I thought it might be about time to give folks an update on Bob and my boob. I've been afraid to say much before now because I thought I might jinx something. I can be superstitious that way. Anyway, the surgeon gave my boob a clean bill of health almost 2 weeks ago. I had an infection where they did the incision and they gave me some powerful antibiotics that knocked it out. I honestly think the infection was from the inside and not from the incision. So it was probably unavoidable. Even the nasty looking incision has softened and doesn't look quite as bad. I thought I'd have to walk around with a big smiley face on my boob! Now it isn't as noticable. Bob (my other boob - lol) is doing much, much, much better! I took him to the doctor last week and the doctor was very impressed with how well he his doing. His breathing is much better and the doctor did tell us that Bob's lung would probably take a few months to heal from the infection he had. Bob's blood sugar levels are leveling out and his white blood cell count is doing well. He has even started driving a bit on his own and going out to the store. Now I hope that next year, when I take vacation days, they won't be spent in a hospital! I am so grateful for all of you and your support and encouragement! You folks are the VERY BEST!

I've seen a few people who "project" what he might like. I'd like to project the opposite to show what other intentions this stranger might have. He might like to know that you will continue with him and with whoever he can send your way. He might like having that income. He might be able to concentrate fully, pay attention to detail, and advise you well. It is possible. He might appreciate that you will pace things out to suit his current situation. Any other way of projecting is (in my view) a self-serving way of cutting away from someone in need. He could have been "between insurances" when he found the tumor growing, and not felt comfortable about lying / hiding / non-declaring while filling out the application form for the next insurance. I said it "sounds like what I would hear about one of those third world countries. I'll bet this wouldn't happen in one of those countries that have state-run medical services" because in those systems he wouldn't have been fighting against his life savings when a doctor first spoke and said, "buster, that there thing is bad, and you are going to have to get that sucker taken out real soon before it gits ya." Cutting it out happens real fast when the payor is a great payor. There are no delays when the payor is clearly going to pay. It was a cancer, and the best time to snip it out and start following the recovery process was right away. When all you've ever seen is people hedging about when to do things and how much, it may be hard to imagine that some guy like this would NOT delay this kind of surgery. In fact, the doctors don't even present it to you as "you have to get it done" they just say, "we'll schedule it soon, and if you want more tests to be even more certain, that'll be fine too." I saw a remark above stating that even if it were to happen at no cost to him, he might have delayed it until too late. Hmm. Well, we'll never know, because he can't live simultaneously under two systems so we'll never know how he would have turned out under another system. About the medical coverage, my first comments at the top of this thread could be taken either way. So if anyone wants to thank me, I'm willing to hear it. Recently one GW member wrote that I'm also good at projecting, and even to the point of it being a pathology ... Oh, no! Do I have to declare it in all my insurances? Does this mean it's a downward spiral from here on? Am I stuck with the insurance company I'm with now?

((((((fireman's wife ... and family)))))) How is it that some folks just can't seem to realize how selfish that they're being? Can your sis talk some sense into your Mom? How about your Dad? I agree that your hubby should carry the ball - if he gets along at least reasonably well with your Mom. Does she have a connection with a religious agency? Maybe someone in your family could put a flea into the ear of the clergy and perhaps instigate them paying a call on your Mom: they deal with illness all the time and can explain to her in no uncertain terms how unreasonable she's being, how stressful even a 3 hour trip is in such a situation, let alone one that goes on and on, and on again ... for 12 hours. ((Maybe she'd offer to charter an air ambulance??)) Really sorry that you're having to deal with this extra load, right now. Sorry too that you have to travel so far - that's surely no fun. Good thoughts, some good hopes and prayers that things go well during the coming days, with the surgery and all of the rest of it. ole joyful

Did you try to check this dr. out on the Internet? He sounds like he's in it for the money not trying to make people well. My mother had a situation where she was at work ,phone operator & her locker was on the bottom & as she came up another person opened hers & hit mom in the eye area. She eye drooped & she saw many drs. & never had surgery but headaches & looked permanent but then few years before she died we noticed that it hadn't drooped for a long time. Since she is so young I would google Mayo Clinic (they replaced a face up to the eyes, amazing work, did amazing operation on my son in Nov. & know of woman that had surgery there for a cancer & they had to go through her nose, extremely rare cancer that only 217 people in world have ever had & they have the best success rate & lady came out fine. So they are very good & they may be able to tell you what should be done. A 10 yr old shouldn't have to go through life like this. I just think the dr has limited knowledge & did what he could do. There are other drs that want to help & will involve others to come up with solutions. Some drs have to be at bottom of class, some may be at top as far as test scores but poor bedside manner, some are drs only because parents want them to be. Wonder if this guy has any lawsuits against him. You really need a 2nd opinion for entirely different medical place, the pea sized thing is worth getting checked out by someone new. That should not be there, I would want a really good explanation on that!