Megan H. sent us an update on his recent appointments. We would like to send our gratitude to Megan to continue to share her story with the mesothelioma community. His last name is withheld on privacy.
Tell us about your treatment goes.
I was officially released from my oncologist Dr. Scoggins until April, when I come back to a scanner. Meanwhile, he referred me to a specialist in chemotherapy to James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, Ky. I went to this appointment yesterday.
Dr. Sharma will run a scan on Monday to make sure I had no new cancer growth CHIP since my surgery in September. He does not want to recommend chemo just for the sake of it. If I continue to have problems, or start to feel pain, it's just a phone call away.
Can you describe your experience with the James Graham Brown Cancer Center?
The Brown Cancer Center will always be there for me if I have chemo from there or not. They have many options to help me deal with this terrible disease that has consumed my life for several months. I have tons of resources available, such as group sessions, a therapist and someone help me with my bills.
I felt amazing after walking on this appointment. For the first time in months, I felt the most relief I felt. For once, I'm finally able to have my questions answered and not another setback. I have my fingers crossed that everything comes out clean on my scanner, and confirm that I do not need additional chemotherapy. The possibility of being able to have my own family is still there. I do not now have to worry that this horrible disease has ruined my chance of one day becoming a mom.
How did you feel from your CHIP surgery?
Since my surgery, I had a headache every day. Some days they are so horrible that it is the headache keeping me down, not the recovery process. Both Dr. Scoggins and Dr. Sharma have been able to arrange for me to see a neurologist on Monday after my scanner. They are concerned about these headaches. It is rare to have a headache went so far out of post-surgery.
I am a very happy-go-lucky person, and it's not like me to constantly go to bed and wake up with a headache I can not even explain. When pain is showing no signs which resulted from my epidural. The next step is to see a neurologist and receive an MRI.
What are your plans for the future?
I will return back to work at the funeral home by the middle of December. After the start of the year rolls around, I want to start some kind of program for the families we serve who have lost a loved one to cancer. No matter what type of cancer of their past, they will be invited to participate loved.
My first objective of the advocacy program is to hold an annual candlelight vigil and a few speakers of different associations speak. I have not yet found a name for what I want to call, but I came up with a slogan. "To honor, to heal and give hope," During this special service, I would honor the loved ones who have passed, to help everyone continues to heal and give hope to others who may be going through the same thing. I finally want to turn this into more than just a service once a year.
Yes, I understand only a funeral home would be the last place anyone would come after losing a loved one, but it will help you take me to many more opportunities to become a lawyer. I feel very strongly about awareness. Compassion I have for my work affects those suffering through cancer, the unspoken word no one wants to use.
What you kept going during treatment?
I'm living proof that the power of prayer works wonders, and all it takes is a support system, a good attitude and great doctors. I give all my troubles to God. I was blessed beyond belief.
There have been times when I feel abandoned and all my friends look at me with pity. I felt like their smiles were just pity washed. As much as I need financial aid, I have emotional support as well. It's been a long road so far, but short compared to what others have experienced. I know there are others in this world suffer much worse than I am. Invoices can build whatever they want, but as long as my support system is still there, even just having someone's shoulder to cry on, is all that matters at the end of the day.
What were your biggest challenges?
Funding is a major burden, no matter what type of health problem anyone dealing with. We all know how the economy was. My biggest battle was my insurance claims my cancer is "pre-existing." There is no way that this is possible, and I got it confirmed by four doctors now. So now begins the battle with insurance. It is very frustrating to me that we live in one of the larger countries, but millions of people die each year because they can not financially afford the health care they need. it is a sad, sad.
We are happy Megan sharing his stories with us and we wish him the best. If you want to ask a question or share your personal story, feel free to Login please with us on Twitter, Facebook or email.
