Send Some Positive Thoughts (or prayers).

[BuffloSoldier]

I may be mistaken, but isn't that X cents on the dollar?

Edit: isn't it unpaid?

[brian]

I may be mistaken, but isn't that X cents on the dollar?

Edit: isn't it unpaid?

It's different at different companies but at WORST it is unpaid. Basically if she is worried she can file for FMLA and her job is secure. It sucks but it is what it is. I looked into this with my medical situation when I thought I might have to file for FMLA for a period of time. From the sounds of it she really doesn't get much in the way of paid sick/medical leave. I felt I was lucky to get two weeks. If it's a question of worrying about having a job when she gets back, FMLA might be the way to go. Some of the law dogs on here would know more than me. I was lucky.

[devilfluff]

The advantage of FMLA is not the pay. But in that she can use it to take off a pretty significant amount of time in pieces as she needs it.

So she takes 2 days here, or a half if a day there, when she isn't feeling well, but never goes out on an extended leave from work like disability.

[BuffloSoldier]

Ok, after thinking it over and a few people chiming in, here it is.

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundra ... cer/296413" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MRI/CAT/Bone scan day. Woooooooooooohoooo...

[tennbengal]

Thanks for the link BuffSol.

Biggest thing is them finalizing the treatment plan so you all can mentally beat this fucker into the ground.

[Sabo]

Ok, after thinking it over and a few people chiming in, here it is.

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundra ... cer/296413" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

MRI/CAT/Bone scan day. Woooooooooooohoooo...

Thanks for posting this!

[brian]

MRIs SUCK. They had to dope me to the gills for that. I was worried I was going to have a panic attack in that thing. Thinking of you and your wife today. None of those tests are fun.

Like TB said, important thing is to get the doctors all the stuff they need and then attacking together. Hoping you're getting the support and help you need from your wife's doctors -- that's important.

[BuffloSoldier]

Wife's family is invading (I kid) this weekend--indoor water park day trip on Saturday, Super Bowl (visitors should be gone by game time) on Sunday, no appointments (for the time being) on Monday, port implanted (30ish minute surgery) on Tuesday, and probably the start of chemo later in the week.

[sancarlos]

Thinking of you guys, Buff...

[BuffloSoldier]

Thanks, Swampers. You know who you are.

Oncologist today.

[tennbengal]

Bump.

[BuffloSoldier]

Chemo on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is EKG/blood tests/surgery to put port in, but that's just a half day.

Wednesday is a full day of fun. Her chemo is now once every three weeks.

[tennbengal]

Peace to you guys, Buff.

[Steve of phpBB]

Good luck, Buff.

[BuffloSoldier]

Port went well. They had to put a tube from the port into a vein at her neck because they couldn't find a good one around the port site.

[BuffloSoldier]

Wife's insurance denied what her oncologist wanted because of the lack of a purely positive test. Back to the original chemo treatment plan, which is more often, harsher, and less effective short and long term.

[mister d]

On the list of people who I can't imagine how they sleep at night, insurance execs are near the top. Can you appeal?

[rass]

Fuckers.

[tennbengal]

Wife's insurance denied what her oncologist wanted because of the lack of a purely positive test. Back to the original chemo treatment plan, which is more often, harsher, and less effective short and long term.

So frustrating. That really pisses me off, I cannot imagine how angry you all are.

[BuffloSoldier]

Her oncologist has more testing but we're stuck for eight weeks with the original/"basic" plan. By that point, further tests will either show up positive (and she'll get the her2 chemo) or ambivalent (and she'll be denied outright or granted on appeal--former seems much more likely).

[Steve of phpBB]

Ugh. Good luck.

[The Sybian]

I may be mistaken, but isn't that X cents on the dollar?

Edit: isn't it unpaid?

It's different at different companies but at WORST it is unpaid. Basically if she is worried she can file for FMLA and her job is secure. It sucks but it is what it is. I looked into this with my medical situation when I thought I might have to file for FMLA for a period of time. From the sounds of it she really doesn't get much in the way of paid sick/medical leave. I felt I was lucky to get two weeks. If it's a question of worrying about having a job when she gets back, FMLA might be the way to go. Some of the law dogs on here would know more than me. I was lucky.

FMLA is unpaid, but a lot of states and municipalities are passing laws requiring a specified amount of paid sick leave. It is a relatively small amount of days, typically 5 a year from what I have seen. I don't remember where you most recently moved to, but I'd be happy to look into it if you want to PM the city your wife works in.

ETA: FMLA allows for 12 weeks of medical leave. It allows for leave for family members of people with medical needs as well.

[howard]

This is such fucking bullshit. I hate them so much. Playing with lives and causing pain and suffering, to boost profit. They do this a thousand times a day and get away with it.

I am so sorry you and your wife are subjected to this.

[govmentchedda]

Insurance companies are the absolute worst.

[cerrano]

fuck those fuckers right in their eye holes.

sorry, buff.

[tennbengal]

Insurance companies are the absolute worst.

This is true.

[Gunpowder]

Insurance is pretty much the only industry that makes the most money by not doing anything. Hate it.

[BuffloSoldier]

She's resting at home; we thought she'd be able to go into work today, but that didn't come about.

She blogged about it last night, if anyone's interested.

[BuffloSoldier]

An update: two of eight done, hair's gone, chemo definitely sucks. Puts her out of commission mostly from the treatment on Wednesday to the following Tuesday. No nausea, lots of drugs to counteract that, but headaches come from that stuff.

The time in the curve now (a week past the treatment through the day before the next one) are the salad days where she's at 75-85%. Life is normal, or at least a new normal.

[rass]

How is your daughter adjusting?

[BuffloSoldier]

How is your daughter adjusting?

No es bueno.

Last night was the first night in about 10 days we had a quiet one. She's been 9.5/10 on the moodyometer.

[sancarlos]

Try to keep your chin up, man.

[BSF21]

How you holding up Buff? Any status change/things we can do to help crop up lately?