Friend of the Family Diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer.

[IdaBriggs]

Didn't have health insurance, so she didn't get checked like she should have. Started not feeling right, but didn't have health insurance, so she didn't go to the doctor right away.

She's scheduled for a full mastectomy next week, with some more tests to find out how badly it has spread into her lymph nodes.

Her prognosis is not good. I asked my mother who was going to pay for her medical treatment, and my mother didn't know. She is one of my mother's best friends, and my mother is pretty shook up right now.

Things aren't looking real good right now. Jenny is a very sweet person who is self-employed as a hair dresser. "Extra" money this year was spent on going to the out of state funerals of two close family members.

Wish there was something I could do to help; the fact this might have been caught "early" if she had been able to afford the screening is making me ill.

President Kerry had a plan to help people like Jenny; George W. Bush and the Republicans who support(ed) him can ... words fail me.

:cry:

[Sub Atomic]

1. I'm so sorry, Ida.

My best friend died of cancer two months ago.

[IdaBriggs]

2. I'm sorry for your loss.

And thank you for your support. :hug:

[Cerridwen]

3. I'm so sorry to hear! Awful, no criminal.

It's criminal that whether we live or die is decided by our financial status or benefits.

I'm so sorry for your friend and your mom and you and ...

[IdaBriggs]

6. I agree, and thank you for your support.

I'm still feeling so sad about it....:(

[jojo54]

4. I'm sad to hear of your news Ida.

My sister was diagnosed with stage 2 uterine cancer last November. She's had the surgery, been through chemo and will start her radiation therapy shortly.

She had just lost her job, so her estranged hubby stepped up to the plate and paid for her major medical option through her job. If he had not done that, I don't know how she would have paid for all this (over $100K so far). She's my best friend and I don't know what I'd do without her.

I'll keep you and your friend in my thoughts.

[IdaBriggs]

7. Thank you -- and warm thoughts to your sister, too.

It was nice of her estranged hubby to step up to the plate -- that was pretty classy of him.

[Ilsa]

5. Oh God, Stage 4. I am so sorry. And I had to nag one of my sisters

with insurance to go get a mammogram because she is 50 and hasn't had one in more than a decade. I also gave her a list of other blood tests (thyroid, cholesterol, BP) and procedural screenings (like sigmoid- or colonoscopy) she should have at her age.

Insurance can make all of the difference in the world to those who will go get the screenings they need.

[IdaBriggs]

8. I'm glad you nagged your sister. And I agree about the insurance.

:(

[Lochloosa]

9. IdaBriggs my Mom had stage 4 in both breasts....

that was 15 years ago. Don't give up yet.

[IdaBriggs]

10. Thanks, Lochloosa. I'll pass that message on to my mom to pass to Jenny.

All I've heard so far is "mastectomy" and "fast growing" and "lymph nodes." Its good to get some hope! :)