Tammy’s journey to surgery

I had a hysterectomy in January of 2023, but the right ovary was left in hopes to help me as I’m unable to take hormone replacement therapy. A few weeks ago, I had to seek emergency care for extreme pain, and cysts were found along with a nodule after a CT scan with contrast and a transvaginal ultrasound were completed. One of those cysts is a complex hemorrhagic cyst. I need to have the right enlarged ovary removed.

Before all of this happened, I was undergoing testing as my left breast was leaking fluid, itching, and a lump was discovered as my breast started to change. A mammogram last year showed a cyst, and an ultrasound is needed now due to the new lump being hard to see because of dense tissue and fibrocystic breast changes. Currently, I am awaiting genetic testing results and billing from Myriad ordered by my doctor, as the treatment is a double mastectomy and an oophorectomy. I have a serious family history of many types of cancer. After they remove the ovary and nodule/cyst, it will be tested to see if it is malignant or benign. As of right now, I am in the middle of all my testing and do not know if this is cancer, but it is what is suspected.

Tomorrow I have an ultrasound on my breasts that I was informed will cost $650.00. I am setting up payment plans and putting $200 down on each ultrasound and making payments. Thursday, I have an appointment with my doctor, and then on July 31st, I have a pelvic ultrasound for which I will have to pay a large amount as well. I also have cancer antigen blood tests coming up. I have a copay for surgery as I have not met my deductible yet. Everything was discovered in the emergency department for my ovary. One of the cysts ruptured three days after they were discovered, causing an immense amount of pain, and I am under a doctor's care to manage the pain with the goal of surgery. I need all the imaging done before that can happen. Sadly, I am having to spread appointments further apart due to the inability to keep up with the medical bills. I am still paying for my procedure from 2023. I really don’t like asking for help, but at this time, I don’t see any other choice as my inability to cover these appointments is causing me to have to space them out quite far apart. Everything is becoming stressful and extremely worrisome. I appreciate you taking the time to read my story.