My Dad is a runner and had stage 4 melanoma (tumor in his lung as well) a little over 20 years ago. I used to run with him while he was in treatment and he struggled to run too but kept trying because it was so important to him. He’s almost 80 and alive and well cancer free for the last 19 years. We were given almost zero chance he would survive. Just wanted to encourage you.

I received a Stage III - Triple Negative breast cancer diagnosis. I don't have children and I can't even imagine what that would be like. Do the best you can each day. We are in a club we don't want to be a part of but it makes you appreciate life more than ever. Your future has already been decided good or bad so make peace with it. I have peace in my life.

Fortunately I live in the UK. Just had my 3 months scan results this morning and I am cancer free. I had an ampullary tumour stage 3a, diagnosed December 24th 2020. Whipple procedure February 2021. Feel so lucky and truly blessed for NHS.

I love you so much my badass daughter-in-law! 😘

You are an amazing person. I had breast cancer and despite the odds I am still here. One of the things that you said stood out to me. It's how you feel so bad to be putting your family and friends through the worry that this has brought them. But they love you and support you!!!!

You are so strong! So glad your scans are stable. You have every right to get angry. Sending prayers that your breathing gets better 🙏🏻

You need to prop yourself up and sleep propped up to stop your cough. And its quite normal to feel bad and upset and its good that you're getting it off your chest, you need to offload. Just [try] to focus on the positives and you're family. It's hard and it's easy for us to tell you ir give you advice, but hard to follow or take on board. But know that people are praying for you and you're speedy recovery. Love and hugs a plenty 🤗 ❤️

Meredith, I know you hear so often how strong you are…..but I will tell you from my experience a long time ago…..you don’t always have to be strong! It is okay to feel all kinds of feelings!! Mad, grateful, sad, pissed-off, frustrated…etc. I remember feeling that my survival from my stage III breast cancer was primarily my responsibility based on my attitude!!! I was basically informed of that by well meaning friends!! God can certainly handle your honesty and feelings that you have! I so admire your intentional way that you are present for your family! I honestly don’t think I was in that mindset for the first year of my cancer journey. I certainly did everything possible to be around for as long as possible for my family. I was also very self-absorbed during that time because it was happening to me. As I passed each milestone of treatment and each anniversary of NED, I became much more focused on my family and the life I still had to live! I didn’t have littles like you do right now. Mine were high school and college age at the time of my diagnosis. I was also working at Hunter throughout my surgeries, chemo and radiation. Caring for young children is definitely very challenging in any situation, but combined with going through treatment and all of the side effects and emotions is beyond anything I could imagine. As far as the pulmonologist, I had to see one following my radiation due to some issues I had following my radiation and some lung issues I dealt with after I completed radiation. Hopefully, they will get you in asap and help you start feeling better soon!! You hang in there, and if I can ever help in any way, please call on me!!

Hugs and blessings.😢 its okay to be mad as hell and cry let it out. Oh and STOP being so hard on yourself 😢 ❤ I/we are here for you 🤗🥰

Keep the chin up Mer, it’s but a moment and that will pass. You will continue to do what you must, and it is good to let those emotions out. Don’t bottle up… sending you the biggest, warmest hug. 🙏💛

You are such a sweet, warm, and strong person… I will keep praying for you Meredith. You are a true warrior!!! I’m so happy your scan results were good, but I hope and pray that your breathing becomes better soon… sending love and positive vibes you way ♥️♥️

So glad you are stable!! My 27 year old daughter Morgan passed away 12-24-21 from Metastatic breast cancer. May God be with you and give you strength. Lifting you up in prayer everyday. 💗💗

Can’t wait to have the Pulmonologist see you and determine what’s been wrong. Once you fix the breathing issues, I think you’ll feel a lot better.

