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I am VERY happy to announce that after a mastectomy and 16 radiation treatments I am cancer free. We are dealing with post operative fluid buildup as it arises, and are now into our fourth country (the Caribbean Islands) of this adventure.

Here you will find the breakdown of costs for surgery, services and medications that I received for my mastectomy.

In early summer of 2024, I found myself in the midst of a medical situation that took me by surprise. This, and other stories to follow, are a chronology of my emotional and psychological approach to being diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast cancer. Our lifestyle is one of travel and we take care of our medical needs while on the road. I want to make clear that this was our approach, and you may choose other ways to deal with an illness in your life. It is our hope that in sharing our experience, there might be some nuggets along the way that you will find useful.

One of the things we like about our experiences with medical care outside the US is how expeditious and competently things move along. There are no weeks to wait in between appointments, no “go to the office and receive your consultation date.” No “you need a referral before we can move forward.” No unnecessary delays, no contacting my insurance and waiting for approval to have something done. You need something, they do it.

After all the poking, prodding and bio-samples taken, now we wait for the determination of the tests. I was moved very rapidly from wanting a non-invasive procedure done in an outpatient style to being placed on a conveyor belt named “CANCER.” Cripes. How did THAT happen?

By Allie Kelly, Business Insider

Akaisha and Billy Kaderli retired early to travel the world. When Akaisha was diagnosed with cancer, the couple sought affordable treatment in Mexico, Vietnam, and Thailand. They aren't alone: Rising US healthcare costs have pushed some Americans toward medical tourism.

At this point in our journey, it reminds me of people whose houses burn down in a forest blaze. Or people who lose everything in a major flood or earthquake. The shock is jarring and sometimes devastating. We were discombobulated and trying to gain focus in order to function on a daily basis.

With my particular heritage, I knew acutely that I needed to guide the wandering of my mind and to strengthen my internal spirit. I have seen depression, attempted suicide, and oppression close up and how that can ravage perfectly good people - leaving them with no hope or a workable path through trauma or tragedy. This was not going to happen to me. I vowed to make the most of this situation, no matter what the outcome might be.