12:16AM
The first 24 hours are over.
We have received the second of the anti-cancer drugs, vincristine, another real winner, (more happy fun time reading at http://www.chemocare.com/bio/vincristine.asp) and the “rescue” drug, Leucovorin, which counteracts the methotrexate. It’s also called a “chemoprotectant.” http://www.chemocare.com/bio/leucovorin.asp See all the new things you’re learning? The vincristine is one of those hair-fall-out drugs so we'll see.
Aunt B (Becky) came relatively early on and gave me the flexibility to be occasionally useless which I was. Sleep was hard to come by last night so I was exhausted most of the day. I did get a nice nap while a couple nurses took CJ into the bathroom and gave her a real bath. Another great crew of nurses. I haven’t given out any new nicknames this time around. (So far!)
Dr. Kahn came by just before Becky got here this morning and addressed the catheter situation. Since the purpose was to keep her urine away from her skin and it wasn’t really working and was actually giving her a great deal of discomfort, Dr. Kahn recommended we just take it out and deal with the skin issue by changing diapers often and applying large amounts of cream every time. It seems to have worked and as soon as the catheter came out, she was a much happier girl. The unfortunate thing is that CJ now associates diaper changes with the pain of her catheter so I taught her to answer the question, “Where’s the catheter?” by saying, “It’s in the trash.”
With release from the catheter came the freedom to go for walks/rides around the floor. We went out and about 4 times visiting some her former nurses in the PACU and PICU and meeting folks in the lounge. There’s one family here from North Carolina who got into a car accident coming back from a ski vacation. Their daughter, Leah, was seriously injured and is in the PICU. They have a tremendously upbeat attitude and are handling it as well as anyone could be expected to. They don’t have a caringbridge site but they will be starting a similar page soon. I’ll try to get that info.
So ya hear the one about the guy who got drunk and lost his two toddler girls in a snowstorm? I did. I really shouldn’t hear stories like that. It gets me so riled. I kind of get beside myself. It completely astounds me how people can get so screwed up that they shuffle what should be the absolutely most important thing in their universe, the care and welfare of their children, to somewhere below getting drunk, doing drugs, taking a dump (which is pretty much what they’re doing to their kids). Talk about another illness that needs a cure yesterday.
OK enough of that, The Rock is hosting SNL, I’m now able to go to Dre McLaughlin’s senior recital at Randolph-Macon College tomorrow at 4pm (gonna be awesome!), and I think Rachel and I are actually going to get another date in after that. Crazy, man!
Need rest too.
11:15AM Update
Good morning,
Not too bad a night for Charlotte except she threw up at about 4am. The anti-nausea drug was due to be re-administered at about 4:30 so they just gave it to her immediately after we cleaned her up. She's been up since but is in pretty good spirits.
On a very nice note, Nurse Princess (her real name) form the PACU down the hall came by and visited a while this morning although CJ was brainfrying on the Micky Mouse Playhouse.
We met another family of a boy caught in a trailer fire a week or so ago. He was burnt over 70% of his body and is in the PICU getting some amazing treatment. Here's an article about it.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/FIREGAT031_20090303-134405/220517/CJ is fussing. Gotta change a diapey
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Can I freshen up your methotrexate, Hun?
Can I freshen up your methotrexate, Hun?
Not the most pleasant evening. Aunt B and I got here a little after 9 then she took Rachel home after the changing of the guard. Charlotte was feeling pretty uncomfortable due to the catheter and I was trying to do what I could to calm her including the old, lay-on-the-edge-of-the-bed-try-not-to-fall-out trick which actually worked a little.
The nurse (Nurse Katie, who looks a lot like Reese Whitherspoon) came in to check on the catheter because her diaper was wet and while her diaper was off, she leaked onto the bed. This is a big problem in multiple ways; first off, they need to see how much she’s peeing so they can be sure she’s adequately cleaning out the drugs she’ll be getting. Second, last night, they hooked up the first of the chemo drugs, methotrexate, (a really fun chemical the whole family can enjoy! Learn more about it here: http://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html), and it’s very toxic, especially when it touches bare skin. That’s why a catheter leak is a bad thing. A monumentally bad diaper rash is the least of her worries if exposed for too long.
So…along about 11pm, Nurse Katie and another whose name I didn’t get came in to deliver the bad news. They were going to have to replace the catheter with one that had a larger balloon. Not nearly as traumatic as the first one but no fun nonetheless. Fortunately, she had already fallen asleep and as soon as the procedure was done and the screaming stopped, she was out again. Unfortunately, Nurse Katie, who is a nice and very capable healthcare professional, has become Medusa in Charlotte’s mind as she was the one who changed the catheter and who woke her up throughout the night to check her out and change more diapers because, guess what, she’s still leaking. Not sure what the point of the catheter is when we’re changing diapers every 20 minutes. Dr. Kahn should be in soon and we’ll figure out what to do next.
Our neighbor is a tiny little boy named Silas and he has a serious hernia. He had surgery to repair it and they will, hopefully, be going home to South Boston (past Farmville) today. He makes the funniest sounds when he sleeps and has a great set of lungs when he’s unhappy. They’ve been great to have as roommates. Mom loves WALL-E as much as we do and has been very patient with all commotion surrounding CJ.
