Actually, I don't know how many chemo treatments Adrienne has had in the last 11 years but yesterday she got the second dose of the gemcitabine/oxaliplatin treatment. Early in the day, I was asked to meet with someone in patient financial services. It turns out that the insurance denied the oxaliplatin as nonstandard for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After lots of phone calls and a quick appeal, it appears that this has been resolved. In the meantime, I signed an IOU saying we would pay if the insurance wouldn't to the tune of $16,000 per treatment. We'll be a bit nervous until we get something in writing from the insurance company but I feel relatively confident that this will be paid. Adrienne's doctor said he almost had the insurance company doctor in tears about her options, plus he provided studies describing the effectiveness of this drug in lymphoma, which they requested. We've had to appeal a few things in the past but nothing this large.
Adrienne has not been feeling well at all since the infusion. We drove from City of Hope back to Nevada last night and she slept most of the time. She was having fevers from the gemcitabine last night but that seems better this morning and she ate a bit of breakfast. Prior to the treatment, she said she was feeling better than she had in months so we hope that this is a good omen that the treatment is working.
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Adrienne was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 1996 at age 9. She had multiple relapses, two bone marrow transplants, and a range of chemos and radiation therapies, and passed away on October 1, 2009. We are heartbroken.
Out with the Girls
About Adrienne
- Adrienne
- Adrienne was very much like others with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the most common cancer in teens and young adults. What was unusual is that she had it for more than half her life and ultimately, it took her life. Hodgkin's is curable for about 80% people, but Adrienne was one of the 20% for whom a cure was elusive. She considered herself lucky since treatments had been there for her with each relapse but she ran out of treatment options and her body just couldn’t take any more. As she said, "Though I’ve now had cancer for most of my life, I no longer plan my life around it; instead, I try to plan cancer around my life." We hope you can take inspiration from her and how she lived her life.
4 comments:
I'm constantly amazed at the fighting spirit of Adrienne, it really is something...I'm glad she is feeling better even though the treatment is harsh.
Hang in there Adrienne...go with the positive thoughts that you have been feeling much better in between the 2 treatments than you have in a while...the bug juice is working it's magic on the beast!! Hope you felt up to the mani/pedi with mom today. As always...you (and mom) amaze me. Can't wait to give you a big hug in person!!
Susan
Thinking of you. I would also agree that your feeling better, Adrienne, is a sign that the chemo is working. I hope you feel even better in the coming days, and have energy and appetite. Love ya!
I am still raving about the Christmas dinner you made, Alison!
Karen
Hi Adrienne,
Thinking of you, friend.
Feel better soon!!! :)
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