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About pcelfit

Premier ELA & Medical Billing Tutor - Now grey and not smiling as often. 1 mate, 2 kids, 5 grands, and looking to a new decade of...

The New “Normal”

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It’s the night before my first chemo treatment and I bouncing off the wall from the fear of what’s going to take place tomorrow morning.  I’ve joined a group nearby me, Breast Buds, and one of the members talks to me for close to two hours and manages to calm me down.  The next morning Richard accompanies me and stays by my side during the prep: weight, blood pressure, and blood tests. I’m also given an infusion of anti-nausea and anti-anxiety meds. Within a half hour I receive my first chemo treatment. In prepping me nurses explain this will be my longest treatment session–6 hours!

Surprisingly, everything goes well.  I’m just exhausted from the ordeal.  My Breast Buds buddy calls to check on me and make sure everything went well. I’m so blessed to be part of this group! It’s New Years Eve and we’re going to welcome in the New Year with our best and closest friends, Judy and Steve.  They know I can’t have any alcohol so we toast in 2015 with apple cider.  And dinner. . . oh my! Boiled lobsters with melted butter and lemon on the side, creamed spinach and scalloped potatoes.  Unlike what you sometimes hear about patients receiving chemo, the treatment has not caused me to lose my appetite.  Right now I see that as a blessing. First treatment down, only eleven more to go!

Life is a blur with no clear lines defined for me.  Once a week I receive my chemo treatment along with Herceptin.  When my chemo ends after twelve weeks, I’ll still continue to receive Herceptin, once every three weeks for a year!  My best friend and soul mate, my husband takes over and shops, cooks, cleans, day in and day out – not to mention taking me to my chemo treatments and doctor appointments.

In January, I saw my primary care physician and learned I had bronchitis.  Armed with an antibiotic and cough syrup, I began treatment for this. Now, I know when you’re on antibiotics, you need to take a probiotic or eat yogurt.  With everything going on in my life, that was the last thing I thought about.  Suddenly, after two weeks I was having tummy issues – loose, watery stool.  I didn’t say anything to anyone and let this go on for almost two months.  I was hardly eating anything and yet. . .

Then, one morning in March, my husband leaned over to ask me what I wanted for breakfast.  He felt my forehead and it was HOT, HOT, HOT!! He took my temperature ant it  was 105!  He called my oncologist who said: “give her two Tylenol capsules, don’t stop to dress her and take her to the E.D. in her pajamas.”

I’m All Better, Or Am I?

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Surgery has gone well. I had a mastectomy and  I’m home from the hospital. On  Saturday, my surgeon calls to tell me the margins are clean and the one lymph node that was removed shows no cancer cells. The news is great.  As the surgeon and I hang up, he reminds me I need to call and make an appointment with the oncologist he’s referred me to.  I’m doing my little happy dance when I call the oncology office on Monday so I’m surprised when they can see me on Friday.

I arrive at the oncology office and I’m in an exam room waiting to meet Dr. O. She enters and warmly greets me, reviewing my history of cancer from mammogram, to biopsy, to mastectomy, to now. Then she begins reviewing my course of treatment. “Treatment? What treatment? No one’s mentioned anything about treatment. I thought I’m just here for a wellness exam.”  Her face darkens a little and she clears her throat. “Your surgeon should have told you that you need to have a treatment plan. I’m sorry that I have to be the one to tell you.”

“When they removed the cancer, some random cells may have broken loose. It’s like a dandelion gone to seed. When the wind blows, some seeds are dispersed and planted in the ground to bloom next season. That’s what the random cancer cells are like.” I sit and numbly listen to her prescribed course of treatment; twelve consecutive weeks of chemo with another drug, Herceptin.  Before leaving I schedule an appointment with an oncology P.A. who will answer my questions and take me on a tour of the facility. I thought I was all better, no need for any further treatments. I’m in shock. I’m looking at three months of consecutive chemo with Herceptin and then Herceptin every three weeks for a year. The oncology office also calls my surgeon to have him surgically insert a port-a-cath; less stress on my already poor veins when the chemo is infused. I’m all better. Yeah, right. But God keeps whispering in my ear–Trust me and “lean upon me, not your own understanding.”

