A Matter of Life or Death (a real life journal) - Page 7

JAG · 09-19-2018, 05:04 PM

Even later, but really happy to hear the great news.

Breeze · 10-25-2018, 08:50 AM

October 25, 2018

CT Scan tomorrow with follow up reading on Tuesday...

Breeze · 10-30-2018, 10:16 AM

October 30, 2018

Blood work as great, even my platelet count was up, and the scan looked good. However, the doctor was a bit irritated, but to explain I need to provide some background.

Our company's enrollment for benefits took place on October 1, and as part of that change, I can no longer use a hospital based imaging center without paying an additional $500 deductible that in no way applies toward my overall deductible. In other words, I'm now forced to use a free standing imaging center. So I did...unfortunately, the imaging center still hasn't provided my doctor a copy of their report and the scan that was provided to my doctor only showed the top half of my abdomen (though the order was for lungs and abdomen). Hence the irritation and rightfully so. I'm going to have to have a conversation with the imaging center especially sense I'm going to be using them a bunch moving forward.

Cap Ologist · 10-30-2018, 02:38 PM

Great news!

chesapeake · 10-31-2018, 08:49 AM

Glad to hear that the health report is good. Sorry to hear that seemingly absurd red tape is adding to your stress level.

JAG · 10-31-2018, 09:16 AM

Awesome. Hopefully the imaging place sorts out the rest of the images soon as well.

PilotMan · 10-31-2018, 11:53 AM

Glad to hear the good news Breeze!

Breeze · 11-01-2018, 06:17 AM

Thanks again guys...

MizzouRah · 11-04-2018, 09:33 PM

Good to hear Breeze!

Senator · 12-25-2018, 06:07 AM

Keep the fight strong, Breeze. I know quite well living MRI and CT scan result to result and the coping mechanisms needed to handle being normal in between them and not letting them overtake your life. I admire your courage during this time.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Breeze · 12-25-2018, 10:32 PM

Thanks Senator, appreciate the support.

Breeze · 01-03-2019, 07:08 AM

January 3, 2019

It's scan time again. In fact, I was supposed to have my MRI today, but unfortunately, I can't. I'm not sure if I outlined my new company insurance in this thread, but basically it stated that I had to go to a 3rd party imaging center for my scans or pay what is basically a $500 penalty (as that money doesn't pay for the scan or go towards my deductible). So I scheduled my MRI at a stand alone location, but I found out yesterday that I have to have a special MRI, one that is tied to the scans that were done for my Gamma Knife surgeries. Which means, my scans have to be done at the hospital where the surgery took place - so that just bumped my total out of pocket expense for medical by $2000 this year.

I don't have a new time for the MRI yet, but the CT scan is tomorrow...

Kodos · 01-03-2019, 09:13 AM

Ugh. Sorry to hear about the added expense.

Breeze · 01-16-2019, 08:35 AM

January 16, 2019

I have received the results of both the CT and MRI and things are really good. The CT showed no changes from the scan 3 months ago, and the MRI showed no activity at all, meaning all the treated spots are now gone and no new lesions have formed. The MRI was as good as I could have hoped for, and the doctor said he won't need a follow up scan for 6 months (which is a huge relief based on the post above about the additional cost for MRIs).

Next scan will be the CT in the middle of April.

chesapeake · 01-16-2019, 09:59 AM

Fantastic!

JonInMiddleGA · 01-16-2019, 05:09 PM

Kodos · 01-17-2019, 02:58 PM

Great news!

Breeze · 04-08-2019, 09:14 AM

April 8, 2019

Today was supposed to be my CT scan, but when I went in to the imaging center to get the procedure done, I was told the insurance company refused the pre-authorization. The medical records clerk brought me back and we got on the phone with the insurance company to try and get the issue resolved. During the discussion the company approved my abdomen scan with contrast, but ultimately they continued to refuse my chest scan. They said they needed additional clinical information before they would approve it. I guess stage 4 lung cancer isn't sufficient.

