I've been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma

I am going to Beijing tomorrow to a world famous cancer clinic/hospital, also the largest cancer clinic in Asia to get a second opinion after going to a hospital in a smaller city outside of Beijing. Never hurts to get a 2nd and even 3rd opinion, right?

It really sucks because I am not afraid of the cancer so much as how much it will cost, if I go back to America. I hear treatment for cancer in the states is extremely high. The problem is, I was under my moms health care until 18, then I was under whatever basic health coverage the average University in the states gives you from 18-23 and now I am in China and have Chinese coverage. But if I were to go back to America, after two years, I would be without insurance, at no fault of my own (been abroad for two years) so what could I possibly do to pay for the treatment? I am certainly too poor to pay on my own and even my family struggle these days. Could I go under my mothers insurance, or could her insurance pay for it? Otherwise, I have no clue what to do.

On average, does anyone have any idea of the basic costs of treatment for Hodgkins disease. Lets say stage 2 (has not been staged yet) for a 25 year old? Any kind of estimate would be good, but I have read that America has one of the highest price tags for treatment.

 

:grouphug: I am so sorry to read that.

Stage I or II actually has a really good treatment and survival rate. 90% over a 10 year marker, which is excellent. Not that it feels that way when you are told you have it.

Always get more than one opinion. Also make sure that you ask about clinical trials that might be available. You can also check on this for state side as many clinical trials are funded, so cost if any is relatively low. Many clinical trials are not only beneficial but they are also cutting edge as far as new medications and treatment regimes. Look at all options and never let yourself feel like you are boxed in.

Make sure you have a rapport and comfortable feeling dealing with your oncologist. If not, then change right away. This is probably the most important person in your treatments.

Try to always have someone with you when you go for any appointments with your radiologist or oncologist as they will give you so much information that at times it is overwhelming and another pair of ears helps. Keep a note book that is ongoing and take that with you. Note anything that comes to mind in between appointments. Sometimes the most trivial details really become important.

Chemo is far harder on the body than radiation. Radiation is exhausting because of the frequency. So it will depend on if they combine the treatments or start with one and then boost in the other. It will also depend on the combo or cocktail that they give you. Ride the treatments instead of fighting them, it does go easier.

You would not be covered under your mothers plan anymore due to age and not having resided here for that long. Unfortunately many treatments are not also covered by insurance. Do not let that get you down as it does not necessarily mean that there is nothing there to help you. So ask your oncologist about what programs they have for not only financial assistance but also for counseling. They usually have a full compliment of professionals that help you to sort out all that needs to be done including the actual financial.

It may actually be better for you to remain where you are for treatments, not only because of the financial. Most clinical trails are done there, so that is another option you may have to consider. Once they are approved, then they tend to be allowed here. Like it or not and it could be a good thing you are sitting on the hot bed of clinical trials. They do work, it is where all the new meds and tests come from.

Most importantly, do not give up hope.

The second most important thing to do is be good to yourself during this time and take the time for you to just be where you are with all of it.

I am going to be thinking of you. If you are up to it, let us know how you are doing. If you want to rant a little or scream.......let it rip. If you want a hug, just show up.

Heather

 

I'm sorry that you have cancer, brother.

In addition to the conventional treatments, you may want to also get acupuncture and chinese herbal medicine while you are there. You should be able to get world class care there. You should tell your md if you get this.

You may also want to try doing tai chi or other qi gong practice on a daily basis.

I also recommend seeking out a qi gong healer. I know it sounds weird, but if you find a dude who is high level at this, this stuff actually works.

 

In the states, it is required you have health insurance..and even if you have insurance, you have to find a facility that will accept your coverage. My father was battling cancer last year and was going to a hospital in town for his treatments, but his insurance wasn't covering his treatment. It was very nerve-wracking. Fortunately, there is a lot of free health care in America, and due to the new health care reform, they can not deny you for pre-existing conditions.

Good luck to you, though. My heart goes out to you

 

I was sent a e-mail which claims that an asparagus cure for cancer and a few other related problems. I have tried to copy and paste it but to no avail. If you are interested in this e-mail pm me with your e-mail address and I will send it to you.

 

Asparagus -- Who Knew?

This is from a friend

My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style
Asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in
The morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did
This for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3
Lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell
Count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week.
Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3
Months.

