My Cancer Warrior....

Well Jim has been called to heaven today by the angels. At about 4:30 am Monday, February 22nd he left our lives, but what wonderful memories he has left with all of us. I will never forget his battle with cancer and never wanting to give up, it just became to much for his body to handle. I am certain that he looking down upon us and saying please don't cry, just remember me as I was.

Update

One of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. My husband was placed in hospice care today, due to his aggressive cancer. He has touched the lives of many people and the love he has shared with so many. My best friend will always remain in my heart. I already know that prayers will be sent our way ,I ...will always love him for the person he is and how he has affected my life, in such a positive way.

Test Results......

Just to let everyone know that unfortunately Jim's tests results could have been better. There are more lesions in the brain and newer ones in his lungs, the older ones he had there are at bay. His other body organs are doing well, however, Jim was admitted to Lancaster General Hospital yesterday due to a fracture that occured in his left calf due to the cancer and is undergoing care for a day or two.

As An Update

Jim had a MRI on Wednesday, an upcoming CT on Monday and a doctors appointment on Tuesday. We don't expect any derogatory news, but everyone please say a prayer for him.

Only Two Good Days This Week

In the past few months, the doctor started talking to Barb and I about thinking more of "quality of life" rather than "quantity of life."

He caught me a little by surprise.

My attitude has been that cancer will have to take me fighting, every step, the entire way. "I'm not giving in."

He assured me that he wasn't giving up either.

But I did think about what he said. I put myself in his shoes. If I had a kidney cancer patient who was punished on chemo for nearly four-years with little overall benefit would I of good conscience continue to beat this poor man with harsh drugs without at least some relief?

I understood what he was saying.

And then he suggested we just try a drug called Interferon. It has been the harshest, hardest, meanest, most terrible drug I've ever experienced. When Barb originally looked up all the side-effects from the drug and page of info should have just read," This drug will pound you into the ground and then jump up and down on your head.

This choice had certainly not followed the "quality of life not quantity of life" credo.

It caused me to miss Thanksgiving with my family and a visit with Lynn who was up from Florida. I had called the doctor and discussed getting away from the drug. He suggested we try it only once aweek instead of three times per week. This sounded very possible. So I tried that schedule for the past two-weeks. Now I'm in some of the worst shape I've ever been.

My eyes have gone pretty whacky. My digestion is way off. My body mass has completely shrunken down to skin and bone and cost me 40-pounds. The Interferon causes me odd and quite random pains. And more...

Barb and I have discussed plans. We're going to cancel the Interferon treatments. There's just nothing that has to do with "quality of life" there. We want to get my self in a healthier standing again. And then we want to have a good discussion with the doctor when we're scheduled to meet in about 2-weeks.

We hope the doctor will order scans of the brain, upper spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis. That is quite a few. We're got some catching up to do.

We also hope that the doc will agree with out idea to try a new kidney cancer drug that was released very recently.

Sorry I've been out of sorts - and out of touch!

Wednesday After....

Since Jim didn't get the opportunity to blog yesterday. I wanted to let you know that he is very tired from his injections and that he needs the time to rest. It seems as though the 48 hours to follow afterward, are the most to contend with.

It's Monday. Let's Get it On.

I'm trying not to let these billing issues cause me too much stress. Lord knows I have enough of that already. But, you know, if you expect to pay $25 for breakfast and when the bill comes it says $400 you are going to have some questions.

One thing I've always wanted to do, just for fun, was bill my insurance company for my time. Who knows? They're so confused and all over the place they just may pay it! lol

I also have thought that it would be fun to include with by invoice one of those legal agreements in six-point type that no one can read stating all of my policies. You know like, if you don't like a first draft I have a right to charge you 10-times the original estimate. Each correction will cost a complete cheese cake. Things like that.

Oh...the joy of working with corporate America.

When I call my insurance company it's always a bit of a crap shoot. Sometimes I'll get someone who is very nice, and genuinely wants to help resolve the issue. Most of the time though it's someone who hates their job, doesn't want to be there, and wishes I would stop interrupting the time they're to spend with their friends on Facebook.

One of my techniques is to keep calling back until I get someone polite and helpful. It's not easy. It takes some effort and time. But eventually it works.

One of the techniques they have often used on me is to ask me to hold and then "mistakenly" hang-up.

I've learned to always get their name, employee number, birth date, favorite pizza topping, everything and anything I can get to help prevent this. This can be challenging since English is no the native language of mos of these folks.

The other day I spoke with Jewieey (Julie) who turned out to be most kind and helpful.

Dear Lord, please help me find Jewieey again.