It's BS.. it's Their Responsibility to Ensure they have the staff to get for you. You can contact your insurance to find out when the auth was requested to find out who is dropping the ball on your care. You are not supposed to have to worry about that

Thank you for sharing your honest feelings and struggles. Thank you for the updates. I pray you get the sleep you need and the answers about your lungs soon. I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must be to cough all night long and not be able to do the thing you love…run. I only felt the cancer guilt for a short time when I was first diagnosed but I recall how difficult it was to be consumed by memories and feelings of my kids missing out. 🖤

I stumbled upon your story and thank you for what you are doing. My niece has been diagnosed with stage four as well. You have given me a new perspective, of which I am very thankful for. You will be in my prayers at night along with my niece. Cancer can be beaten. I hope tonight is the best sleep and you feel stronger when you wake.xo

You should see if there’s a cancer patient support group you can go to. I was treated during Covid so there were no support groups available but I think I could have benefited from attending one. I think there are lots of benefits to be had meeting face to face with other cancer patients and being able to share experiences and feel like you aren’t alone.

Yes, for 20 years this WAS my journey but now I’m more proactive in my own care and instead of waiting I’m on the insurance the day the order is placed so they pull it out of their pile and know I will be on their back until approval. Works every time.

Let’s hope that whatever you are going through is temporary.. The family will understand that they need to be there for each other. It’s okay to feel mad and breakdown.. venting out helps.. sometimes.. You are brave and taking all steps to help yourself.. 👍👏. We will continue to pray for you.. 🙏🙏Hang in there…

Can you get at home oxygen? Although I’ve not had cancer I have had pulmonary embolism and I couldn’t live without oxygen support. I have a plug-in unit in my back room with a very long cord and it’s available to me 24/7 if I need it. It’s no big deal and if you’re having discomfort or feeling short of breath, this might be the best option. Check with your pulmonologist or your oncologist to see if it’s possible that they can prescribe it for you. I’ll keep you in my prayers. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I’m sorry you are going thru this insurance crap. You should not have to deal with this. I will continue to pray for you and that you will feel better with the cough and soreness. You are a warrior. Love to you and your family.😘🙏🏻🦋🍁

Thank you Meredith for this powerful video. I’d love to be able to sit down with you and have a looooong conversation! Since that probably won’t happen, I’ll record a few of my thoughts here. I have stage 4 melanoma and so much of what you shared in this video resonated with me. I too feel gratitude, anger, anxiety, perspective, sometimes all piled on top of each other at the same time. I just want to live my life and instead feel as though I’m shackled to the next scan, blood test, etc etc. I had a routine mammogram last week and haven’t heard back. Now my brain is obsessed with that! Sometimes sitting in the present moment gets me through. My favorite calendar quote from an anonymous monk is “Moment after moment we should live right here, without sacrificing this moment for the future.” On a more mundane note … Scan authorizations have been super challenging for me too! I’ve had that 11th hour call from the imaging center and also from the third party authorization company that the insurance company contracts with to evaluate the request. Could we get any further away from me and my doctor?!?! Much love to you and your family ❤❤❤ Leah

God will not leave you or forsake you.

If I could reach out to you and wrap you up in a warm soothing hug I would. I’m a survivor 16yrs on, but every single thing about my cancer is like it was yesterday. The constant waiting and waiting for results, the changing of chemo, are just as fresh today. All the small stuff becomes enormous and many times is. I did 8 chemo’s followed by 8 hospitalizations. But I’m here today! Be gentle with yourself above all else. Cancer is terrifying, and yes some peoples bodies don’t do well with chemo! Keep fighting on. Find your warrior spirit deep inside, and most importantly be gentle and kind to yourself ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

O wow I had a heart and lung ct done on Tuesday and I had to wait till Thursday for my results I was so scared and I got really shitty with my poor wife we our so lucky in Australia all our medical our for free so so so blessed I have heart and lung disease and not being able to breathe properly is truly a frightening thing to do I have gone from riding my amazing stallion and truly enjoying my horses to just watching them but I will not let this beat me god never gives us more then we can handle I just wish he didn’t have so much faith in me sometimes ❤

Yes, you need to fight for your life to live. I am a twice survivor of breast and brain cancer. I dont know what your faith or religion is but I put everything I had in Jesus. I came out of both surviving. Im not saying it was easy because it was the hardest thing I have ever been through. People are amazed at what I went through. I now pray for people and counsel them. So many people need encouragement and I am blessed to be there for them. I will keep you in my prayers. If you have questions, or need to talk I am here.

