We brought Logan with us, since he only had a half day at school and because I really needed the company and the distraction. Logan and I walked around and had some breakfast while we waited. We read, played games and watched television to pass the time. Jimmy finally came out and was a little woozy but not in pain since the anesthesia was still working somewhat. We had been told that we would most likely get the results of the biopsy in 3-4 days.
So, we waited.
And waited.
This was the longest weekend that either of us could ever remember. We laughed. We cried. We were positive. We were negative. We were still in shock.
Finally, on Tuesday, February 5, Dr. Hartner called. Our worst fear was true...it was CANCER. He confirmed that it was a sarcoma but that the subcategory had yet to be determined. He gave us a lot of information to digest but said Jimmy would start treatment as soon as possible, the following week. He would have 6 rounds of chemo, 6 rounds of radiation and then surgery. After the first 3 weeks of chemo, he would be checked out to see how he was tolerating the chemo and if it was working or not. If it was working, chemo would continue. If not, radiation would begin. Chemo is a 3 week cycle. The first week would include 4 days of chemo with the following two weeks off. That night, we both cried as we held each other, not knowing what the future would hold for our family.
The wheels were in motion. More tests were scheduled on Friday, February 8...a CT scan to see if the cancer had spread to Jimmy's lungs as well as an Echocardiogram to see how healthy Jimmy's heart was and whether or not it could withstand the chemotherapy drugs the doctor wanted to use. A outpatient procedure was also been scheduled at the hospital for Monday, February 11, to put a port in Jimmy's chest for the ongoing chemo treatments. The doctor also wanted home health care to monitor Jimmy's fluid levels and white blood cell counts. He told us they would contact us directly to set that up.
How everyone is doing at this point -
Logan is having trouble digesting all of this information. He is only 10 years old and is worried. He asked this morning if it (cancer) was contagious. He also had a really tough day at school today. I feel really bad for him and want to make it better so he is not so afraid. He knows what's going on but doesn't really know what's going on.
As for me, I'm terrified of what the future holds. Jimmy is the strong one who takes care of us. We have our own business and I'm worried what will happen to the business since Jimmy runs it. How will I keep the household going without Jimmy's help? How will I keep things normal for Logan? I have posted what's going on on Facebook and everyone has been so supportive. The thoughts, prayers and comments from friends and family mean more than I can ever say. It doesn't seem like "thank you" is enough. I have to be strong and positive...that's what I keep telling myself whether I believe it or not.
Jimmy is also experiencing fever and chills every night. When he wakes up the sheets are soaked. He is in pain. Thank goodness for the medication. He cries in the early morning hours when Logan and I are asleep. He is still processing the fact that he has cancer. Everything is moving so fast. Less than 2 weeks ago, it was just a hamstring issue, or so he thought. Never did he think this would ever happen to him.
In the afternoon on February 7, the home health care company contacted us. They told us there was a problem getting a pre-authorization from the insurance company "due to a pre-existing condition". WHAT??!!! What does that mean? Jimmy has never had cancer before so what was going on. I contacted the insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and was informed that there in fact was a problem. They told me that the pre-existing condition was not because of the cancer diagnosis but because we had had a lapse in coverage. We did go without insurance for a period of time before obtaining this policy, however, I didn't understand how this could be happening. The cancer diagnosis was well after the policy went into effect. The policy language regarding this is very broad and non-specific, so it appeared that we should be covered without question. The customer service representative told me that he would look into it further and call me the next day.
On February 8, which would turn out to be a day filled with lots of emotion and turmoil, from beginning to end. First thing in the morning, Blue Cross called. They said that they considered any treatment that Jimmy had for the cancer, would not be covered at all since they considered it to be pre-existing. OMG! I was mad. I was scared. I cried. Jimmy was mad and scared. Would Jimmy be able to get treatment if he essentially had no insurance? We both felt defeated. Now what?
I immediately called the doctor's office. I told Carla, Dr. Hartner's secretary, what was going on. She said she would contact the billing department and see what she could find out. I asked whether or not Jimmy could be denied treatment and she said she didn't know.
Wasn't it already bad enough? We are already terrified of Jimmy having cancer and wondering if it has spread. We are worried about having an income since Jimmy is self-employed and I stay at home. Now this?
Jimmy went to his CT scan and Echo appointments with his Mom while I stayed at home and made phone calls trying to straighten out this insurance mess. I even called a lawyer and got papers to file a claim with the PA Insurance Commission.
I got a call from Laetitia, Dr. Hartner's nurse, assuring me that Jimmy would not be denied treatment. Thank God! She said she was working with the billing department to see how to work this all out. Finally, after many phone calls, it was decided that Jimmy would not get his chemo on a outpatient basis. He would now be admitted to the hospital for the entire week of treatment. He would also not need the port put in since he would be in the hospital and not travelling back and forth every day for treatment. Home care would not be needed either.
Laetitia and I talked for a long time and she assured me that Jimmy would get the care he needed. She said that a hospital social worker would talk to us about billing and try to help us get some sort of assistance for the bills.
Jimmy got the scans done and we were again waiting for news of whether or not the cancer had spread. Laetitia called late in the day...the cancer has NOT spread. Thank you Lord Jesus! Some good news at last!
Today was very emotional and I'm glad its over. We will relax over the weekend and get ready for our family's new normal starting this Monday, February 11.
So, we waited.
And waited.
