Update on #9

First off I would like to thank all of you that have offered words of encouragement.
I am humbled by all the kindness.
Thank YOU!!!
A few months back I blogged about how my 41 yr. old sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since then It has been a journey of never ending turns.

After 8 weeks of grueling chemotherapy, #9 was scheduled for surgery on November 5th. A full radical mastectomy and complete removal of all lymph nodes on her right side, with a modified mastectomy of her left breast. Also she would have a plastic surgeon starting her reconstruction at the same time.

This was to be the 2nd step of a three step process. Chemo, Surgery, and Radiation therapy.

Well, in the beginning # 9 opted to have a port placed in her upper chest cavity so that the chemo could be specifically directed. This would save her from all the different sticks in finding a vein.

Leading up to her surgery it became evident that her port had become infected. But, this would only be a small part of the delay in her surgery today.

I'm not going to get all political here today, I think we have all had enough.

Anyho, after going to a plastic surgeon for several visit and test, the insurance company informed her the day before surgery that her plastic surgeon was out of network and if she wanted to retain his services she would have to contribute another $6500 dollars to the $4500 already paid. Do I have to tell you that no one has $11,000 just sitting around.
Besides #9 had finally found some peace of mind after visiting with these doctors knowing they had her best interest at hand.  Trust me you don't want just anyone performing your surgery.
We found that out the hard way. It cost us our Mom.

People let me tell you this, and most of you already know it.
INSURANCE COMPANIES are the devil's workshop.

The surgery was cancelled yesterday and during her office visit today, the infected port was removed.  The Doctor wants to get the infection cleared up and in the meantime #9 and her husband (referred to from her forward as #8) are filing an appeal and trying to find out why now after several weeks and visits her approved plastic surgeon is out of network. There are several theory's.
Anyways, Monday more will be known.
WE want this over with.
All right ho's, there you go.

Comments

mrs.missalaineus said…
this is so not right that your sister has to wait longer...


i wish there was something else we could do besides offer support and our prayers. you all are lucky to have each other.

xxalainaxx
November 6, 2010 at 4:50 AM
David Dust said…
Those miserable fucking bastards.

There is a special place in HELL reserved for people who work for insurance companies. It seems that their job is to find ways to DENY coverage, not help people who actually need it.

Sorry this had to happen - you and #9 hang in there.

XOXOXO
November 6, 2010 at 7:30 AM
the dogs' mother said…
Thinking very bestest of thoughts.
So glad you can be there for her when you can.
November 6, 2010 at 8:04 AM
the dogs' mother said…
PS - our long time asthma doctor restructured her fees for because she became out of coverage. They can do that - the story of your mom would definitely be moving about why this fellow is the one you want.
November 6, 2010 at 8:06 AM
Ken Riches said…
Hope the appeals process helps clear things up.
November 6, 2010 at 8:11 AM
Joy said…
What we need is insurance reform which is why the Healthcare Program is having such a hard time with the Repugs. Greedy bastards!

Good luck to Janice. Yes, having good doctors makes a big difference but having people around who love and support you helps a bunch!

My word verification is "grace"! How appropriate.
November 9, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This.

Image
I've learned a lot in the last few years. One thing is my ability to keep moving forward regardless of what's happening around me.  My sister is terminal, a lifer.   She's now 46 and her youngest just turned 10.  6 years ago it was breast cancer and  lymph nodes. We had hoped it was all behind us but this was a hope we only wished for.  MD Anderson said two years.  I remain calm and steady, on the outside.  Inside I'm a flying superman with a wicked cape that doesn't keep me at a level altitude. I die with every bit of turbulence.  I will never breath a word of this to anyone, my mad ride in my head.  My Facebook post are generic.  This will now be my place to let it go. All of it.  Bill will never understand my thoughts on any of this. He's never even lost a parent. He still lives in the innocent world that everybody lives forever.  Sure people have survived this. Bob lost his sister and I read every post of his. It broke my h...
Read more

HOWDY!!

Is anybody out there???? Everyone has left the blogs for facebook, including me. Well I'm back for at least this post. I'm no longer driving a truck. Bill and I live in Monte Vista, a historic district within the city limits of San Antonio, Texas. Number 9 has moved to the Houston Area along with all her kids in tow. Texas was where we grew up and it appears we left for all the right reasons. Getting back to the neanderthal ways of life are a huge adjustment but trust me, I'm having a much easier time than #9. She has been bombarded by southern Baptist at every turn and it has been a trying time for her to readjust. Back in June I was hurt on the job in Ohio and required a 10 day hospital stay followed by several months of therapy. I'm just now almost back at where I began and hopefully by the middle of the new year, I'll be good as new again. Why the move??several. But the most important one?  well #9 went for her three month check up in Las Vegas back in ...
Read more
Image
Oh gawd, What a week already. I did some things around the house but sleeping has become the norm, when I'm not eating. So. On the 26th, it will be one year since #9 shot across the sky in rocking light of fire. It was Friday, just about noon on that day when I whispered in her ear and ask if this was it. She said three words. I love you. Gone like that. On Friday that week she was in Phoenix at the Cancer Center of America. Walking, Talking and doing her thing. Although the news was shitty as hell and they said she would be needing to check in to hospice centers back in Texas, she walked to the airplane, flew back to Texas and walked to her car at the airport. She was a tough old broad as Mom would say. She called me on her journey home to tell me the news and what they had advised her to do. It was a tough talk but we had it. I drove over to see her for the weekend and knew when I left Sunday I would be back on Wednesday, which i did. When I got there Tuesday she was in...
Read more