If this wasn't so frustrating it would be down right laughable. (And, given that it isn't inconvenient to you the reader, feel free to laugh - because it is just so absurd).

chesapeake · 04-08-2019, 11:42 AM

Insurance companies suck. Sorry to see this.

Kodos · 04-09-2019, 07:37 AM

Idiotic bastards. Sorry Breeze.

Breeze · 04-09-2019, 09:34 AM

Scan has been rescheduled for Thursday. The assumption is the insurance company will have time to review the case before then and approve the procedure.

PilotMan · 04-11-2019, 05:30 PM

Just the kind of thing that makes you want to reach into the phone and rip someone's throat out.

Breeze · 04-11-2019, 08:47 PM

Thursday was a bust...the pre-cert wasn't approved Wednesday night, so I called the insurance company to try and determine if it was going to get approved. I was on the phone with them for 3 hours and all I got was basically "it's still pending". They did admit there was some information missing and that without it I probably would not get approved. The missing information was the Dr. notes from my visit within 60 days of the CT Scan, which is a problem considering I get a scan every 3 months...so there is no doctor visit within 60 days. This really ticked me off, but ultimately I got no where.

Then on Thursday morning, I get a call from the imaging center - "Your cert has been approved, we are ready to do your scan." - Are you freaking kidding me!!!! I hadn't taken the pre-meds to counteract my allergic reaction to the contrast - so we moved the scan to Friday. I also had to move my follow up from Tuesday to the 23rd.

JonInMiddleGA · 04-12-2019, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breeze

Then on Thursday morning, I get a call from the imaging center - "Your cert has been approved, we are ready to do your scan." - Are you freaking kidding me!!!!

And at this point I'm thinking "are you SURE it's been approved?" (to the center I mean, not you you).

God bless ya Breeze, and I mean that literally.

Breeze · 04-22-2019, 06:13 AM

April 22, 2019

CT follow up tomorrow. Praying for continued good news.

BYU 14 · 04-22-2019, 08:42 AM

Wishing you all the best my friend, continued prayers

Breeze · 04-24-2019, 09:39 AM

April 24, 2019

Scans continue to show no changes. The doctors are extremely pleased with the results and they told me to just keep doing what I've been doing and they would see me in 3 months.

I did have to report to being abnormally tired during this 3 month stretch, but I've also been walking twice a day for around 30 minutes each time for exercise. The doctor was pleased by the later and not surprised by the former. Fatigue is a common side affect of the medication anyway, and she believes the walking is increasing the symptom, but she urged me to continue to walk as it is extremely beneficial for my overall health.

So I'm doing good and I've got until mid June before I have to worry about it again.

Kodos · 04-24-2019, 09:52 AM

Good report, although the fatigue sucks. You're doing great!

JonInMiddleGA · 04-24-2019, 10:35 AM

CraigSca · 04-25-2019, 08:30 AM

Amazing! Great news!

PilotMan · 04-25-2019, 11:51 AM

This is great news man! Woohoo!

Breeze · 07-10-2019, 06:23 AM

July 10, 2019

We are coming up on scan time again...CT on Friday, MRI on Tuesday.

Also, during our vacation at the end of June, I decided (like an idiot) to try and waterski. And not just get up and get pulled around a bit, I tried to slalom like I used to YEARS AGO. It didn't take long for the folly of that thought to impact me, before I was even up I tore a muscle in my hamstring and another in my oblique (right under my rib cage). Given both of these issues just involve rest to let them heal, I'm going to be dealing with this stupidity for a while.

Breeze · 07-25-2019, 05:54 AM

July 25, 2019

Both the CT scan and the MRI were clean. Both doctors were very pleased. The Radiation Oncologist thought about extending my MRI to every 8 months, but ultimately left it at 6. He basically said that with these newly identified cancers (like my ALK) they have developed strategies for treatment, but they haven't yet developed procedures for follow up and he's unsure of what it prudent. Given that, other than the stress of waiting for results, the scans are more inconvenience than anything else, I don't really mind. In fact, I'd rather know if a problem occurs sooner than later so treatment adjustments can be made as quickly as possible.

Next CT scans are in October.

chesapeake · 07-25-2019, 08:33 AM

Glad to see that everything is still looking good.

Kodos · 07-25-2019, 11:05 AM

Sounds like good news. Glad to hear it!

JonInMiddleGA · 07-25-2019, 11:32 PM

More woot.

PilotMan · 07-29-2019, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the update and congrats on the good report!

Breeze · 09-25-2019, 02:32 PM

So once again I'm running into problems getting my medication refilled. We just switched insurance providers again and at the same time my year long prescription expired. So the Dr is trying to submit the new pre-authorization, but the new company doesn't like it for some reason and the shipping of the medicine has been delayed. The problem is - I'm down to about 3 days of pills!

Ugh...I hate it when this crap happens.

Kodos · 09-26-2019, 12:31 PM

Ugh. I hope they get this ironed out quickly.

Breeze · 09-26-2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodos

Ugh. I hope they get this ironed out quickly.

Supposedly it is resolved. We'll see if the pills are waiting for me, when I get home.

Breeze · 09-27-2019, 06:00 AM

My pills arrived yesterday...Whew!

Now I can relax...

Kodos · 09-27-2019, 10:10 AM

Glad to hear it!

Breeze · 10-01-2019, 10:37 AM

October 1, 2019

CT again on Friday. Originally my follow up was for Tuesday (10/8), but the Dr is out of town, so it's been rescheduled for 10/22...

Long time to wait for results

Breeze · 10-24-2019, 09:35 AM

October 24, 2019

Got the CT results, and things remain unchanged. I'll continue with my current treatments and my next round of scans will be in mid-January.

PilotMan · 11-29-2019, 01:04 PM

I missed this the first time around. Happy you get to enjoy the holidays without the stress of this for now. Good news for now.

Breeze · 01-02-2020, 02:21 PM

January 2, 2020

At the end of the year I got my CT and MRI scans done in order to take advantage of having met my maximum out of pocket expense. Unfortunately, this means I'll have a few weeks to wait on the result...

Breeze · 01-13-2020, 02:33 PM

January 13, 2020

Have my CT follow up tomorrow. Saying my prayers the meds are still working.

Cap Ologist · 01-13-2020, 06:36 PM

Praying for you!

BYU 14 · 01-13-2020, 06:43 PM

In my thoughts buddy, all the best

Breeze · 01-14-2020, 12:08 PM

January 14, 2020

The CT and Blood Work is great. No changes, so one more hurdle to clear on Friday when I get the MRI results.

10-30-2018, 10:16 AM	#303
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	October 30, 2018 Blood work as great, even my platelet count was up, and the scan looked good. However, the doctor was a bit irritated, but to explain I need to provide some background. Our company's enrollment for benefits took place on October 1, and as part of that change, I can no longer use a hospital based imaging center without paying an additional $500 deductible that in no way applies toward my overall deductible. In other words, I'm now forced to use a free standing imaging center. So I did...unfortunately, the imaging center still hasn't provided my doctor a copy of their report and the scan that was provided to my doctor only showed the top half of my abdomen (though the order was for lungs and abdomen). Hence the irritation and rightfully so. I'm going to have to have a conversation with the imaging center especially sense I'm going to be using them a bunch moving forward. Last edited by Breeze : 10-30-2018 at 10:17 AM.

