Hi guys,

Just looking for a few familiar faces (& who followed my story) firstly...... a BIG BIG HELLOOO, (been a long long time I know)
But, if any of the old gang/posters are still around, well I'd truly love to hear from you. Wasn't sure where to post, so hope it was ok to start here?

Beth

Hi Beth,

I wasn't around at the time but I just went back and read the "Silent in Seattle" thread. Where are you now? How are things going? It sounded like you went through a terrible time, hoping things are much better.

Hi Ni

I didn't think I recognized your screen name, but still wanted to thank you for your reply and comments. As you saw, the original thread was back in 09, so I know, it must have taken some time, to read my story in its entirety.

Well, im still here in Seattle, although obviously, much has happened in that time. The situation had been quite surreal, and of course took some time to absorb and process. I'm doing ok, and hope (one day) to return home to England, even if just to visit!
I certainly can't erase the events of 09, BUT, I can replace those awful memories with better and much happier ones

I'm presently in remission (3 1/2 yrs now) yayyy, after a right sided breast cancer diagnosis March 1st 2010. It was a bitter sweet, as id fought (through the Obama program back then) to keep my home. I'll never forget the FedEx van, delivering a hard fought for modification on my home. It had been successful (yaayyy again) It had been a long long rough process, and I learned patience I didn't know existed (haha) but efforts had paid off, and my mortgage payment was lowered from $2200 (mnth) to $1300 (incl of tax ins etc)

I was ecstatic learning, i could keep my home, even if there wasn't much of anything in it (I'd sold most trying to get home) Buying a little, here and there, turned it back from a house, to a home again I got the modification news in Feb 2010, and unfortunately, my diagnosis came 3 wks later. I was numb, that's all i can say.
BUT...i surely hadn't, gone through that, just to quit...oh no no no no no (haha) anyone that knows me well enough, would know, that THAT, was NOT an option. I can't pretend i wasn't feaful, i absolutely SO WAS, BUT, you have to try to bring good outta bad, and at least I didn't have to face the upheaval of leaving (again) or deal with the uncertainty....of where I would go? That news was a blessing.

I'm a great believer or What's meant to be' especially when knowing what i do now. I also know, i couldn't have been in a better place for treatment. While Seattle (don't know why) but the Pacific North West, has (from my understanding) the highest rate of breast cancer in the country, BUT ALSO, has, one of 'the' HIGHEST SUCCESS rates for BC in the country too. My treatment and care was exceptional, and even though I had no health coverage, the hospital immediately enrolled me into a bc program which gave me entitlement to Medicaid. The requirement was, i must have resided in the USA, as a permanent residence for at least 5yrs, i made it (just) by 1 month, PHEW! Although I genuinely felt, that even without coverage, they wouldn't have just turned me away. I celebrate 4 yrs cancer free on March 1st

I've learned so so much, in many many areas, but most of all, is to face your fears. You just don't know how strong the human mind and body really is, until its tested. We're ALL stronger than what we think.

Trying to navigate an alien system, in a foreign country, along with the expectation of similarity (whatever the issue) can only be described as daunting (at best) and even more so, if you're alone.
I'm not out of the woods just yet, but.....experiences, bring knowledge, and also the ability to help others, and that's always always a good thing!

I see life differently now, but that in itself.....is also a blessing

Best wishes
Beth.

I'm not sure if you qualified under the same program as the woman in the following link but she didn't require 5 years residency to be covered and she is living in West Virginia and I can't imagine that West Virginia is more liberal for Medicaid benefits than Washington state .

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=808610

I wish you well and hope your future is better.

You are correct that Washington state is one of the states with the highest incidence of breast cancer. However northern states usually have better reporting systems. The numbers are the incidence per 100,000.

Good to see you back! You've certainly been through the mill both before and after 09 from the sound of it but it's great that you are still swimming along and keeping your head above water through it all! They do say that when you hit rock bottom the only way is up so I do hope things continue in their upward trajectory for you!!

You are one gutsy lady! I spend a lot of time in the archives here, they are very enlightening.

I'll go back and take a squizz at your story.Well done to you for all you have surmounted.

_______________________________________

I still have the edit facility showing, so 'ere I is again!

I'm up to page 4 of your original thread. I am utterly stunned at what you went through, and how you handled it. I shall be back to that thread on the morrow to read it completely through.

THIS is why I have such faith in the indomitable spirit of women to survive!

I also have read all the way through your original thread and I'm amazed that through one dreadful trauma after another you've remained sane and coherent.
Why for goodness sake did you not take up the offers of help and friendship offered to you from BE members in the UK when you flew over? And leaving your Mum so quickly? I hope you've found yourself happy employment and good friends back in Seattle.
Take care

I was able to keep in touch for a short time with several people from BE (email & IM) when i retuned, but my 8 yr old laptop died, and for a long time after, I was unable to connect with anyone. I had taken the laptop to the UK, but my mother had never used a computer, and didn't have internet service. Therefore, I had no way to communicate. It was extremely frustrating, and especially when I learned weeks later, that one particular lady from BE, only lived (approx) 20 miles from where I was at the time. She'd kindly left her tel # (by private message here) But again, i had no access or way to retrieve it until I returned, I also had no working cell phone in the UK, and it was only vey recent, that I was able to purchase a phone with internet service. If needed, i would also have service overseas. Hindsight 20/20, and all that....right

I still have a ways to go, and im not quite there yet. But, i 'have' learned much from this experience, with a much better insight and understanding.

Having the right tools, makes light work of the task in hand.

Thanks everyone
Best wishes
Beth

May be with a little luck and ACA starting in 2014, you may possibly be able to find a specialist that can help you with your disability and then 2014 would be a great year.

Hi guys,

Just looking for a few familiar faces (& who followed my story) firstly...... a BIG BIG HELLO, (been a long long time I know)
But, if any of the old gang/posters are still around, well I'd truly love to hear from you. Wasn't sure where to post, so hope it was ok to start here?

Beth

Hi Beth!
I'm not one of the old gang, but went through breast cancer and some other awful things while in the US. Had great treatment, though, and have just had the five year all clear, and hope I've seen the last of all that!
I will read your thread soon, and I hope you stay well!

No idea I had double posted (oops)

Congrats Jemima, happy to hear you're doing great.
I too am from North Yorkshire.

I remember the posts about you moving.
Well done on your success with the cancer treatment.
You sound a lot happier in your posts now.