I'm pleased to say I've started going back to the gym again. I went nearly two weeks ago on Tuesday 25th March, just a month after my operation, just to do some cardio and a couple of resistance exercises on equipment not to mention a few squats. I went again on the Saturday and then this week on Wednesday when I pulled out all the stops and did quite a few more exercises, especially on my blancmange thighs. I didn't walk well before, but my legs have definitely been protesting the last two days! Still I might drag myself back there tonight because I had a month off and I am on a mission to speed up my general recovery.
My feet are much, much worse and I really do think I might have permanent damage now. The areas of pain are increasing and I can't even stretch my legs without feeling like something is tearing or burning inside my heels and the sides of my feet or my right big toe! That's just not right is it? Thinking about it, things took a turn for the worse when I saw Dr Tom the oncologist just before surgery and he said not to bother with the Pyridoxine (B6) any more as it was only useful whilst ON chemotherapy. So was it just coincidence that when I stopped taking it things went downhill? Hmm. Poking about reading experiences from other sufferers I'm not sure so I've started taking them again, having just got a prescription filled when I stopped. I'll give it a couple of weeks and then I'm seeing Tom again so hopefully I'll have more news.
I can't remember if I mentioned in my last post that I'll be having my "1 year post op" scan at the beginning of June (ish) at which point I might finally be able to get the champagne out and celebrate being in remission or NED (no evidence of disease). Those damn spots on my liver are still a cloud hanging over me dangling the threat of Stage 4 (no stage 5 remember). At what point can I actually start getting on with my life? If the scan shows no more spots it means they were chemo damage and my liver has healed itself, if not, well I can't really be bothered to contemplate the options too much, more surgery, more chemo, radio frequency ablation?
Don't get me wrong, it's not really worrying me. There's no point worrying, it won't change anything and if all is well I'll have stressed my mind and body out for another few months for no reason at all! That's just silly! So as Angela once said: "I refuse to get excited until I know there is actually a problem". Good advice there.
Speaking of Angela, we braved the bright lights of Boston town on Saturday after I had been to the gym, dismantled a high sleeper bed and constructed a single bed to replace it...........(yeah wonder woman, that's me). Three glasses of wine, chips and mayo, a cab ride home and a chocolate eclair (bought from the kebab shop no less!) later.................I discovered red wine and my new internal system do not agree. I was up with diarrhoea a couple of hours after going to bed, the likes of which I hadn't really experienced since Tyson was still in residence.
Just in case it wasn't the wine, I had two glasses last night. It was the wine.
Onto the title of this post......insurance.
I got a letter in the post today with a copy of my anaesthetist's bill for £165 as a private patient telling me that my private health insurance cover (provided by my employer) expired on 31st January 2008. Remember the advice on not getting excited until you know there is a problem? I'm pleased to say I sat down and thought about it calmly before ringing work's HR department who rang our benefits department immediately. I wasn't in a panic because I rang the helpline in February to check I was covered for my ileostomy reversal and they said yes! After they refused to pay for the creation of my J-pouch I wasn't risking anything. Luckily it turns out our policies were transferred to BUPA so I am in fact still covered. I guess it's all part of the buy out of the company and major shareholder that took place around the same time.
Oh and more news - I'm going back to work on 23rd April. EEK!
I'm going to try three days that week and then do a couple of days a week after that to start with and see how I go from there. I am questioning the sense behind an early return, not because of my energy levels, but because the weather is improving and I could actually spend some time in the garden this year without being in pain or attached to chemicals or just feeling too damn ill. I need to get amongst people though. I have been holed up in this house for 13 months now and I'm going a bit stir crazy. Getting out to the gym is good, there are at least real people there even if I only know two or three to talk to, it makes me feel a little more like I'm part of society and not some imperfect outcast.
I'm going to treat myself now and watch Loose Women with a mug of something hot before I go and do some shopping (nice shopping, not groceries). I want some pretty things for my bedroom now it's decorated (just one wall of skirting and a small hole to fill and I'm done. I want a new pole, curtains and mirror and maybe something decorative on the walls. I might even post some before and after photos at some point...........oh god the before picture is horrid, it's going to make anything I've done look marvelous, sorry anything MIKE did.