10-31-2018, 11:53 AM	#307
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Glad to hear the good news Breeze! __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

12-25-2018, 06:07 AM	#310
Senator FOFC's Elected Representative Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The stars at night; are big and bright	Keep the fight strong, Breeze. I know quite well living MRI and CT scan result to result and the coping mechanisms needed to handle being normal in between them and not letting them overtake your life. I admire your courage during this time. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ "i have seen chris simms play 4-5 times in the pros and he's very clearly got it. he won't make a pro bowl this year, but it'll come. if you don't like me saying that, so be it, but its true. we'll just have to wait until then" imettrentgreen "looking at only ten games, and oddly using a median only, leaves me unmoved generally" - Quiksand

01-03-2019, 09:13 AM	#313
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Ugh. Sorry to hear about the added expense. __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

01-16-2019, 05:09 PM	#316
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Woot __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

09-19-2018, 05:04 PM	#301
JAG Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: St. Paul, MN	Even later, but really happy to hear the great news.

10-25-2018, 08:50 AM	#302
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	October 25, 2018 CT Scan tomorrow with follow up reading on Tuesday...

10-30-2018, 02:38 PM	#304
Cap Ologist College Prospect Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Flower Mound, TX	Great news!

10-31-2018, 08:49 AM	#305
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	Glad to hear that the health report is good. Sorry to hear that seemingly absurd red tape is adding to your stress level.

10-31-2018, 09:16 AM	#306
JAG Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: St. Paul, MN	Awesome. Hopefully the imaging place sorts out the rest of the images soon as well.

11-01-2018, 06:17 AM	#308
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	Thanks again guys...

11-04-2018, 09:33 PM	#309
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	Good to hear Breeze!

12-25-2018, 10:32 PM	#311
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	Thanks Senator, appreciate the support.

01-03-2019, 07:08 AM	#312
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	January 3, 2019 It's scan time again. In fact, I was supposed to have my MRI today, but unfortunately, I can't. I'm not sure if I outlined my new company insurance in this thread, but basically it stated that I had to go to a 3rd party imaging center for my scans or pay what is basically a $500 penalty (as that money doesn't pay for the scan or go towards my deductible). So I scheduled my MRI at a stand alone location, but I found out yesterday that I have to have a special MRI, one that is tied to the scans that were done for my Gamma Knife surgeries. Which means, my scans have to be done at the hospital where the surgery took place - so that just bumped my total out of pocket expense for medical by $2000 this year. I don't have a new time for the MRI yet, but the CT scan is tomorrow...

01-16-2019, 08:35 AM	#314
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	January 16, 2019 I have received the results of both the CT and MRI and things are really good. The CT showed no changes from the scan 3 months ago, and the MRI showed no activity at all, meaning all the treated spots are now gone and no new lesions have formed. The MRI was as good as I could have hoped for, and the doctor said he won't need a follow up scan for 6 months (which is a huge relief based on the post above about the additional cost for MRIs). Next scan will be the CT in the middle of April.

01-16-2019, 09:59 AM	#315
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	Fantastic!

01-17-2019, 02:58 PM	#317
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Great news! __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

04-08-2019, 09:14 AM	#318
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	April 8, 2019 Today was supposed to be my CT scan, but when I went in to the imaging center to get the procedure done, I was told the insurance company refused the pre-authorization. The medical records clerk brought me back and we got on the phone with the insurance company to try and get the issue resolved. During the discussion the company approved my abdomen scan with contrast, but ultimately they continued to refuse my chest scan. They said they needed additional clinical information before they would approve it. I guess stage 4 lung cancer isn't sufficient. If this wasn't so frustrating it would be down right laughable. (And, given that it isn't inconvenient to you the reader, feel free to laugh - because it is just so absurd).

04-08-2019, 11:42 AM	#319
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	Insurance companies suck. Sorry to see this.

04-09-2019, 07:37 AM	#320
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Idiotic bastards. Sorry Breeze. __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

04-09-2019, 09:34 AM	#321
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	Scan has been rescheduled for Thursday. The assumption is the insurance company will have time to review the case before then and approve the procedure.

