thank you sincerely...he's not oncology he was hit by a car and is in icu...please forgive me for entering your discussion under a different matter...I wish everyone the best of health....im just so afraid for my husbands life that im seeking advice on every avenue I can find
@mutwo I have replied to you in another discussion, but I'll post here too. To inquire if a transfer to a Mayo Clinic ICU, please call the Mayo location of your choice (Arizona, Florida or Minnesota) listed on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Transferring ICU units anywhere in the country may be challenging at the moment given the concerns with COVID-19. I hope for the best outcome for you and your husband.
Meka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
Meka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
Hello, @eott6913 -- that is a critical question when dealing with a serious illness like lung cancer about how long the process might take -- getting approved, seeing a doctor and getting referred back to your oncologist, as you mentioned here. Here I'm tagging a few members who have talked about the VA, military service or who might otherwise have knowledge about how things work with the VA, like @johnledford@dogwithem@johnbishop@paladin121@andtridd63 @19lin@1jonwilcox@johnjames@melissa23@tntredhead@missisays7@predictable@retairforceman and @latersbaby15. Hoping they can tell you about whether they've dealt with the VA and give you an idea of how long this process might take for your husband.
Although this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
Although this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
My 72 year old husband has stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. It is non operable and he has 3 new nodes. He has had 5 chemo (carbo/taxal) and 30 radiation treatments. We are currently in the ER after side effects from 2nd immunotherapy (durvalumab/imfinzi) treatment. They are running lots of tests to ensure no damage to organs. Scary stuff and a little disheartening. We are both hanging in there.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
thank you sincerely...he's not oncology he was hit by a car and is in icu...please forgive me for entering your discussion under a different matter...I wish everyone the best of health....im just so afraid for my husbands life that im seeking advice on every avenue I can find
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionthank you sincerely for the number I am calling
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHope you get answers!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@mutwo I have replied to you in another discussion, but I'll post here too. To inquire if a transfer to a Mayo Clinic ICU, please call the Mayo location of your choice (Arizona, Florida or Minnesota) listed on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Transferring ICU units anywhere in the country may be challenging at the moment given the concerns with COVID-19. I hope for the best outcome for you and your husband.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionsthank you sincerely...I pray that he is receiving the care that he needs to recover and pray for the facilities and world that we all live in
Meka here, I wish I could say something positive about VA care, I am 100 percent and when diagnosed with lung cancer last year, was given one treatment choice after three months, told it was metistatic and I had maybe a year. No to second opinion, no to a larger VA with better cancer treatments. Luckily turned 65, and thank goodness Mayo accepted me. It's costing me money, but been through too much to just give it up. Yes, I have outlived their expiration date and planning on keeping on!!! Good luck!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@meka- You are rocking girl! I agree, never give up, never say never. 🙂
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsAlthough this is an older post, I thought I might add a bit in case someone is browsing.
The VA can certainly be difficult to navigate but once you find the key players your frustration will lessen considerably. Patient advocates are a great resource as are most VSOs. If you are going through cancer treatments contact the Cancer Navigation team at your nearest VA medical Center. Ours has 3 full time Social Workers who are all amazing.
Not only can they answer questions and concerns, they can start processes for equipment requests, second opinion requests, palliative or hospice care, help speed up authorizations through VA Community Care or just be an understanding ear. They have even helped us with getting community care records added to my husband's VA file and advised us when we filed an increased service connected disability rating due to lung cancer.
Wishing everyone the best of luck on this incredibly difficult journey.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you, @akjckc. People do reference older discussions, especially when there is valuable information and practical tips like you offered here.
Social workers and patient navigators are such fabulous assets to your team, especially when dealing with cancer or chronic condition.
What type of lung cancer does your husband have? How is he doing? How are you doing?
My 72 year old husband has stage 4 squamous cell lung cancer. It is non operable and he has 3 new nodes. He has had 5 chemo (carbo/taxal) and 30 radiation treatments. We are currently in the ER after side effects from 2nd immunotherapy (durvalumab/imfinzi) treatment. They are running lots of tests to ensure no damage to organs. Scary stuff and a little disheartening. We are both hanging in there.