Challenges on the Job
Many breast cancer patients prefer – or need to – continue working while undergoing treatment. For those who make this choice it is best to be honest with employers about the situation, so that any time conflicts between treatment regimens and work requirements can be resolved to the satisfaction of everyone involved. Because those trying to work and deal with breast cancer at the same time have so much on their plate, it is conceivable that work performance might suffer, as physical and emotional resources are taxed to their limit. Therefore, it is wise for those in this situation to compensate by keeping a detailed work journal. Lists of meetings, appointments, and assignments can be kept so that nothing is forgotten, and detailed notes of conversations with co-workers and supervisors can function as helpful reminders of what has been going on and what might need to be done.
Finding Help
Local chapters of groups like the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have all kinds of information available about emotional and financial support programs and resources that exist to help breast cancer patients and their families. However, in most cases the best resource breast cancer sufferers have are their own family and friends. Once they learn that breast cancer has been diagnosed, most loved ones are anxious to do whatever they can to help. Coming up with a plan that lets everyone help a little can be the perfect solution, so that everyone feels involved in the fight and the breast cancer sufferer does not have to feel guilty about asking anyone to do too much. There are always things to be taken care of – rides to and from medical appointments, babysitting, finding lodging for spouses and children to stay near cancer clinics, informing other members of the family who live far away, making phone calls to the insurance company, and so on. Delegating responsibility and letting people help with these kinds of day to day things is one of the best ways for breast cancer victims to make sure that everything is being managed efficiently while they concentrate on their survival.
One Thing at a Time, One Day at a Time
No breast cancer sufferer should be so overwhelmed by day to day matters that it actually interferes with their cancer treatments. Nor should anyone feel forced to forgo vitally important procedures because of financial limitations. The best way to deal with breast cancer and its tertiary issues is to seek whatever treatment is necessary to beat breast cancer, and to cooperate closely with loved ones to make sure that any details that come up are taken care of as they arise. Being proactive is the key to coping with the everyday challenges facing breast cancer sufferers, whether those challenges are brought on by the disease itself, its treatment protocols, or the day to day matters that inevitably come up in the lives of those forced to do battle with a serious, dangerous disease.
The Challenges of Breast Cancer: Dealing with Day-to-Day Matters
A diagnosis of breast cancer is a big moment in the lives of the women who receive this terrible news from their doctors. Nothing will ever be the same again, as the overarching reality of breast cancer will become the dominant factor in the lives of its victims for at least as long as it takes to send the disease into remission.
While those who are stricken with this serious condition would no doubt prefer to focus completely on doing everything they can to get better, the real world always intrudes. There are many unique challenges faced by those who are battling breast cancer, and some of them have nothing directly to do with treating the disease or dealing with its symptoms and the side effects of its potential remedies. Day to day matters will continue to demand attention, and as it turns out this is especially true for those diagnosed with any kind of serious disease. There are many questions associated with the onset of a life-altering illness that must be answered, and many specific responsibilities that must be accepted and dealt with proactively. Being forced to confront such issues while combating breast cancer at the same time may be difficult, but unfortunately it is unavoidable.
Keeping the Records and Paying the Bills
When a serious illness has been diagnosed, health insurance can be a blessing, and it is certainly in everyone's best interests to have as much insurance coverage for health care costs as possible. But even when breast cancer victims have private policies or employer-provided insurance, the chances are that all of the costs associated with treatment of breast cancer will not be covered, and that there will be significant deductions, co-pays, and out-of-pocket expenses left over at the end. On average, most health insurance policies cover about 80% of breast cancer costs, and when costs are in the tens of thousands of dollars that remaining 20% is not likely to be a trivial amount. Things are no better for those who are eligible for Medicare – this government program usually only covers about 60% of the costs for breast cancer treatment.
For breast cancer sufferers, it is important to find out just exactly what their insurance policy covers, and what it does not. Also, meticulous records of all medical procedures and information should be kept, such as the dates of doctor's visits, hospitalizations, names and dosages of medications, surgery records, and so on. All correspondence from insurance companies and from medical providers alike should be kept and analyzed closely. Dealing with an insurance company in an effective way means that breast cancer patients must be aware of exactly what is happening at all times, so they can be sure that that company is really taking care of all the costs for which they are responsible.
The financial departments of hospitals and cancer clinics understand the burden that the costs of treatment can place on families, and they are definitely not looking to take legal action against patients overwhelmed with these expenses. Most medical institutions are willing to accept small incremental payments over time for services rendered from those who are financially challenged, and arrangements can usually be made as long as patients are acting in good faith.
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