rachel2000's Cancer Blog
October 16, 2009
Howdy.
Got an update for you, folks, thought some of you might be interested.
In my last blog I had said we would be trying to go to MD Anderson in Houston, as they had several Hodgkin’s Lymphoma specific treatments and we thought it could be ideal for my treatment. But they were wanting $45,000 up-front as a deposit, not to mention further costs, and we just thought we should entertain other hospitals before settling. This high cost was because they wanted all new scans, biopsies, x-rays, tests, everything. They were not the only facility we were considering, so we thought it best to shop around. I hate the idea of bargain-shopping for health care, but this is the country we live in. Please don’t get me wrong, MD Anderson is a fantastic facility, it just wasn’t going to be feasible for us to afford the cost of care and for moving to Houston.
Originally, Sloan-Kettering in New York City was not our first pick to seek a clinical trial and find a new doctor. We just assumed it would be too expensive, being New York- parking and what-not. But it turns out that they are happy to work out a payment plan with us, have an abundance of Hodgkin’s specific treatments and clinical trials, not to mention an excellent reputation. We received the reassuring blessing of my current oncologist to go there for my treatment, so it now looks as though we’re moving to New York.
We’ll talk more with the hospital social workers, but I’ve heard I may be able to get expedited New York Medicaid because I already have it through Missouri. I’m not 100% sure how/why this works, but I’ll know more after talking with the right people. I do know that there will be some “in between” time where we will have to self pay, but we’re getting a major break here because Sloan Kettering will accept the previous scans, x-rays, and biopsies from Barnes Jewish. We’re going to be able to afford a place to live, too.
We’re flying to New York next Wednesday; Thursday is my initial appointment. The doctor I’m meeting with is fairly well known in the Lymphoma and Hodgkin’s treatment world, which makes me feel very confident in the care I‘ll receive. I’m so excited that this treatment plan is moving so quickly. I can’t tell you what a load off this is. We are fortunate enough to have some friends in New York and have a free place to stay while there. They’re also going to take us around next week to pick out an apartment. Things are certainly moving fast now. I’m hoping my good energy can hold out just a while longer until things begin to settle a bit.
I feel better about my prospects and my situation now. Truth be told, there have been more than one day where I realized that, although I was thinking of the details of finding treatment and thoughts of moving, I wasn’t actually thinking about my cancer itself. That hasn’t happened, well, since I was diagnosed! I guess that excitement is the best cure for the blues.
Goodnight, all. Rest easy.
-Rachel
Thanks for your support - 
Start spreading the news… I’m leaving today… I want to be a part of it… New York, New York!
I’m proud of you, Rachel! You made a great choice and I’m sure this will be the last stop on this gravy train. I look forward to seeing you on The Sartorialist, walking your pooches in Central Park while wearing sassy scarves and large sunglasses.
Supportive Sister
Hey Rachel,
Congratulations on the abundance of great news. New York will prove to be a place of great healing. I wish you all of the best and continued good news.
Be well.
Jill
This IS good news! I’m so glad that Sloan Kettering is willing to work out some kind of plan for you and that you are going to see the doctor so quickly. Keep us posted on your search for an apartment in the big apple.
Know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Teresa
Great news, I know that it is a huge cost savings when you don’t have to repeat all of the scans.
I love MD Anderson, but it does drive my brother crazy when he has to repeat every test. He is a survivor, Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, after stem cell transplant 7/05
God bless you
I love New York!
karen
hi, rachel. i tried and tried to read your post the other day, so i was very relieved to see it today. i am so happy for you… i know you will get wonderful treatment in new york. it has always been a belief of mine that everything happens for a reason… your cure is in new york. it’s not in missouri, and it’s not in texas. it is waiting for you in new york. thank God you were able to iron out all the details so quickly. have a safe trip there and please keep us posted frequently on your treatments. and, if you don’t mind, i have often wondered what the difference is between hodgkins and non- hodgkins lymphoma. maybe i should google that sometime. take care and i am here in illinois praying for you. debby
I don’t know who your cancer thinks it is, but this is the part where you kick it’s ass. I mean it.
Win this thing!
Hmmm…
That’s interesting. I don’t mind telling you that I was on anti-depressants for nine months prior to being diagnosed with stage IV cancer, actually thinking the cancer symptoms were symptoms of depression and anxiety (I had an ignorant, albeit well-meaning doctor at the time). I don’t see the evidence that they helped my particular case. Thanks for that tidbit, though. I will take a look at those sites.
...I don’t think I’m depressed.
Dear Rachel; Well New York sounds pretty great to me. I am amazed at how fast you were able to turn your destiny around. Shows what a little hard work and persistance can achieve. The fact that you don’t have to repeat all the tests or atleast most of them, is a sign, that the hospital is not into wasting your time or there’s. I wonder what treatment they have in mind for you? Well it’s up to you to keep us informed. Wonderful news and you even get to start a whole new life in the process. You are one lucky lady.
Good news, you have my support and hopes for the best in your new location! I’m a breast cancer survivor and your blog has always been a help for me. My worst side effect from chemo was heat, cold sweats, and insomnia. I work for ChiliTechnology so I started using one of these and it was a great help to me: ChiliPad(it’s a mattress pad that lets you cool the bed down to any temperature you set – it has a range from 46 to 118 degrees). I also went on an all organic macrobiotic diet, which really helped with detoxing from the chemo (and I’ve never gone off the diet, because I feel better eating this way than I did before cancer). The other thing I did that was really important to my healing was watch tons of stand-up comedy. I really believe laughter is the best medicine.