Medi-Medi Not Getting The Best Aftercare (Melanoma In 99)

I am usually assertive and ask lots of questions but do not expect to have to be my own doctor! I am on SSDI and even with Medical and Medicare I am having ongoing trouble getting agressive aftercare. My melanoma was found just in time and removed from my upper back leaving a 2 ft long scar where the sun never shone... The lymph nodes were clear thank goodness as I am only 49 (now) and have no cancer in my family.

I have had a few oncologists that indicated there was nothing they could do - that I had a 33% chance of cancer showing up somewhere/anywhere in my body at anytime... and that there is not a test they could do UNTIL it was too late and the cancer was too big. I asked about "Full body scans" but they are too expensive and cost too much and are not covered by insurance. It seems to me with "modern medicine" there has to be a way to find cancer while it is treatable? Does anyone know?

So I try to not obsess that every little thing is cancer but I can't help but worry. Especially when my HMO doc and oncologist have the "don't worry be happy" attitude. Right now I have a cough that is lingering from my latest cold and I worry that it has gone into my lungs. I will ask for a lung X-ray as that has been done before after the melanoma but I don't feel that the correct tests are done - the most thorough tests because I have Medical and/or Medicare does not pay enough.

I am living on the CENTRAL COAST of CALIFORNIA and willing to drive to SF or LA to get the best care. I want to catch anything before it goes too far... At 49 I am an artist and feel that my life is finally making sense!

I also feel that modern medicine with its advances is only available to those with money or the "correct" insurance and connections.

Sylvi

I am 31 years old and have no idea what you are going through but I want to say that I feel for you. It is never good when you can't get the treatment you need to feel better.

The reason I am on this message board is because my Mom, who had cancer, subscribed and sent me the link. About two weeks ago I signed up. Now I am reading all of the discussions.

It is my hope to make a difference in someone's life with my message.

After many years in Sports Medicine consulting, I gained employment with a company that is promoting green tea catechin based prodcuts. Over the the past 4 months I have been overwhelmed with the amount of studies and clinical trials being done with green tea catechins and people with cancer.

About 25 years ago their lead scientist Dr. Yukihiko Hara started studying the the tea leaf. He was the first guy to succeed in extracting the beneficial part of the leaf. This beneficial part is called "Catechin". Catechins are molecules that are being linked to cancer prevention and after cancer treatment nutrition.

I hope you get the treatment you need. Please take care and be not afraid.

Lots of love.

Wayne

Call John Wayne Cancer Institute just outside of Los Angeles is very good. In Houston Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center rated #1 cancer center also, if you live in Texas then the treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center is free to residents. Living 1 year there makes you a resident. You must consider this for your future. Also ask John Wayne Cancer Institute about HMO as assistance. Go to MD Anderson Cancer Center website and you can see all services available to the patients.

Sylvi, your message sounds like a rerun of my experiences in the past 5 months. I, too, had surgery, left w/ about a 1 foot scar; forced back to work after 2 weeks (this was devastating); and after 5 months, the follow-up advice was How are you feeling and You should think about changing jobs... then the doctor quickly walked out of the office after making me wait an hour and half from my scheduled appt! No long term prognosis, no discussion of physical effects/side effects though I had brought a few to his attention. I felt very angry that there was no one considerate enough to explain surviorship tactics or even take the time to genuinely listen to my concerns. Since I work for the Fed gov (USPS), I do have very good insurance and maybe hearing of my experience will help you to feel better. I feel that there are many in the medical community that need to bring the HUMANITY back to their medical practices. I know that they are out there and regardless of insurance, financial and personal background, it must be considered a priveledge and duty to put the patient first! I will keep looking here in Virginia. Please post back if you have success in CA.