Hit the Target

So finally tomorrow I am going to the Beacon to commence Stereotactic Radiotherapy. I am a little apprehensive as I depend a lot on my team here in Cork. I am also worried about my ability to stay still for an hour!!! This treatment is usually used for Lung and Brain Cancer but also used for small tumours. Again still at loggerheads with VHI, got the refusal in writing as requested and basically was told to do what I liked with the reply. I think this is an appalling way to treat their customers. Apparently it is not well known as a treatment for Ovarian Cancer but Laya and Irish Life do pay the hospital for this treatment for Ovarian Cancer. It is possible that in time things will change. My thinking is that if VHI can arrive at an agreement with the genetist for Braca testing for OC, they should also accommodate my Consultant for his treatment for Ovarian Cancer in small areas like mine. So hopefully the aim will hit the spot, I need 5 treatments in total. So two this week and maybe three next week. Then I hope I can start walking the dogs again after a few weeks

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Suzuki, All the best for tomorrow with the Radiotherapy, it must be very hard to have to battle with health insurance company,my husband lived in America for 20 years before I meet him , He told me if you don't have insurance then you don't have treatment, I can't imagine this it's hard enough with cancer or any other disease but to have that extra worry.

Australia does have a free health system if you do not have insurance and this covers all treatments.

Take care and again I hope all goes well Lorraine xx

[Toni16]

Hi Suzuki

Im glad your finally getting to start your treatment. I’m there today in the Beacon if you want to meet. I’ll be in 6th floor in Onc day ward. If you just ask at reception there they will let you in or you can text me on 0872998815. Keep in touch.

Antoinette.

[Hidden in reply to Toni16]

Hi Antoinette, I was thinking you might be up there but Self Pay team came to speak to me before treatment. After treatment sat down for ten minutes and headed for the bus because hadn't the energy for the luas walk. Of course I went to the resting area not the bus stop but the drive took pity on me and let me on. Its much longer to town by bus but I needed that time to pull myself together. I will be around next week as have only two appointments to be confirmed tomorrow as one consultant is on holidays and other moves to a different hospital at lunch time. So could be up again on your next Wednesday. I hope your treatment went well and as soon as I know my plans for next week, will text you thank you

[Toni16 in reply to Hidden]

Hi there. Hope you are feeling ok today. Did you go home yesterday? Give me a call anyway next week as I live beside Beacon so I can pop down anytime and could drop you to town Luas or wherever. Please do call it no bother at all. Take care. A

[Hidden in reply to Toni16]

Thank you so much, I did go home yesterday, took bus into town very long really. Hubby with me tomorrow and I am up on Monday for treatment Tuesday. Hope the exams went well for your family. Always at the warm time of the year isn't it so predictable. I am a bit tired so took it easy today.

[ellseybellsey]

Hi Suzuki I hope all goes well tomorrow, at 1dx I had private medical insurance they refused Avastan, stating they would only pay for 12 chemo and I’d had 7.

Hugs for tomorrow Ellsey xx

[Petrolhead]

Best wishes. Glad you are finally getting it. Let us know how you get on.

Fay

[Naimish]

All the very best Joan.

Naimish

[coksd]

Hi Suzuki best wishes for your treatment in the beacon hope it all goes well do you know if this is similar to cyberknife radiation as I am pre- accepted for this in the hermitage based on my previous scans I have to meet the consultant but they discussed me at the team meeting and feel I am suitable as I was told in Limerick the only treatment was palliative chemo and avastin I can have this with avastin as it is non-invasive.

[Hidden in reply to coksd]

I believe there is Stereotactic radiosurgery is that the same thing as cyberknife? Confussed here this morning. I think it is the same. You are okay if you are with Laya or Irish Life. They do cover the procedure if with VHI ask for a code and contact them. They are still being bold with me. Yesterday before the treatment started the finance team came to talk to me. I told them I had done as much as I possibly could with emails and that I was totally stressed from it all. It would be good also to have your referring consultant give you a letter for your Health Insurance Company. I will be asking mine for one at my next visit. So of course I want to walk properly again and there is no question that the bill wont be paid by me. They had been in contact with me but the whole thing got so stressful I decided to step back and care for myself. Any money I pay will be refunded if VHI cave in. I am tired after yesterday but that is all, I had to take motillium and Panadol before treatment, It wasn't too bad to be honest. I sat down for ten minutes in reception before heading to bus. Was solo as family had booked Eurodisney and no way would I allow them cancel. It is great that these things are there for us and they will become more and more popular treatments for Ovarian Cancer in time. Less invasive than Chemo, So when this is over you might hear me on Joe Duffy

