You know how I'm always writing about the crazy that is my life, except lately I haven't had much to say?
It is because I don't really know how to say this, or to whom I am ready to say it.
In lieu of trying to figure it out, I think I'll just go ahead and say it to everyone at the same time in the same place. And maybe later I'll call my mom.
I found a lump last week, and in a few short days there have been big changes that involve the kind of pain not even I can ignore. Not that I intentionally ignore pain, I just have a wicked high tolerance for it. Like that time my leg bone was hanging around outside my body and I swallowed an Advil and 'walked it off'.
If you're a child of Any Decade before 2000, I'm guessing you've heard that term before.
I haven't had much success with walking this off. Ignoring it doesn't seem to be working either, probably because the little voice inside my head that is not a doctor but pretends to be while googling Breast Cancer and scaring the hell out of me refuses to shut up.
Anyone have some insurance I can borrow for a minute? Apparently they don't hand mammograms out like candy~ not even on Halloween.
Then again I don't remember being the little princess who ever said "Trick or Treat or squash my boob!", but that's probably only because I didn't have them yet.
So far being FODEE! isn't as much fun as I'd planned.
~
Come up here I will claim you as a dependent and we will get this taken care of! Hugs my sweet sista you know I am with you!
ReplyDeleteOh, damn, Juls. I would loan you my health insurance in a heartbeat if only that were possible. It's just medicare but it's better than nothing! I'm sending white light (supposed to be healing) and lots of prayers to you. Pls keep us posted! Go call your mom. Oh, and the beads are GREAT!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say, except that I wish I could give you health insurance. I keep thinking there must be some way to work this out as this is not something to ignore. But you know that already. Thinking of you just falls short of anything useful. But I am thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteOh no! I hope it's a false alarm. Stupid healthcare system. I'd claim you too if I could :(
ReplyDeleteSince October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I think the Komen Foundation has free screenings set up with different hospitals. Definitely would be worth it to contact the Komen branch nearest you!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you...
I'm with Skylar...If you had to find something, you picked the right month...I bet there's somewhere offering free and/or low-cost mammograms this month because it's breast cancer awareness month. Or, most communities have some sort of service for people without insurance. I, too, would loan you mine if I could!!! And, you need to STOP listening to that non-doctor voice in your head and get it checked out! For all you know, it could be something benign that hurts because you've poked at it too much!
ReplyDeleteI'm speaking based on experience, and what you're describing sounds non-typical of cancer. Women have lumps all the time that are typically nothing. They don't talk about that because sometimes there are and they don't want women to be complacent. It could just be some hormones fluctuacting for whatever reason or you pulled a muscle deep below. Better to be safe than sorry - it'll be more costly in the long run....most hospitals have free screenings or drasically reduced screenings all the time. You can also try your county community health center as well.
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Thoughts and prayers are with you. Do try calling around since this is breast cancer month- that is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteJuls, I hope it's a false alarm!
ReplyDeleteI must agree with Skylar (& Katie). My step-mother-in-law got all kinds of things paid for, including free house cleaning after her lumpectomy!! - keep checking around. I think a mammo should be FREE - since they suck. (or squish)
Love ya!!!!!!!
You should be able to get your mammo for free. I agree with the others.
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that! Sending you luvs and hugs.
Go NOW to the Komen Foundation's website and find the nearest screening facility nearest you - please! I love having you around, my beautiful friend! Waiting is just not worth it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, just to be sure she has NO reason to NOT go...I sent Juls a list of places I found online (according to co-workers, I am the Queen of Google...) that should be able to help out! No excuse for whining! Yeah, that's it - Walk it off! Or...Rub some dirt on it! (I think that was from Everybody Loves Raymond...)...Keep us all posted!
ReplyDeleteI've been in your shoes a few times, both for myself and family so I know how scary it is.
ReplyDeleteFirst, stop reading the stuff on the internet As you said, it will only scare you.