No it's not normal for the scan company to be behind on their insurance authorizations. Its not necessary. The insurance authorization department in the office needs to stay on top of their prior authorizations before the appointments. God bless you honey.

Good news, I am happy that cancer is not progressing. Hope that you will find reason of breathing problems. Wish you a beautiful day🤗💗☘️

You are very strong! Stay safe! Take care!

I hear your pain and frustration. I have asthma which is a problem so I understand how scary it can be having problems breathing. Praying you can get that appointment soon, but mostly that the LORD will heal you!

Here in Canada we all have a Health card. We just scan it when we go to Doctor/ hospital/ scans/ tests. No cost foe any of it.

I would report that to your Dr. and to the managers or owners of the facility. Cancer is stressful enough. Hugs and prayers for you ❤️🙏

I just watched a few of your shows. Have you been doing your evening ritual of ‘bedtime’ tea and honey for very long? Some ingredients in herbal tea as well as some kinds of honey can be allergenic. Thinking about your coughing and breathing troubles at night. Even if you’ve been using these particular products with no problem you can develop allergies to one or both. Blessings✨

Yesssss about the scans/insurance! But my location doesn’t try to reschedule. We have Tricare who I have to say has been WONDERFUL with approving everything. But it is frustrating. I get frequent scans.

Hi Meredith, Thank you for sharing your feelings during your Melanoma journey. I know you don't want to focus your channel on Melanoma, but I think it's amazing what you doing.🖤 Its so important for people to see what we go through emotionally and physically during cancer treatment. Immunotherapy doesn't make us look any different on the outside but if only people could see how much our body is struggling on the inside. I've felt grateful and angry at the same time a lot during my Melanoma journey. It's completely normal to feel all the feels. Life can be amazing but also can be really shitty sometimes. Thinking of you! We got this! 🖤🖤🖤

Please, please, please ask your Oncologist for a Palliative care consult. This is what we do!!!! We help you manage your symptoms!!! This is what I am in NP school for. They will help you every step of the way. They should have consulted this team for you when you were first diagnosed but so often they don't because people are afraid of 'palliative care'. Prayerfully this will become the standard for all patients. Patients deserve palliative care, it is for everyone. You have the right to ask for it. We write for breathing treatments all the time for cases just like this....I want to reach out and give you the biggest hug!! Do not hesitate to ask. You do not have to be dying to have them as part of your treatment team. I am continuing to pray daily. This is a wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your life and journey!!

This group has had so much success of things to do at home that can compliment your current regime of treatment. “Fenbendazole - cancer support group” - this group is amazing. You are so close to slamming this chapter closed. 💪. Thank you for sharing your journey! Hopefully, our science will find the exact answer to this cancer epidemic…🙏💕

Prayers 🙏 for you and your family 💝

You have been through so much! It is okay to be angry--don't guilt yourself out!!! Anger will pass and tears too!!! They will figure out what is going on with your breathing. Did you ask for an inhaler? Is it a possibility it IS asthma? I loved seeing you and your family outside with the bikes--those are THE BEST memories!!!! It will all work out; you are so brave and caring and REAL! Don't be so hard on yourself. After I had my second child, I went through a horrible depression after about seven months. I felt like I was fighting to live. I saw a psychiatrist and he told me to not just take things a day at a time--but sometimes just five minutes at a time.

So sorry to hear re your breathing problems sounds very frustrating and lack of sleep is awful when you have a young family. Try and get the pulmonary doc to treat your referral as urgent.

