Well, the last time I posted, it was to explain my arm tattoo. Since then, spring 2015 they found a tumor in the left lung. You know my good lung.
It was decided that they would do surgery (separate the ribs, remove the tumor), if good margins were obtained, no chemo. They chose to take this route since the last time I had chemo it nearly kill me. Well they got good margins! Surgery on Monday, back to work on Wednesday.
Well since then the contract I had a job under at the Marine Base ended, so I became unemployed. But I have Cobra, for now. October, a small spot showed on the CT Scan. They thought it was a small pocket of fluid, and opted to watch.
November I started having issues breathing. Like a weight on my chest. Some days it was worse than others. Thanksgiving was spent in New Orleans with my kids, and it seemed OK, so I figured that maybe I had just had a chest cold or something. Once I got home, one day it would be OK, the next it wouldn't.
It kept getting worse, and finally after a rough weekend, I figured on Monday I'd call my Family Doctor, and be told I had walking Pneumonia. Well, Monday I felt OK, not perfect but a little better. Tuesday, I felt crappy, so I called. Talking to the appointment clerk, she transferred me to the nurse, I told her I was having a hard time breathing, a weight on my chest. Well, she said go to the Fredericksburg Office to their urgent care, me, I figured, I'd just drive to the hospital near me. Only a few miles away, and I would be able to drive home. Yeah.
The ER doctor came in and the "fluid" area was larger. They wanted to keep me and have radiology put a drain in the lung. OK. After that he came in and tells me that they are going to transfer me to Mary Washington Hospital because they are better equipped to handle my issue, and possible complication. (Translation, my doctors wanted me closer, and the hospital is considered a trauma center).
I met one of the Oncology doctors mine works with, he tells me that they will be following, and talking to the Tumor Board about me the next day. He started talking about Antibody treatment and newer just approved by the FDA treatments. I just dismissed it. All my doctors track me. If one knows something, they are in communication.
Well they put the drain in and no fluid really came out. After a couple days of it, I talked to my Thoracic Surgeon, they want to drain it surgically, me - I am ready to agree to anything as long as I can breath without an elephant on my chest.
Fast forward to after surgery. Talked to the doctor, he said there really wasn't fluid in the lung but pockets on the lung and attached to the heart. Me not really thinking anything worse, cool, I can breath. He got everything he could, and sent it out to several labs for biopsy. Everything they take out of me goes for biopsy.
January 7th. The surgeon is back in town, at 8:00 AM, I get a call from him. Do you have time to talk? Sure! I say in my normal upbeat voice. Then he drops the bomb. The cancer is back. All the doctors know.
January 13th. I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon who did the Whipple, and removed the tumor from my leg. We chatted (yes he already knew) He asks me what plans do I have? Well I want to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but that schedule hinges on treatment, and I'd really like to go to Tuscany, see the Rockies, the Grand Canyon. I want to take a helicopter ride over it and a donkey ride into the canyon if they still do that. He told me do it. Don't let the treatment interfere with doing it. OH OH. When a doctor says that, it is time to be a bit concerned.
Well, I went to the Oncologist office after that, yeah, it is back, it is attached to the heart.
Me: OK, so now what?
Doc: It is inoperable.
Me: Oh. So translate.
Doc: Stage IV, inoperable.
Me: OK, so what is next?
DOC: Antibody treatment, just approved by the FDA, but it is approved with only Adriamycin. Which you had the entire amount allowed. Anymore would damage your heart. But there are alternatives to it; the insurance company will have to approve it.
He wanted to start this week, but everything needs approved by the insurance company. I have a CT scan scheduled Friday to see what it looks like. They need to try to "Router Rooter" my port, and if they can't, replace it. But it all depends on the insurance approval.
Now since I am unemployed, I have Cobra. But my Cobra runs out in March, so in order to get insurance and covered during the Open Enrollment (pre-existing conditions) So, I have an ACA policy that kicks in in February. So one insurance company will approve anything in January, and it will all have to be redone in February.
So I will be shelling out for out of pocket and deductibles on two policies. But at least I won't have to meet the $5500 on Cobra, and the $7000 on the new insurance. Very confusing.
But I am a bit frustrated. I work two part time jobs. Between the two I bring in about $930 a month. More than unemployment, and living off my savings while looking for a job.
ACA said I make too little for a tax credit.
Yes, I am still looking for a job.