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Friday, 4 April 2008
Sunday, 20 January 2008
2007 Aug 17th - Cancer - Financial Implications
Friday, August 17, 2007
| Money, money, money. It's been a busy day for me today. I was out of the house by 12pm having showered, washed my hair and managed to pretty much recreate Tuesday's creation by Gary (hairdresser, not at all gay - in fact he lives with his girlfriend). First stop was the surgery for my pre-chemo blood tests. I found a space (always a novelty) in the car park and when I got to the door there was a notice telling me that there would be NO blood clinic today. Great! Back in the car and whizzed round to the hospital to the pathology department. The notice on the door said appointments must be made - so I rang the number. No-one available until 1pm. Ah well, I needed the blood tests or I can't have chemo so I wandered in. After a few seconds a nurse appeared and I explained why I was there. She explained that I don't need an appointment, so long as I have my form I can wander in whenever I like! More special treatment for the chemo/cancerpatient. I didn't dare push my luck and ask for a ticket so I could get off the £1 parking. She apologised after the first phial was full and cotton swab applied - she'd not noticed the CEA test request - that's a special marker for colorectal cancer and some other conditions which can act as a guide to reoccurrence - but it's not infallible by any means. The second lot she took with an old style syringe with a very fine needle from the top of my wrist - never had blood taken from there - I was quite excited - said it was the highlight of my day! She said she liked my necklace and ear-rings - so I told her in a whisper "Asda - £5!". I was thirsty as ever so bought a cup of tea and a sausage bap from the cafe and a Prima magazine from the shop. My cancer buddy Debsi is in it this month!!! Way to go Deb! I flicked through whilst stuffing my face with the incredibly unhealthy snack until I found her - I'm sure that's an image she'll appreciate. Next stop - the post office.............via New Look (oops). There was a long top/dress that I was hankering after for weeks and it was reduced finally to a tenner so perfect for Angela's birthday party at the end of August. Oh and I accidentally tried on another two tops and bought one of those for a tenner too - well I need longer tops to cover PTW, it's not for me obviously, it's just so no-one gets upset seeing the top of the bag. YES IT IS, (honest). Finally I got to the post office to take some passport photos - urgh, wish I'd put on a bit more make up than a waft of eye-liner. Back in the car - to see the very nice and incredibly helpful, not to mention knowledgeable lady from St Barnabas Hospice. They work in conjunction with MacMillan nurses so pretty much cover everything between them. She filled out an application form for my blue disabled parking badge - which the photos were needed for. I should get that next week! She then explained that Disability Living Allowance shouldn't be included as income for the purposes of my Child Tax Credits (which I was getting even on full pay). She's applied for a grant from MacMillan for me - which could be nothing or something. If it's something I'll get a nice cheque through the door. Then she gave me the number to ring to apply for Incapacity Benefit. I may even, depending on the level of DLA which I shall hopefully get, qualify for a reduction in my Council Tax - it just gets better and better! Of course I may only get the blue badge - but that's free parking in Boston and no need to get an exemption slip every time I go to for chemo. Back home I rang and went through the application for Incapacity Benefit and Income Support. I may get nothing because of my mortgage insurance pay out but I've declared it so we'll see. So all in all a good day and potentially a lucrative one.
