Did My Camptosar

Happily I was able to have my camptosar infusion today, although with the bronchitis and asthma flare up, it's left me a lot more lethargic than usual.  I got my four Xeloda pills down with my dinner.  They are always a joy. :)

I saw my Primary Care yesterday, and he put me on some doxycyline because my sputum was starting to become colorful, and we just can't afford a bacterial pneumonia.  Better to be safe than dead, I say. :D

Of course, tonight will see the Dreaded Decadron Insomnia, but I have books to read, and I reloaded Diablo II, so I can play that for a bit. 

Finally confessed my self-proclaimed "behavioural issue" with Dr. Ramaswamy.  I told him that I have major problems knowing when to complain about symptomatic issues.  It's really, really a difficult issue for me.  Mostly, I told him, I feel like a whiner because that's how I was brought up between my ever-stoic parents and the even more stoic nuns.  He told me to call him if there was any doubt in my mind; any niggle of suspicion that something isn't right.  If we can just deal with it over the phone, then that is what we will do.  He listened to me, and he had an answer for me that makes sense, and so I shall try very hard to stick with this plan.  Dr. Ramaswamy is truly the best.

He says, too, that the swelling of my ankle and foot looks alot better than it did in the hospital, and that the INR rates are very challenging on me because of my chemo drugs, and being on prednisone at the moment.  So we're sticking to Monday and Thursday blood tests.  He did say he was going to have his assistant contact my insurance company and ask about home testing for PT/INR's.  I would do that in a heartbeat.

So, you know, I'm not feeling great, but I'm not back in the hospital, and THAT makes me happy as a clam.  And on that note, I think it's time to hit the hookah.

Love to all, peace on Earth and hugs all 'round!

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.

One Tired Puppy

The ever-popular post-decadron insomnia reared its ugly head last night.  I fell asleep after 4:30AM, and woke at 7AM.  On the plus side, I read two books last night. :)


My hands are getting a bit tingly today, and a little red, but I took my B6, and keep putting a ton of lotion on 'em, as directed.


I am really, really weak today.  The walker is my friend, and I have to remember NOT to get up from a sit too quickly.  I got horribly dizzy once today; I'd rather not repeat that, thank you. ;)


So, I found some stats for my type of clinical trial on the internet, though it's the British Phase I and II Trial stats.  These are definitely the numbers my oncologist quoted to me when he was reading up on it. It made for interesting reading.  If you can get through the regimen, the results are damned good.  But less than 35% of the subjects can make it through six rounds before the toxicity becomes too much for them. They lost one patient before they could even start the trial.  Most of the six round patients have made it to 10 months of survival.  I am currently at 11 months myself. :)   It would be QUITE lovely to get another ... oh... 10-20-... 60(!) more months.  Yep, I am optimistic.


If you want to see what's up with this trial, here are the stats from the British Trials


I got to speak with my manager today and told him I was SO ready to come back to work.  I am scheduled to be back on October 18th if I can get the OK from my oncologist.  Happily I can telecommute most days, but I surely would love to spend at least one day a week at the plant.  Gosh, I miss everyone so much.


Hugs to all, and remember that every day is a gift.  Just look for the wrapping paper and bows; you'll find 'em if you look!

Ahh, the utter joy of FRIDAY!

I get almost giddy with excitement on Fridays.  Yes, I still have to go have my radiation treatment this afternoon, but then I get my beloved two days off!

Just got off the phone with my dear friend Dorothy, and we were remembering our friend Evelyn who was and actually still is one of my lifelong heroes.  She is my cancer role-model.  She met every challenge with grace, dignity, AMAZING humor, and strength.  Like all of us, she battled fears and learned to overcome them.  I draw a lot of my courage from memories of her.

I think much of my post-chemo blechhiness has yet to begin, because it's almost 9:30 AM and I'm still feeling pretty good.  Hey, I'll take it. ;)

Unfortunately, I did experience my post-chemo insomnia.  I'll blame that on the Decadron that's part of my pre-chemo meds.  I always get HORRIBLE insomnia when I'm on steroids.  I would have gotten up to grab a Xanax but it was cold last night, and I didn't want to get out of my warm bed. ;)  I can take a nap later, if I want.

Later, all.