I’m very sorry to hear this, John. Let’s hope that you’re accepted by Ameli very soon and that the French health system again lives up to its excellent reputation.
2 Likes
What @_Brian said.
Sorry to hear that @JohnH . I’ve got my next 6 month test next week, always a worrying time
Yes, it’s weird. Even though I don’t consciously stress over it, my sleep patterns tell me when my quarterly test is due. 
I second Stella’s comment. OH was successfully treated here in France several years ago now, and all is well.
I was a long time member on that group but an awful man started causing trouble and singled me out with dreadful remarks and profanities so I left but there were a lot of good and knowledgeable people on there who got everyone de-stressed over brexit and the paperwork side of things.
Let’s hope there’s power in the many good wishes we are sending you 
2 Likes
Well, you’re handling it well - couple of days ago I saw a french friend who’s emerged from the other side of this, so now he’s worried about his heart!
That’s meant to be jokey encouragement, though may not come across as such…
Have you contactèd Fabien to see if you could get cover month by month that would later convert to a mutuelle once you are in the system here? I think there is something available like that. Guessing it would have a 1 year minimum, but you’d be needing a mutuelle anyway?
Also pre-existing doesn’t seem to get asked aboiut here for mutuelle, at least, possibly not under the stepping stone’ thing above either? Might be a way to set your mind at rest if cover can be there one way or another no matter how long the bàse stuff tàkes to get yòu into the system.
I’ve just seen this John. I had the prostate op a few years ago. I am exceptionally squeamish and didn’t discuss the tests saying just do what needs doing.
On day of op went down for general anesthetic as I had requested but at last minute they switched to an epidural. That was when I worried. I was given a choice of music to listen to while the surgeon performed his art (quite painlessly) hidden behind a small curtain.
AT some stage I coughed.
“DON’T MOVE” the surgeon screamed.
Well if there is one thing your body wants to do when told not to cough and that is to cough. The rest of the op was very uncomfortable as I did my best not to cough.
So if it is any consolation John, the not coughing was the only unpleasant part of the experience. In fact after the op, going for a normal pee was something to look forward to.
Bon courage.
You’re fine, I got it 
Fortunately, as part of the process where the cancer was discovered, my MT put me through a full suite of tests and apart from my cholesterol levels resembling a cricket score*, all else is good.
*This led to a realisation that French doctors really don’t like being questioned. Having ascertained that my heart and arteries are in excellent condition, she prescribed statins for the cholesterol. She didn’t like it when I asked if we were actually treating health (given that there was no obvious harm being done) or simply treating a number on a blood test.
I do have health insurance, the problem is that no one will cover pre-existing conditions.
I had mine out last year so this is reoccurrence. There’s still hope that radiotherapy can be curative so it’s not all bad.
That’s just a hard no from me 
Sorry to hear of the complications, @JohnH .
Continuing to, you know,
1 Like
Oh I missed that, I was trying to be encouraging about the op.
I was lucky, because of family history, I was having PSA checks every 6 months. Eventually I was sent for a digital examination which turned out to be a lot more analogue than I was expecting and more embarrassing. Luckily it was picked up early.
Wishing you a successful outcome John.
Yes, from me too @JohnH
On the subject of prostate I had the op here some years ago, no idea if they took it out or just cut it down but I do know that a blood clot developed which was extremely painful.
Going into the first op I was told it would be epidural and I was both terrified and horrified. The good news John is that it was brilliant, a brief injection to kill the pain of the main one and then never felt another thing. It was so good that I was disappointed to be told that the 2nd op would be under general, but in the event they decided on epi again, I was overjoyed, especially as they inadvertantly left a tv screen within my view so I could see everything that was going on inside as well. 
It’s just frustrating at the moment as there are two schools of thought, one being you wait until PSA reaches 0.2, the other being to hit it as soon as there’s a clear upwards trend and I’m in the latter position.
Following the latest result, the urologist suggested starting radiotherapy and I outlined my. CPAM issue and asked for an idea of cost and the relative risk of the two approaches. He then replied that we would just wait until my next PSA test before doing anything, so I’m annoyed that he’s just changed the plan rather than have the conversation I wanted.
Now that we’ve moved southwards, I’m going to find someone local (ish) and ask for a case review.
2 Likes
Are you waiting for a decision from the CPAM on your demande d’ouverture de droits, John?
If so, have you tried calling them to ask for a progress report? I called about my husband’s last week, explaining it had already been 2 months and no news. They found his application and said they would try to “progress” it.
Apologies if you’ve already thought of this.Or if this isn’t your situation.
On second thoughts,you’re probably trying to join PUMA but can’t apply until you get a CdS.
1 Like
@Helenochka in case not spotted elsewhere, I had my rendezvous this morning in Poitiers (Vienne).
I think this is becoming more and more difficult as late applications for a WARP become more and more rare.
The desk officer’s first response (after she went through the back door for clarification) was no, you had to have applied before the end of 2021. I then had to explain the late application process and why it was late. She didn’t seem convinced but decided to process my dossier anyway and let someone else decide. She did take my attestation from the MAE so I guess time will tell but I do now have my récépissé which, I think, will let me crack on with my application to CPAM.
3 Likes
That all sounds quite positive John. Certainly you got further than my ex-colleagues did with the Strasbourg prefecture.
In the end they gave up and tried other routes - impending Irish citizenship in one case and spouse-of-an-EU-national in the other.
Best of luck with the CPAM. Still can’t work out why that British bloke Jim was referred to the CREIC.