Becky's Deductibles & Medical Leave
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THE NEW BOTTOM LINE as of December 2017
I have $5000 in outstanding medical bills as related to my 2017 deductible. I'll have another $5000 deductible starting January 2018. It is important that I continue my quarterly check-ups with my oncologist as well as my bimonthly check-ups with my primary care provider.
Working 2 half-days per week is generating a monthly income of about $1000. This income goes to meeting my business expenses including office rent $300, telephone $130, website & online directory $35 and personal expenses including groceries, apartment utilities $51 and vehicle fuel. My apartment rent $600 and health insurance premium $460 is generously being paid by a out-of-state family member but how much longer this will be true is unknown.
I am the sole priopetor of the Acupuncture Wellness Center in Horseheads, New York. I have been the owner and only acupuncturist since December 2003. For those of you that do not know me, you can check out my website, an online directory and my Facebook page
www.BeckyHinmanLAc.com
www.HealthProfs.com/515999
www.Facebook.com/BeckyAWC
I'm hoping to continue to expand my working hours as my energy level and stamina improve. I fully expect to return to full-time work in the coming months.
I live and work frugally. I am happy and intend to work until my death. I am fortunate to have discovered many of my gifts and passion in Oriental Medicine. The business has recovered somewhat since the Recession of 2008, but not fully.
I am grateful to everyone that has reviewed this campaign. I am grateful to everyone that has the ability and chooses to donate any amount. Please share this campaign with anyone that may or could contribute.
Tumor Discovery, Surgery & Treatment Timeline
2016
12/19 Became aware of severe left lower abdominal pain
12/20 Went to Walk-in Care, where urinanalysis, abdominal palpation was down, Kidney stone was suspected & CT scan of abdomen done; results: NO kidney stones, mass in lower abdomen & referred to primary care physician (PCP)
12/22 Saw PCP; ultrasounds of bladder, kidney and uterus showed enlarged uterus and large mass between left ovary and uterus; PCP prescribed additional blood work & referred me to local gynecologist
12/27 Saw gynecologist; he did breast exam, pap smear and collected associated tissues, he also referred me to gyn oncologist in Rochester
2017
01/03 Saw gyn oncologist in Rochester: she did 2 internal exams, reviewed all previous blood work, CT scan and ultrasounds; we also discussed surgical options. Because the mass is large (10cm x 7cm x 6cm) & it's potentially malignant; the uterus is enlarged (length 9cm, fundus 6-7cm), an open abdomen with vertical incision was agreed upon. She will remove the uterus, both ovaries and omentum. The mass will tested for malignancy during surgery and she will also evaluate surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes, intestines and bladder. If there is cancerous tissue upon sight, then she'll remove it and put in an abdominal port for eventual chemotherapy. She expects to keep me hospitalized for at least 3 to 4 nights, dependent on demonstrating healthy small intestine function (must be able to fart to be discharged). Gyn oncologist expects that it will be 2-3 weeks before she will release me to drive and overall healing time, dependent upon complications, to be 4-6 weeks. She and my insurance company require that I pass a surgical clearance exam before surgery will be scheduled.
