Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,30866,0.htm Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi.  My mom too had pain in her back-right side.  She too was told it was arthritis.  She suffered with it and would take vicodin for the pain.  This went on for several months.  In March of 2008 she noted that her urine was very dark and she was developing jaundice.  The cancer had blocked her bile duct.  The cancer quickly progressed into her liver and bones.  She passed away on Aug. 10th.  I have so many unanswered questions regarding the care my mother received, but I know that nothing will bring her back.  Here in our home town-they were not able to treat my mother so they suggested Thomas Jefferson in Philly.  Near the end of Apr. 2008 she had a consultation with a Dr. Kennedy.  He told her that the cancer had not spread past the gallbladder and duct-it was not in liver or lymph nodes, and he believed that it could be removed with surgery.  Surgery date was set for May 6 2008.  On May 1 2008 my father's insurance changed to Advantra Freedom from Blue Cross.  A few days before the surgery Thomas Jefferson called and cancelled my mom's surgery because they would not accept the new insurance.  We were devastated!  My mom then had to wait for an appointment at Geisinger for several weeks.  Once there they repeated all the same tests and told her that the cancer was in her liver and lymph and inoperable!  She began radiation and oral chemo, but she became so ill and developed pnemonia.  She was hospitalized for 3 weeks at Geisinger and we were told that she had about 2 wks to a month to live because the treatments didn't work and the cancer had spread to her bones.  We took her home to hospice and she died three days later.  I just love the way hospitals can play with lives and blame it on the insurance.  I Contacted Advantra and they told me that it is their policy to make payment in full with in 30 days of procedure. They have an excellent reputation, and Jefferson could have accepted.  I have wanted to write a strongly worded letter to the hospital and to Dr. Kennedy- but what would that prove?  My mom is gone azureangel Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Just wondering what symptoms people have before the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer.  My mom had back aches, right side mid back...doctor kept telling herit was arthritis ... now I have a feeling she was misdiagnosed.  Poor woman! dllfb Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT