My daughter has an ovarian tumor

[Padreruf]

Surgery is over and all went well!

The tumor is gone. It contained multiple cystic lesions a few of which had burst. The surgeon said he suctioned that cystic fluid out of the abdominal cavity. There was also a blood clot he removed. He said that may have been the cause of the severe pain she experienced on Saturday.

The tumor was so large they made a C-section incision to remove it. Mia knew this before the surgery and it didn't seem to bother her.

They said it may take a week or more to get the pathology report back. The tumor is large and varied so multiple tests will have to be performed on multiple sections to get a definitive diagnosis. I am expecting some chemo will be necessary just to be sure any unseen cancer cells are removed. Exploration revealed no metastatic lesions were either seen or felt.

The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. My father used to say all you have in life is your children. How true those words are.

Mia is back in her room. She is very groggy but aware of what is going on. The anesthesiologist gave her an epidural to keep her out of pain. They will remove that either tomorrow or the next day. She is expected to be released in two to three days when the pain can be controlled with oral medication.

Many, many thanks for allowing me this space to share our hard time with friends. I genuinely love you people. At a time like this, that love provides the support one needs to make it to the next day. I will to continue to post further developments, but it shouldn't be nearly as frequent.

So thankful...will be keeping you in our prayers for weeks to come. TF can be a wonderful caring community...

 

[NationalTitles18]

Surgery is over and all went well!

The tumor is gone. It contained multiple cystic lesions a few of which had burst. The surgeon said he suctioned that cystic fluid out of the abdominal cavity. There was also a blood clot he removed. He said that may have been the cause of the severe pain she experienced on Saturday.

The tumor was so large they made a C-section incision to remove it. Mia knew this before the surgery and it didn't seem to bother her.

They said it may take a week or more to get the pathology report back. The tumor is large and varied so multiple tests will have to be performed on multiple sections to get a definitive diagnosis. I am expecting some chemo will be necessary just to be sure any unseen cancer cells are removed. Exploration revealed no metastatic lesions were either seen or felt.

The weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. My father used to say all you have in life is your children. How true those words are.

Mia is back in her room. She is very groggy but aware of what is going on. The anesthesiologist gave her an epidural to keep her out of pain. They will remove that either tomorrow or the next day. She is expected to be released in two to three days when the pain can be controlled with oral medication.

Many, many thanks for allowing me this space to share our hard time with friends. I genuinely love you people. At a time like this, that love provides the support one needs to make it to the next day. I will to continue to post further developments, but it shouldn't be nearly as frequent.

Hallelujah!!!

Glad things have gone well, Mia is recovering, and so far no definite malignancy! Kind of sounds like a complex ovarian cyst/cystadenoma, so hopefully completely benign.

Praying for Mia and for her mom and dad and for good news in the days ahead.

 

[92tide]

so glad to hear this great news. i hope that you can all rest comfortably for a bit after these past several days

 

[gtowntide]

This is great news! I’m so happy for Mia mom and dad! I’m praying for a good recovery and pathology report!

 

[Jon]

fantastic news

 

[crimsonaudio]

So glad you got to St Jude - I'm told that's the finest children's hospital the planet.

Thrilled with the results of the surgery!

 

[GrayTide]

Great news, GoBama, thanks for the update. Will continue prayers for Mia, your wife, and you. Tell her Old Gray is thinking of her and praying for a speedy and complete. recovery. Yes, TF is a wonderful, caring community for all of us.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Wonderful news all around.

Stay strong. This is more likely to be a marathon than a sprint. But it’s also a balancing act. You can’t be strong enough to make Mia strong if you don’t also take care of yourself. Take a lap at least twice a day, morning and afternoon.

There’s a country music song about this. ”If you’re going through hell, keep on going, keep on running....you might get through before the devil even knows you’re there.”

And please let Mia know that she has a rooting section made up of a bunch of her dad’s friends that she’s never met.

 

[Tug Tide]

And please let Mia know that she has a rooting section made up of a bunch of her dad’s friends that she’s never met.

Tidefans is MiaStrong.
Praying for a quick recovery for her

 

[Chukker Veteran]

Godspeed to you and your family through this difficult journey. I'm so glad the surgery is over and went well.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Her problem is having multiple problems and a creaky fifty-year behind medical system....I think that people who hold up Europe as a shining example haven't had experience with it...

I know that you know this, but there is no European medical system - each country has its own and some are better than others. I am sorry that your daughter is going through this.

This is true. I've only had experience with Germany and France...

If Germany and France have deficient healthcare systems, I‘d be surprised if any other European country had better. Maybe Switzerland or a Scandinavian country?

