The usual pattern, chemo doc visit on 9/13 and chemo on 9/14. Bad news at the doctor that she may be leaving the area. I really, really like both my cancer doctors, and am especially uplifted by my chemo doc (AKA Dr. #7). So I need to find a new chemo doctor, who can work with my surgeon (Dr. #6) and keep treatment moving forward.
Chemo was quick, I chose to schedule the appointment in the afternoon since this is the best I am feeling each cycle. Why ruin a good morning with chemo, now that it's only 2-2.5 hours instead of 6-8 hours let's delay it to the afternoon. Made sense at the time, and then I didn't get my ass moving so I didn't do much in the morning anyway. Well, shit happens. Maybe next round I'll use that time. I did also want the morning available so I could work if the opportunity arose.
The first week after chemo isn't as tiring physically as the first drugs, but it's mentally draining. I end up depressed and down on days 3-4. I try to manage the depression and the anxiety with planning, mostly it works OK but I'm still not as positive as I am later in the cycle. And it helps that I'm feeling better later in the cycle, but that doesn't seem to be all of it. I have been sleeping well in general without the 20 hour sleep day of the first drugs.
My anxiety is the worst after I've had a scan and don't have the results, so I moved my next scan from Friday to Monday morning. There should still be time to get results, but I'm actually less concerned about the results and appointment than the anxiety if I have the test on Friday. Last time we did that the weekend was a black hole of depression.
I haven't made one pelagic this year. It didn't help that there was only one Texas pelagic, and it was the day after chemo, 16 hours, and I was still unsteady on my legs with the neuropathy. Oh, and seriously troubled by heat. At least I didn't miss any megas, but I don't begrudge them the rarities! I have booked flights - but may still bail - for Debi Shearwater's last pelagic trip. I would love to get out on Monterey Bay.
Thanks to all who have reached out to me!
Onwards.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Co-Insurance // Out of Pocket -- DONE!
The bills I got recently (see the last post) were due for payment today. They were hospital bills for services in July - chemo and the port surgery. I still don't have the reconciliation from the insurance company for these dates, though the hospital processed the insurance company's paperwork on August 13. It's September 10.
So I called Ambetter and immediately got an agent. I should have realized that was an omen, no long wait time. It turned out Ambetter was in the middle of a system update so after ten minutes or so the agent - wonderful patient Amir - was able to log me into the system. And after even more patience with the computer system she was able to confirm that a) the hospitals reconciliations and bills matched what Ambetter sent out and b) with those bills I have met my Co-Insurance or Total Out of Pocket. That means... no more copays at the Doctors offices, no more co-pays for chemo, and no more co pays PERIOD..
I can't begin to tell you what that means, having the Out of Pocket done. OK, so I put over $1000 on my account today, but that's the end of the medical bills for 2019. Now I just have my living expenses (mortgage, board for the horses, food, insurance, car expenses, other pet expenses, electric, water, etc. etc. etc.) to pay each month. What a relief!
FINALLY.
I see the chemo doctor on Thursday and have chemo on Friday. I'm feeling pretty good, though I still tire quickly especially in high humidity. The heat is not as bad (only 95F today). I was able to walk over a mile last Saturday using a lot of benches as usual. That was on top of the 3/4 of a mile on Friday.
Onwards.
So I called Ambetter and immediately got an agent. I should have realized that was an omen, no long wait time. It turned out Ambetter was in the middle of a system update so after ten minutes or so the agent - wonderful patient Amir - was able to log me into the system. And after even more patience with the computer system she was able to confirm that a) the hospitals reconciliations and bills matched what Ambetter sent out and b) with those bills I have met my Co-Insurance or Total Out of Pocket. That means... no more copays at the Doctors offices, no more co-pays for chemo, and no more co pays PERIOD.
I can't begin to tell you what that means, having the Out of Pocket done. OK, so I put over $1000 on my account today, but that's the end of the medical bills for 2019. Now I just have my living expenses (mortgage, board for the horses, food, insurance, car expenses, other pet expenses, electric, water, etc. etc. etc.) to pay each month. What a relief!
