This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/05/14 ... e-patient/

This is not limited to Multiple Sclerosis/CCSVI.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After learning all I could about my specific type, I came upon a chartroom. It was on www.breastcancer.org. There I was told by a similarly diagnosed woman named Pat , that I was a candidate for a new test. The test done on your tumor specimen is called OncotypeDx and it assesses whether you are a candidate for chemotherapy and what your recurrence risk is.

After my surgery I asked my oncologist to order this test. She was a preeminent physician at a large recognizable cancer center. She first said that " insurance probably wouldn't cover it" and then she " didn't really see the value if the test".

After telling her I would pay for the test if I had to and that I was insisting in
it, she complied and ordered the test.

I scored a "o" which is the be score you could get. Chemotherapy would not
help me or influence my prognosis at all.

I believe because chemotherapy would have generated revenue for her or
her Hospital , the physician was not routinely ordering a test that could
prevent needless chemotherapy.

I had advocated for my own healthcare and was very empowered without risking my survival.

Patients+ research+ Internet = a new level of empowerment

I remain friends to this day with Pat, we even met in person.

I now appear on the genomics health website that teaches people about the
test.

Healthcare will never be the same.

Ps I just hit my 5 year anniversary cancer free.

_________________
Cat (Catherine Somerville on FB)
MegansMom
My 35 yo daughter is newly dx 8/19/10 (had 12 symptoms)
Dx with Type A CCSVI- 1 IJV & double "candy wrapper" appearance of her Azygos
Venoplasty done Sept 21, 2010
Doing extremely well-