Life's Journey

After a long day on Friday of fighting with health insurance and calling doctor's offices I am finally on the calendar to start treatments on Monday (4/11).  I actually am to the point now where I just want to get it started so I can get it over with!  The politics and policies of health insurance have caused some undue delays and stress.  My doctors want to start treatment as soon as possible but the insurance has yet to approve IMRT (radiation treatment).  I called insurance and was told that my case request was cancelled - yeah, that's right, CANCELLED!  They explained that because the paperwork from my doctors office was not submitted on time (although it had been submitted) that the request had been cancelled.  I explained my situation and asked if now that they had all the paperwork they could please re-open my request for treatment - their response "no".  Just "no".  Yup, that's when I snapped.  They were able to reiterate again and again what my problem was but never offered me a solution.  It's ironic because I had just told someone how great the insurance was being with everything, they have a great cancer resource center, they have nurses calling to check in, the have life support specialists calling to check in...  but now they are going to screw me over by not approving my potentially life-saving treatment?  WOW!  I was getting no where with insurance and my oncology office was calling in on the other line.  The nurse practitioner, Michelle, is fantastic, she told me not to worry about it that they have people in their office to deal with the insurance companies for me and they would take care of it.  My shoulders relaxed a little and I was able to take a deep breath.  I then got a call from the radiologist that while insurance has not yet approved the IMRT treatment, we can go ahead and get started with a 3-D radiation treatment.  Apparently this is a lower grade type of radiation treatment, but it will at least get things going.  As soon as insurance approves the IMRT they will switch treatments.  I've added my appointments to the Calendar page, I'll be getting radiation Monday through Friday and chemo on Tuesday.

On a happier note, I made the decision to get a new look!  I went to my hair salon this weekend and chopped my hair off!    Not shaved, just cut.  They aren't sure if I will lose all my hair during treatment but there's a good chance I will.  And, as I've said before - who cares?  It's just hair, it will grow back.  This is the least of my worries through all this.  But, I figured shorter hair will be easier to manage throughout treatment and if it does fall out it won't be quite as shocking.  So I went for a "short and sassy" look.  I've never taken the leap and cut my hair this short before.  That's a scary venture for a chick ya know but, honestly, I love it!  It's fun, cute, easy to do, and feels awesome.  I'll post pictures of it soon.

Roy and I are making the most out of this weekend, enjoying food, drinks, and each other before all the treatments begin.  Tonight is date night.  I have a new dress, new hair, and an amazing husband...  it's going to be a great night!  

xoxo - Sarah