Monday, May 4, 2009

How expensive can cancer treatment get

How expensive can cancer treatment get?
My wife is being advised to go on Nubogen to maintain her white blood cell count while on chemo for breast cancer. The cost will be $2200 per 10 day cycle. We have 5 cycles to go. It's like we've plummetted into a dark pharmaceutical hole. Any suggestions on what is next as far as medical bills? Are there generic drugs out there? Thanks, Vince
Cancer - 4 Answers
 

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1 :
Contact American Cancer Society. This link has a phone number and other information. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp?level=0 Hope it helps you, they helped us with my Mom.
2 :
Have you asked the doctor about Neulasta instead? According the the Amgen web site, "NEUPOGEN® requires 10 or 11 injections per chemotherapy cycle; Neulasta® calls for only one injection per cycle." Don't know if it's appropriate for your wife, but it can't hurt to simply ask the question. Sometimes doctors are oblivious to the cost factor. Good luck to you and your wife.
3 :
I passed 6 cycle of chemotherapy with no cost. In Serbia, there is a a medical insurance if you don't have work, so you will not pay chemo. If you work, your work medical insurance will cover it, or if you are retired, there is a medical insurance. So in any case you will not pay chemotherapy. There were stories about kids getting cancer in Serbia because of US bombings in 1999, as for the poor uranium in bombs. Maybe thats why I had it, ah? As my building was very close to the building that was bombed by US tomahawks (3 of them, didnt crashed the building, shame)., so we all must have been received some radiation from that. So, as for that aggressive politic of states in other countries, have you asked your self, how much money does the kids in IRAQ have to spend to cure their cancers? Neupogen or Neulasta is the medicine for side effects in chemo. Please monitor the count of Neutrophiles for your wife, as these white blood cells are defensors for the organism, the specific type of white blood cells that boost our immune system. I would recomend Neulasta (can be found in US) as for side effects (not from chemo but from the medicine). Neulasta will not giver you high fever after injection. Its a simple small injection that boost the movement of Neutrophiles (these pretty cell are defense). Also, Neulasta and Neupogen (I can not belive that they offered you Neupogen just because it is cheaper), can not make Neutrophiles (thats done inside of our bones), but just group that and make them move faster. If your blood count of neutrophiles goes under 1.0 please use a mask over a face, because of easy infections. You must use a mask inside of a room where is your wife, or any other visitors, untill the Neutrophiles goes back over 4.3. My mother was making me every day, a juice of dry yeast (two spoons), one small red root (I dont know the name in english, its like a sallad, dark red root from inside, and producing a lot of dark red juice, Beets), together with two carrots and one big apple. Its a minerals and Vitamins boost, thats good to have, one glass daily in a morning. Also, get Echinacea in pills, its a herb, for boosting the immune system. IMPORTANT TO HAVE ECHINACEA. Get Noni in the bottle, its expensive, but good. Try to consult with a friend doctor, one oncologist want listen to herb and vitamins story. As I had internet with laptop in a medical room al the time of the therapy I was, searching, buying on net all what I was thinking thats good for me. Better to eat stupid hospital food, and not receiving medical information that you need. Doctors just want ot go by the present procedure in cancer theraphy, and its a global, should be more individual approach. Use the search for specific type of cancer of the breast. Womans also can be very depressed when the hair goes off, so get a wig or pirate scarf for the head. I wen from Dominican Republic to Serbia to do chemo, had 6 months two scarfs on the head, Dominican flag, and Disney pink with mickey mouses. Dont let your wife feel sad, you must help her in these moments, when the patient feels desperate. 809 257 4445, Milos Korac Dont invent with generic drugs, listen to your doctor and follow the procedure, with a little help of our friends, vitamines
4 :
If you are talking about the drug Neupogen (Neulasta) then be aware that the manufacturer has a patient assistance program which might help pay part or all of the cost of your wife's drug costs. Whether you qualify would depend on your income and insurance status but if you are paying full price out of pocket I am guessing you would probably qualify for assistance. Here is the Amgen contact info for the Patient Assistance Program. good luck to you and your wife http://www.amgen.com/patients/assistance_neulasta_neupogen.html



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