February 15, 2008 - Friday

Well, first let me say, up until today I was pretty much able to handle things without too much crying and anger. I have been praying and praying even without conscious effort. Prayer was just in me and I needed to take care of John and the many financial issues to straighten out affairs and the belief that as far as the medical part goes the professionals would take care of that for us.
But, today has been a challenging day! John did not receive his IV Chemo today. Let me give you a little bit of a rewind......................................
Last week we were told the insurance would not pay for his oral chemo(daily) that goes with his IV chemo(wkly). A lady from his company who handles the company insurance got involved. Seems the meds are sooo outragous that the insurance gets it thru a Caremark Mail Pharmacy. (Are you scared yet? We were.) We were supposed to have received it on Tuesday via express mail. Tuesday came and went......Wednesday came and went....
Thursday John got on the horn to this Caremark and was told, "sorry Mr. Dutcher but we are processing your meds as we speak". (wonder what would have happened if he hadn't called?). Anyway, the oral chemo finally came to my office at 1:30pm.
Backup a couple hours...... we are to be at the hospital at 12:45pm for the IV Chemo. At 11:40pm John gets a call from the nurse at the oncologists office.
Seems the insurance company will not grant approval for the IV chemo without it going before a board of doctors for review and it can't be done until Tuesday because Monday is a holiday so Johns' chemo will be "postponed". (are ya getting cranky yet? I am) Mind you, we have had the appointment since last Friday. I was told it was the insurances fault, then I was told it was the office persons fault, yada-yada-yada.
At least he has his oral chemo and can start taking it 2 hrs after he eats tonite.
***sigh*** And the doctor was able to get a Rx called in for some pancreatic enzymes that may help with the break down of foods. He is only in major pain when he eats. Even a itty-bitty bit just sits there pressing on the tumor and into the bundle of sciatica nerves. And the man is really hungry. He's only had about 2 cups of food a day "total" for the last 3 weeks. I just pray that after Monday's biopsy they will get this straightened out. Everyday counts BIG-TIME.
Please continue to pray for him and now I ask you to pray for guidance for the doctors & insurance company, and patience & strength for me.
We are just beginning and it's going to be one long, bumpy ride folks!
With all my love and faith,
His Handmaiden,
Nila Dutcher