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I was diagnosed with DCIS (Stage 0) two months ago. I had a lumpectomy a week ago; margins were clear, and no lymph node was involved. I am debating about radiation therapy and anti-estrogen therapy. When deciding to go against the advice of the tumor board, how does this impact your insurance coverage and coverage under sick leave or FMLA? The nasty side effects of these treatments cause me to have insomnia thinking about my available treatment. Has anyone opted to do no treatment, and if so, what was the regimen of choice, and how are you doing thus far? Only after the lumpectomy it all sunk in, and I am mentally experiencing emotions I never experienced during the initial diagnosis. its a lot to take in.
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I post this with a qualifier that I am not an expert in Human Resources. However, I used FMLA and was never asked to provide treatment details … only PCP signing off on ppwk to verify that I couldn’t work.
Anecdotally I have not heard of anyone being denied coverage in the future if they opted out of certain treatments.
I am not yet on Medicare still have group insurance through employer.
Please share if you experience something different!
Best to you!
I will jump onto the pile here and just say, it is pretty common to have all of this emotion and insomnia after you have the lumpectomy, because now it’s your turn to think about the decisions and the long term possibilities. I don’t know anyone who is diagnosed and facing treatment that isn’t considering side effects and quality of life. I promise it will get easier, and don’t be afraid to ask for support where you need it.
I agree with most of the others that many women take these drugs with no problem at all, they usually are not posting on forums although this one is better than most in that effect.
I took anti estrogen therapy for 15 years and I would do it again, the side effects were not horrible and it was something I could do to help prevent recurrence.
Radiation wasn’t horrible, mine was long and exhausting but that was almost 20 years ago and barely even resembles what radiation looks like today. Again, I would do it again if I needed to.
All of that being said, remember you get the most important vote in your treatment plan. The doctors job is to make sure you can make a well informed decision by giving you the risk and benefit information of the choices. My doctor said he is a risk manager. Lol
Do you have a little time before your appointment? Have you already received the recommendations for treatment or discussed these with your doctor?
Making treatment decisions after my lumpectomy for DCIS stage 0 with clear margins and a really good pathology report has been just as hard as dealing with the original diagnosis. I avoided a lot of research until after I had initial appointments with the radiation oncologist and the medical oncologist. I understand no one can make the decision for me--wish they could (smile). But at 65 with the great surgery outcome and 0 stage, I want to avoid radiation since reputable research suggests there can be DCIS over treatment. I do plan to do hormone therapy even if I pass on radiation. Just wondering if others in my situation and butterflyeffect777 decided against radiation.
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Dear Butterflyeffect777, I have similar case, I declined radiation treatment, took Tamoxifen 5mg for about 2 month. Then I stopped it because of bad side effects. I did MRI after 6 months surgery, and will have MRI another one in 6 months. I choose to change my life style, I applied FMLA too, but I decided to have my retirement to decrease stress, I exercises daily, and have healthy diets. etc. I also experienced insomnia, I am taking Melatonin and it helps. Wish you the best.