Michelle's Scrambler
Donation protected
I am having a complication from breast cancer reconstruction in 2010. According to the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, medical care is to be provided following mastectomy and any complications from it, but the treatment I need is not being covered under BCBSM or by Kent County Sheriff's Department.
In May of 2009 I was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer (an 11 cm x 8 cm mass in my left breast). Within 2 weeks I was on chemo, then went on to having a left mastectomy. I then had radiation and a hysterectomy as the cancer feeds on estrogen. I am also on the 10-year daily chemo pill. After that, it was recommended to have a right mastectomy (since my cancer had been so advanced to remove risk of recurrence) and have reconstruction at that time. On June 2, 2010, I underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the right breast and bring my lower abdomen up to re-create breasts (called the TRAM flap). When I woke up from that surgery one of the first questions I asked was "Is this burning going to go away?" My abdomen felt like it was on fire. That pain has not gone away and has since spread to my chest and is going up to my neck. Over the years I have been to multiple doctors for this pain, which is now being called chronic regional pain syndrome. The only thing that helps it is a machine called Scrambler therapy. Calmare MC5-A. My insurance will not cover this treatment as they consider it experimental. It is noninvasive and not addicting. My insurance is willing, however, to cover the costs of exploratory surgeries, injections, medication after medication (even rehab if I become addicted to medication), but will not cover the one thing that helps me survive.
I do not know where to turn to get this treatment covered by insurance that can help so many other people suffering nerve pain, shingles, diabetic neuropathy, chemo-induced neuropathy, etc. Can you please help? I have no resources to pay for this therapy - and now the one Scrambler machine that was available to me here in Grand Rapids will be returned as the physical therapist who has it will no longer keep it, which means I will have to travel to Chicago every three weeks just to be out of pain for an hour. Nor do I have $105,000 to purchase one myself. I have gone to Rhode Island, Minnesota and Chicago in the past just to be able to have relief and not be medicated on Vicodin, opioids or morphine (which many of my doctors are willing to prescribe for the nonstop pain I endure). This machine has helped me be able to be in the moment without medications to enjoy my husband and 10- and 13-year-olds. I need help to help others.
I have a couple of you tube videos sharing my story and pleading other women to really explore other options besides the TRAM flap as it has ruined my life. I feel the need to share my story of some pain relief as well to be able to provide others suffering the possibility of hope, like Dr. Stephan D'Amato did for me.
Thank you. Thanks for helping me.
In May of 2009 I was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer (an 11 cm x 8 cm mass in my left breast). Within 2 weeks I was on chemo, then went on to having a left mastectomy. I then had radiation and a hysterectomy as the cancer feeds on estrogen. I am also on the 10-year daily chemo pill. After that, it was recommended to have a right mastectomy (since my cancer had been so advanced to remove risk of recurrence) and have reconstruction at that time. On June 2, 2010, I underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the right breast and bring my lower abdomen up to re-create breasts (called the TRAM flap). When I woke up from that surgery one of the first questions I asked was "Is this burning going to go away?" My abdomen felt like it was on fire. That pain has not gone away and has since spread to my chest and is going up to my neck. Over the years I have been to multiple doctors for this pain, which is now being called chronic regional pain syndrome. The only thing that helps it is a machine called Scrambler therapy. Calmare MC5-A. My insurance will not cover this treatment as they consider it experimental. It is noninvasive and not addicting. My insurance is willing, however, to cover the costs of exploratory surgeries, injections, medication after medication (even rehab if I become addicted to medication), but will not cover the one thing that helps me survive.
I do not know where to turn to get this treatment covered by insurance that can help so many other people suffering nerve pain, shingles, diabetic neuropathy, chemo-induced neuropathy, etc. Can you please help? I have no resources to pay for this therapy - and now the one Scrambler machine that was available to me here in Grand Rapids will be returned as the physical therapist who has it will no longer keep it, which means I will have to travel to Chicago every three weeks just to be out of pain for an hour. Nor do I have $105,000 to purchase one myself. I have gone to Rhode Island, Minnesota and Chicago in the past just to be able to have relief and not be medicated on Vicodin, opioids or morphine (which many of my doctors are willing to prescribe for the nonstop pain I endure). This machine has helped me be able to be in the moment without medications to enjoy my husband and 10- and 13-year-olds. I need help to help others.
I have a couple of you tube videos sharing my story and pleading other women to really explore other options besides the TRAM flap as it has ruined my life. I feel the need to share my story of some pain relief as well to be able to provide others suffering the possibility of hope, like Dr. Stephan D'Amato did for me.
Thank you. Thanks for helping me.
Organizer
Michelle Jacobson
Organizer
Cedar Springs, MI
