All is Not Lost

I called the finance people over at Ironwood Cancer and Research Center this morning, and after doing some research on their end, they told me that it isn't the Chemo that my insurance company is denying coverage upon, it's the Aranesp shot that helps me keep my white cells where they need to be.  And wow, I had no idea each shot was $4040!

There was nothing on the insurance paperwork that specified what they were denying, and I was so freaked out yesterday.  Sally at Ironwood told me NOT to worry; they had faxed over the required information at least three times, and by gods they'd do it three more times, if they had to.

So, I'm in a much better place today and hopefully I can get some sleep tonight.  I did manage an hour and a half this morning, and it's amazing what that little bit of sleep can do for your spirit.

The nausea was pretty bad today, though.  I'm thinking the stress of the insurance company fiasco (and note, I never say which insurance company I have, as I don't want them suing me for telling the truth about them.)  So I did take a compazine and I think it's about time for another.  But the pain in my thigh is totally gone now, and I can walk pretty well again.  Still, I'm taking the scooter to my lab tests tomorrow, just because I'm feeling so puny from the chemo.

Thank heavens for all the folks at Ironwood.  They are such professionals and always have great attitudes.  You can't help but be impressed.  There's nothing worse than a good doctor with crappy staff, but at Ironwood, you have the best of BOTH worlds. :)

Peace out. :D

Infusion Time Again

I've had three different rounds of chemotherapy; the first in November-December of 2010, then another beginning in May of 2011, and now this one.  I had no problems getting myself in to Ironwood for every infusion in each round.  It just had to be done, and so I did it.


Why, then, is THIS round causing me so much anxiety?  Seriously, the day of my infusion, I have to take a Xanax or go bonkers.  Maybe it IS time to see a therapist.


And maybe I just am so scared of that Aranesp, it's the real cause of my anxiety.  So, I told Dr. F that I was really leery of that shot, and he talked it out with me, told me some interesting facts, and generally allayed my fears about it.  I can't remember what I said, but he smiled, and told me that he found me charming and that he really liked me. :)  Well, of course, I adore him, because he pulls no punches, he's direct, and he understands that I have a brain and treats me accordingly.  (That, people, is a rare gift in doctors, but thank gods all my doctors have that gift.)


Oh yeah, and speaking of Xanax, they called in another bottle of it for me.  It's a crutch, yeah, and I don't frankly care.  I'm not going to become addicted to it, and if I do, well, such is life... I'm not going to be around forever.


Yep, definitely having some issues today.  And of course, I get to start up the Xeloda tablets with my dinner tonight.  Yum. :P

And here is the aforementioned PINK version of my favorite fedora.  If you notice, I have a pin on my blouse....my oncology nurse uses it to pin up my IV line, so that when I wander, as I tend to do because I get bored, it won't pull, or get caught on my IV pole.


Well, I'm getting hungry, believe it or not, so, I guess it's time to think about dinner.


Love to all, and don't worry about me, the weird funk will pass as it always does. :)

Thinking of Pico

My middle brother died in 2004, in January.  I'm thinking of him quite a bit lately, since August 3rd is his birthday.  Yes, his name was Pico Sepulveda, and if you are into Dr. Demento, you may know why that name brings a smile to people's faces.


But it wasn't just his name; it was everything about him.  Pico loved people.  He loved interacting with them, entertaining them, making them happy.  He adored his family, every single one of us, and gods know there are plenty of us. :)  Yeah, we have our odd ones, but I won't name names.  You know who you are. :D


Pico had been in the Navy.  He decided that it was probably better to enlist in the Navy than it would be to be drafted into the Army.  I think it was a good decision.  My sisters, his son... we have lots of former Navy members in my family.  My dad used to drive us down to San Diego, from Los Angeles, at least once a month to visit Pico.  He worked as a reporter for "The Periscope," which I believe was the newspaper of Point Loma's submarine base.  He was stationed on the USS Nereus, which is a submarine tender.  It was always an adventure to go aboard the Nereus during its open houses.  It was so big; at least to my child's eyes.  Big is really an aircraft carrier, which I have never had the pleasure to board.


After the Navy, following in the footsteps of the rest of our aircraft crazy family, Pico went to work for Flying Tiger.  It's gone now, but it was a cargo flying company.  They flew 747's.  


When I came out to Arizona in 1985, Pico brought his family out to visit.  I think he fell in love with it, as had I, at first sight.  It wasn't long before he moved his family out here.  I was so happy to have family here!  Next, my older sister and her family moved here.  I guess I had started a trend.  Eventually, I'd be joined by my mom and her sister, my Aunt Lorraine, and my oldest sister and her husband, the wonderful Bud, moved to Lake Havasu.  I'd like to think it was my magnetic personality that drew them all out here, but... yeah, Arizona is the best. :D


I miss Pico very much, but I see him in his sons, and in his grandsons, and I am very thankful for that.  He knows how much he is loved.


Well, tomorrow is camptosar infusion day... blech.  But I was feeling pretty well today, and my phlebotomist was a GEM!  Tomorrow I'll find out how my labs were.  I'm kind of hoping we don't have to have a shot of that creepy Aranesp.  But, you know, I'll do what I have to do. :P


Have sweet dreams, people.  Give someone you love a big hug.