01/04 Saw my PCP in Elmira: for the clearance exam including EKG, blood work PTT (clotting time). The pulmonary function test is scheduled for 01/12 in Elmira
01/12 Pulmonary function test at Arnot Hospital, passed; Gyn oncologist's office called & informed me that surgery is scheduled for 01/23; also closed my acupuncture office because I am no longer able to manage my pain that has increased and is aggravated by any physical movement
01/23 Open Abdominal Surgery: about 6 hours long; uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, tumor & sigmoid colon removed & colostomy created; received 6 liters of blood
01/23 - 01/30 spent about 24 hours in cardiac ICU due to inability to stabilize blood pressure; received 2 additional liters of blood; 4 days without food or liquids by mouth and with NG (nasogastric) tube; general surgeon implanted medi-port in my upper right chest just below collar bone
01/27 Power Port surgically implanted
01/31 discharged from hospital
02/01 - 02/11 nursed by my sister
02/06 My gyn oncologist reviewed pathology reports with me: Stage 3B Grade 3 Uterine Papillary Serous Cancer (specific type of endometrial cancer); cancerous plaques on outside of sigmoid colon only; omentum & sampled lymphn nodes are clear no cancer; Also discussed treatment plans: UPSC is a rapidly growing and metasizing cancer, thus clean-up chemotherapy & radiation are recommended. I will receive my treatments at local to me Cancer Center
02/15 Home Health Nursing assessment & PCP Post-op Follow-up
02/17 Intake at local Cancer Center with Medical & Radiation Oncologists
02/22 Pre-Chemo Follow-up with my Gyn Oncologist in Rochester
03/08 First Chemo Infusion of Carboplantin & Taxol with pre-meds
03/09 First Neulasta Injection; A few hours later experienced diarrhea with fever; Seen at local Emergency Dept where I was diagnosed with UTI, Influenza & Tachycardia
03/10 Admitted to single room for isolation. Treated with various IV-antibiotics & oral Tamiflu. Visited by Infectious Disease physician
03/13 Discharged from hospital
03/14 Start weekly blood draws to monitor Chemotherapy
03/29 Second Chemo Infusion
03/31 Post-hospital follow-up with PCP
04/19 Third Chemo Infusion
05/02 Chemo Mid-point Follow-up with Gyn Oncologist
05/10 Fourth Chemo Infusion
05/31 Fifth Chemo Infusion
06/21 Last Chemo Infusion
06/28 Pre-radiation appointment with Radiation Oncologist
07/05 Radiation Simulation & Tattooing
07/17 Corneal Specialist appointment for Chronic Keratitis & Chemo Dry Eyes
07/18 Pelvic External High Beam Radiation treatments start & continue every weekday until 08/21
07/24 Follow-up with Corneal Specialist: chronic Keratis is asymptomatic & Dry Eyes are stable
08/02 Post-Chemo follow-up with PCP
08/09 Physical Therapy assessment to strengthen back, legs so can walk & stand for work
08/22 First Brachytherapy (internal radiation)
08/25 Second Brachytherapy
08/31 Third Brachytherapy
09/02 Return to work, half-day on Saturdays
09/19 Post-treatment Follow-up with Gyn Oncologist
09/28 4-weeks after Radiation Completion Follow-up with Radiation Oncologist
10/04 Follow-up with PCP
11/01 Add half-day on Wednesdays
12/04 Four Month Follow-up with Corneal Specialist: Chemo Dry Eyes is permanent but stable
I have $5000 in outstanding medical bills as related to my 2017 deductible. I'll have another $5000 deductible starting January 2018. It is important that I continue my quarterly check-ups with my oncologist as well as my bimonthly check-ups with my primary care provider.
Working 2 half-days per week is generating a monthly income of about $1000. This income goes to meeting my business expenses including office rent $300, telephone $130, website & online directory $35 and personal expenses including groceries, apartment utilities $51 and vehicle fuel. My apartment rent $600 and health insurance premium $460 is generously being paid by a out-of-state family member but how much longer this will be true is unknown.
I am the sole priopetor of the Acupuncture Wellness Center in Horseheads, New York. I have been the owner and only acupuncturist since December 2003. For those of you that do not know me, you can check out my website, an online directory and my Facebook page
www.BeckyHinmanLAc.com
www.HealthProfs.com/515999
www.Facebook.com/BeckyAWC
I'm hoping to continue to expand my working hours as my energy level and stamina improve. I fully expect to return to full-time work in the coming months.
I live and work frugally. I am happy and intend to work until my death. I am fortunate to have discovered many of my gifts and passion in Oriental Medicine. The business has recovered somewhat since the Recession of 2008, but not fully.
I am grateful to everyone that has reviewed this campaign. I am grateful to everyone that has the ability and chooses to donate any amount. Please share this campaign with anyone that may or could contribute.
