Help Sarah Battle Glioblastoma Since Aetna Won’t!

Our daughter, Sarah, is 35 yrs old with four
children, Brynna (11), Lanah (4) and twins,
James & Molly (18 mos).  She was
diagnosed with High Grade 4 Glioblastoma and needs a highly recommended surgery
called LITT that can potentially shrink or
diminish her tumor...but Aetna is denying  
the surgery.

Let me start from the beginning....

Our cancer journey started a little over a
month ago when Sarah started feeling
dizzy and having massive headaches due to the pressure in her head.  She went to her
primary care doctor and they treated her
for a sinus infection.  When the symptoms got worse, she fell holding one of her twins.  She went to the ER where they performed a CT scan and then a MRI.  The neurologist
discovered a mass in the thalamic portion
of her brain.  It was pressing against the
ventricle which caused a spinal fluid
blockage that was creating the pressure.  
An emergency surgery to install a shunt
was performed on Nov. 19th, which gave    her instant relief.  The neurologist wanted us to see a doctor at UT Southwestern in
Dallas or MD Anderson in Houston.  She
chose UT Southwestern because it’s closer to home.    On Nov. 25th, we met with Dr.
Kalil Abdullah at UTSW.  He recommended a needle biopsy of the mass to be done
asap.  Sarah was admitted on Dec. 4th and
the needle biopsy was performed.  During
the biopsy, she started to hemorrhage and that was his cue to stop. 
On Dec. 12th, we met with Dr. Abdullah to
discuss biopsy results.  It was a High Grade 4 Glioma, which is basically a Glioblastoma.
We discussed radiation, chemo and clinical
trials.  He supported our decision to get a 2nd opinion, which we did at MD Anderson
Cancer Center in Houston, TX on Dec. 16th.  News was hopeful!  Dr. Rao believes he
can remove the tumor with LITT laser
surgery then follow up with 6 wks of
radiation then 2 mos of chemo.  Surgery
was scheduled for Dec. 30th.  He gave us
some hope!

Then, on Friday, Dec. 20th, we received
word that Sarah’s insurance, Aetna,
DENIED her surgery.  Even her doctor
pleaded to them the urgency of this
surgery.  They denied it again, calling it 
“investigational” even though its been
around for 8 years with positive 
results.  We think they denied it due to the 
high cost.  The LITT surgery would remove
the tumor and then the radiation would kill
any micro particles that were not visible on
the MRI.  The doctor can appeal their
decision but it can take up to 30 days and, 
even then, there’s no promise, and then
they could deny it again.  She can’t go
that long without any action to stop this
aggressive tumor from growing  even more.
 If this surgery is not done within the next
2 wks, we need to proceed with radiation.

We will do whatever it takes to make this
surgery happen, with or without insurance.
The hospital called this morning and gave
us aquote of $116,000 for the surgery
alone without hospital charges.  60% needs to be paid up front.  We are working on
that 60% through my husband’s 401K.  Our daughter is worth it and her 4 young
children need their mother.
We tentatively have this surgery set up for
Fri., Jan. 3rd or Mon., Jan. 6th.
We will pay for her surgery but will also
continue the appeal process and hope
Aetna will do the right thing.