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Saturday, 19 January 2008
2007 Jan 23rd - MRI
23 Jan 2007
 | MRI Well had (for now) my last diagnostic test yesterday. Approx £600 worth. To date I think I've racked up approximately £1500 worth of private treatments and I'm sure I've not seen any bills for the consultants fees yet. Incidentally Mr A is clinical director at the hospital and I can only find good things about him. Thought I should have a look at his credentials and I'm more than happy I'm in good hands - he's well experienced at keyhole surgeries (not suitable for me) and has done charity work abroad so he's a good sort too. Felt rubbish on the way from work to my house where I met mum, crying most of the way, don't know why - maybe it's because it's becoming more real or maybe it's hormones. Felt cold all day - but it is bloody cold isn't it? MRI was a bit boring to be honest, nowhere near as much fun as the CT scan. Got there, checked I wasn't wearing a pacemaker, mascara, tattoos (oh yes I am - so long as they don't get hot it's OK) undressed and laid on another tiny bed, headphones on, a weird padded thing strapped around my belly and thankfully a blanket cos I was really cold! Had to lie still for approximately 30 mins altogether, bloody difficult! That was it, back home again. K being grumpy cos she'd walked home in the cold and had hoped we'd be back soon enough to pick her up). I wanted to cry just BECAUSE so got stroppy with her - mmm very helpful NOT. Oh and Tyson hated the MRI cos he's been bleeding and giving me "frequent" stools again! Wasn't much better this morning, K grumpy in the car, headphones on all the way to school. Cried the rest of the way to work. Then again when my boss asked how I was. Had to go round to my old school mates tonight on way home (could have just pulled over and had a kip in the car that would have been great) to tell her the news. Feel completely wiped out and it's only bloody Tuesday! Think K still loves me though cos she cooked the sausage burgers and herby cheese slices and made some scrupmtious mushrooms and tomatoes in sauce (exactly how I'd do them) to go with!!!! I've started to knit a cushion cover in Sirdar "Foxy" oh yesh indeedy! Have done about 4 or 5 inches so far..........promise to post pics when finished |
Monday, 24 December 2007
2006 December 18th
Friends are everything.
Current mood: 
chipper
Well it's amazing what a few mates can do for you mood and general wellbeing isn't it? Had 3 friends round last night for curry, beer and a giggle, plus tormenting teenage girls by hounding them with questions about ESS EEE EX. How to clear a room!
I forgot I was even ill for the night, until 11.30 when I went to the loo, but hey this is better than the trots!
Actually discussed it as Cancer today with mum like we were talking about having the hedge cut or something, slightly surreal, but also a relief to say it out loud, I've decided that's what it is and until they tell me otherwise I'm preparing to deal with that next year.
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| Lisa Left Eye Loopylalalalala  |
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18 Dec 2006
| Back to Work. Realised this morning that having skived off to attend hospital as a day case on Thursday and attending the Emap Christmas lunch in London on Friday none of my workmates know what I know now! I was doing OK til Race For Life (I ran earlier this year and ruined my big toenails in memory of Junie who died almost a year ago) , then the company electronic email (money not spent on paper going to Cancer charities in memory of those we have lost at work). Fighting back the tears when Katie asked how I was and how I got on last week. Kate (another one) asked if I was still poorly (she's been in Australia for two months), yes Kate I'm still poorly. But it's not all doom and gloom I have decided to have a mohican again if I ever lose my hair (v unlikely) or henna tattoos on my pate!! Wicked! I'm tempted to have Up Your Bum Cancer! tattood on my head anyway but I might regret it......... Just a quick thank you so far to Angela,Hannah, Hayley, Lesley and Pob for laughing at my death jokes, bloody poo stories and generally enquiring as to the well being of my arse! Angela is determined I will NOT GET ILL as she's about to become my line manager again despite having three years off! But the nurse said to take it easy and work isn't that important Angela.........so ........? OK OK I'll do the KPIs. Tut. My stomach is bloated as soon as I eat the smallest thing, I look four months pregnant. So far I've not actually broken wind in the office but managed to get to the loo, but that's more fear of following through with runny stuff and blood than anything else. Had rotten back ache all day again, it improved after I "went" on Saturday and I only did three poo trips today! Is that normal? I'm sure I used to go every, or every other day just the once! Those days seem well behind me now - pmsl! "behind". Oh and special award for good mate in time of crisis goes to ........Pob for making the bestest lemon drizzle cake EVER and not complaining once despite enduring me showing him images of polyps, cancerous tumours and general nasties in other peoples insides. Also for the stash of booze he left behind |
calm 
and pointing out if I have even slightly invasive T1 or higher I can claim off my critical illness and endowment policies yeay. Shame I didn't increase my cover when I changed my mortgage! I'm such a thickie.Billy Bollockchops
I didn't just leave the booze behind, it was a present!
The polyps was interesting though, I'm not squeamish. You know me, I'd have been there with you if you'd have let me.
And don't try and pretend you're not secretly excited about having a mohican and having most of your mortgage paid off! tut tut etc.
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