Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Bump...

I went to the doctor's today to get a bump checked out just below my armpit on my left side. It started out small enough. I thought it was a pimple or bug bite at first and tried to pop it. But it steadily grew and got infected. My doctor couldn't tell what it was today, just that it's a growth that needs to be removed. On Tuesday they are going to have a surgeon do a biopsy to see if it's cancerous or not. The ironic thing is that I've had more profound moments taking a bath or doing the laundry – even though this is a potential life threatening ordeal, it sort of felt like someone said that the milk in the fridge was past its expiration date or the bread in the cupboard has spots of mold on it. I'm oddly unaffected by the news and am more concerned about my cats.

Like many creative types in this lagging economy, I don't have health insurance. I'm curious just how much I'm going to go into debt with this little nip/tuck with lab tests. I had one of my credit cards paid off for a week and a half. That small victory was short-lived. Oh well. All I can do is keep on trying, hoping for the best.

23 comments:

Do Be Do Bead Do said...

You will be in my prayers, dear Andrew.

Unknown said...

I am sending positive thoughts your way

kate mckinnon said...

Thinking of you with love. I was freaked out to read that on Twitter! Most things like that are benign and I hope yours is too, then you just have the irritation of having to have paid for the procedure. Which I admit is irritating enough.

But good for you for going in, and getting it taken care of.

Unknown said...

Andrew! Glad you had it checked! Prayers are with you!

Lynn said...

Hopefully it's nothing, but I'm proud of you for checking -- it's no fun doing that without health insurance. And I love that "credit card paid off for a week & a half" -- any progress counts!!! Lynn

one-eared pig said...

Best wishes for negative results and a small bill!

Alice said...

I hope it turns out to be nothing serious. I'm glad you are getting it checked out, but it's good that you aren't fretting too much.

Yeli said...

Prayers and positive thoughts for you Andrew! And good for you for not freaking out. It might and most probably be nothing, and freeking out will just buy you misery for a couple of days before getting the biopsy results!

Mellisa said...

Continuing to have positive thoughts while awaiting the results is the best one can do with health issues. I'm glad you're remaining calm and also not ignoring it. Best wishes for uneventful results :)

Jean Katherine Baldridge said...

sending you lots and lots of powerful white light Andrew. Please keep us up to date on this!
We ALL love you!

jean xox

Malin de Koning said...

Oh dear Andrew! I am thinking of you!!! It is not strange at all you keep on as normal, people do that. It is only on films people behave with "it can't be true" or just driving for hours unttil the road ends. You have a lot to digest, but yet you don't know exactly what to digest. If, I say IF, it turns out to be bad news you should come to Sweden, very good health care here. I'll take care of helping you. Most likely it is something belign though. Take care of yourself and your wonderful and cute cats!

nina said...

thinking of you, dear one. i am by your side in spirit....xx

Mosaic Magpie said...

It is always something, my dear. Sending love and positive thoughts your way. Hopefully will be nothing and you will still have that credit card paid off.
Debbie

Emerald Window said...

Check with your state to see if they have any low income insurance plan. When I was diagnosed with cancer last year, the state covered EVERYTHING! It was a miracle. I wasn't afraid of the treatment, or of dying, but I was terrified that I would bankrupt my family.

Rebecca said...

Oh Andrew, my heart goes out to you - I can't imagine what it must be like to have insurance/money issues attached to any health query. The NHS isn't perfect by any means but I am more grateful than I can say for its existence. You and your babies are in my thoughts at the moment and I hope all three of you are well/recover very soon.

Rebecca x

VanBeads said...

If it makes you feel any better, my husband had something similar a few years ago that turned out to be just an infected cyst. And I understand completely about the health insurance thing - even with our "good" insurance, my husband and I are still paying off medical bills from when I had our son 2 1/2 years ago! Best wishes, Andrew!

Sharon said...

Continue to take good, good care of yourself. Healing prayers coming your way.

Gaea said...

Sending a positive thought your way! And a deep breath! : )

Joana said...

Good you are getting it checked!
Keeping my fingers crossed for it to be harmless.
I still can't get my head around that you have to pay for healthcare in the US. Of course public healthcare in Spain isn't spectacular, waiting lists are usually quite long, and if you want it faster you have to pay, but at least everyone can go to the doctor and have things checked regularly for free...

Keeping you in my thoughts and sending healing energy your way!
J*

Sally Anderson said...

Sending light & positive vibes to you! We too are going broke over medical issues. This country needs to overhaul the healthcare system. It just isn't right that we should all be in the position. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hope you get get news.

Anonymous said...

Good you acted on it now ~
Sending healing vibes and good wishes your way. Be extra good to yourself now~

Unknown said...

Keeping a good thought for you! Check with your dr. Many facilities now have programs set up to help people receive reduced care. When i had a growth removed two years ago, my student status and resulting lack of funds, put me into a program where I paid $35 of a $350 bill.