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Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

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Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#31

Post by dammit_lump »

Update: thanks for all the encouragement. Looks like this was caught early so I am fairly optimistic about the outlook, just wish it didn't need to affect others around me as I face it.

I should note that I haven't actually signed up for insurance at my new employer yet, as that's typically done after the first day. And my old employers' coverage ends on the 31st. I'm going to check out Cobra to tide me over. Does anyone have an opinion on the prospect of sticking with Cobra and perhaps asking my new employer to help out with the premium versus being on their health insurance? If I did need to eventually transfer to their insurance I think new Healthcare Laws would mean I couldn't be denied coverage due to pre-existing condition. I'll do some digging.

And btw fiancé has been helping from the beginning and we are dealing with this together -- she's a keeper.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#32

Post by nulltype »

fleitz wrote: post #24
88e282102ae2e5b wrote: post #8

Imagine you didn't have cancer, but I told you that if you killed yourself, I'd give everyone at your startup an extra $200/month for a couple years (or however long you would've worked there). That's it. That's the entire deal. Would you take it? I imagine not, but that's essentially what you're proposing. Everyone will want you to survive, and anyone who begrudges you for being human because it cost them a trivial…

Even if it's a large amount of money tell them to go stuff themselves.

Well what if this person was unemployed or unable to work? I think that maybe having health care depend on your employer is a bad idea.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#33

Post by tptacek »

dammit_lump wrote: post #31

Update: thanks for all the encouragement. Looks like this was caught early so I am fairly optimistic about the outlook, just wish it didn't need to affect others around me as I face it. I should note that I haven't actually signed up for insurance at my new employer yet, as that's typically done after the first day. And my old employers' coverage ends on the 31st. I'm going to check out Cobra to tide me over. Does an…

No, do not do the COBRA thing. Opt in to your employer's group coverage. COBRA expires. You are not responsible for optimizing your employer's health insurance premiums and will probably have far less of an impact on them than you're worrying about.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#35

Post by bitJericho »

ams6110 wrote: post #20

Be sure you don't let your insurance lapse. Go on COBRA if you have to until your new policy is in force. If you let coverage lapse more than about 30 days you are more likely be hit with a pre-existing condition exclusion. You say fiance; if you are not actually married her plan may not cover you? Unless they cover "domestic partners" not actually married (some will, some won't). Anyway, manage the insurance situati…

Pre existing conditions is not a thing anymore. Thanks a lot Obama.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#37

Post by JosephMama »

I got diagnosed with a lymphoma (Hodgkin's) in my early thirties. Otherwise healthy also. With your age and lumps in the armpit, it sounds like lymphoma. Luckily, lymphoma treatment has a pretty good success rate. A few things I would recommend.

Get a biopsy. Getting cut open sucks, but until they take a tissue sample, they really can only guess. Get it as soon as possible.

If you decide to take 'normal' western treatments (chemo/radiation), before you start, bank sperm or eggs, depending on your sex. I had a difficult time beating mine, and the chemos I eventually took left me sterile.

If you are an American, get in contact with the American Cancer Society. I can't say enough good things about this organization. They should be able to help with financial options for you, as well as alternative therapies and medical trials. If you qualify for some of the trials, the cost may be reduced.

If you decide to go with chemo, it affects different people differently. I personally had 5 different types, with effects ranging from nauseous for a couple of days to unable to move. You may be able to work through it, you may not. But your co-employees will generally have nothing but empathy for you.

Don't delay treatments. The success rate only goes down with time.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#38

Post by essayist »

Six and a half years ago, my wife was diagnosed with cancer. I'm fairly level-headed, and there was initially all the project management of tests and doctors' visits and insurance company stuff and test results to deal with, which kept the feelings of "poor her", "poor us" at bay. And then I remembered that her son (first marriage) had successfully dealt with HIV, other friends with cancers of various sorts, and so forth.

Now cancer is serious, and you're still going through the diagnosis and test roller coaster (and it sucks), but there are lots of different ways that this can come out, and I'd agree the signs, so far, are ok to good.

You're not an albatross. This is what insurance is for, precisely. And you're not just a co-worker, you're a friend, a human being, and you'll give your friends and colleagues a chance to express their care and concern, to help.

Live a day at a time, take the diagnosis seriously, use all the skills you have to understand what you're dealing with, and hang in there.

And it still sucks, and I'm so sorry.

PS. After a nasty but standard protocol of chemo (including a drug called -- I kid you not - 4FU, because 2FU just wouldn't do) and radiation, she came out on the other side, and we've been swing dancing, and skiing, and loving, and all that jazz, so nowadays people get lucky a lot.

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#39

Post by pasbesoin »

The People's Pharmacy is a public radio show produced in the U.S. Over the years and with occasional listening, I've found it very informative and useful.

The other day or week, I heard part of this episode while doing other things. I haven't listened to the whole thing, yet. I do recall hearing about patients who pursued e.g. nutritional reinforcement and who self-advocated, sometimes having to go through several doctors to find the one they could work with.

I hate to be one of those "try this" people. But based on the overall quality of the show, I'd feel remiss not to mention this episode.

Wishing you the best.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2015/05/21/955-surviving-canc...

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/feed/podcast/

http://traffic.libsyn.com/peoplespharmacy/PP-955SurvivingCan...

Re: Ask HN: I Have Cancer. What Should I Do?

#40

Post by sirspazzolot »

Others in this thread have first-hand experience with cancer and have offered better advice than I could try to, and I don't have anything else substantial to contribute. I just want to wish you good luck with your new job if you proceed there, and many years of happiness with your soon-to-be wife!
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