You can feel angry and every other emotion known to man. I pray that you get the medical help you need now. Bless you and drop the guilt as you have no reason to feel that. Your family loves you and don't want you to feel guilt. You are so special and fighting so well and we are all with you. X

🙏🙏🙏 sorry for your pain and suffering praying for better days!

Hope the lung Dr gives you something to help. Cancer is as mental as it is physical. You're doing great 💪💕

It’s definitely okay and normal to feel angry and grateful at the same time! We know that God has a plan and I’m so happy for you that your scan showed the cancer is stable and no lung inflammation! Praying the pulmonary specialist can help and you can at least get some much needed sleep. Don’t give up on your vision of having a scan that shows the cancer is gone. God is a Miracle Worker! I continue to pray with you! This is just a chapter in your story; not the entire book! God is in your story. ❤️

You are always in my prayers ! It’s ok to experience these feelings…stay positive ! Hugs

You have all the right to be mad…praying for you dear…from Mexico with love ❤

Praying for your healing ❤️

He'll no that's not normal! It has to be incredibly frustrating to deal with them. Hang in there, better days are coming!💙

Ohmigoodness 😢 … you’re right. You’re just not yourself lately - us here in KZfaq land know you well enough. I so appreciate your ability to get on here - even when you don’t feel like it. ❤ I just respect you so much. You’re allowed to feel all the feels - the good and the bad as it affects your life. This shit gets real. And I know your feelings as you await scans and not feeling you’re getting the proper support from your medical team. You’re such a brutally honest person. Your bravery is palpable and you must make your family very proud. This is a war you’re fighting! And it’s every day you’re in the trenches. … your KZfaq family out here love you so very much Meredith. You’re handling this like the champ you are. And you’re winning sweetie ❤ love from Toronto, as always … and the footage of the kiddies on the trails was 💯 🎊

I have a pulmonologist and also I go to an allergy and asthma clinic. Pulmonologist hadn’t bothered to investigate the problem. I seem to grow things that are tumors called Granulomas that have effected my breathing. When Drs. see this on X-rays they think they it’s cancer . The biopsies come up abnormal. So I keep going to asthma Dr. and they have helped so much with shots like, Nucelua and Prednisone for inflammation. They have helped with my coughing from my asthma. Maybe they can help more that’s why I tell you this. When we have no help it is frustrating. I got so much relief and I understand your feeling. Sounds like you have a lot of inflammation. My 🙏🏻 are wit you!

My mom always said never lay down keep active. Once you lay down must people don't get up.

Bless you're heart ❤ you are such a young beautiful young lady with a beautiful family . Have you tried a steam with eucalyptus oil...not sure what its called but you put a towel over youre head and breathe the steam .i used to use it quite a lot when i had asthma. Wish i could give you a big cuddle . We are all with you....youve got this hun x

My prayers are with you🙏 Prior authorization may be required by your health insurance carrier (payor). It is the clinic or hospital’s responsibility to know if the scan requires a prior authorization. Very common practice. I am so sorry you are suffering so much. I am cancer free since 2009. You are an amazing woman! 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🧘🧘🧘

Will pray for all cancer patients ✝️

Chlorella powder or tablets have oxygen and when consumed help bring more oxygen to the lungs. Great stuff and all natural from the sea. I struggle with shortness of breath or barely breathing properly at times because I messed up my sinuses. I know you are trying to be super healthy and chlorella could be a great addition to that. Chlorella also cleanses the blood. Off course don't take my word for it, but do some research.

Sorry that you have to go through all this and the insurance company is not very helpful. My husband and I have Blue Cross of South Carolina through different employers. We both had several surgeries, treatments and many scans in the last 5 years and never had any problems. They paid everything without any questions. This is the best insurance that we know of. I don't know if this will help, but I thought I'll share. You are in my prayers!

May God be with you. Push that Pulmonologist for an expedited appointment and call everyday in case there is a cancellation. Not breathing correctly interferes with your total wellbeing including sleep and rest. Will pray for you..

