Post-Op Follow-Up - Week 5
Sanford's follow up appointment yesterday with the surgeon was a 'thumbs up' !! Thank God. He said San has healed up fine and can resume normal activities... 'just don't go out and start weight lifting or mountain climbing'. Also said he can drive, 'but don't get into any accidents'... because the air bag could cause him to get a hernia :) In his opinion, no chemo therapy is needed, however, he's going to let the Oncologist make that call. An Out Patient follow up procedure is scheduled for December 17 2007.
I'm sure that San feels independent and free now that he won't have to ask anyone to drive him whenever he needs to go some where..
Sanford always takes me where ever I want/need to go because I can't drive... so I feel free too. I can come and go now, without feeling guilty about having to ask to be driven even though it's may be for a medical appointment.
I truly understand how seniors must feel when they can no longer live independently and require help in some form or another for every day living situations and transportation.
On the TV news, when I see people 85-100 years young, living and doing things that people 20 or more years younger do, I am always amazed and happy for them and secretly wishing I could be like them when I grow up... Yeah, 'when I grow up'... God willing, in about 6 years I'll be in that age group.
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own.
Be kinder than necessary.. for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
TRULY A DAY TO GIVE THANKS.
I can't recall a Thanksgiving Day, that we had more to give thanks for than this one. We've had some happenings in our lives this year that were really really scary. And we've been so blessed with good outcomes... especially the most recent cancer episode.
We've always watched the Macy's Day Parade on TV. Over the years, my interest had waned in watching the parade. I don't usually watch TV in the morning. I usually turn the TV on at noon and watch the news followed by the only daytime soap that I watch [AMC]... Without giving it any thought, I turned on the TV even before it was time for the parade to begin. As I watched it... I realized that I wasn't bored, but was actually enjoying it. Later when I thought about it, I tried to figure it out and the only conclusion I could come to was that it was probably because, maybe a month earlier... subconsciously, I must have realized that it was a good possibility that things might not get back to the way they were. And again, subconsciously, I must have realized that things were coming back to normal. God is sooooo good!!
We shared a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with one of our daughters, her teenage daughter, my brother and two of Sanford's cousins.
Black Friday afternoon we went to the movies.. we saw the movie which is now at the top of my Favorites list... "THIS CHRISTMAS". I don't re-read books or watch movies again and again... with the exception of the original "Imitation Of Life. But I think I would watch this one again if I had the opportunity. When we left the theater, I felt SO euphoric... And like they said in that old TV commercial.. "I really needed that !!"
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday too.
We've always watched the Macy's Day Parade on TV. Over the years, my interest had waned in watching the parade. I don't usually watch TV in the morning. I usually turn the TV on at noon and watch the news followed by the only daytime soap that I watch [AMC]... Without giving it any thought, I turned on the TV even before it was time for the parade to begin. As I watched it... I realized that I wasn't bored, but was actually enjoying it. Later when I thought about it, I tried to figure it out and the only conclusion I could come to was that it was probably because, maybe a month earlier... subconsciously, I must have realized that it was a good possibility that things might not get back to the way they were. And again, subconsciously, I must have realized that things were coming back to normal. God is sooooo good!!
We shared a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with one of our daughters, her teenage daughter, my brother and two of Sanford's cousins.
Black Friday afternoon we went to the movies.. we saw the movie which is now at the top of my Favorites list... "THIS CHRISTMAS". I don't re-read books or watch movies again and again... with the exception of the original "Imitation Of Life. But I think I would watch this one again if I had the opportunity. When we left the theater, I felt SO euphoric... And like they said in that old TV commercial.. "I really needed that !!"
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving Holiday too.
Monday, November 19, 2007
The Cost of Medicines and Health Insurance in our Great country
Though I've seen the TV commercial many times with Montell Williams about Prescription Assistance, it suddenly dawned on me how misleading it is. They want you to believe that there's help for almost anyone who needs help.. But it's not quite that simple. I'm living proof of that fact.
All year I paid $50 for a 30 day supply of the anti breast cancer drug, Femara. And earlier this month my pharmacist informed me that I must now pay $182 and change for the same prescription in the same quantity... Why?... because I've reached the 'donut hole' in my insurance prescription coverage for this year. It's my understanding that in 2008 I will go back to paying $50 again until if/when I reach 'hole'.
