Just had my 3rd Gemzar treatment
I just thought I'd post a "check in" thread- I've had a few pm's of people checking on me- thanks, guys! I'm doing fine- the Gemzar has treated me pretty well, so far as side effects not being to bad. The 5FU that I'm also getting has given me some nasty hand/foot sydrome- actually just in my feet, not my hands. The Udderly Smooth cream has really been great for that, though. My original plan with starting the Gemzar/5FU on 3/17 was to take 4 treatments (equals two cycles), then scan. I just had my 3rd treatment of it yesterday & am feeling fairly good today. I know the worst will hit this weekend and Monday, as has been the pattern, with it mostly relating to the 5FU and getting unhooked from it Friday.
I will also see my onc Friday when I go in to get the pump unhooked. When they drew my labs yesterday before treatment, they also drew for a CEA test & I will get those results back at my dr. appt tomorrow. CEA has always been amazingly right on the mark for me, so I will know tomorrow if the Gemzar is starting to work in me or not. My CEA was at 81 the day I started all this, so hopefully tomorrow's results will show that it's now gone down, or at the very least stayed the same but not gone up. IF it has gone up, I will probably not take treatment #4 (since I'm paying $1350 a bag for it), and try to get the scan done sooner. I'm taking in printouts of 4-5 clinical trials that I've been looking into. If the Gemzar isn't working, then that's the route I have to go. If it is, I'm not sure how long we can keep up paying for it, although we probably would keep it up a little longer if it actually is working.
I'll update tomorrow afternoon when I find out what my CEA level is at & what my onc says.
Until then,
Lisa
Comments
-
Biggest Weapon Against Cancer - $$$
I won't speculate - just waitin' to hear what you find out:)
Hoping it is working for you - that "medicine" sure ain't cheap is it? That's so bad that you have to pony up and pay such a high amount. Why can't they make medicines more in line with what we can really afford to pay?
Just irritates me no end, to see each of us in the middle of fight and the most powerful weapon in our cancer arsenal is Money.
If money ever comes my way, I'd want to help people like you, who are fighting through the odds and doing everything right for their care.
I'm interested in the clincial trials and if they would work for you as well - I'm sure you've already got that mapped out - sure sounds like it!
Good thoughts for you, Lisa:)
-Craig0 -
Craig- just got a wonderful phone callSundanceh said:Biggest Weapon Against Cancer - $$$
I won't speculate - just waitin' to hear what you find out:)
Hoping it is working for you - that "medicine" sure ain't cheap is it? That's so bad that you have to pony up and pay such a high amount. Why can't they make medicines more in line with what we can really afford to pay?
Just irritates me no end, to see each of us in the middle of fight and the most powerful weapon in our cancer arsenal is Money.
If money ever comes my way, I'd want to help people like you, who are fighting through the odds and doing everything right for their care.
I'm interested in the clincial trials and if they would work for you as well - I'm sure you've already got that mapped out - sure sounds like it!
Good thoughts for you, Lisa:)
-Craig
Craig,
As soon as I finished posting this thread, I got a wonderful phone call- seems like my letter and researched info paid off- Health Net is approving the Gemzar afterall, including the three payments I've already made on it!!! My husband and I are ecstatic! This will be a refund check of $4,050 & future treatments will be covered! (now I just hope and pray it's working!) I'm going to post another thread on this news just so others see it and know to not give up when faced with insurance denials!
As I said before, I'll post back here tomorrow when I hear what my CEA count is.
Lisa0 -
You Go, Lisa!lisa42 said:Craig- just got a wonderful phone call
Craig,
As soon as I finished posting this thread, I got a wonderful phone call- seems like my letter and researched info paid off- Health Net is approving the Gemzar afterall, including the three payments I've already made on it!!! My husband and I are ecstatic! This will be a refund check of $4,050 & future treatments will be covered! (now I just hope and pray it's working!) I'm going to post another thread on this news just so others see it and know to not give up when faced with insurance denials!
As I said before, I'll post back here tomorrow when I hear what my CEA count is.
Lisa
WTG!!!
I'm so happy for you too - glad you are getting your money back, what an unexpected windfall, good for you all.
I saw your other post too - good story today.
-Craig0 -
Lisa, Your a SUPER HEROlisa42 said:Craig- just got a wonderful phone call
Craig,
As soon as I finished posting this thread, I got a wonderful phone call- seems like my letter and researched info paid off- Health Net is approving the Gemzar afterall, including the three payments I've already made on it!!! My husband and I are ecstatic! This will be a refund check of $4,050 & future treatments will be covered! (now I just hope and pray it's working!) I'm going to post another thread on this news just so others see it and know to not give up when faced with insurance denials!
As I said before, I'll post back here tomorrow when I hear what my CEA count is.
Lisa
lISA, I read your post and I am astonished of how much you have been thru and you are strong and keep up a good fight, Thank God Your treament was picked up and you don't have to worry about paying for it anymore,
Keep up the fight, I will draw from your stregth as i deal with my recent set backs.
Live, Laugh< : Play
Winnie0 -
You're a hero tooWinneyPooh said:Lisa, Your a SUPER HERO
lISA, I read your post and I am astonished of how much you have been thru and you are strong and keep up a good fight, Thank God Your treament was picked up and you don't have to worry about paying for it anymore,
Keep up the fight, I will draw from your stregth as i deal with my recent set backs.
Live, Laugh< : Play
Winnie
We've all been through a lot- you're pretty heroic too! Hang in there and never give up.
Love ya girl,
Lisa0
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