Susan Moskowitz <[log in to unmask]> wrote:  susan, i think that the decision about kyle's surgery should be up to his family but thats a good idea.  all we can do right now is let kyle know that we are here for him and pray.

genia
Kyle,
I'm going to risk playing the devil's advocate for a moment. If your
ability to breath or to compen-sate for your spasms truly is at risk, then
fight for the reconstruction by all means. However, if the reconstruction is
not medically necessary,and you can envision a satisfactory future with "one
headlight" as I believe you phrased it yesterday, you might want to
seriously consider going without reconstruction. My mother lived with breast
cancer for 15 years and repeatedly told me that she would have died at least
ten years sooner if she had had reconstructive work done, because the
reconstruction would have masked the second tumor which developed years
after her initial mastectomy. I'm truly sorry to have to bring up the
possibility of recurrence, but it ought to be considered when you are
contemplating your surgical options. Please know that I wish nothing but the
best possible outcome for you and your family and that you will continue to
have my concern and support whichever treatment options you choose
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cleveland, Kyle E."
To:
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2003 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: Hey all


> Thanks, Beth. Yeah, I already approached my surgeon with that one and he
> said that he would only cut the bare minimum. He's a really good "Joe",
and
> I trust him on this one. Laura had surgery about ten years back and he
was
> the cutter. I was really impressed with his bedside manner and suturing.
>
> I've been fighting with "peer review" already at the insurance co. At
best,
> these folks are LPNs, most don't have any formal medical education at all.
> The doc is as frustrated as I am about their reticence to have someone
else
> close. He admits that a plastic surgeon could close better, even with no
> reconstruction. They are pretty adamant about the whole thing--because
"the
> book says it's not 'medically or psychologically necessary' for men to
have
> reconstruction." If it ain't in the "book", they ain't payin'--pure and
> simple. Our benefits administrator said to me that I have to be careful
> when deciding whether to fight or stand-down as the carriers are becoming
> "hip" to all of the arguments. She said that I've already become a
> statistical liability to the carrier, so I need to pick my battles
> carefully. Still, the "breathing" angle is one I hadn't considered.
> Thanks! I'll call my cutter today and run that past him. Who knows?
Maybe
> he can plead the case that with my spastic CP, a second pair of
experienced
> hands might be cheaper in the long haul.
>
> Kyle
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elizabeth H. Thiers [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 4:52 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Hey all
>
>
> You know, it may delay your surgery a bit but, you can ask for a plastic
> surgeon to close for you. My friend did this when she had her bilateral
> mastectomy. You can tell them you need all the muscles and soft fascia
you
> can in order to breath properly. (the pecs are an auxillary breathing
> muscle).
>
> I'd keep harrassing the insurance.
>
> beth t.


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