[coksd in reply to Hidden]

Wow it sounds fine actually that you can travel home yourself after, When do you hope to be on Joe Duffy Id love to hear about it. Was there any other side effects VHI are a nightmare to deal with I was with them for 10 years and luckily changed to Laya early last year I had served all my waiting times so was fully covered on diagnosis and went public for chemo anyway as it was local hospital but its great to have it for private procedures. Hope your family had a lovely holiday in disney its on my list to of things to do but went for a relaxing sun holiday the end of may as needed to chill out after the year and it had a great kids club for my sons its our home away from home in alcudia majorca its our third time going to the same hotel. I am going to Dublin tuesday to meet consultant so looking at it as a positive as i have been accepted last november things looked very grim for me so onwards and upwards for both of us all of on here actually we deserve it take care

[Hidden in reply to coksd]

It is the pits I was afraid to move from VHI last two years and I didn't, who is sorry now. I worked in a Credit Union and know a little about Credit Control. I think it was inappropriate to catch me before treatment. I know its a business, and they cant have losses. But I had been in contact with one of the finance team and pulled back as I felt I was doing far too much and was stressed. They will get a partial payment tomorrow maybe when treatment ends but they have to realise we cant pull money out of thin air too.

[coksd in reply to Hidden]

I can imagine its quite expensive treatment as its only in the private clinics was there an excess to pay for treatment as a course or on each visit VHI are so hard to understand with all their codes for treatment they never give a direct answer they nearly always say it depends if the doctor is covered and ask his code for the procedure and then they can charge an excess, have you to travel to Dublin much or stay up there for treatment I hope I get it done over the school holidays

[Hidden in reply to coksd]

I got my second treatment today have two next week but have accommodation sorted because there is no point in stressing my self out travelling up and down. Got a good rate in Clayton Leopardstown, I feel sunburnt on my left side and it is sore, but I had pain into my thigh and swelling and there is a very slight improvement in the swelling so hopefully this bodes good. I did know that sometimes there was a shortfall in the amount paid by VHI as heard it from one or two people previously. Today got an apology for being so hard on me on Wednesday.

[coksd in reply to Hidden]

I was just reading your older post VHI are appalling to deal with I rem a few years ago when I was pregnant I needed to have a scan because my babies kidney was enlarged and they were awful to be at a difficult time and it took a long time to rectify because the consultant they cover did the scan in a place that wasn't covered. I ended up paying and we just claimed back 20% from revenue the following year. If it was a thing you are not covered are u still working or if one of your children "technically paid the bill" you could claim back some tax on it maybe. Can they give you any topical cream for the sunburn pain I can imagine it is sore can you take painkillers. When I contacted the Hermitage they said its normally used for spinal, brain and lung tumors too but they discussed it at the mdt and said I was suitable because My oncologist in limerick is really against radiation for ovarian cancer he feels chemo is the best route.

[Hidden in reply to coksd]

I never got to the coffee morning I was too whacked with travelling and treatment. I am taking paracetamol, I have Tramadol and stronger but don't want to go there unless I have to, I just have to be careful with showering and use aqueous cream. Its not sore just stinging like sunburn does. I feel better this evening, the energy levels are better. I am staying in Dublin next week, its too taxing to travel up and down as I get pain after a while. Today I emailed Irish Cancer Society, probably all gobledy gook but got my point across that it was discrimination again gynae cancers. Beacon doesn't like idea that VHI put a doubt on the treatment recommended safest for me by one of their consultants so they are raisng that with VHI,

[IrishMollyO]

Hi Joan

I want to wish you all the best for successful treatment. It really sounds like a logical treatment in your situation and the best way to go. It’s such a pity that VHI are being annoyingly unhelpful . If other insurance companies can do it I don’t see why they can’t .

I’m sure you will be fine with lying still. I didn’t think I would be able to lie still for my Radiotherapy but nurses and staff are so helpful in getting patients to relax .

