Hello everyone—
Just a quick update on all the confusion: We appealed my PET scan issue to Richard’s employer (our Aetna plan through his employer), and they also denied us. At this point we are looking for legal representation. It is just not right that our own health insurance is not giving me the care that I need, and I feel I need to fight this not just for me but for patients that come after me. If anyone has a good referral for this kind of legal representation, we’re open.

I’m feeling fine 2/3 way through round seven of Gemzar. We know it is working, as after the review with the other nurse practitioner, when they told me everything had “stayed the same,” a few days later I spoke with my nurse practitioner and she told me that in actuality the lesions in my lungs had shrunk! Hallelujah! So my doctor and I are comfortable staying on Gemzar for a few more rounds and then we will have to find a way to pay for a PET scan.

Speaking of which, I really don't know how to thank the anonymous person that left the beautiful card and gift for me. It was one of the kindest things anyone has done and I know your reward will be great in heaven! I only wish I knew who you were so I could thank you in person!!

I am so blessed to have all of you reading this blog supporting me with your thoughts and prayers, because you are getting me through this—and I plan to kick this thing!!

Thank you all so much!

Well, it sure did take a while to get the correct information, but it looks like the CT scan showed basically no change from my last scan in October. The information I was given on Friday was all incorrect, because the hospital based the comparison report on an old scan from 2006! I cannot tell you the emotional ups and downs they have put me through since Friday. I’m obviously condensing all that has happened, or you’d have a book to read right now. At one point yesterday, I was told everything had grown and we’d have to switch chemo drugs (and that I’d lose my hair again, etc.). Then as I was walking out of the office, the entire story changed when my doc called from his other office saying he had the actual report in his hands, nothing had changed and that we would be staying with Gemzar. Of course the really good news is always that there was no new growth. My concern now is that four months ago, you may remember the great news I had received was all based on a large reduction in cancerous activity, not size, so I am not shocked that the CT showed “basically no change.” I need a PET scan now more than ever to see what has happened with activity, so we will know how to proceed with treatments. We will have to find a way to pay for the PET until we can get Aetna to come around and pay up. I can’t tell you how much your prayers are helping me with support. Thank you so much!

Hello everyone—
Well, I had my CT scan on Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon Aetna called to say they denied my PET scans again. Needless to say, we are appealing again (this time directly with Richard’s employer who owns the group plan).
Yesterday a nurse practitioner (not my usual one) called from my oncologist’s office with the results, but she is not familiar with my case, so she was hesitant to answer my questions. It seems like mostly good news, but I won’t know everything until Monday, when my doc is back in the office. The best part is that the CT shows no new growth, and that many of the lesions in my lungs are shrinking. The not so great part is that it looks like the main mass grew a centimeter, and there is some more fluid in my lung. I’m not worried about the fluid too much, because fluid is a side effect of the Gemzar. I am confused about the growth in the main mass, though, and will have some questions for my doc on Monday. She couldn’t find any reference in the report to the two spots on my lungs that were being tracked before (the one had shrunk to the point where it was undetectable by PET or CT and the other was almost undetectable). I’m hoping that’s because they were undetectable, and not because it’s a different radiologist reading the scan, but again I should know more on Monday. I’m assuming I’ll be continuing with chemo, but until I talk with the doc nothing is for sure. Please do keep me in your prayers, and I will report back next week. Thanks so much for all your support!