Tamoxigang thread 49 when Sumer is y cumen in and we get out the Pimms

[Lilymaid]

New thread!

that is deeply annoying about your income insurance nelson, is there any way to challenge that?

I'm afraid not traviata it's in the small print...... I'd never heard of DCIS until I got diagnosed with it.

Thanks for the comments on insurance. We're looking for a new year long policy in the expectation of doing more activity holidays next year. Dh says that he thinks Bengo will cover us, but he needs to ask some more questions tomorrow.

Oops - left my post too long before actually posting. I'll have a look at Insurepink and Insure & Go, thank you traviata and wee.

I'm sorry to hear about your income insurance nelson. I'm actually deeply skeptical about insurance and suspect that if I did break a leg on holiday, the insurance company would find a way to say that I only broke it because I had breast cancer.

I agree updating...

nelson I am shocked at your income support not paying out on dcis.
I think that's disgraceful.

Unfortunately I think you will need to allow about 4 weeks to recover enough to run guests rooms. But that's just my opinion. Could you get any temp help?

We have paid into this insurance for well over a decade as we are well aware of needing some sort of protection (critical illness cover) when you are self employed.
Diagnoses has to have the word 'invasive' in it otherwise they won't pay out.... I wonder how many people know this? I genuinely didn't even know cancer could be ' in situ'. Don't get me wrong,I am very lucky it IS 'in situ' as unless sentinel node biopsy proves otherwise I should be ok.
Problem is,I still have to go through a mastectomy and the follow up reconstructive surgery in order to stop it from becoming 'invasive' but am not considered ill enough to be needing any time off work to recover..... foofooyeah I also thought 4 weeks would not be unreasonable for recovery time but I can't afford that.
We are just about to hit 'high season' and it would take me weeks to train someone up to my standards. Dread to think what a few less favourable reviews on 'Trip Advisor' and the likes would do to my business
The business is also part of our house,so I'm not sure I could face strangers roaming through my house and having to make small talk if I accidently bump into them after major surgery like that (Am I over reacting when I think of a mastectomy as major surgery?)
Lots of very kind friends and family have offered to help me out and I will take them up on it,but being a guesthouse host really isn't for everyone.
I just think "would you like it if you booked a weekend/week at a guesthouse and when you get there it turns out a bunch of inexperienced people are trying to run it (although well meaning ones) ?
I would probably still be called upon to deal with stuff and I would still have to deal with all the bookings so I would find it very hard to relax.
Sorry,just having a bit of a moan here,but it does worry me

Dashing out so just a quicky, Nelson is there any way of using the actual operation (rather than the DCIS) as a trigger for the insurance? If a Doctor says its a necessary operation, would that be enough?

I had had critical illness cover which was a godsend for us as DH is self employed and so doesn't earn when he doesn't work and obviously has had to take time off to look after the boys. We would have been in real financial trouble without it.

nelson, I'm so sorry your insurance company are being so difficult, it's disgraceful. I'm another worrying about you being able to run your business to the standard you would like. I haven't had a mx but I do have two scars and had a GA. Not wishing to scare anyone who is facing surgery, because its very manageable, but you will need a bit of looking after yourself. You'll be sore and tired and you will have restricted movement for a few weeks.

What wine says sounds sensible, you are having serious surgery. I was asked by a nurse the morning of my operation if I needed a sick note - does that not trigger your insurance?

nelson just ad another thought. My bcn said they/doctors frequently have to write to insurance companies on behalf of patients to sort out problems. It would be worth giving yours a call, obviously your surgery is vital to you, but I don't know if DCIS always requires a MX.

Thanks all for your replies . I'm seeing my specialist this morning and was going to have a chat with him about it. My MX is necessary as I'm small breasted (A) and my lumps are 4cmx3cm and 2cmx2cm ..... A lumpectomy would not leave an awful lot as it is unfortunately and as far as I know if there is more than 1 lump they usually do a MX anyway. I am going to down that route and see if my specialist wants to write a letter on my behalf stressing the need for the surgery and the fact that I need to be able to take time of work due to the nature of my work being very physical. One can but try....

Good luck, I think you have a really good case, fingers crossed. It's having to deal with things like this that add hugely to the stress.

Sorry, really hope my post didn't come over as "I'm alright Jack", just wanted to sympathise how hard it is when you're self-employed.

Nelson hope you got on ok at your appointment today. It does seem bad that you are not covered because it's DCIS I hope you can get something sorted.

Hope everyone is enjoying the sun, wish I was but work to do, mustn't complain though !

Hi,just come back.Went through the whole procedure and luckily they have printed it all out too as I'm not sure how much of it 'stuck'.
With regards to insurance,specialist was very sympathetic and said it was probably best to wait till after the op. Get the papermill going and then she will fill out a full report and see how far we get. Feeling exhausted,is that normal?

yes, normal, it is all so much to take on board, and make unexpected changes of plan. Be kind to yourself.

All the emotion is shattering, Nelson. Not to mention managing appointments, information etc. Grief is very very tiring, and there's a lot of grief tied up in a cancer diagnosis.

wren you've just made me cry.... (need it) Think you've hit the nail on the head there.I think I am grieving

Nelson. It is a tiring process with taking on board so much information and all the visits to the hospital. I found reading a bit at a time helped as sometimes there is just too much to take in.

Had pre assessment today. Am getting the extra FEC with some different drugs to see if that helps. My second tiny lump turns out to be her2+ so I will get docetaxol with Herceptin after the FEC. It just seems strange that I have two different types. Has anybody else had that? Does Herceptin have side effects?

Sorry to have made you cry, nelson. It is hard, but of course I shouldn't have said cancer diagnosis as yours is DCIS...

speedy, I hope the extra drugs do the trick. There is someone else on this thread I'm sure who has different cancers in each breast. Can't recall right now who it is, but I'm sure someone helpful will be along in a moment.

wren It's ok. I'm fine now,just have the odd moment . That's another thing I don't quite grasp,the confusion about DCIS and cancer. As far as I'm aware it is cancer,it's just 'in situ' so should be unable to get anywhere else? That's why they do the sentinel node biopsy isn't it? To check if it has traveled elsewhere? Been given a date for the mastectomy now,2nd July,lots to organised beforehand.

I thought dcis was pre cancerous, but may or may not turn into cancer if left ? Could be wrong though

Glad you have a date anyway

Speedy I'm sure there is someone else who has 2 types, is it zombie ?

Is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Breast Cancer? (March 2013)

What is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)?

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is breast cancer, but it is non-invasive (stage 0). “Ductal” means “related to the milk ducts” and “in situ” means "in place." With DCIS, the cancer cells are contained within the milk ducts. Because the cancer cells have not invaded nearby breast tissue, DCIS is not invasive breast cancer.

This is how it was explained to me,but I know opinions vary.

Speedy - I think mine are different so likely to be on herceptin for one.