I’m presuming that you may miss the coffee morning but maybe not ?

Will be thinking of you and praying for you. Take care

XXX

💚💕

[Hidden in reply to IrishMollyO]

Hi Molly O, I got over the first anyhow, took bus to town as hadn't energy to walk to luas, had something light to eat and headed back to train. I am tired so tomorrow another trip. I updated my gynae liason nurse with my efforts on VHI front and my Onc is going to contact them. We need this treatment to come on board for Gynae patients. I hope to make Saturday, unless I am truly whacked. Its like I haven't seen anyone much in ages. As long as treatment works I don't mind to be honest.

[IrishMollyO in reply to Hidden]

Hi Joan

Glad you are over the first time and fingers crossed it’s the answer for you. It will be doubly wonderful if it works as it will pave the way for others to avail of it. All depends on that wonderful govt of ours of course ! Vicky Phelan got her good news yesterday that the immunotherapy drug she was given is working to shrink her tumor. It wasn’t meant to be used for Cervical cancer but there you go .

Will see you in Cork then . I am going tomorrow and will stay two nights. Will look forward to meeting you there.. take care

XXX

💚💕

[Suzanne333]

Thinking of you. Keep positive and strong. Xxxxx

[Hidden in reply to Suzanne333]

thank you Suzanne

[IrishMollyO in reply to Hidden]

Hi Joan

Just thinking of you and hoping all is going well as we missed you on Sat. Even though there was just a few of us there I was glad I came. If you are up to it let us know how you are doing. Take care

XXX

💚💕

[Hidden in reply to IrishMollyO]

Hi Molly O, I have four done now so far, I stayed in Dublin this week and found it less tiring to do so, The radiation is strong. I came home this evening and have one left for Tuesday next week. When treatment is completed, I return to my own Consultant here. I was in pjs last Saturday until lunch time no energy levels so didn't go to the coffee morning. I do feel guilty but was drained.

[IrishMollyO in reply to Hidden]

Delighted to hear from you Joan. I did think it was going to be too much going to the coffee morning while undergoing radiation . It’s very tiring and you needed to reserve your energy . Thank God you are almost there . Good luck with the remainder and the VHI problem . I hope that one gets resolved for you. Take care

XXX

💚💕

[Hidden in reply to IrishMollyO]

I found a huge difference in staying in Dublin last week, the Clayton Leopardstown does special room rates for patients at Beacon and I can claim back for accommodation. Next one is Tuesday and staying over again, I could get used to this yet. I feel no point in rushing back into town being squashed on the luas in this weather to get to Heuston and I will enjoy the rest. Nothing from VHI on my appeal as yet. But will go to the Insurance or Financial ombudsman if I have to. Why should gynae patients have to pay if they cover this treatment for brain and lungs, we all pay the same policy. I did make a payment but really unhappy with attitude of consultant on Friday, got a lot of I don't know so he can wait longer. He was talking about accepting partial payment from VHI but I haven't agree at all to that at all.

[IrishMollyO in reply to Hidden]

Hi Joan

It’s good you got the accommodation sorted out but the VHI dilemna is really frustrating. It’s not right either morally or logically . How can they just pick and choose ? I’m not surprised though since I realized that like many long term customers I was overpaying by a thousand a year. I changed to Irish Life this year and so glad I did. Meanwhile I hope you get answers soon . The main thing is

that the treatment has started . Take care

XXX

💚💕

[bquinnx]

Wishing you the very best this week and next week. This stress you are dealing with is appalling. Hoping you will get sorted with VHI. Mind yourself xc

[Hidden]

Hi B, just looking at the site now, Thank you so much. I stayed in Dublin, got special rates as a patient and it was worth in. I don't feel as washed out tonight as I did last Friday. I am waiting with abated breath to hear about my appeal. I am not sure what the hell is going on. I will pay the hospital but in small amounts, otherwise they would close the file once payment is made. I think I will look to my former work accountant for advice on this on Monday if she is free.

[Caroles1]

Good luck Suzuki, hope it knocks the blighters into touch

Love Carole xx

[Hidden]

Hi Carol, I have completed the treatment, it wasn't too hard to be honest, I am told the fatigue will escalate and also the inflammation for about ten days then I should get some relief.. I go back to my own consultant in a few weeks here at home tg