For Jane and Charlie - I have questions

emg09
emg09 Member Posts: 228
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi,

Yesterday my dad went to see the oncologist. I sent my mom with questions and the #1 was about the Herceptin. She dismissed it saying it wasn't covered and so on. So, by chance, do you have any phone numbers or anything I can use to give back to the Dr. The 1st hurrdle is going to be getting her to test the tumor to see if he can even use it. So, any advice you can give I'd greatly appreicate it. I think this Dr. is going to be a real pain. This Dr. seems to be the kind that wants things her way and that's it. I let my parents go alone, I'm regretting that now. I can be a lot more forceful than my mother. My dad is really depressed now. She walked in and told them they were in trouble. What the hell is that!! Sorry for swearing, but had I been there, we would have corrected that wording. We know he's in trouble, but if she's not positive, he'll give up. I hate this cancer!! Also, the Xeloda, she says no since he's not swallowing well because it's a large pill. Anyway, if you can let me know about phone numbers or how your Dr. was able to get it paid for please let me know. Then, I'll force the biopsy issue. This way I'll have reinforcement with it being covered. Thanks!!! GOD bless!!
Erika

Comments

  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #2
    Dear Erica.
    So sorry for
    Dear Erica.
    So sorry for your recent update. Some drs just do not have any bed side manner!!! Do go to all appts with your parents. Someone has to be the positive forceful one. As far as the meds go, if the pill is too large to swallow, it can be crushed up and put in yogurt or applesauce. Hang in there. Prayers continue for all of you.
    Tina
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #3
    Herceptin
    Hi Erika,
    First I want you to know how sorry I am that your dad is going through this. He needs all the encouragement he can get.....not a dr that appears to have already given up on him.

    I don't have any phone #'s to give you. The info they gave us on Herceptin (just the basic stuff, side effects, how to take it, how it works) looks to have a drug co name on it......Genentech, Inc. Google that and it should give you more info.

    When the dr's office first called us about the Herceptin, we were told they were going to the drug company's foundation to get it covered. Before Charlie's first treatment I called the dr's office to make sure everything was OK and they told me the foundation would not cover it and they were going to our insurance co. I figured that would be a lost cause. When we went to the dr's office the dr told us he had "adjusted" Charlie's diagnosis to get the insurance to cover it. Well that was great news so we had the first treatment. 3 weeks later another treatment. About a week after the 2nd treatment we got another call from the dr's office saying the insurance company denied the claim and they were going back to the foundation. We went to the dr's office last week for his 3rd treatment and I asked the dr if everything was ok with the foundation and he wasn't even aware of the problem. He left the office for a bit to speak with the girl that takes care of all of this and he never said another word about it.....and proceeded to get Charlie into the infusion suite for his 3rd treatment. All I know is each time I talk to someone, they tell me not to worry about it....they will get it covered for us. So I am taking their advice....I am not going to worry about it....there are too many other things to worry about!
    I am so sorry I can't be of more help....but I would advise to go directly to the drug co and see what you can find out.......and continue to be forceful. We are so blessed to have the dr we have.
    The dr is right about the Xeloda. The pills are large and right now Charlie is taking 3 in the morning and 3 at night.
    God Bless you and your family and stay strong.
    Jane
  • emg09
    emg09 Member Posts: 228
    #4
    JaneE2366 said:

    Herceptin
    Hi Erika,
    First I want you to know how sorry I am that your dad is going through this. He needs all the encouragement he can get.....not a dr that appears to have already given up on him.

    I don't have any phone #'s to give you. The info they gave us on Herceptin (just the basic stuff, side effects, how to take it, how it works) looks to have a drug co name on it......Genentech, Inc. Google that and it should give you more info.

    When the dr's office first called us about the Herceptin, we were told they were going to the drug company's foundation to get it covered. Before Charlie's first treatment I called the dr's office to make sure everything was OK and they told me the foundation would not cover it and they were going to our insurance co. I figured that would be a lost cause. When we went to the dr's office the dr told us he had "adjusted" Charlie's diagnosis to get the insurance to cover it. Well that was great news so we had the first treatment. 3 weeks later another treatment. About a week after the 2nd treatment we got another call from the dr's office saying the insurance company denied the claim and they were going back to the foundation. We went to the dr's office last week for his 3rd treatment and I asked the dr if everything was ok with the foundation and he wasn't even aware of the problem. He left the office for a bit to speak with the girl that takes care of all of this and he never said another word about it.....and proceeded to get Charlie into the infusion suite for his 3rd treatment. All I know is each time I talk to someone, they tell me not to worry about it....they will get it covered for us. So I am taking their advice....I am not going to worry about it....there are too many other things to worry about!
    I am so sorry I can't be of more help....but I would advise to go directly to the drug co and see what you can find out.......and continue to be forceful. We are so blessed to have the dr we have.
    The dr is right about the Xeloda. The pills are large and right now Charlie is taking 3 in the morning and 3 at night.
    God Bless you and your family and stay strong.
    Jane

    Thanks!!
    I was hoping you all got it covered. I will look into contacting the company, if we can even get the Dr. to test to make sure it will even be for him. Drs. can be so infuriating!!! Well, I don't even know what to say or think at this point. I hate that my dad is so depressed. I did write a note for my mom to send to the Dr. about getting him on antidepressants. Hopefully we'll here something soon. I guess those pills would be hard to swallow. Hopefully this new chemo he's going to be on will do the trick.

    Erika
  • JaneE2366
    JaneE2366 Member Posts: 289 Member
    #5
    emg09 said:

    Thanks!!
    I was hoping you all got it covered. I will look into contacting the company, if we can even get the Dr. to test to make sure it will even be for him. Drs. can be so infuriating!!! Well, I don't even know what to say or think at this point. I hate that my dad is so depressed. I did write a note for my mom to send to the Dr. about getting him on antidepressants. Hopefully we'll here something soon. I guess those pills would be hard to swallow. Hopefully this new chemo he's going to be on will do the trick.

    Erika

    hope so too
    Erika,
    I hope this chemo will work out well. Tina did have a good point....maybe the Xeloda could be smashed up and put in something your dad could eat.
    On our first visit to the oncologist I asked for an anti-depressant (for Charlie) and have asked for an adjustment to those meds. Seems to be helping.
    Take care....keeping you and your family in my prayers
    Stay strong,
    Jane

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