Shirley here, I had to schedule a brain scan , and when I called the first thing they asked me what kind of insurance do I have. That's all they care about that they are going to get their money.

Have you tried cold coffee when your chest feels tight at night? It’s a trick that asthmatics sometimes use. Sending lots of love your way.

So much and love and blessing for you and your family ❤

That is ridiculous! It’s their responsibility to get ur scan approved in advance! You should not have to be dealing with incompetent ppl n addition to dealing with ur health issues! These days, we have to b our own advocate! It’s really sad that u can’t depend on others to help! I would call them n advance and b sure it has been approved, so ur not having to deal with it the day before! Praying for you and your family🙏🏻💞

My husband has “ cough asthma”. When he has a flare, he’s literally up all night coughing! An inhaler helps some, but, it’s like it has to run its’ course. He gets it from dust(was a baseball ump when it started… all the dust on the field), molds, or if he gets a cold etc. I hope you get answers soon!

Meredith you need to talk about your feelings. That's why talking with a therapist is so helpful for many, or talking with your spouse or friends. Plus I think when you speak outloud, your brain is "listening again" and reprocessing what you are saying and "bringing it out into the open" which always helps. Also this KZfaq channel is for the benefit of your family and friends as well. If you do leave this earth before them, what a gift you are leaving behind, especially for your kids. They can watch you and listen to you and reflect on fond memories and also get answers to many questions and help them understand current situations that they are too young right now to process and make sense of. God bless you honey. Keep recording everything. This is such an important part of who you are and why you are doing what you do. Others who are experiencing similar situations too may then feel they are not alone and can also learn new coping skills as you share with us how YOU are coping! Sending my love and prayers!!

I’d say whoever does your scans is messing up the insurance pre-authorization. That should be done far enough in advance so there are no issues requiring scheduling. I got my cancer treatment done at a university cancer center. They do everything that I need. So I only have to deal with one insurance company and one business office. Telling a cancer patient they have to reschedule because of insurance processing mess ups is so wrong. I’d ask the scanning office what the issue is.

If you have cancer then it's probably connected too your cancer..your not alone...Maybe it's all connected.. everyone can have different simptoms of cancer..So maybe your body is trying to adjust to the cancer..just being honest..I wish you the best it's ok to fell sad or mad.. just remembered your not alone.. finding a support group will help you a lot...trust me it's not easy That felling of letting our family down is the hardest part..hang in there. there's always light at the end of the tunnel.we just have to find it.I wish you the best💓

No, my insurance company sends me a letter shortly after I've been scheduled for a scan, confirming that they'll cover it. Hugs to you!

I will pray for you. I pray the Lord heals your breathing problems and cancer. Jesus bless you and gives you strength in this journey ❤

Inhalers have steriods and can counter your treatment. Thus NOT running might save your life. I'm stage III melonmona as you know. Steriods are a no no for me.

I have mestasis stage 4 Last month I had radiation on my bone spine ,two weeks later docter oncol told me that they can not do anything any more and I have to plan if I want to go to a hospis for my last days or die at my home . I told him I want to do scan to see where the cancer gone ,he said why if we can t do anything for you any more. Today a month afther I m doing much better . Taking care for my nutrition ,no pharma drugs ,I use canabis and I feel so good . Now I have no much pain ,I walk and work ,I thank all to prayers and our God who Create everything . Cancer is a metabolic desease ,no sugar or carb to fuel the mithocondra , fasting and prayers to heal your self . God blessing

Never feel guilty, Meredith … you certainly didn’t want this. I hope you have family support as I am a new subscriber. Also, I don’t know if you have a therapist or cancer group to give support. I wonder if you have developed allergies as the Fall is a popular time for them … I’m praying for a complete recovery. Love from Canada ❤️🇨🇦

Hello you can always go to your primary care physician about the breathing problems and you can’t sleep at night because of the cough. You can go to a walk-in appointment I mean without an appointment they have those now🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🌸

Have you tried oxygen at night and sleeping sitting up ? . I know that sounds weird but putting pillows behind you to make it comfy for you to sit up and sleep could help .