Upon investigating the PPA program I found that our joint income is above the maximum to qualify for participation in the PPA program... Even if my physician/oncologist signs the Request Assistance form and sends it to the pharmaceutical company that produces the drug.. it's not going to happen!
This situation reminds me of another situation, which some people aren't aware of or don't think about... With combined incomes and both parents working full time jobs... they still can not afford or get health insurance for their family. These are hard times for too many people.
I honestly can't complain... We are so blessed. I know that there are millions out there who would change places with me a in a heartbeat. I don't know anyone I'd like to change places with... but I have read about many whose incomes I wouldn't mind having. Oh yeah!! I know that wealth can't buy health or happiness, but it sure could make everyday living a lot easier at this time in my life. And it could probably do the same for you too and everyone else that I know.
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
All year I paid $50 for a 30 day supply of the anti breast cancer drug, Femara. And earlier this month my pharmacist informed me that I must now pay $182 and change for the same prescription in the same quantity... Why?... because I've reached the 'donut hole' in my insurance prescription coverage for this year. It's my understanding that in 2008 I will go back to paying $50 again until if/when I reach 'hole'.
Upon investigating the PPA program I found that our joint income is above the maximum to qualify for participation in the PPA program... Even if my physician/oncologist signs the Request Assistance form and sends it to the pharmaceutical company that produces the drug.. it's not going to happen!
This situation reminds me of another situation, which some people aren't aware of or don't think about... With combined incomes and both parents working full time jobs... they still can not afford or get health insurance for their family. These are hard times for too many people.
I honestly can't complain... We are so blessed. I know that there are millions out there who would change places with me a in a heartbeat. I don't know anyone I'd like to change places with... but I have read about many whose incomes I wouldn't mind having. Oh yeah!! I know that wealth can't buy health or happiness, but it sure could make everyday living a lot easier at this time in my life. And it could probably do the same for you too and everyone else that I know.
You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sanford's Amazing Recuperation.
Sanford's surgery was a few days less than 3 weeks ago and if you saw him you would not believe how recently he had the operation. He looks great, sounds great and is doing great, Thank God.
When he came home from the hospital, for seven days he used a cane. On that seventh day our daughters Pam and Toni came from Atlanta and Pam brought him the cane that had belonged to her late husband, Donald. Sanford used that cane for one day and the next day... he said he no longer felt the need for support to walk. I jokingly said that Donald had touched Sanford through the cane and said to him, "that he was strong and no longer need to walk with a cane". Of course the family all agreed with me. (Big grin)
Our family, friends and neighbors are all surprised at how great he looks and how well he's recuperating. We feel so very blessed.
Our family would like for you to know that we can't find the words to express our gratitude for your prayers on our behalf. Thank you again and again and again! When I told a very dear friend, "God DID hear us and answered our prayers for Sanford", my friend replied "See I told you so!!".
This past Tuesday Sanford had the staples removed from his incision and the doctor said he's doing fine. Thank God!! You would not believe how well he's recovering unless you saw him.
Please keep us in your prayers a bit longer... In 3 months, God willing, he will have exploratory surgery to check to see that there is no more cancer.
"You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own".
When he came home from the hospital, for seven days he used a cane. On that seventh day our daughters Pam and Toni came from Atlanta and Pam brought him the cane that had belonged to her late husband, Donald. Sanford used that cane for one day and the next day... he said he no longer felt the need for support to walk. I jokingly said that Donald had touched Sanford through the cane and said to him, "that he was strong and no longer need to walk with a cane". Of course the family all agreed with me. (Big grin)
Our family, friends and neighbors are all surprised at how great he looks and how well he's recuperating. We feel so very blessed.
Our family would like for you to know that we can't find the words to express our gratitude for your prayers on our behalf. Thank you again and again and again! When I told a very dear friend, "God DID hear us and answered our prayers for Sanford", my friend replied "See I told you so!!".
This past Tuesday Sanford had the staples removed from his incision and the doctor said he's doing fine. Thank God!! You would not believe how well he's recovering unless you saw him.
Please keep us in your prayers a bit longer... In 3 months, God willing, he will have exploratory surgery to check to see that there is no more cancer.
"You never know who's heart you will touch when you share a piece of your own".
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