Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Mikee,

I've seen skin rashes and dryness mentioned before, but I missed those. Hopefully, you'll miss the nail-splitting. I swear I split a nail early on while wearing gloves, and I still always wear gloves when doing any kind of work on our property.

My Oncologist has a social worker who specializes in working with drug companies to help people afford their medication. In my case, we have to prove our family spends over 10% of our net income on medical bills to qualify for a special AstraZeneca program. We've qualified for these last 3 years, and we receive the drug shipped directly to our house. Check with your Oncologist, as there may be a program you qualify for.

Let us know what the VA says, as I know there are other vets in a similar position.

Thanks again for your info. I will follow what you say and let you know. AstraZenica is located very close to me. I am working with them but they have not mentioned any type of help.
I'll let you know..

Hi @mikee2all, Please follow up with your oncology department and/or AstraZenica. These drugs are so expensive, nearly all of us couldn't pay the out of pocket costs. I'm on a different targeted therapy, for a different mutation (ALK), and I know the manufacturer of that med has a few different assistance programs. Welcome, and let us know what you find out.

Mikee are you in the VA Health system? I am not - waited too long to get coverage after discharge from the Marines, and now I don’t qualify. So I couldn’t be much help in terms of process but I know there are people who can if you need that.

Yes, I am in their system and am talking to them now about an appointment.

I want to stay on Tagrisso and not sure they will continue it.

Thank you for your message and I will follow up and keep in touch.

Stay in touch. I have no idea how it works these days but I have vet buddies who live more than x
miles from a vet facility and they can pretty much use whoever they want for their care.

I have an appointment for 1st of February. Living in Costa Rica, I'll fly out a day before. I'll let you know....

Are you getting your diagnostics and treatment now on Costa Rica? I understand there is quite the ex-pat community there.

Yes, I am in the "CAJA", their medical system and have an appointment to see their oncologist the 23rd of January. I also have a private lung cancer specialist. She is the one that put me on Tagrisso, even though I paid for it. I will find out on the 23rd is the system will continue my Tagrisso.