FINALLY.
I see the chemo doctor on Thursday and have chemo on Friday. I'm feeling pretty good, though I still tire quickly especially in high humidity. The heat is not as bad (only 95F today). I was able to walk over a mile last Saturday using a lot of benches as usual. That was on top of the 3/4 of a mile on Friday.
Onwards.
Friday, September 6, 2019
Out of Pocket....
I have no idea why they call it "Out of Pocket" expenses for an insured persons total expenditures in a year with an insurance plan. It's not coming out of pocket, it's coming out of my bank accounts. I don't walk around with that much money in my pockets. I should be about to complete the out of pocket expenses for my insurance this year. I sure hope so, I can't take many more trips to the mailbox like yesterday.
It's been raining here for 3 days with off and on hard rains from Tropical Storm Fernand. The temperatures are down (high of 94 the next three days) but the humidity is thick. I skipped checking the mail for a few days as a result. When I looked yesterday, there were two bills from the hospital totaling over $1000 for treatment not covered by insurance on my July chemo and the port surgery. I don't have the insurance paperwork showing what they covered and didn't, all I have the hospital bills which aren't as informative. I do like to compare the two, though I haven't found errors on the hospitals version (yet). And of course the hospital wants payment next week. I wait to get the insurance company reports, and I'll call them to see where I am on the out of pocket expense before paying. I doubt they'll be quick to refund if I go over the out of pocket expenses. **
I feel good on this new chemo, clear-headed and energetic, though I haven't been getting out much with the weather. I walked around at the butterfly center today and enjoyed the migrants that were present, and the antics of the Green Jays. There were several pairs of Olive Sparrows around as well, and migrant Dickcissels and Eastern Kingbirds. Feeling good on the chemo counts for little, I need to have some positive results. I've been enjoying reading my birthday presents from my Aunt, both the short story anthology Odd Partners and the Arctic legend Two Old Women. She also sent The Lost Words, one of those fantastic not-just-for-children books. She has good taste!
One more week to the next chemo treatment. Hoping to get out walking and birding more, and hoping the mud recedes!
____________________________________________________
** Please remember this is not a request for money, it's a statement about things that depressed me on that day. And a reminder about this page with information on how you can help. If and when I have a Go Fund me or other financial need I'll update that page and post it here. Thanks.
It's been raining here for 3 days with off and on hard rains from Tropical Storm Fernand. The temperatures are down (high of 94 the next three days) but the humidity is thick. I skipped checking the mail for a few days as a result. When I looked yesterday, there were two bills from the hospital totaling over $1000 for treatment not covered by insurance on my July chemo and the port surgery. I don't have the insurance paperwork showing what they covered and didn't, all I have the hospital bills which aren't as informative. I do like to compare the two, though I haven't found errors on the hospitals version (yet). And of course the hospital wants payment next week. I wait to get the insurance company reports, and I'll call them to see where I am on the out of pocket expense before paying. I doubt they'll be quick to refund if I go over the out of pocket expenses. **
I feel good on this new chemo, clear-headed and energetic, though I haven't been getting out much with the weather. I walked around at the butterfly center today and enjoyed the migrants that were present, and the antics of the Green Jays. There were several pairs of Olive Sparrows around as well, and migrant Dickcissels and Eastern Kingbirds. Feeling good on the chemo counts for little, I need to have some positive results. I've been enjoying reading my birthday presents from my Aunt, both the short story anthology Odd Partners and the Arctic legend Two Old Women. She also sent The Lost Words, one of those fantastic not-just-for-children books. She has good taste!
One more week to the next chemo treatment. Hoping to get out walking and birding more, and hoping the mud recedes!
____________________________________________________
** Please remember this is not a request for money, it's a statement about things that depressed me on that day. And a reminder about this page with information on how you can help. If and when I have a Go Fund me or other financial need I'll update that page and post it here. Thanks.
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