Can't start FOLFOX until ins company approves!

midnte0708
midnte0708 Member Posts: 166
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My father has had "stable" liver mets for the last 3 years. Unresectble. Has been on FOLFIRI + Avastin 3 years.

Most recent CAT scan on Oct 1 said new lung nodules (6cm mass) This is totally new...his lungs have been clean and he has scans every 3 months last 3 years.
Doctor said he will need to be switched to FOLFOX to get him stable again but doctor needs to order it. Ok, now two weeks later and he goes in for new chemo and doctor said they are still waiting on the insurance company to approve it.

He has not had a chemo treatment for 1 month now and in 3 months developed a 6cm lung nodule mass.

My fathers attitude is "OK" I'll try again next week. But isn't this unheard of?? If he grew 6cm of new lung mets in 3 months and now is waiting so long I'm afraid it is fast growing and he does not have time to wait.

Any thoughts? Maybe I'm overreacting but 6cm looks big to me on my ruler and I can't believe they are making him wait longer.

Sue

Comments

  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    A Phone Call!
    Hi Sue,

    Your father is wonderful to have you as his advocate. You might want to encourage your father's oncologist's office to personally call and find out the reason for the delay, or maybe even you or your father could call. Nothing in the cancer world is overreacting! You have a valid concern, and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I am glad your father's liver mets are stable and I pray that his lung node will respond quickly to his new regimen.

    Keep us posted.

    Hugs,

    Kay