Never SAY You are Lucky

I got home from my chemo today to find NUMEROUS letters from my insurance company telling me in several pages of gibberish that they have denied my claims on my chemo treatments.  They are telling me I now owe my oncologist just over $28,000.  Um, yeah.

So, I called them and they said the data my oncologist had provided was not enough.  They needed more justification.  They decided this back on my first treatment in August, but just now decided to let ME know.    Well, if they needed more information, why didn't they contact my doctor?  Oh, not their job!  How odd, I could have SWORN it WAS their job.  But, hey, they don't want to pay that $28,000 either, nor $4040 for any additional chemos.

And I ask myself.  WHY do I have medical insurance if they don't cover crap I need to stay alive.  Or get some sleep.  But note the lack of question marks there... it's all rhetorical.  They don't give a flying rat's ass.

Well, I'll be sure to call my oncologist's office tomorrow, because if my insurance is not covering it, we're going to have to stop the one treatment regimen that was actually saving my life.  I will not put my family in jeopardy and debt.  Granted, I'm sure this will all be resolved once I talk to the Oncologist.  HIM I have faith in.

I'm sure it would all look less dire in the morning, after a good night's sleep, but WAIT!  It's the Dreaded Decadron Insomnia night, for which they denied me a good night's sleep.  Alas.

Instead, I'm sure I'll be even more of a sarcastic bitch in the morning.  Pray for whomever answers the phone at my oncologist's office.

I Love Fall

I think Fall is by far my favorite season.  Even here, we have leaves changing colors; certainly not as showy and impressive as over in New England, but it's here, nonetheless.


Today, I'll be heading off to see the oncologist at 1PM, then if all is well with my labs, I can have my Camptosar infusion.  How amazing that after being so skittish in the beginning of this treatment regimen, now, I WANT it!  Doesn't matter that it makes me nauseated; it's saving my life, and I want it.  Oooh, that sounds like a three-year-old, doesn't it?  I WANT IT!  :D


On the other hand, this means the beginning of my Xeloda cycle, too.  You know, I'm exceedingly lucky, because other than the nausea, I'm not getting the more harsh side effects from these two chemo drugs.  Oh well, yes, there IS that little problem with blood clots, but I was lucky there, too!  That Pulmonary Embolism was found before it killed me.  That's luck!


But perhaps, luck has nothing to do with it.  I know I have so many supporters out there; family, friends, even strangers I have never physically met.  With all those prayers, good mojo, best wishes and love, you know that HAS to play a part in my so-called 'luck.'  And I am most appreciative of every bit of support that comes my way.


Our house is now decorated for Halloween.  We have a HORRIBLE giant spider on the front porch, and his web is full of plastic cockroaches.  I kinda helped out yesterday, putting cockroaches in the web, but frankly, they kept sliding and looked FAR too real for my taste, but in the spirit of the season, they are perfect.


Jane made another batch of cupcakes yesterday with my favorite Chocolate Cream Cheese frosting, but instead of cocoa powder, which we didn't have, we used Mexican Chocolate... with cinnamon.  Holy carp, these cupcakes are to die for.  And if I eat too many, I will. :)  The cake part is spice cake, too, so believe me, the Mexican in us is VERY happy with these cupcakes.


So that's it for this post.  All is well, and if anything comes up at the oncologist today, I'll let you all know.


Love, hugs and kisses, too!

A Visit with The Pulmo

My morning appointment with my pulmonologist, Dr. S, went very well.  He says despite my severe lung disease, they are holding up well through the chemo and the past radiation.  All's stable on the lung front, and thank the gods for that!

Dr. S says every time he sees me he is amazed at how well I seem to be tolerating the chemo.  I told him about the two new chemos and the clinical trial.  It's too early to tell but I did mention that the referral pains were gone, now.  I hope that's a good sign.

Left there, and decided that since I was up and dressed, and now hungry, I should stop and get some breakfast.  So, my sister Nancy and I went to Crackers and Co.  I had the California Eggs Benedict.  Oh, yes, some of my favorite things:  Avocado, eggs, bacon, and spinach!  While I can still eat, I relish things like this.  It was a great morning!

While I was there, Dr. S asked me how I was doing emotionally.  Boy, my doctors all seem very concerned about my emotional state!  I told him I was fine; that I had discussed hospice with Dr. F and my oncologist had said we still had options, so Dr. S was happy with my answer. :)  And, I don't see him again for six months, unless something comes up.

I will admit, though, that between the visit to the pulmonologist and the breakfast, I am exhausted.  I took the walker today; didn't use the scooter.  You know I want to stay on my own two feet for as long as I can.  And while it's certainly good for my psyche, and good for my physical well-being, walking does take its toll on me.

And on that note, I think I'll go see if I can't take a nap.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I can probably use a good forty winks or so.

Live long and prosper!

Medical Leave... up in the air!

Talked to some folks at Ironwood, and they did get the new paperwork today, and said they'll do it again and fax it back ASAP.  It all makes me tired.

But,... insert drum roll here.... tonight for dinner I had a veggie burrito, enchilada style, and I ATE THE WHOLE THING!  And it didn't HURT A BIT!  Wow, it still gives me chills to think about it.  Eating has been so hard for so long and I was still worried about the feeding tube possibility, but if this continues, I will be so happy.

Now, I wonder, does this mean that the evil tumor is shrinking and thus food travels more freely and thus the pain doesn't happen?  I don't want to get my hopes up or have unreasonable expectations, but how else can it be explained?  I mean a week ago I could barely eat three spoonsful of soup before the pain became unbearable.  Well this is certainly something to discuss with the Oncs next week. :)

Have a great weekend, dear readers, and I will try to do the same.  I'll probably not post again until Monday.  Hugs and kisses to all!