Talk Cancer

Question:

Hi all.   I just grabbed a ride on this newsgroup hoping someone out there has the time and patience to help me sort this mess out.  Here’s the reader’s digest condensed version of the story:   After about 5 months of leg pain and 2 doctors diagnosing "bursitis" or "arthritis", my husband (41) stepped out of a truck and snapped his femur in two at the thigh.  They banded his leg back together, scraped out the obvious tumor and started the diagnosis game.  MRI, CAT, X-Rays, etc still haven’t tracked the primary source yet (3 mos later…) they put him on radiation – 3 weeks, no change except his ankles are swelling up.      Basically, that’s ALL we know.  Since we’re on MIA (medically indigent adult) medi-cal, he never sees the same doctor twice, half the time its only a med student.  Anyone know any work arounds for the County Hospital Shuffle?  Seems to me if we had insurance, someone would be working a little harder to spend that money….    Also, this is kinda wierd (isn’t it all…) I track his meds like a hawk, 90mg morphine 8am  and same at 8pm, he’ll be bright eyed and lucid one or two days then looped for 3 or 4…. No consistancy, is this common?      Welp.. any info would help.  Im sure I’ll think of a zillion questions later. <G thanks. Nevarre

Response:

Hi all.  I just grabbed a ride on this newsgroup hoping someone out there has the time and patience to help me sort this mess out.  Here’s the reader’s digest condensed version of the story:  After about 5 months of leg pain and 2 doctors diagnosing "bursitis" or "arthritis", my husband (41) stepped out of a truck and snapped his femur in two at the thigh.  They banded his leg back together, scraped out the obvious tumor and started the diagnosis game.  MRI, CAT, X-Rays, etc still haven’t tracked the primary source yet (3 mos later…) they put him on radiation – 3 weeks, no change except his ankles are swelling up.  

You might be able to find some help at Oncology Online: http://medserv.com 1-800-665-4679 Incidentially, in New York medicaid coverage can also be covered under HMO Blue (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), which gives basically the same medical coverage as regular HMO insurance.  Does your state have something similar? http://www.concentric.net/~robys

Response:

Hi Nevarre:  The ability of different treatment centers varies widely.  My suggestion is that you do whatever may be necessary to have your husband treated at a comprehensive cancer center.  Of course I’ve no idea how that squares with your insurance situation, but you should do your utmost to work it out.  Good luck.  Jeremy. Hi all.   I just grabbed a ride on this newsgroup hoping someone out there has the time and patience to help me sort this mess out.  Here’s the reader’s digest condensed version of the story:   After about 5 months of leg pain and 2 doctors diagnosing "bursitis" or "arthritis", my husband (41) stepped out of a truck and snapped his femur in two at the thigh.  They banded his leg back together, scraped out the obvious tumor and started the diagnosis game.  MRI, CAT, X-Rays, etc still haven’t tracked the primary source yet (3 mos later…) <snip

Response:

Nevarre, You posted the following, of which I have snipped to get to your question about the morphine: —snip—    Also, this is kinda wierd (isn’t it all…) I track his meds like a hawk, 90mg morphine 8am  and same at 8pm, he’ll be bright eyed and lucid one or two days then looped for 3 or 4…. No consistancy, is this common?

I’m on the same dosage along with liquid morphine for breakthrough pain.  I have the same ‘out of it’ times as your husband, without consistancy.  I believe it has to do with diet and enough rest(sleep).  The emotions have a great deal to do with these ‘looped’ days as well. Hope this has helped. Sincerely, Larry Hamlin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    Welp.. any info would help.  Im sure I’ll think of a zillion questions later. <G thanks. Nevarre

Response: