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  Margherite Williams Is anyone in this community dealing with denial-of-service from traditional medicine for lymphedema evaluation and treatment? I have been basically dealing on my own with aching/swelling in my arm since a mastectomy last December. When I asked the...  moreIs anyone in this community dealing with denial-of-service from traditional medicine for lymphedema evaluation and treatment? I have been basically dealing on my own with aching/swelling in my arm since a mastectomy last December. When I asked the surgeon for a clinical evaluation, based on questions raised by my reading reports published by the National Cancer Institute, he turned abusive towards both me and the oncologist. When I asked for a referral from the oncologist, his response does not bear repeating in polite company. Since both of them seemed to be more concerned that I was questioning their expertise than my problems with pain and inability to care for myself, I went elsewhere for continued treatment.
  
  
  Although they are a 2-hour drive away, I am quite satisfied with my current treatment protocol for cancer. But the edema is worsening, and a bad case of sunburn didn't help. In addition, my local GP also refused referral to a clinical evaluation, expressing some fear of retaliation by the surgeon. I am unwilling to sue anybody, because I want to move on with life without this negative, arrogant, anachronistic medical attitude; and I have the full support of a chiropractor who is doing what he can to help me regain full use of my arm. Unfortunately, Medicare refuses to pay for any of this care.
  So, if any of you have had success with tele-medicine or alternative/complementary medicine, I would like to know your experience. 
  
  
  PLEASE NO prayer platitudes in response to this posting. There is nothing wrong with my relationship with God, just my experience of the cancer industry.  less

  • July 11, 2014

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    Margherite Williams oops ... unaware of post size limit. I am unwilling to sue anybody, because I want to move on with life without this negative, arrogant, anachronistic medical attitude; and I have the full support of a chiropractor who is doing what he can to help me...  moreoops ... unaware of post size limit. I am unwilling to sue anybody, because I want to move on with life without this negative, arrogant, anachronistic medical attitude; and I have the full support of a chiropractor who is doing what he can to help me regain full use of my arm. Unfortunately, Medicare refuses to pay for any of this care.
    
    So, if any of you have had success with tele-medicine or alternative/complementary medicine, I would like to know your experience. PLEASE NO prayer platitudes in response to this posting. There is nothing wrong with my relationship with God, just my experience of the cancer industry.  less

    • July 11, 2014
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    Cynthia Shechter Hi Margherite. The problem may be that the therapist who you have contacted is a massage therapist. Look for an occupational or physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema therapy. Also, ask the therapy office to apply for a GAP-Exception/In-Network...  moreHi Margherite. The problem may be that the therapist who you have contacted is a massage therapist. Look for an occupational or physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema therapy. Also, ask the therapy office to apply for a GAP-Exception/In-Network Exception for therapy. That should help. If you have any issues, let me know and I will see what I can do to help.  

    • July 23, 2014
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  Margherite Williams has just joined the community. Say hello!

  • July 10, 2014

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    Lymphedema Community Staff Welcome!

    • July 10, 2014
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    Kathryn Wentz Hello friend. Pleased to meet you.

    • July 10, 2014
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