Go to the emergency room, and tell them you are in agonizing pain. They will get you a mammogram, and you can pay them a little every month. Just don't go in there and belittle it. You have to tell them your in pain, and make them run the test. They don't want to just hand out test either, but if your in pain they will have to deal with you insurance or not. I have thousands of dollars in medical bills, and you can pay the hospital $10.00 a month. They may send you to collections, but who cares. The important thing is that you find out what your dealing with. It may just be a cyst. They can be painful. BUt it is NOT something you want to play with.
Also sending healing energy.
Juls, if you can't find a mammo for free, email me.
ReplyDeleteDont know what to say, I think it has all been said, you know what needs to be done, sending lots of positive vibes your way, be brave xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you my positive ju-ju thoughts...so that you will magically be brought to a free mammo place...and that said free mammo will say that "All is clear" and it was just a nasty ingrown hair (sorry...I know that's lame, but it's all I could think of!) and that all of the "OUCH!" goes away. *Poof* Done.
ReplyDelete(((((All Y'all)))))
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice and support. I am going in the morning to make an appointment due in large part to Katie's awesome research assistance.
If any of you ever need information, she is definitely your Go To Google Girl!
Much love, my friends. :)
Oh Juls. I wish you could come over here and use the NHS. It's not perfect but it is free at the point of service....I never understand how private medical folk can feel they are keeping their hippocratic oath....sending you lots of love and positivity. And DO go and get it checked out. You are loved and valued, and it's so important to look after yourself, despite your scary level of pain tolerance!
ReplyDeleteSending positive thoughts your way and I sincerely hope that the tests show that the lump is benign.
ReplyDeleteTherese
Glad I could help! I guess this makes me a bona fide computer geek...I have a friend whose son used to call me the Answer Lady :) I hope all goes well *hugs*
ReplyDeleteAwww Juls this is a huge big fat bummer... but you know everything will be cool. I have had bumps and aches in my boobies so many times... they tell me this is the norm for us women who are blessed with a bit more.
ReplyDeleteYou know I reckon you'd be covered in Oz land... hop on a plane and we will get them sorted!
Thinking of you ♥
Karyn
my heart goes out to you my sister, I know where you are comming from, no insurance here either, it sucks....I have had several breast issues in my not so distant past even a biopsy when I did have insurance... so far its all been ok........I pray its all ok with you too....
ReplyDeleteyou will be in my thoughts, please keep us informed, you are important to us...hugs
Oh Juls....I'm thinking of you, praying for you, and hoping it's a big ole nothing. Please keep us all informed! I wish there was more I could do. Please let me know if there is!
ReplyDeleteCan't believe I just now saw this. You know I'm sending huge prayers. Go get it checked out, and then come back and tell us we all worried for nothing. We ALL LOVE YOU!
ReplyDeleteOh Dear Juls...please get this checked out ASAP!!!!!...or come to Candada we can get married and you can have my health care...please keep us updated you are muched loved and i send hugs and love from Canada xoxo ttfn Lana :)
ReplyDeleteAw, Juls... one of my close friends has just gone in for a biopsy on her own. I am sending many many good thoughts and just as many prayers your way. I'm sorry I'm late posting... thinking of you!!!!! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteThinking of you kid. You know I've been down that path.
ReplyDeleteI'm here for ya.
I will sending healing energy your way. Please let us know that the outcome is.
ReplyDeleteJuls, please let us know how it goes. Thinking of you.....
ReplyDeleteJules, DO you live anywhere near UAB? I am a retired oncology clinical trials administrator and worked on the breast cancer team at UNC CHapel Hill. If you can get to UAB or any state school with a medical school, not only will you get fabulous care, but they HAVE to take you and HAVE to treat you. You can work out a payment plan with them later, and they will help you find supplemental care funding, etc. WE had plenty of patients at UNC who were in this situation and got the same standard of care as those with insurance. Please try this route if you have not yet found care. Oh and PS, generally, breast cancer does not hurt :)
ReplyDeleteGood Luck to you, Pam