will need for other more traditional treatments, but I would hate for her to just give in again.
So that is that.
Brian

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