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By now, everyone has most likely heard that the big C is back. In addition to this new fight that Cathy is undertaking, Brian and Cathy just received some unexpected medical bills. While she continues to fight the battle, we are hoping to relieve some of the stress by taking away the financial burden. No amount is too small. Anything helps and is much appreciated. Please join us in helping our friends and family. See below for an explanation in Brian and Cathy's own words....
Last time I wrote an entry in this journal, we were gearing up for surgery. Now we are changing directions and preparing for a new fight. Last week we were checking all the boxes getting ready for the surgery when the new surgeons office called and dropped a bomb on us, they told us that we owed them thousands of dollars before the surgery. We thought that we had done our due diligence a month prior when we asked how much this was going to cost after insurance paid, because this doctor was an out of network doctor. On October 9th we were told that because we have great insurance and because we have already met our "out-of-pocket" for the year that the surgery would be 100% covered. Now, Monday before the surgery, we are told that they made a mistake and that the insurance was paying only 100% of "reasonable and customary". During this confusion our surgical oncologist requested that we get an MRI done prior to our surgery, so this was done on Tuesday. Tuesday evening we finally get a quote from the new plastic surgeons office that shows us that we will owe $8,000 dollars for the first surgery after the insurance pays them. Needless to say we are quite frustrated, confused and angry at this new surprise and especially how they are treating us and talking to us. They told Cathy to open up a new credit card to pay for the surgery. Later that night we were finally able to get in touch with the doctor when Cathy had her paged after hours. She was rude and demeaning to her and told Cathy not to worry about it and to just get the surgery done. The next morning, Wednesday, we were receiving help and advice from our previous plastic surgeon's office, who we love but she does not do this new specialized surgery that we were about to do, when we got a call from Cathy's first surgeon, the surgical oncologist, telling us that there were some enlarged lymphnodes noted on the MRI and that we should cancel the surgery and get a PET scan on Thursday. Our scan was completed around 2pm on Thursday and a little after 5pm we were contacted and told that Cathy had a recurrence of her cancer and that it was now stage 4. The worst thoughts immediately consumed us, this was the worst news we could hear and it was a total surprise. Friday we had an appointment with her oncologist and we were told of the new plan of action. We were once again told and reminded that Cathy has one of the most aggressive types and variances of breast cancer out there. So, we start right a way. Monday will be the first round of chemo. There will be no radiation because there is too much cancer in an area too large. The good news is that the cancer is only in her lymphnodes and not in her lungs, bone or liver. We will have another MRI next week to make sure that there is no cancer in her brain. Also the new type of chemo is a cancer receptor drug with a chemo drug piggy backed onto the first at a molecular level. This means that the chemo will be delivered in a more precise area and if it all goes well, Cathy will get her treatments every 3 weeks and it should not be debilitating like it was last time. These treatments may stop in a year or so, or they might have to happen until they find a cure for her cancer.
This was one hell of a week and confusing to us. I hope you could follow along with my jam packed story. Here are the take away points.
Cathy will not have surgery anytime soon.
She will need it sometime and with another Dr.
We will never recommend Dr. Elenore Zetrenne
Cathy does have Stage 4 cancer
It is not a death sentence right now
She will be starting Chemo Monday and she should be able to carry on with life in a mostly normal fashion
We both want to thank all of you for the huge amount of support that continues to pour in from friends, family, the Department and strangers.
Last time I wrote an entry in this journal, we were gearing up for surgery. Now we are changing directions and preparing for a new fight. Last week we were checking all the boxes getting ready for the surgery when the new surgeons office called and dropped a bomb on us, they told us that we owed them thousands of dollars before the surgery. We thought that we had done our due diligence a month prior when we asked how much this was going to cost after insurance paid, because this doctor was an out of network doctor. On October 9th we were told that because we have great insurance and because we have already met our "out-of-pocket" for the year that the surgery would be 100% covered. Now, Monday before the surgery, we are told that they made a mistake and that the insurance was paying only 100% of "reasonable and customary". During this confusion our surgical oncologist requested that we get an MRI done prior to our surgery, so this was done on Tuesday. Tuesday evening we finally get a quote from the new plastic surgeons office that shows us that we will owe $8,000 dollars for the first surgery after the insurance pays them. Needless to say we are quite frustrated, confused and angry at this new surprise and especially how they are treating us and talking to us. They told Cathy to open up a new credit card to pay for the surgery. Later that night we were finally able to get in touch with the doctor when Cathy had her paged after hours. She was rude and demeaning to her and told Cathy not to worry about it and to just get the surgery done. The next morning, Wednesday, we were receiving help and advice from our previous plastic surgeon's office, who we love but she does not do this new specialized surgery that we were about to do, when we got a call from Cathy's first surgeon, the surgical oncologist, telling us that there were some enlarged lymphnodes noted on the MRI and that we should cancel the surgery and get a PET scan on Thursday. Our scan was completed around 2pm on Thursday and a little after 5pm we were contacted and told that Cathy had a recurrence of her cancer and that it was now stage 4. The worst thoughts immediately consumed us, this was the worst news we could hear and it was a total surprise. Friday we had an appointment with her oncologist and we were told of the new plan of action. We were once again told and reminded that Cathy has one of the most aggressive types and variances of breast cancer out there. So, we start right a way. Monday will be the first round of chemo. There will be no radiation because there is too much cancer in an area too large. The good news is that the cancer is only in her lymphnodes and not in her lungs, bone or liver. We will have another MRI next week to make sure that there is no cancer in her brain. Also the new type of chemo is a cancer receptor drug with a chemo drug piggy backed onto the first at a molecular level. This means that the chemo will be delivered in a more precise area and if it all goes well, Cathy will get her treatments every 3 weeks and it should not be debilitating like it was last time. These treatments may stop in a year or so, or they might have to happen until they find a cure for her cancer.
This was one hell of a week and confusing to us. I hope you could follow along with my jam packed story. Here are the take away points.
Cathy will not have surgery anytime soon.
She will need it sometime and with another Dr.
We will never recommend Dr. Elenore Zetrenne
Cathy does have Stage 4 cancer
It is not a death sentence right now
She will be starting Chemo Monday and she should be able to carry on with life in a mostly normal fashion
We both want to thank all of you for the huge amount of support that continues to pour in from friends, family, the Department and strangers.
Organizer and beneficiary
Brian Stevens
Beneficiary