Tumor Discovery, Surgery & Treatment Timeline
2016
12/19 Became aware of severe left lower abdominal pain
12/20 Went to Walk-in Care, where urinanalysis, abdominal palpation was down, Kidney stone was suspected & CT scan of abdomen done; results: NO kidney stones, mass in lower abdomen & referred to primary care physician (PCP)
12/22 Saw PCP; ultrasounds of bladder, kidney and uterus showed enlarged uterus and large mass between left ovary and uterus; PCP prescribed additional blood work & referred me to local gynecologist
12/27 Saw gynecologist; he did breast exam, pap smear and collected associated tissues, he also referred me to gyn oncologist in Rochester
2017
01/03 Saw gyn oncologist in Rochester: she did 2 internal exams, reviewed all previous blood work, CT scan and ultrasounds; we also discussed surgical options. Because the mass is large (10cm x 7cm x 6cm) & it's potentially malignant; the uterus is enlarged (length 9cm, fundus 6-7cm), an open abdomen with vertical incision was agreed upon. She will remove the uterus, both ovaries and omentum. The mass will tested for malignancy during surgery and she will also evaluate surrounding tissues, including lymph nodes, intestines and bladder. If there is cancerous tissue upon sight, then she'll remove it and put in an abdominal port for eventual chemotherapy. She expects to keep me hospitalized for at least 3 to 4 nights, dependent on demonstrating healthy small intestine function (must be able to fart to be discharged). Gyn oncologist expects that it will be 2-3 weeks before she will release me to drive and overall healing time, dependent upon complications, to be 4-6 weeks. She and my insurance company require that I pass a surgical clearance exam before surgery will be scheduled.
01/04 Saw my PCP in Elmira: for the clearance exam including EKG, blood work PTT (clotting time). The pulmonary function test is scheduled for 01/12 in Elmira
01/12 Pulmonary function test at Arnot Hospital, passed; Gyn oncologist's office called & informed me that surgery is scheduled for 01/23; also closed my acupuncture office because I am no longer able to manage my pain that has increased and is aggravated by any physical movement
01/23 Open Abdominal Surgery: about 6 hours long; uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, tumor & sigmoid colon removed & colostomy created; received 6 liters of blood
01/23 - 01/30 spent about 24 hours in cardiac ICU due to inability to stabilize blood pressure; received 2 additional liters of blood; 4 days without food or liquids by mouth and with NG (nasogastric) tube; general surgeon implanted medi-port in my upper right chest just below collar bone
01/27 Power Port surgically implanted
01/31 discharged from hospital
02/01 - 02/11 nursed by my sister
02/06 My gyn oncologist reviewed pathology reports with me: Stage 3B Grade 3 Uterine Papillary Serous Cancer (specific type of endometrial cancer); cancerous plaques on outside of sigmoid colon only; omentum & sampled lymphn nodes are clear no cancer; Also discussed treatment plans: UPSC is a rapidly growing and metasizing cancer, thus clean-up chemotherapy & radiation are recommended. I will receive my treatments at local to me Cancer Center
02/15 Home Health Nursing assessment & PCP Post-op Follow-up
02/17 Intake at local Cancer Center with Medical & Radiation Oncologists
02/22 Pre-Chemo Follow-up with my Gyn Oncologist in Rochester
03/08 First Chemo Infusion of Carboplantin & Taxol with pre-meds
03/09 First Neulasta Injection; A few hours later experienced diarrhea with fever; Seen at local Emergency Dept where I was diagnosed with UTI, Influenza & Tachycardia
03/10 Admitted to single room for isolation. Treated with various IV-antibiotics & oral Tamiflu. Visited by Infectious Disease physician
03/13 Discharged from hospital
03/14 Start weekly blood draws to monitor Chemotherapy
03/29 Second Chemo Infusion
03/31 Post-hospital follow-up with PCP
04/19 Third Chemo Infusion
05/02 Chemo Mid-point Follow-up with Gyn Oncologist
05/10 Fourth Chemo Infusion
05/31 Fifth Chemo Infusion
06/21 Last Chemo Infusion
06/28 Pre-radiation appointment with Radiation Oncologist
07/05 Radiation Simulation & Tattooing
07/17 Corneal Specialist appointment for Chronic Keratitis & Chemo Dry Eyes
07/18 Pelvic External High Beam Radiation treatments start & continue every weekday until 08/21
07/24 Follow-up with Corneal Specialist: chronic Keratis is asymptomatic & Dry Eyes are stable
08/02 Post-Chemo follow-up with PCP
08/09 Physical Therapy assessment to strengthen back, legs so can walk & stand for work
08/22 First Brachytherapy (internal radiation)
08/25 Second Brachytherapy
08/31 Third Brachytherapy
09/02 Return to work, half-day on Saturdays
09/19 Post-treatment Follow-up with Gyn Oncologist
09/28 4-weeks after Radiation Completion Follow-up with Radiation Oncologist
10/04 Follow-up with PCP
11/01 Add half-day on Wednesdays
12/04 Four Month Follow-up with Corneal Specialist: Chemo Dry Eyes is permanent but stable
Organizer
Becky Hinman
Organizer
Horseheads, NY