Oh honey. Same. Who am I? Before cancer I was a bodybuilder and took joy in helping others GET HEALTHY. Now what? I get angry, too...

You are a strong woman, keep going❣️

Don't feel bad about the way you're feeling ... hugs

In the U.K. Medical Care is free and of a high quality Also here in The Middle East,where I live,anyone who cannot afford medical care it is given it for free Our Cancer treatment is known for being the best and most up to date in the World Wishing you lots of luck on your journey and hope you get relief for your breathing 😊

I'm so glad you were able to get your treatment! All good news but frustrating that you could have reflux and that they don't know what it is. They didn't give you an inhaler?

I feel your pain as for medical billing practices. My facility where I am having the test will call the day before my test. They tell each time my insurance has a co pay that must be meet. They also tell they are also giving me a (Good Faith estimate) and I need to pay in advance before my test or for any procedure. My Insurance always adjust the total amount and pay's 80%. But they seem to go back and forth for about two months re-adjusting the price. All along the facility demanding payment of the good faith estimate. It's an endless circle of paper work and re-adjusting

Hello Meredith! You're such an amazing person and mom. So happy that you're stable! Praying for you and your family 💗❤️😊 On a random note, what helps keep you consistent with a healthy diet and exercise routine? I've noticed consistency is my biggest problem.

🙏🏼sending prayers. New sub.

No, the scans call is not normal; the moment my next appointment is made, the request is submitted to my insurance (BCBS) and approval is all done & dusted well beforehand. My scans & labs are every six weeks on a Saturday and I routinely meet with my oncologist the following Monday (2 days after) and I will have received the lab results 30 min after & lab results same day or a day or two after through MyChart. I’m @ the Fred Hutch SCCA in Seattle. Good luck.

Keep faith that your treatments will work and that your pulmonologist will help you.

#WARRIOR

Yes I am in the same position. They use an outside source so they can deny it and blame them. It’s insanity.

Hang in there.

I never saw any doctors never sick..my car crashed me and then I got diagnosed st.4 lungcancer. Same feelings same emotions here..Feel like I get crazy sometimes knowing this and not accepting the diagnose

I totally understand how very angry you feel about your diagnosis and health crisis. If they think your cough is from gastro reflux disease you might ask for proton pump inhibitor medication. Sometimes a person has to be on more than “Tums”. GERD can be “silent” with only symptom being a chronic cough. They need to assure it isn’t your cancer!!🙏🧘❤️

Is any kind of protone-pomp inhibitor available in the US as the over the counter drug ? If so, maybe you could try and see if it relieves the symptoms of potential reflux (it's not always stomach burning). Fingers crossed for quick diagnosis!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Prayers….New subscriber

Do you think it could be a stress cough,I had it once for a year ,continuous, as soon as I laid down in coughed all night,I had very bad stress ,not cancer for 17 years,I still get it now when I'm depressed or anxious xx

I never heard from my hospital or insurance about insurance issues while in cancer treatment. I wonder if it has to do w the kind of insurance plan you have or this specific hospital's protocol. Since they do always cover it and you are open to covering it if they don't maybe you can have them make note in your file of this and to not keep calling you as it then creates an extra stressor. Best to you.

🙏❤️🙏

Hi. You could easily have. been prescribed an inhaler or low dose prednisone before seeing the pulmonary dr. My son is an R T. Sincerely, Melinda H.

Look up Gerson Therapy and “Chris beat cancer” 💛

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Hope you get relief soon.

You are so lucky to be how you are, I know it sounds mean but you will get out of this. I am suffocation after COVID and can't move, I wish I had your breathing! Think of this, please! About sleep I did not had any sleep in one year, a maximum one hour per night so don't worry sleep won't kill you but it will mess up your emotions.

I work in insurance as a nurse and it could be that your provider is not providing the documentation in time for prior authorization approval

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