jgutt
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In reply to question from Marion about insurance, we had three appeals and three denials. Fortunately I work for a hospital that helped us immensely. As far as radiation therapy went, the hospital picked up the tab under their balloon insurance policy, as we had already started radiation when we were denied (they had approved it initially). The chemo we had to pay for but we got the drugs at the hospital cost. Again, we were denied after we had started treatment so I believe this was instrumental in the help we received from the hospital.
Also, hopefully all of his cancer was removed, as this is the only way to stop this type of cancer, and since we are on top of things, I think we can be prepared for what may come down the road and are living for the moment right now and enjoying our wonderful luck, which is actually what it comes down to – very lucky to have found this in it’s very earliest stage.
We had three appeals, all denied, even though the Ombudsman thought that with positive margins in Bob’s case he should have adjuvant chemotherapy. The insurance company decided to interpret it differently. Three oncologists recommended chemo, and everytime a insurance case worker would call they were just plain nasty. We were approved in the beginning, then they said they made a mistake, which took Bob out of the running for some clinical trials because he had already started the xeloda and radiation. Enough said the most important thing is that my husband is alive and well. My plea is for everyone to stay positive. For a cancer that we were told was very, very rare, it apparently isn’t so, but THERE IS HOPE. One thing is for sure, we certainly look at life differently now.
A little over a year ago Bob had liver resection (unfortunately with microscopic cancer cells at one margin), then underwent Xeloda and radiation therapy, rested for a month and then on to six cycles of gem/cisplatin. He has just had his third MRI, no sign of cancer. There is hope. We are so happy. He looks great and feels even better. Again, there is hope. Unfortunately insurance denied all of our treatments. Bastards.
