Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Another day hanging out with nurses!!

Hi everyone! Today was chemo and while we hoped it would get done in one day, that was not to be. CarGuy had the very same reaction to the first drug as he did the last time but it was not even as close to as severe as it was before. I guess he's getting that mouse protein built up although I haven't heard him squeak yet!! ;-) We were there at 9:15 this morning for both an appointment with his doctor and for the chemo. We finally made it home around 5:00. Quite a long day for both of us! His reaction started about 2 hours into the infusion (nearly exactly like before) and once they were able to start it back up he went along great with no problems. He actually kept laughing because he couldn't stop shivering -- I'm sort of surprised we didn't get kicked out for all the commotion we were causing! His laughing started my giggling and as the ladies who went to retreat last year know once I start it's hard to stop me! But, really, that was all the girl in the bunk above mine's fault last year not mine and today was all CarGuy's fault so really I'm not as disruptive as everyone thinks I am!! ;-)~ I just hang out with the wrong crowds!

We get to hang out with nurses again tomorrow morning!! Actually, they are the greatest people and stay so upbeat and nice. I really love them!!!

He has another appointment to see how his levels are doing in 2 weeks. His WBC levels did not improve but they didn't get any worse either. His platelets are doing better and his hemoglobin is better as well. They are considering removing his spleen and will make that decision when they see how he does after this treatment. Our insurance has approved the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center for the bone marrow transplant assessment so we are going to make an appointment with them sooner rather than later.

Speaking of our insurance....I do have some icky news on that front and that also leads me to a big prayer request. Our co-pay for each chemo treatment is over $4,000 -- yes, that is a 4 with 3 zeros! We have awesome insurance so I have no idea how people without that luxury handle this. Our maximum out of pocket is $5,000 so after we've spent that, everything else (chemo, hospitalizations, surgery, doctors for all of us, prescriptions for all of us, anything) is paid 100% for the rest of the year. We are already at about $900 this year so the hospital and chemo have brought us to that maximum. We are applying for some co-pay assistance money from the Leukemia Society to help. They have $5,000 in co-pay assistance they can award so that will take care of our expenses for this year. Our local chapter also has $500 a year they can award that you can use for anything you need. That will come in handy for all the gatoraid I've been having to buy! ;-) CarGuy has to drink about 2 gallons of fluid a day for the first 5 days after chemo to flush the chemo and dead cancer cells out of his system. The doc wants us to try and make 1/2 of that fluid in gatoraid. So if you could pray that we are awarded that assistance money, we would so appreciate it.

We really want to thank everyone again for all your care and concern and most especially for your prayers. We serve an awesome God who is using this challenge in our lives to bring us closer to Him and to enable us to show His grace and mercy to those around us. We both are holding tightly to Paul's words in Romans 8:28 - All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

God bless you all!


6 comments:

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Hi Rene~
Wow. What a looong day! I hate it that carguy got another reaction to the meds. But, I'm glad you two could laugh like that...what a blessing that was. I imagine your laugh loud and long like my friend Denise's. Her laugh makes me laugh harder.
You guys are on my prayer list and I lift you BOTH up daily. Hope all goes well today!
Betty

Julie said...

praying for you!

Lauren W said...

You are still in my prayers.
I'm so glad to hear that his levels are staying steady and improving :) You are so blessed to have each other and be able to laugh even in the midst of this.

Unknown said...

I have a feeling we'd get into a lot of trouble together.

I'll be praying that you are able to get that assistance. Medical bills... ICK!!!

Dawn said...

Thanks for the update! I hate that your husband had a bad reaction again. I will be praying for you to get help with the co-pay. It is sad to think what people without insurance would do.

Keri said...

Rene, I'm so sorry your husband is going through this!! Please know I'm praying for you!

When Dillon was having chemo we were also in the hospital for looong hours. Sometimes 5 days a week, 8 hours a day. I looked through your older posts and was shocked to see that even though Dillon had kidney cancer, he was on 3 of the same drugs! Cytoxin, Vincristine and Adriamycin- although we were calling it Doxorubicin. He had another thrown in there too (Etopisde) and I saw that your husband also has a 4th concoction.....*sigh* We've been there. It's tough.

You do get to know the nurses and hospital staff quite well don't you? They almost become family.

I hope he's feeling well tonight. I hope you're holding up well tonight!

I'll be thinking of you,

~Keri (aka- Mrs. SSgt)

PS- Have you guys thought about maybe doing some sort of fundraiser to help with the bills? We had a few for Dillon and were blown away at how generous people were!