This was the longest weekend that either of us could ever remember. We laughed. We cried. We were positive. We were negative. We were still in shock.
Finally, on Tuesday, February 5, Dr. Hartner called. Our worst fear was true...it was CANCER. He confirmed that it was a sarcoma but that the subcategory had yet to be determined. He gave us a lot of information to digest but said Jimmy would start treatment as soon as possible, the following week. He would have 6 rounds of chemo, 6 rounds of radiation and then surgery. After the first 3 weeks of chemo, he would be checked out to see how he was tolerating the chemo and if it was working or not. If it was working, chemo would continue. If not, radiation would begin. Chemo is a 3 week cycle. The first week would include 4 days of chemo with the following two weeks off. That night, we both cried as we held each other, not knowing what the future would hold for our family.
The wheels were in motion. More tests were scheduled on Friday, February 8...a CT scan to see if the cancer had spread to Jimmy's lungs as well as an Echocardiogram to see how healthy Jimmy's heart was and whether or not it could withstand the chemotherapy drugs the doctor wanted to use. A outpatient procedure was also been scheduled at the hospital for Monday, February 11, to put a port in Jimmy's chest for the ongoing chemo treatments. The doctor also wanted home health care to monitor Jimmy's fluid levels and white blood cell counts. He told us they would contact us directly to set that up.
How everyone is doing at this point -
Logan is having trouble digesting all of this information. He is only 10 years old and is worried. He asked this morning if it (cancer) was contagious. He also had a really tough day at school today. I feel really bad for him and want to make it better so he is not so afraid. He knows what's going on but doesn't really know what's going on.
As for me, I'm terrified of what the future holds. Jimmy is the strong one who takes care of us. We have our own business and I'm worried what will happen to the business since Jimmy runs it. How will I keep the household going without Jimmy's help? How will I keep things normal for Logan? I have posted what's going on on Facebook and everyone has been so supportive. The thoughts, prayers and comments from friends and family mean more than I can ever say. It doesn't seem like "thank you" is enough. I have to be strong and positive...that's what I keep telling myself whether I believe it or not.
Jimmy is also experiencing fever and chills every night. When he wakes up the sheets are soaked. He is in pain. Thank goodness for the medication. He cries in the early morning hours when Logan and I are asleep. He is still processing the fact that he has cancer. Everything is moving so fast. Less than 2 weeks ago, it was just a hamstring issue, or so he thought. Never did he think this would ever happen to him.
In the afternoon on February 7, the home health care company contacted us. They told us there was a problem getting a pre-authorization from the insurance company "due to a pre-existing condition". WHAT??!!! What does that mean? Jimmy has never had cancer before so what was going on. I contacted the insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and was informed that there in fact was a problem. They told me that the pre-existing condition was not because of the cancer diagnosis but because we had had a lapse in coverage. We did go without insurance for a period of time before obtaining this policy, however, I didn't understand how this could be happening. The cancer diagnosis was well after the policy went into effect. The policy language regarding this is very broad and non-specific, so it appeared that we should be covered without question. The customer service representative told me that he would look into it further and call me the next day.
On February 8, which would turn out to be a day filled with lots of emotion and turmoil, from beginning to end. First thing in the morning, Blue Cross called. They said that they considered any treatment that Jimmy had for the cancer, would not be covered at all since they considered it to be pre-existing. OMG! I was mad. I was scared. I cried. Jimmy was mad and scared. Would Jimmy be able to get treatment if he essentially had no insurance? We both felt defeated. Now what?
I immediately called the doctor's office. I told Carla, Dr. Hartner's secretary, what was going on. She said she would contact the billing department and see what she could find out. I asked whether or not Jimmy could be denied treatment and she said she didn't know.
Wasn't it already bad enough? We are already terrified of Jimmy having cancer and wondering if it has spread. We are worried about having an income since Jimmy is self-employed and I stay at home. Now this?
Jimmy went to his CT scan and Echo appointments with his Mom while I stayed at home and made phone calls trying to straighten out this insurance mess. I even called a lawyer and got papers to file a claim with the PA Insurance Commission.
I got a call from Laetitia, Dr. Hartner's nurse, assuring me that Jimmy would not be denied treatment. Thank God! She said she was working with the billing department to see how to work this all out. Finally, after many phone calls, it was decided that Jimmy would not get his chemo on a outpatient basis. He would now be admitted to the hospital for the entire week of treatment. He would also not need the port put in since he would be in the hospital and not travelling back and forth every day for treatment. Home care would not be needed either.
Laetitia and I talked for a long time and she assured me that Jimmy would get the care he needed. She said that a hospital social worker would talk to us about billing and try to help us get some sort of assistance for the bills.
Jimmy got the scans done and we were again waiting for news of whether or not the cancer had spread. Laetitia called late in the day...the cancer has NOT spread. Thank you Lord Jesus! Some good news at last!
Today was very emotional and I'm glad its over. We will relax over the weekend and get ready for our family's new normal starting this Monday, February 11.
Please, please, please...look into using diet to beat cancer. Animal meat and dairy products should be eliminated and sugar cut down greatly. Add alkalizing vegetables and supplements to help raise pH, such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and/or LIPH drops. An acidic body permits cancer to grow, then sugar feeds it. Animal products and sugar both contribute to acidity. You have to reverse this to make the body more alkaline. Just start researching how food affects your health, and the pH/cancer connection.
ReplyDeleteI wish your family the best.