04-11-2019, 05:30 PM	#322
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	Just the kind of thing that makes you want to reach into the phone and rip someone's throat out. __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

04-11-2019, 08:47 PM	#323
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	Thursday was a bust...the pre-cert wasn't approved Wednesday night, so I called the insurance company to try and determine if it was going to get approved. I was on the phone with them for 3 hours and all I got was basically "it's still pending". They did admit there was some information missing and that without it I probably would not get approved. The missing information was the Dr. notes from my visit within 60 days of the CT Scan, which is a problem considering I get a scan every 3 months...so there is no doctor visit within 60 days. This really ticked me off, but ultimately I got no where. Then on Thursday morning, I get a call from the imaging center - "Your cert has been approved, we are ready to do your scan." - Are you freaking kidding me!!!! I hadn't taken the pre-meds to counteract my allergic reaction to the contrast - so we moved the scan to Friday. I also had to move my follow up from Tuesday to the 23rd.

04-22-2019, 06:13 AM	#325
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	April 22, 2019 CT follow up tomorrow. Praying for continued good news.

04-22-2019, 08:42 AM	#326
BYU 14 Coordinator Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The scorched Desert	Wishing you all the best my friend, continued prayers

04-24-2019, 09:39 AM	#327
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	April 24, 2019 Scans continue to show no changes. The doctors are extremely pleased with the results and they told me to just keep doing what I've been doing and they would see me in 3 months. I did have to report to being abnormally tired during this 3 month stretch, but I've also been walking twice a day for around 30 minutes each time for exercise. The doctor was pleased by the later and not surprised by the former. Fatigue is a common side affect of the medication anyway, and she believes the walking is increasing the symptom, but she urged me to continue to walk as it is extremely beneficial for my overall health. So I'm doing good and I've got until mid June before I have to worry about it again.

04-24-2019, 09:52 AM	#328
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Good report, although the fatigue sucks. You're doing great! __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties. Last edited by Kodos : 04-24-2019 at 09:52 AM.

04-24-2019, 10:35 AM	#329
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Woot __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

04-25-2019, 08:30 AM	#330
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	Amazing! Great news! __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

04-25-2019, 11:51 AM	#331
PilotMan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Seven miles up	This is great news man! Woohoo! __________________ He's just like if Snow White was competitive, horny, and capable of beating the shit out of anyone that called her Pops. Like Steam? Join the FOFC Steam group here: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/FOFConSteam

07-10-2019, 06:23 AM	#332
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	July 10, 2019 We are coming up on scan time again...CT on Friday, MRI on Tuesday. Also, during our vacation at the end of June, I decided (like an idiot) to try and waterski. And not just get up and get pulled around a bit, I tried to slalom like I used to YEARS AGO. It didn't take long for the folly of that thought to impact me, before I was even up I tore a muscle in my hamstring and another in my oblique (right under my rib cage). Given both of these issues just involve rest to let them heal, I'm going to be dealing with this stupidity for a while. Last edited by Breeze : 07-25-2019 at 05:54 AM.

07-25-2019, 05:54 AM	#333
Breeze Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Northern Suburbs of ATL	July 25, 2019 Both the CT scan and the MRI were clean. Both doctors were very pleased. The Radiation Oncologist thought about extending my MRI to every 8 months, but ultimately left it at 6. He basically said that with these newly identified cancers (like my ALK) they have developed strategies for treatment, but they haven't yet developed procedures for follow up and he's unsure of what it prudent. Given that, other than the stress of waiting for results, the scans are more inconvenience than anything else, I don't really mind. In fact, I'd rather know if a problem occurs sooner than later so treatment adjustments can be made as quickly as possible. Next CT scans are in October.

07-25-2019, 08:33 AM	#334
chesapeake College Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arlington, VA	Glad to see that everything is still looking good.

07-25-2019, 11:05 AM	#335
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	Sounds like good news. Glad to hear it! __________________ Author of The Bill Gates Challenge, as well as other groundbreaking dynasties.

07-25-2019, 11:32 PM	#336
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	More woot. __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis