what to do if you can't afford a procedure

[rosebud136]

Three weeks ago I had an abnormal mamogram and ultrasound with two areas of calcifications. This week I went to a surgeon to set up two biopsies. These two biopsies anr going to cost more than $10,000. In 98 I had calcifications and a biopsy which was paid for by my insurance. They were benign. I was told by the surgeon I could wait until after the new year to have this procedure done and also that it was an 80 percent chance it will be benign also. We have a huge monthly insurance premium anyway, and our part of this surgery will be expensive and I really can't afford to have it done. My husband went with me to this surgeon and her ease with doing it later and the 20 percent possibility of cancer made him think this isn't worth the expense. He wants to pass on this surgery for now. The hospital said they want their money in a year and that isn't possible for us. I have two other illnesses besides this which have had me unable to work. I don't know what to do about this. If it is benign and we have to worry about the cost my husband will say I wasted the money. If it is cancer maybe the test will save my life. Twenty percent isn't much unless you are in that percentage. Most of you don't talk about money and what these procedures cost but I bet some of you are in the same boat. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[mimi1964]

I had my annual mammogram done on 10/2/09 and had a suspicious area and I was called back for a repeat mammo and ultrasound, both of which still showed something.  I was sent to see a surgeon and he told me he didn't think it would be anything at all from the looks of my mammo, but we would biopsy to be sure.  Boy was he and I both shocked when he called me 2 days after the biopsy to tell me I had Invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer and I needed to have more test and surgery.  Please don't put this off.  If it is benign that is great for you, but if not at least they are catching it hopefully early.  This is your life.  God will take care of the finances.

[japdip]

There is always a way if you are truly without funds for necessary medical procedures but evidently this is not the case for you since you mention that you do have Insurance though at a high cost. I dare NOT say what I am thinking about the fact that you say your husband would consider a benign result a waste of money !!!!! It's your health and your choice .... so I have no advice regarding your situation but I see no reason to put off the procedures until after the first of the year if that will make a difference financially. when it comes to our health and LIFE money doesn't usually play such a large role ...... give it some thought and your husband might do that also.