Friday, January 23, 2009

Quick update on the Insurance


Great advice from the peanut gallery and I now have had my next Avastin treatment last Wednesday and it was approved for six more months! I still need to go back to them again and get approval for the Oct and Nov treatments that I haven't been authorized for, but that seems to be something only I am still concerned about. Thanks for all your support and advice out there. It would be nice if I were helping out future cancer patients in getting the same treatment. I have 9 members of my cancer support group that would sign petitions and perhaps even go on the treatment themselves if it helps. My message has been...Don't stop here! AND Don't forget to say "thank you".

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Happy New Year! 2009




I watched the movie "Benjamin Button" last night and wondered if I had been getting younger myself the past 2 years. My face is less wrinkled, I have a tan. I have new beautiful brown hair that I don't have to tame and there isn't one single grey hair. With the exception of circulation and nerve repair, I feel as great as ever. I guess the month long trip to Borrego Springs, CA, Fiji and Australia to visit with extended family suited me very well!

Back to snowy (well I missed most of it, but I hear the neighbors took photos of the white Christmas) Seattle and cold weather and rain...I still feel invigorated. I think I need to take my own advise and escape the doldrums of the dark Northwest (I read Twilight-filmed in Forks, WA on my sunny vacation) and replace it with vitamin B filled paradise (anywhere hot and sunny). I feel so fortunate to be the miracle symbol of hope that I have become. I have a job, my health, a sound house (even 3), some stock, and a world of family and friends who love me.

I did return to reality and an insurance notice of benefits (or lack thereof) stating that I had been denied coverage on the past 4 treatments that are working to keep me in remission. At $22,000 a treatment, I guess they figured they had to cut costs, so I am now working on what is wrong with this picture. Several friends have suggested I get a medical claims lawyer, and I may need to, but I prefer not to incur additional costs at the present. It upsets me to think of how many really sick people don't have the energy to fight the insurance battle and do not get treatment...and it is a full time battle. So, for now, I am praying that there has been a mistake and I can get my next treatment soon and stay away from chemo and the hospital for awhile.

Keep your heads above water and know that there is a God watching out for us all.