masectomy

[lovinmaryland]

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the "drive-through mastectomy" where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.


Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on.

It will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same. Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code.



http://www.lifetimetv.com/health/breast_mastectomy_pledge.html

 

[Owltree]

Thanks for the info...child of a breat cancer survivor.

 

[kwillia]

I signed. Those who don't think it's a big deal should read "A Breast Cancer Survivor from North Carolina Speaks Out Against":

Six months ago, I had a "drive-through" mastectomy. I left my house for my surgery at sunrise and was back home before sundown. I was not given the option of staying in the hospital. When I went to schedule my surgery, I was told by my surgeon's office that my health insurance would not cover a hospital stay. So my mastectomy was scheduled as an outpatient procedure at the New Bern Surgical Center in New Bern, N.C.

 

[nanstime]

i have signed and sent it on

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I signed. Those who don't think it's a big deal should read "A Breast Cancer Survivor from North Carolina Speaks Out Against":

I'm not trying to downplay anything, but my thoughts are that some individuals may seem the operation much like breast augmentation/implants. You are in and out in a fairly short amount of time, no overnight stay in the hospital, but follow-up care w/in a few days. But how tragic it must be for a woman to lose a breast.

 

[kwillia]

I'm not trying to downplay anything, but my thoughts are that some individuals may seem the operation much like breast augmentation/implants. You are in and out in a fairly short amount of time, no overnight stay in the hospital, but follow-up care w/in a few days. But how tragic it must be for a woman to lose a breast.

You are comparing apples to oranges. There is a huge difference between making a small slice and shoving a fluid-filled sac into existing tissue and muscle vs. complete physical removal of said tissue and muscle.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

You are comparing apples to oranges. There is a huge difference between making a small slice and shoving a fluid-filled sac into existing tissue and muscle vs. complete physical removal of said tissue and muscle.

I said "some" people, not me. I certainly think women should stay in the hospital for a few days after the procedure.

 

[pixiegirl]

You are comparing apples to oranges. There is a huge difference between making a small slice and shoving a fluid-filled sac into existing tissue and muscle vs. complete physical removal of said tissue and muscle.

I agree that it should be covered but I also agree with Chasey that it's not a HUGE surgery. My mom had a major tummy tuck and breast reduction and wasn't offered an overnight stay. I'm not saying that she should be with a totally cosmetic procedure BUT that's a lot more cutting and tissue removal than a mastectomy. I think insurance companies should cover at least an overnight stay. If nothing else the emotional wellbeing needs to be monitored.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

I agree that it should be covered but I also agree with Chasey that it's not a HUGE surgery.

That's not what I said at all. I agree the surgery should warrant more than a 3-hour stay in the hospital. Heck, women who had c-sections get a longer stay than this.

 

[pixiegirl]

That's not what I said at all. I agree the surgery should warrant more than a 3-hour stay in the hospital. Heck, women who had c-sections get a longer stay than this.

C-sections get a 3 day as they should. You're entire gut is cut open.

My mom's surgery was comperable if not worse than a c-section and she was out after a few hours. I think they push mastectomy patients out because they are capable of functioning without being in the hospital. I don't agree with that but moreso because of the emotional effects.

 

[robbie]

What some may not understand is that sometimes the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm pitts and a lot of that muscle and tissue is removed also. Until you do therapy sometimes a woman cannot raise her arm. Unless there is a lot of help at home they can be very dependant on others. Also, if a person gets an infection or has too much bleeding, which also happens a lot, they end up right back in for longer than the insurance wanted to pay. That makes no sense.

 

[Tinkerbell]

If you really want to help:

Write your congressman by hand. With pen and paper. He WILL take notice of that.

E-Petitions are virtually (no pun intended) useless. Read this link to understand why - they explain it very nicely.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp

A good way to write letters is to create one for people to print out, sign and mail. Even that, though not idividually hand written, gets more attention on the Hill than an e-petition. That's what we used when I worked for environmental groups and there's nothing like having 1000's of envelopes mailed to a Congressman. They really do see that.

 

[Owltree]

That's not what I said at all. I agree the surgery should warrant more than a 3-hour stay in the hospital. Heck, women who had c-sections get a longer stay than this.

My freind had mastectomy done, and they kept her 2 nights..had drains, etc in chest wall.
Later went back for other breast removal due to type of cancer...was really hard on her.
I went and helped and she was in so much pain.
Not only is the breast removed, but they "strip" the lymphnodes all the way up into the armpit.
Her whole arm swelled and she could not use her hand for a few days.
That causes a lot of swelling cause the lymph system has no where to drain..
lot worse than tummy tuck of boob job!
Ask Eileen!..ask any breast cancer survivor.
(I signmed too)

 

[watercolor]

Thanks for the info...child of a breat cancer survivor.

Same here! Good for your family.









Signed and passed on! This is truly important. I have some thoughts, to add, that I will post in a bit. I am trying to get my thoughts straight.

 

[watercolor]

If you really want to help:

Write your congressman by hand. With pen and paper. He WILL take notice of that.

E-Petitions are virtually (no pun intended) useless. Read this link to understand why - they explain it very nicely.

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/petition/internet.asp

A good way to write letters is to create one for people to print out, sign and mail. Even that, though not idividually hand written, gets more attention on the Hill than an e-petition. That's what we used when I worked for environmental groups and there's nothing like having 1000's of envelopes mailed to a Congressman. They really do see that.

Exactly!

 

[Owltree]

C-sections get a 3 day as they should. You're entire gut is cut open.

My mom's surgery was comperable if not worse than a c-section and she was out after a few hours. I think they push mastectomy patients out because they are capable of functioning without being in the hospital. I don't agree with that but moreso because of the emotional effects.

Gut is not cut into..
Incission is made into womb well out of the way of the intestines...and three layers are sewn back together..

 

[pixiegirl]

Gut is not cut into..
Incission is made into womb well out of the way of the intestines...and three layers are sewn back together..

Gut being the region. And when I had BOTH my c-sections my "guts" were taken out of me and laid on my chest while they removed the baby from the womb.

 

[kwillia]

Gut being the region. And when I had BOTH my c-sections my "guts" were taken out of me and laid on my chest while they removed the baby from the womb.

Why did they do that...

 

[Jameo]

Gut being the region. And when I had BOTH my c-sections my "guts" were taken out of me and laid on my chest while they removed the baby from the womb.

I think I'm gonna faint now and when I wake up I'm calling my doc about having my tubes tied

 

[kwillia]

I think I'm gonna faint now and when I wake up I'm calling me doc about having my tubes tied

That's not typical...