My port-a-cath has been implanted and I’m at the oncologist’s office for my “tour.”  The tour takes about two hours and questions are answered as we walk through the various areas. We go back to the office of the P.A. and she gives me a binder, booklets and then has me sign numerous forms.  As we leave, I schedule my first appointment: 12/31/2014.  We walk to the car and once inside, I sob uncontrollably. My husband holds me assuring me everything’s going to be okay.  “That’s not why I’m crying. All the patients look so thin, so worn out, so sickly. I don’t want to look like that!”  He holds me close and looks me in the eye: “You’re a strong woman and you’ll never look like that. You’re going to beat this illness!”

Facing the Unknown

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Before I can sort through my  many emotions, I receive a call from my surgeon and learn I’m scheduled for a mastectomy on Tuesday, November 18, 2014.  Our very dear friend, Steve accompanies Richard and me to the Phoenix Baptist Hospital.  I’m whisked away to be checked in and poked and prodded some more.  Finally I’m wheeled downstairs and and my husband meets me at the elevators. “There’s someone special here to see you.” “Who would be here to visit me?” Richard stepped aside and Pastor Brad from Calvary Chapel Surprise was here to see me before my surgery and pray for us.  With tears streaming down my face, I know God is keeping us safe in the palm of His hand. Pastor Brad prays over Richard and me.  As the 23rd Psalm tells us: “. . .I will fear no evil”.  “. . . My cup runs to overflowing. . .”  God whispers in my ear that everything will be all right.

Dealing With the Dreaded Words: You Have Breast Cancer

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On October 6th, in the early afternoon my PCP calls and I need to schedule an appointment for my flu shot and a consult.  She tells me she has received the biopsy report and I schedule an appointment for Wednesday, October 8th at 9:00am.

I arrive at 9:00am for my flu shot and cancer consult. More tears as my PCP explains I have four tumors, one of which is cancerous.  She also explains that this is a tumor that can’t be removed through surgery (referred to as a lumpectomy) because the tumor has tentacles that resemble spider legs.  As I am leaving the office her staff is calling a breast surgeon to schedule an appointment.

I’m trying really hard to remain cheerful and optimistic but I have my moments where I just break out crying.  I’ve been praying almost non-stop and I believe God has a purpose.  I need to rely on God to guide me on this journey.  He knew my life before I even drew my first breath.  As I pray a calmness and peace washes over me.  Over and over a scripture keeps running through my mind: “whatever work it is you are doing, be busy in the work of the Lord.”

A Speedbump in the Road of Life

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It’s 9am on October 2nd and I’m being prepped for four biopsies on my right breast. I’ve been praying over this strange curve on the road of life.  I have faith and know God will not ask me to endure more than I can bear; I pray for His calming spirit to come upon me.  A scripture keeps running through my mind as I pray: Keep busy in the work of the Lord.  I feel God is assuring me that if I become more involved in sharing the Good News with everyone I meet throughout my treatment, He will keep me strong.  I pray constantly for His Word to be found in my mouth; that He find me worthy to be His child; that He fill me with Holy Spirit to give a thorough witness for my unwavering hope in His promises.

An hour has gone by and I’m wondering when the technicians will be starting one of the biopsies.  I’m so surprised when they tell me that their part of the procedure has already been done and I’m going into another room to have the last three biopsies done.  God has answered my prayers.  The procedure has so far been pain-free.  Praise God!  I’m in prayer the balance will be just as pain-free.

There are three remaining biopsies.  The second biopsy proves to be painful.  No matter how much the radiologist numbs this one area, each time she tries to do the biopsy, the pain is almost unbearable.  I wince each time she tries to take more.  After two attempts, the radiologist says she won’t probe that area for more tissue and she lets me rest on the table; to catch my breath and prepare for the last biopsy.  The last biopsy is not painful and at last I’m done. At the site of each biopsy there is a marker the size of a mustard seed implanted so when future mammograms are taken these markers will show the removal of tissue.

I put on another gown and am waiting to have additional mammograms taken to be sure the markers show up.  As I’m waiting, I’m praying.  My prayer warriors have been amazing and God has graciously answered my prayers as well as theirs; that there is minimal pain. Everything looks good, so I’m given two ice packs and a pink teddy bear to hug while Richard drives me home.  The Radiology Technologist tells me my primary care physician (PCP) should have the results by Monday, October 6th.  Praise God I’m not in any real pain, just exhausted from the ordeal!  Now, more waiting, more praying.

