"Parenthood" Season 4 : Kristina's Cancer And Other Important Stuff

Just on a side note, I love the Braverman family.  We all need our escape from reality and watching the show "Parenthood" is one of my favorite distractions.

I have been extremely tired, it just gets worse and worse.  When I am not working or with mom I turn on my Roku and catch up on old seasons of my favorite shows.  I need the distraction and who can resist the show "Parenthood".

Season 4 has Kristina Braverman battling breast cancer. For television, I think that they did a fair take on cancer.  It is not a real life documentary.  It did a good job, touched enough on important events and issues related to treatment, fears, complications of treatment and also how family adapts to these challenges.

I was glued to the tv.

Granted, this tv family is whole.  Kristina is not single and wants for nothing.  Those of us with cancer or any serious illness have a harder road if we are single.   

That being said, if you haven't watched season 4, please do so.   I really took advantage of the ability to remotely share with the character, and cry a little.  If you are a caregiver or friend of someone with cancer or any life changing, chronic illness, it can improve your empathy.

I never promote tv shows.  Not my style.  It was nice to have the marathon escape.  Chemo again on Tuesday......thank you God for the medical care.

http://www.nbc.com/parenthood/episode-guide/season-4/615416/

The little joys in life.....

Love,

Denise

Obama's ACA Opens Door For Significant Cancer Research Options

More Cancer Research Available Because of The Affordable Care Act

Insurers required to pay for routine care costs in clinical trials

mar
2013

By Elsie Puig for TCAJOB

"Patients from all over the world have gone to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to participate in clinical trials, especially those for bone marrow and stem cell transplants.

“The benefits of choosing to participate in a clinical trial can be significant,” said Forbes."

Quote from article in http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/

I want to address the rumors being spread about how cancer patients will be left with fewer coverage options in 2014.  How do people say these things without actual evidence?  They say it because they don't like the healthcare bill and don't want all people to have access to quality care.

The above referenced article stated clearly  that because of the historic passing of the Affordable Care Act, not only will more patients have access to newly discovered treatments, research facilities will have a broader base of participants, which dramatically improves the quality and timeliness of much needed studies.

Insurance companies cannot deny coverage to patients who participate in a clinical trial.

I have opened up a response below from someone who claims that the number of options for quality cancer coverage is decreasing due to the Affordable Care Act.

Well, why would that be?  Hmmmm.  Maybe some insurance companies don't want to cover cancer, so they drop their contract with a facility that treats cancer patients.

So the insurance company is the entity responsible there I say.  Also, somewhere along the line big pharma really needs to lower their charges for medications, across the board.  It is ridiculous all around.

This is a really unique time for people with pre-existing conditions.  We will not let this go, ever, millions of us need the Affordable Care Act, even if it is not perfect.  The ACA has implemented within it Q&A, so it can adapt and change with demand.

I have already contacted the American Cancer Society and am looking forward to talking with someone on Monday.  Please also contact them if you have some concerns about these rumors.  http://www.cancer.org/

The woman that I spoke from the American Cancer Society was glad to help me.  

As a Nation, we are for the very first time in history on the cusp of adding another layer of real equality to services that treat our lives.

It will take time for some of the problems to work themselves out, that is truth.  The right thing to do is to give everyone a chance for quality health care, not just the few with good jobs who are already healthy.  

Imagining a nation with less illness, more health, better education and improved strength is exciting to me.  Gee, maybe we can reduce and better treat drug addiction and mental illness.  Wow, more cancer screenings to catch cancer earlier.  More cardiac screenings to avert heart attacks.  Fewer people with diabetes.  

The Affordable Care Act is not just about cancer.  It is about everyone's right to have healthcare.  Healthcare that they can afford.  Healthcare that is ongoing, not just in the emergency room.  

Peace and Blessings,

Denise

The Affordable Care Act: A Few Resources

I have seen a lot of mis-information in the news about fears for cancer patients and the Affordable Care Act.  Tea Party Republicans are holding the government hostage because they don't want people to be empowered with health and vitality, in my opinion.  It is historic and tragic.  I have always believed healthcare is a right.

I remember when I graduated from college and was shocked to learn that my health insurance was tied to my employer.  I have had rheumatoid arthritis since age 15.  When I lost that well paid career due to RA years later, I had no health insurance. That lasted for about 10 years.  Thank God I had good insurance to help pay for the optimal debulking surgery that diagnosed my cancer.  Had I not had insurance, I would have died.

We needed The Affordable Care Act years ago and it's time has come.  

The document is over 900 pages long.  It is understandable that people and agencies are overwhelmed.  Some of my ovarian sisters are scared about some of the outcome based strategies written into the new law that are designed to improve quality of care.  I think some doctors are also not sure what this will mean for some patients.  Some bad employers have  prematurely dropped spousal coverage as of October and these poor people are not able to be covered until January of 2014.

I myself need to shop for a new plan because my insurance decided to cut off my provider.  I want my doctor, I want my treatment team and facility so I will shop till I drop to keep them.

The big picture though is that millions of good people will have the ability to see a doctor.  The benefits in preventative care and screenings have been ramped up.  There will even be a program that will try home based delivery of care by physicians. Mostly, people with pre- existing conditions no longer need to live in fear.  

The ACA will take time to be perfected, but this is an historic opportunity for millions of people to have access to much needed screenings and care.

Here are a few resources that will help cancer patients have tools to better select insurance and also have access to treatment protocols that have been created.  

http://www.nccn.org/patients/about/resources/default.aspx

http://www.livestrong.org/

Love Denise