Dlynn1210

Dlynn1210's Recent CancerCompass Activity

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Atypical cells are abnormal cells but don't necessarily mean they are cancerous.  Your doctor just wants you to see an oncologist to rule out cancer.  

  20 hours ago view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Wendy - Someone posted the Caregivers Journey on CC a long time ago.  I originally copied and pasted and saved the below for the wife of a friend who was losing his battle with cancer but I have shared with many others since then.  I hope it helps you some.  I've lost both of my parents and I know it hurts but we go on because that is what they would want us to do.  Diana  ...

  20 hours ago view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  I don't know what insurance you have but one of the greatest things about CTCA is their handling all of that for you.  They discussed everything with us on the phone and then handled the insurance directly themselves before making an appointment for me.  I was the caregiver for my husband when he had lung cancer and keeping up with the insurance was a total nightmare.  I was on...

  21 hours ago view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  First, if your husband is not with you, make sure you have his written permission that has been witnessed by someone or notarized with you when you go.  Then, don't just try to obtain them, plant your feet firmly and tell them you WANT his records so that you can go for a second opinion.  They are his records and you are entitled to them.  Unfortunately, just being his wife will not entitle you to...

  21 hours ago view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Missy - Also, I know for a fact that different CTCAs are approved by different insurance companies.  For instance, I met one woman at the Zion, IL hospital who lived very close to the CTCA in Philadelphia area but her insurance wouldn't approve her to go to that one so she came to the one in Zion where treatment was approved.  I cannot tell you the difference - makes no sense to me. Diana

  Saturday at 1:03 PM view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Hi Missy I can't tell you if they accept Medicaid because I had regular insurance when I was treated there and now have Aetna Medicare but just call them and ask.  They went through our insurance with us on the phone before we made an appointment for a second opinion.  People at times believe it is the hospitals that won't accept certain insurances but it is the other way around.  Why would any ...

  Saturday at 1:01 PM view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Missy I did see my ENT periodically up until treatment began and then shortly after it was completed - still did every three months for the first year - and twice a year thereafter.  You might not see a medical oncologist right away if chemo has not been ordered or even talked about.      I can't stress how important it is that you get your husband to another treatment center for ...

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• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  CTCA is wonderful but TOMO is what counts no matter where you go so I'm glad to hear they have TOMO radiation.  When I look back, I cannot believe how close I came to being treated at the first treatment center - never realizing that there were different types of radiation.  To me radiation was radiation - the same as chemo was chemo.  I didn't realize there are several different kinds of ch...

  June 14 at 2:25 AM view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  Hi Jeanne That's what survivors come back for - to help you who are now facing what we have already been through.  When we are first diagnosed, we are like deer in headlights - in total shock and generally knowing very little about cancer.  Please go back to my first response in this blog and read about TOMO radiation.  I can't stress enough how important this will be for a better qual...

  June 13 at 11:37 PM view post

• Dlynn1210 has replied to a post on the message board

  John For the first time I did not bring up TOMO radiation when replying to a recently diagnosed head and neck cancer patient or their caregiver.  As everyone on CC knows, I am a strong advocator for TOMO for tonsil cancer because it is so precise and salvages most of our salivary gland unlike IMRT; however, according to the head of radiology at Barnes in St. Louis (who have both types), TOMO is better for ...

  June 13 at 2:44 PM view post