THE ARTICLE:
Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a
Friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy of
An article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in
Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it
Here, just as it was shared with me: I am a biochemist,
And have specialized in the relation of diet to health
For over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the
Discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. That asparagus
Might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked with him on
His project. We have accumulated a number of favorable
Case histories. Here are a few examples:

Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case of
Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who was
Completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting the
Asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to detect any
Signs of cancer, and he was back on a schedule of
Strenuous exercise.

Case No. 2, a successful businessman 68 years old who
Suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years. After
Years of medical treatments, including radiation without
Improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3 months,
Examinations revealed that his bladder tumor had
Disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.

Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th
1971, he was put on the operating table where they found
Lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The
Surgeon sewed him up and declared his case hopeless. On
April 5th he heard about the Asparagus therapy and
Immediately started taking it By August, x-ray pictures
Revealed that all signs of the cancer had disappeared..
He is back at his regular business routine.

Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of
Years with skin cancer. She finally developed different
Skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting
Specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting
On asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin
Looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman
Reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her
Kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10
Operations for kidney stones, and was receiving
Government disability payments for an inoperable,
Terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of
This kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.

I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of
Material medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the
University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was
Used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even
Referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of
Asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!
We would have other case histories but the medical
Establishment has interfered with our obtaining some of
The records. I am therefore appealing to readers to
Spread this good news and help us to gather a large
Number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical
Skeptics about this unbelievably simple and natural remedy..

For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked before
Using, and therefore canned asparagus is just as good as
Fresh. I have corresponded with the two leading canners
Of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that
These brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.
Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to
Make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the
Patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and
Evening. Patients usually show some improvement in from
2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a
Cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on
Present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do
No harm and may be needed in some cases. As a biochemist
I am convinced of the old saying that `what cures can
Prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I have been
Using asparagus puree as a beverage with our meals. We
Take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to suit our taste
With breakfast and with dinner. I take mine hot and my
Wife prefers hers cold. For years we have made it a
Practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our
Regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a
Medical doctor who specializes in the nutritional
Approach to health, showed substantial improvements in
all categories over the last one, and we can attribute
these improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink.
As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all
aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures.. As a
result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better
with the latest theories about cancer.

Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called
histones, which are believed to be active in controlling
cell growth.. For that reason, I believe asparagus can
be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth
normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and
in acting as a general body tonic. In any event,
regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a
harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from
using it and it may do you much good. It has been
reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that
asparagus is the highest tested food containing
glutathione, which is considered one of the body's most
potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

​

 

I'm sorry man. Last night I saw the most interesting program on PBS. A genius type guy has/is in the process of designing chemicals to fight cancer. They showed a typical molecule that he designed with a core of a cancer fighting chemical inside of another molecule(can't remember what the second one was for) disguised by a water molecule to fool the body's immune system. It delivers the first molecule ,the cancer fighting one,directly to single cancer cells. Sounded like a huge advance. The man is a research chemist and has 700 patents. My computer is somewhat infected ,so I can't get to PBS. I don't know if it's perfected or if there's a test program going on , but I hope whomever needs more info can find this.

 

And why is it that you cannot buy health insurance once you move to the U.S.? With the new healthcare reforms, the health insurance companies cannot deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition (cancer).

Good luck.

 

This has been some what debunked. It was a mass email mail out started in 2006. Not that Asparagus is not a powerful food that has properties that help a persons immune system recover but that it is able to be linked to the studies mentioned or supported by what is claimed.

There is nothing wrong with boosting your own system through natural means but that does not make it a cure.

From Snoopes: http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/asparagus.asp

 

While they can not deny coverage the premiums if you have a pre-existing condition are beyond the reach of most people.

So yes they will cover you at a cost that is impossible for the average person to pay.

 

Just throwing it out there. I know I would be willing to give anything a try. Thanks.

 

Agree with you and totally support those who not only use traditional medicines.

Food, supplements, alternative treatments and a positive mental attitude all have a place in health.

Plus I love asparagus!!

 

I have to agree with that.

 

Have you ever heard of 'The China Study' by Dr T Colin Campbell? If not, for sure check it out or try reading about the Gerson therapy or Michio Kushi's Macrobiotic Diet. Hope that helps and that your health has improved.
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