 

 

An Unexpected Journey

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Through the years I’ve had mammograms and like most women grumbled when there was pressure applied to the breasts to take the necessary pictures.  In each instance, thankfully, everything looked normal.  After my annual wellness exam, I scheduled my mammogram on August 28th of this year.  Imagine my surprise when on September 10th my PCP called saying my mammogram looked suspicious and they wanted another set of mammograms as well as an ultrasound.  I called and scheduled an appointment September 22nd.

After a series of mammogram films, I was brought into the Ultrasound Room.  I guess I started thinking something might be wrong when the Ultrasound Tech spent about forty-five minutes on my right breast.  She kept reassuring me saying my tissue was dense and just needed more time to capture the images.  At last the ultrasound was done and the tech told me I could dress and she would send my husband in if I wished since I needed to speak with the radiologist.

My husband came into the room and a few minutes later the radiologist entered.  Compassionate, she shared with me that there were some masses in my right breast that looked suspicious and I needed to have four biopsies on my right breast.

I was in shock!  Until now the worst illness I faced was bronchial pneumonia in 1984.  Now we were talking about biopsies; we were talking the possibility of breast cancer!

 

College

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I entered college as an older student and for me it was the most wonderful part of my life. They say that life does begin at 40 and for me this was true. I went to college not as the normal route that most people take. By that I mean usually right out of high school most students will go to college. I didn’t have that opportunity because when I was in school you had very strict guidelines and requirements. In other words, even though I really wanted to excel in English and be an English major I still had to satisfy other academic requirements such as four years of history, three years of science, three years of math. I was never very good in math.

I tried unsuccessfully to do well in math and yet I never could conquer the requirements. It wasn’t until the 1970s when New York State changed college requirements. They now had this thing known as open enrollment. By the 1970s however I was now married, had a family and was working. I started working as a secretary, went on to become an administrative assistant but I still had this burning desire to go to college. Finally towards the end of the 80s I was able to fulfill this part of my dream.

I went and chose a very small college by the name of Molloy. It was a Catholic college and they educated in the Dominican tradition. I loved my professors. They were always there for me, always encouraging me, and I appreciate all of their hard work and effort.

What I learned is life is a journey and education is a part of our life’s journey. We can’t stop learning just because we’ve reached a certain age.

One of my first memories of the English department is when I signed up and took Dr. Robert Kinpointner as my first English professor for English composition. I remember very clearly sitting in my seat and it was about the second class. As class was about to begin Dr. Kinpointner said he would like me to stay after class. He wanted to speak to me about something. I guess the color must’ve drained from my face because he realized this was the wrong thing to say to me and as a result he took me outside the classroom and said “don’t worry, this is something good.” He explained he wanted me to become one of the tutors in writing lab and work alongside Dr. Dupré and work in the classrooms, especially during the summertime with other students who needed help in their writing skills. This was another writing outlet for me. Suddenly my skills and my abilities were going to be used in another direction. I was now going to see that I might have an opportunity to follow a whole new career path.

I worked with Dr. Dupré every summer for four years and during the fall and spring sessions I worked in the writing lab. The writing lab was interesting because professors and administrators were discovering at Molloy College, as I’m sure other schools were coming to realize, most students coming out of high school really didn’t have a firm grasp on actually writing. This was the first time I was introduced to Dr. Dupré’s formula for successful writing. He referred to it as “cats rats and bats.” I found this very interesting because Dr. Dupré actually was proven right especially when it came time for me to write my thesis in order to get my degree in English. No matter what the length or the topic was that you needed to write about as long as you used the formula of “cats rats and bats” you couldn’t help but write successfully.

Born To Teach

Aside

My Career Is…

I graduated from Molloy College and suddenly, even though I was in my 40’s, I was, just like most students, being cut loose in their 20’s. I needed to get a job but faced another problem. Because I had my English degree +20 years of work experience I was now overqualified. Most businesses would grant me the opportunity of an interview but I would never hear back from them. Finally on one of my last interviews I asked the person interviewing me if there was any recommendation; why I was constantly being overlooked. He was wonderful because he shared with me the problem that I was now facing. He told me that many businesses were going to be scared to death of me; not only was I now returning to the business community with an English degree but I also had 20 years’ experience. They really felt that there was no way that they could hire me. I explained to him that no one had ever granted me a follow-up interview and as a result of that they didn’t even know what I would be willing to start with.