I don’t have personal experience with it, but have been told that the Europeans generally handle routine stuff pretty well — uncomplicated childbirth, appendectomies, routine wellness visits, etc. It’s when you need a specialist, or a team of specialists, that it gets hairy.

Can you imagine the hue and cry here if, as is the case with Earle’s daughter, people who might have cancer have to wait months to see an oncologist? That just doesn’t happen here, even in charity care.

I’m not saying that the American medical system is without flaws. I’m saying that a system like those in Europe isn’t the answer.

The issues are complex and far-reaching, with all sorts of vulnerability to unintended consequences. I don’t know what the answers to the American system’s flaws are. But I know that they don’t include blowing up the current setup simply because it’s imperfect and others do it differently — especially as the gaps in their methods become more apparent.

If you want to fix the American system, you need to have a concrete proposal. And saying, “ANYthing would be better than what we have,” simply isn’t true....as Earle’s daughter’s experience shows.

I actually think Obamacare got it right with the requirement that everybody had to participate. The mistake came when Congress lifted the individual mandate.

 

[MobtownK]

If Germany and France have deficient healthcare systems, I‘d be surprised if any other European country had better. Maybe Switzerland or a Scandinavian country?

I don’t have personal experience with it, but have been told that the Europeans generally handle routine stuff pretty well — uncomplicated childbirth, appendectomies, routine wellness visits, etc. It’s when you need a specialist, or a team of specialists, that it gets hairy.

Can you imagine the hue and cry here if, as is the case with Earle’s daughter, people who might have cancer have to wait months to see an oncologist? That just doesn’t happen here, even in charity care.

I’m not saying that the American medical system is without flaws. I’m saying that a system like those in Europe isn’t the answer.

The issues are complex and far-reaching, with all sorts of vulnerability to unintended consequences. I don’t know what the answers to the American system’s flaws are. But I know that they don’t include blowing up the current setup simply because it’s imperfect and others do it differently — especially as the gaps in their methods become more apparent.

If you want to fix the American system, you need to have a concrete proposal. And saying, “ANYthing would be better than what we have,” simply isn’t true....as Earle’s daughter’s experience shows.

I actually think Obamacare got it right with the requirement that everybody had to participate. The mistake came when Congress lifted the individual mandate.

I don't have an answer - but a good start would be opening up the state lines on insurance. Also - if we have to go to the ER, but the one closest to my house (10 minutes) isn't in "my network" but the one 30 - 45 minutes away is. We ran into this recently and now owe a lot of money. Had it been what we origionally thought, a 45 minute wait would have made the situation much worse - likely resulting in more intensive care and higher cost to both us and the insurance company, and possibly death. We have a high deductible - we signed up for this. And we are fortunate enough to have the money to cover the bill when it comes. But many people aren't. And many may underplay the risk on when to go to the ER. It's a horrible choice that many people have to make - and they shouldn't have to choose between emergency care & tons of debt.

 

[Go Bama]

I don't have an answer - but a good start would be opening up the state lines on insurance. Also - if we have to go to the ER, but the one closest to my house (10 minutes) isn't in "my network" but the one 30 - 45 minutes away is. We ran into this recently and now owe a lot of money. Had it been what we origionally thought, a 45 minute wait would have made the situation much worse - likely resulting in more intensive care and higher cost to both us and the insurance company, and possibly death. We have a high deductible - we signed up for this. And we are fortunate enough to have the money to cover the bill when it comes. But many people aren't. And many may underplay the risk on when to go to the ER. It's a horrible choice that many people have to make - and they shouldn't have to choose between emergency care & tons of debt.

"In network" just needs to vanish. The system is too complicated. It's not right to think you have your family covered only to find out you are not in network because you child is a minor. That's how we wound up at St Jude. Being self employed, I have always bought catastrophic insurance with a high deductible. Last year, our insurance changed from Signa to United Health Care. My wife knew, but I had no idea until last Friday when the first doctor's office said, you are not in network. I was horrified, thinking I was facing financial ruin, but I was going to do whatever it took to get my daughter cared for.

I have patients that travel over an hour to see me because I'm "in network." It's ridiculous. The reason others will not accept the insurance is because the benefit makes the business owner work for less. The staff doesn't work for less and overhead doesn't go down, but the doctor gets paid less. Some business models are built around accepting these poor paying insurances. The profit comes in seeing a high volume of people, but with high volume comes poor quality. Some of the chain dental centers come to mind.

By reducing the benefit allowed, insurance companies are effecting the quality of care.

 

[Go Bama]

So glad you got to St Jude - I'm told that's the finest children's hospital the planet.

Thrilled with the results of the surgery!

Here's something you may know that I found surprising. St Jude sees 8000 patients per year yet there are only 72 beds in the hospital. Judging by the size of the complex, I would have thought there were 700-800 beds.

