7th December 2004
Thank you, Kuno!!!
The only hesitation I have regarding this drug is that my doctor told me that once I start it, I will literally be on it for LIFE! I've been told that it costs $3000 a month for it, but I do have insurance..so I'm not sure how much I would be paying out of pocket quite yet. I was also told that I would have to come into the office once every two weeks for the infusion...sounds like a lot of time spent in a Dr.'s office if it's for life! ;) BUT...at this point, I have to do something. The other two options I have right now are surgery to remove the really bad areas of my intestines and colon, or chemotherapy. I'm actually leaning towards the chemo. treatments again (I've taken them before), although I feel like I'm literally dying while on them. Plus, I lose weight (which I can't afford to do right now..I'm severely underweight as it is), lose hair, and my face breaks out horribly. I know that most of those issues are pure vanity issues, but there are reasons why they would cause a problem for me right now. If I can hold out just two more months on any treatment (aside from the Asacol I take for the Crohn's itself), then I think I will probably choose chemotherapy. The other concern I have with that though is the possibility of becoming infertile. YES...I have 5 kids, and yes, I was told the very first time I took chemo. treatments (pre-children) that I would not ever be able to conceive, so I know I've already proved them wrong! ;) I'm just quite a bit older than I was the first time around!!! haha! Anyway, didn't mean to ramble so much...but I want to thank you again for encouraging words. Oh, and Zdennick, I was actually diagnosed with Crohns/ulcerative colitis both...and so far it seems as if the treatment has been the same for both diseases. I would definitely ask your doctor though. Please keep in touch as well..I want to know how you are doing, okay?
The only hesitation I have regarding this drug is that my doctor told me that once I start it, I will literally be on it for LIFE! I've been told that it costs $3000 a month for it, but I do have insurance..so I'm not sure how much I would be paying out of pocket quite yet. I was also told that I would have to come into the office once every two weeks for the infusion...sounds like a lot of time spent in a Dr.'s office if it's for life! ;) BUT...at this point, I have to do something. The other two options I have right now are surgery to remove the really bad areas of my intestines and colon, or chemotherapy. I'm actually leaning towards the chemo. treatments again (I've taken them before), although I feel like I'm literally dying while on them. Plus, I lose weight (which I can't afford to do right now..I'm severely underweight as it is), lose hair, and my face breaks out horribly. I know that most of those issues are pure vanity issues, but there are reasons why they would cause a problem for me right now. If I can hold out just two more months on any treatment (aside from the Asacol I take for the Crohn's itself), then I think I will probably choose chemotherapy. The other concern I have with that though is the possibility of becoming infertile. YES...I have 5 kids, and yes, I was told the very first time I took chemo. treatments (pre-children) that I would not ever be able to conceive, so I know I've already proved them wrong! ;) I'm just quite a bit older than I was the first time around!!! haha! Anyway, didn't mean to ramble so much...but I want to thank you again for encouraging words. Oh, and Zdennick, I was actually diagnosed with Crohns/ulcerative colitis both...and so far it seems as if the treatment has been the same for both diseases. I would definitely ask your doctor though. Please keep in touch as well..I want to know how you are doing, okay?