Born to Teach

Armed with this new information, since I had been so successful in the writing lab, I began to think about teaching again. I discovered that I had a natural ability to teach.  I could explain something more than once and in different ways because I realize that people learn differently. Some people are visual learners, others audio and still others are kinetic. I began looking to see what teaching opportunities were out there and I discovered that while I had been attending college there was a need to educate people on the PC and there were many PC storefronts. So, I began to investigate and I found a couple of places nearby. One of my first clients was going to be someone that I met from the New York City transit department. I taught a number of classes and my results were excellent. The students actually enjoyed what they were learning. I have this way when I teach that I’m not just teaching.  I make learning painless and fun becoming animated and sharing this with my students.

From the transit department I answered an ad and soon was on my way to teaching through a contract I had with AT&T. I was with AT&T for a little bit more than a year and a half and traveled around the country.  With AT&T I concentrated on Microsoft Office specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint but also taught Lotus 123, which is IBM’s answer to Excel. I enjoyed this and my reviews always came back very favorably from my students. The interesting sideline to this was that nine times out of 10 their immediate supervisors would come and sit in on my first day of class as well as my last day of class and almost always the resulting remarks were the same. The supervisor would say to me “you have the same enthusiasm and excitement that you brought on the first day of class.”  “By the fourth day of class you still maintain that high enthusiasm and high excitement in the classroom.” I returned to the storefronts because Gateway was now opening up their storefronts. Prior to that, Gateway Computers were sold online but they saw an opportunity to open up classes in storefronts. So I would go to Connecticut from Long Island, NY and teach at the Gateway storefront morning, noon and night. While there I learned that Norwalk Community Technical College was looking for someone to be an adjunct professor and teach Microsoft subjects. I interviewed and I had an opportunity to meet with and favorably impress the head of Allied Services as well as the Business department.

From MS Office To Medical Coding…and back again

I began teaching Microsoft Office and was only given one subject and that was Excel. I had fun with it. In the meantime I had also met with someone in Allied Health and they were more interested in having me teach Medical Billing & Coding. I would be teaching students about CPT codes which refer to different procedures and treatments that doctors will render, and ICD-9 codes, which describes “what’s wrong with me.”

Once, while teaching Medical Billing & Coding, there was an emergency call that went out and I met with someone who asked if I would be available to take on another teaching assignment. This time it would be teaching Microsoft WORD. It was explained to me that the person who was teaching this class had been teaching for approximately 2 weeks, which was four sessions, and in that time never gave the students an outline of what was going to be covered, and never discussed the textbook. Almost nothing was done with the students. I walked into the classroom and I had about 20-25 students. While I taught the first class I explained to them that by the next class I would have an outline ready for them and what I expected from them and what they could expect from me. Interesting thing about this class is after the first night the students stood up and cheered me because they said I taught them in one night what they had missed in the prior four sessions. I had as one of my students the Executive Assistant to the President of Norwalk Community Technical College, Lynn Dennis. She and I really became fast friends and whatever classes I was teaching she was sure to be there. She encouraged other people to sit in on my classes by sharing I had a wealth of information.  Again, in a classroom setting I demonstrated this ability to move around… to dance around the classroom, if you will, and just have fun, sharing with them all the excitement and enthusiasm that I had for the subject I was teaching. Medical Billing and Coding was also growing and I had large amounts of students in my classes when I was teaching.  Suddenly I went from one or two classes to 4 or 5 classes teaching as an adjunct professor. I stayed with Norwalk Community Technical College until we moved to Delray Beach, Florida in 2000.

An Excursion from NYC to Florida

After “vacationing” for a month I started working for a medical billing group which I absolutely loved, doing coding for ER physicians throughout the country. Huge canvas sacks would be delivered on a daily basis and we would get stacks of ER physician reports.  We had to wade through their writings and pick out the correct CPT codes for the emergency room (99281 to 99285).  Then we read the documentation and pick out the correct ICD-9 diagnosis codes.

I stayed with the medical billing group for approximately 6 months. This business kept raising the bar. After a while I soon tired because it seemed no matter what I was doing they were expecting more and more, so I decided to register with a temporary agency, All Medical Personnel, and began looking for a more permanent position, this time working in a doctor’s office. I had a few temporary assignments from them and finally I got a call for a more permanent position. An office was looking for someone to do medical billing and coding and it was temporary but it could lead to full-time permanent. I began to work for Dr. Sayetta, a very well respected psychiatrist in Boca Raton, Florida.