Stage 4 Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
November 2011 I was diagnosed with stage 4 (final stage) of colorectal cancer that has metastasized heavily to the liver and is inoperable. I went now more than a year through aggressive chemotherapy with mixed results. Initially it appeared I went into partial remission just for the cancer to grow back again in the last few month. On top of it I just recently developed a severe allergy to one of the chemo drugs (Oxaliplatin) I have been receiving. Yesterday I almost went into anaphylactic shock. Now they have to come up with another treatment option. Sofar, even with health insurance I had out of pocket expenses in the excess of $20,0000. My doctor does not except my Healthnet PPO insurance plan and there for I am out of network and have higher deductible and out of pocket expenses. I have continued to work over this whole period just to have health insurance and also to keep my mind off this whole dilemma. Thank god I have an understanding employer who is behind me all the way and is supporting me by given me time off as much as I need (unpaid of course).
It is also a dream of mine to spend one last nice vacation, before things turn for the worse, but with all the medical expenses ...
Thank god for a great network of friends and supporters that have been behind me all the way and have given me support and encouragement.
This latest setback with the chemo is a great emotional stress, since I don't know what will be in the future. Originally when it all started I was given not to long to live. But I had responded better than the average to the treatment. This is why it is now even more disappointing that I developed this allergy. Who knows whether the new chemo works as good.
This is why I would like to get a third opinion from the Cancer Center at MD Anderson in Houston, TX, which supposedly is a if not the leading cancer center in the country. Since they are out of network and out of state my cost for it would be probably fairly high. Remember not only would I have to pay more out of pocket but also would have to pay for travel expenses and would not get paid for the time off from work.
Any help and support would be highly appreciated.
Organizer
Oliver Schmid
Organizer
