Second biopsy done today, and stress

bnot

This has been one rough week Embarassed

I've been in tears more than one time.

Second biopsy was done today, cause they couldn't read the first one.

Doc came out, and said if they can't read this one, he won't do another one on her because of her age.

Having a hard time with her meds, on medicare part D's famous "donut hole". Its not a donut hole, its a frigging trench, when your on 15 medications, and 5 are expensive name brands. Picked up 2 meds last weekend.....$263. That only leaves 13 more to buy this month.

Everyone wants to give me phone #'s. All these number leads to someone else wanting to give me 2 more phone #'s. No help, just dead ends, and even more phone #'s. So frusterating.

And when your on medicare, you don't qualify for any of the meds you need, on any plan I've found. Now if your on welfare, you can qualify for all of it. Burns my butt up.

So far, I've found that Astra Zeneca has a plan for folks in the donut hole, and they qualified her over the phone. This is 2 dang days worth of calling and fishing! That only leaves 14 more meds to figure out.

One on the internet wants a $10 a fee for EACH prescription. That would be $150 start up fee for her. But I'm having a hard time making sure these folks are legit. I've tried pparx.org, rxassist.org and needymeds.com. They either don't have programs for the ones she needs, or you don't qualify if your on Medicare. What a way to treat the elderly of this nation!

I'll get off my soapbox now.
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In 08/08, they told my 95 year old Mom she had 2.1cm lump in her lung. After cat and pet scan, one doc said its spread to the lymph nodes around her aorta. First biopsy, doc said it was cancer, pathologist said not enough tissue. Second biopsy it showed negative for cancer!

brainman

I can hear your frustration bnot Sad

. It is terrible that money has to keep your mother from getting the medications she needs. You are the second person with this problem that I have replied to just today!! I don't have any suggestions that you have not already tried.

You and your mother continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

maryaz

bnot; I fully relate to what you are talking about with the meds for your Mother. I do not, and have not, been able to afford to buy my COPD meds in the States for a few years now. Even if available in other countries, it does take a while to get setup and delivered. That is probably not an option for you now.

You may have done some of this but if not I want to share it. You can contact her company that has her Plan 'D' and see if you can get them to OK the meds she needs. They are suppose to carry at least something of all types of drugs. Sometimes people need a different one for some reason. They can make exceptions.

Always check with the Manufacturer as you did with AstraZeneca. Most have programs. Be very careful with the Internet companies like you mentioned. There are ones that are not for real. If you want to PM message I can give you the name of where to order some meds if you want to try my source. Many of my COPD friends have been ordering here for years. This is because Plan 'D' does not work unless you have lots of money to start. Pain meds and anxiety pains cannot be obtained though.

Any pharmacy that is new, you must be careful. I have ordered in the past from Mexico (prior to 2002) and Canada (after 2002) and now 2 other countries instead. There are frauds. I won't order unless I know others have used a company.

Best of luck to you.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

bnot

I have a friend thats aunt, has ordered from Canada for years, she gave me the website. I can't believe how much cheaper our name brand meds are there! I'm saving $248 on a 3 month supply of Nasacort for me! And there, Nasacort is OTC.

Working on getting this set up for Mom. They get generics long before we do here. Many of Mom's name brands they have generics there, for a fraction (and I do mean fraction) of what we pay here, even when we aren't in the donut hole.

Meantime, we still haven't heard anything yet about the biopsy. Mom is still not up to par either. She said she didn't feel this bad with it last time, I told her she did. So did the lady from the church.

I don't think there is any way she can possibly take much radiation at all.

I have to wait till she's up to it, for me to even run errands right now.
_________________
In 08/08, they told my 95 year old Mom she had 2.1cm lump in her lung. After cat and pet scan, one doc said its spread to the lymph nodes around her aorta. First biopsy, doc said it was cancer, pathologist said not enough tissue. Second biopsy it showed negative for cancer!

bnot

oh, btw Maryaz, we got on the Astra Zeneca for one of her medications.

Working on Merck for 2 more.

She takes 15 meds (no 15 wasn't a typo)

That leaves 12 medications. Some, if her doc cooperates, we will be getting the name brand or generic they have available from Canada.

Right now, in the donut hole, her generics alone are close to $100 a month.

She won't be on this medicare part D plan next year, but I didn't get her in time last year to change her plan.
_________________
In 08/08, they told my 95 year old Mom she had 2.1cm lump in her lung. After cat and pet scan, one doc said its spread to the lymph nodes around her aorta. First biopsy, doc said it was cancer, pathologist said not enough tissue. Second biopsy it showed negative for cancer!

maryaz

Hi bnot; I got a PM back to you. Beware, it is a long one. Laughing

Glad you are getting somewhere. Wish things were all better.

Radiation is tough. My husband and I think that knocked him down more than the Chemo. However, it is figured that is what shunk the tumor tho also.

Drug Plan D's are changing for next year and will probably all be priced higher. Higher premiums, deductibles and copays. Watch closely if you deal with it. I have already seen some changes. My COPD friends and I watch this a lot as many of us are seniors.

The only coverage in a donut hole, if any, is generics only. Many times I can get the generic here locally and not even buy them thru the Place D. That keeps the total costs off the Plan. Best of luck.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

bnot

I got your pm Maryaz, and sent you one back.

Mom and I both are in the wonderful Medicare donut hole.

Her part d plan "covers" all her medications, but 1 when she's in the hole. They refuse to cover Nasacort.

But she still pays full price for generics.

She WILL be under another plan next year. I didnt' get her back here with me until Dec, 29, hardly enough time to see what plan she was on.

Looks to me her name brand meds are cheaper in Canada, than when she isn't in the donut hole! Wild isn't it?
_________________
In 08/08, they told my 95 year old Mom she had 2.1cm lump in her lung. After cat and pet scan, one doc said its spread to the lymph nodes around her aorta. First biopsy, doc said it was cancer, pathologist said not enough tissue. Second biopsy it showed negative for cancer!

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