Each patient room has state of the art equipment and is for one patient only. There is a couch and a recliner for family. There is also an adjoining parent room has a couch with a pull out bed, TV, desk and chair, and it's own bathroom. I have been driving back and forth to Milan everyday, but my wife has been perfectly comfortable staying with Mia.

I asked a nurse yesterday if she likes working there. "This is my dream job. People don't often leave once they get here."

 

[Go Bama]

Yesterday afternoon. A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Here's something you may know that I found surprising. St Jude sees 8000 patients per year yet there are only 72 beds in the hospital. Judging by the size of the complex, I would have thought there were 700-800 beds.

Each patient room has state of the art equipment and is for one patient only. There is a couch and a recliner for family. There is also an adjoining parent room has a couch with a pull out bed, TV, desk and chair, and it's own bathroom. I have been driving back and forth to Milan everyday, but my wife has been perfectly comfortable staying with Mia.

I asked a nurse yesterday if she likes working there. "This is my dream job. People don't often leave once they get here."

I've been a big supporter of St Jude for years - everything from donations to AmazonSmile to raising money for ALSAC via the annual marathon. LOVE that place and its mission. They do it right.

 

[B1GTide]

If Germany and France have deficient healthcare systems, I‘d be surprised if any other European country had better. Maybe Switzerland or a Scandinavian country?

I don’t have personal experience with it, but have been told that the Europeans generally handle routine stuff pretty well — uncomplicated childbirth, appendectomies, routine wellness visits, etc. It’s when you need a specialist, or a team of specialists, that it gets hairy.

Can you imagine the hue and cry here if, as is the case with Earle’s daughter, people who might have cancer have to wait months to see an oncologist? That just doesn’t happen here, even in charity care.

I’m not saying that the American medical system is without flaws. I’m saying that a system like those in Europe isn’t the answer.

The issues are complex and far-reaching, with all sorts of vulnerability to unintended consequences. I don’t know what the answers to the American system’s flaws are. But I know that they don’t include blowing up the current setup simply because it’s imperfect and others do it differently — especially as the gaps in their methods become more apparent.

If you want to fix the American system, you need to have a concrete proposal. And saying, “ANYthing would be better than what we have,” simply isn’t true....as Earle’s daughter’s experience shows.

I actually think Obamacare got it right with the requirement that everybody had to participate. The mistake came when Congress lifted the individual mandate.

The solution exists in Europe, and every other Western country other than the US - you have socialized medicine for everyone and privatized medicine for those who can afford it or wish additional coverage. We have a close friend who is a doctor in the UK. When we talk to him he makes it clear - yes, there are waiting lists for socialized services, but at least they are available to everyone. And there are no waiting lists for privatized services.

People want to pretend that there is only one or the other. Unless you are in Russia or China, that is not true. In western countries, they have both. Whatever we adopt in America will also have both. But the tens of millions with no care today will get care, and the middle class will no longer have to fear bankruptcy from a single bad illness in the family.

 

[MobtownK]

Speaking of cost & "in network" I just got off the phone with the hospital. My doc had called me to tell me what they charge for a surgury that I've needed for years, but that doesn't include the hospital or anesthesiologist cost, so I called the hospital to find out. They will not give me the cost, or even a ballpark figure. They told me I have to schedule surgery, then call them to see if I can afford it, and pay a portion up front - but they cannot tell me how much that will be.
It's ridiculous. All hospitals do it - but we pre-paid for my c-section with the doc, then had to pay $500 up front when we walked in the door to have it (surprise!!)

 

[B1GTide]

Speaking of cost & "in network" I just got off the phone with the hospital. My doc had called me to tell me what they charge for a surgury that I've needed for years, but that doesn't include the hospital or anesthesiologist cost, so I called the hospital to find out. They will not give me the cost, or even a ballpark figure. They told me I have to schedule surgery, then call them to see if I can afford it, and pay a portion up front - but they cannot tell me how much that will be.
It's ridiculous. All hospitals do it - but we pre-paid for my c-section with the doc, then had to pay $500 up front when we walked in the door to have it (surprise!!)

My insurance - BCBS - actually pays us now when we call them and schedule something like a scan or colonoscopy with an "in network" facility. We only get the payment if we call and schedule with them, which is odd, and I assume to limit the number of automatic payments where people are already using in network facilities. I am not talking about a discount - I am talking about an actual check from BCBS. It isn't much - maybe $50-$100 - but we were surprised when they implemented it this year.

 

[MattinBama]

I've been a big supporter of St Jude for years - everything from donations to AmazonSmile to raising money for ALSAC via the annual marathon. LOVE that place and its mission. They do it right.

We follow a few Twitch streamers that raise money for St Jude & have donated to a few of those charity streams as well.