As we’ve said before, if you have to have a sick kid, MCV is the place to bring ‘em. Not the least reason is Miss Monica from the kitchen. She cooks good meals and brings them around to all the kids’ rooms. She also slips parents meals sometimes if there’s something extra. She even threw something we brought into her oven. Breakfast this morning was pancakes, sausage, and eggs. CJ didn’t eat much. I think the chemo is having it’s effect and her belly is a bit upset. Overall she’s doing pretty well now, watching TV, telling everyone she loves me and mommy, telling the nurses they’re nice (angels compared to how she feels about Nurse Katie), and asking lots of questions about Silas in a hushed voice.
Gotta go attend to the princess…
Not the most pleasant evening. Aunt B and I got here a little after 9 then she took Rachel home after the changing of the guard. Charlotte was feeling pretty uncomfortable due to the catheter and I was trying to do what I could to calm her including the old, lay-on-the-edge-of-the-bed-try-not-to-fall-out trick which actually worked a little.
The nurse (Nurse Katie, who looks a lot like Reese Whitherspoon) came in to check on the catheter because her diaper was wet and while her diaper was off, she leaked onto the bed. This is a big problem in multiple ways; first off, they need to see how much she’s peeing so they can be sure she’s adequately cleaning out the drugs she’ll be getting. Second, last night, they hooked up the first of the chemo drugs, methotrexate, (a really fun chemical the whole family can enjoy! Learn more about it here: http://www.drugs.com/methotrexate.html), and it’s very toxic, especially when it touches bare skin. That’s why a catheter leak is a bad thing. A monumentally bad diaper rash is the least of her worries if exposed for too long.
So…along about 11pm, Nurse Katie and another whose name I didn’t get came in to deliver the bad news. They were going to have to replace the catheter with one that had a larger balloon. Not nearly as traumatic as the first one but no fun nonetheless. Fortunately, she had already fallen asleep and as soon as the procedure was done and the screaming stopped, she was out again. Unfortunately, Nurse Katie, who is a nice and very capable healthcare professional, has become Medusa in Charlotte’s mind as she was the one who changed the catheter and who woke her up throughout the night to check her out and change more diapers because, guess what, she’s still leaking. Not sure what the point of the catheter is when we’re changing diapers every 20 minutes. Dr. Kahn should be in soon and we’ll figure out what to do next.
Our neighbor is a tiny little boy named Silas and he has a serious hernia. He had surgery to repair it and they will, hopefully, be going home to South Boston (past Farmville) today. He makes the funniest sounds when he sleeps and has a great set of lungs when he’s unhappy. They’ve been great to have as roommates. Mom loves WALL-E as much as we do and has been very patient with all commotion surrounding CJ.
As we’ve said before, if you have to have a sick kid, MCV is the place to bring ‘em. Not the least reason is Miss Monica from the kitchen. She cooks good meals and brings them around to all the kids’ rooms. She also slips parents meals sometimes if there’s something extra. She even threw something we brought into her oven. Breakfast this morning was pancakes, sausage, and eggs. CJ didn’t eat much. I think the chemo is having it’s effect and her belly is a bit upset. Overall she’s doing pretty well now, watching TV, telling everyone she loves me and mommy, telling the nurses they’re nice (angels compared to how she feels about Nurse Katie), and asking lots of questions about Silas in a hushed voice.
Gotta go attend to the princess…
First Day of Chemo
Here's your update.
Yes, it has been a LONG day but I wanted to try to get an update in before I hit the hay. Another long one tomorrow.
Charlotte and I made it to MCV a little after 9 AM and we finally got admitted to the 7th floor at about 3:30 PM. We hung out in the Hem/Onc clinic for most of the day with a brief respite outside for lunch (yay hot dog cart and park benches...oh and did I mention cheesy poofs!). Fortunately, the Hem/Onc clinic is like an amusement park/toy store with medical treatments going on in the background. There are lots of kids getting lots of different treatments but there is a DVD player/VCR/video game system everywhere you look plus toys and books galore so CJ was pretty well entertained.
The worst news besides the wait for a bed was that she actually has to have a foley catheter put in for the duration of the chemo since the methotrexate is highly toxic and can hurt her if it gets on her skin (i.e. through the diaper). We even have to be extra careful and wear gloves during diaper changes, etc. So putting in the catheter was no fun. She now knows what is coming so in anticipation, she gets upset and extra tense which, of course, does not make the process any easier. Sigh.
We did finally settle in well to our room which we are currently sharing with a little two-month old boy who is being released tomorrow. After sufficient IV fluids started, they started the anti-emetics (AKA the "no-throw-up meds"). That was when Daddy and Aunt B entered the picture and we traded places.
I wish the hospitals gave you little bar code key tags like you get at the grocery store for being a "frequent patient". They could just save all of my information in their files and then when they need us to check in all over again, they could just scan the bar code. Would save a lot on redoing many things. I do feel like an "old pro" now when it comes to navigating around the hospital, getting through security, and managing all the ins and outs of just being there. Hard to believe that the place was pretty foreign to me before about 6 weeks ago. I had been there a few times and knew the basics but NOW I know where the turtle is that Charlotte has to visit every time we pass through the Gateway building. Plus I know the quickest route to Chick Fil A from any point in the hospital. Hee hee...
In all honesty, for those of you who marvel at my strength and attitude at this time (and I do appreciate the praise and support), I have got to say that I'm EXHAUSTED. It's been a very tiring week...probably more mental than physical. We are happy to have Aunt B here and hopefully Roger and I can get a date in here one of these days. Maybe even with each other!! Ha ha!
I am off to Romp n' Roll tomorrow for what is the OFFICIAL last day of the winter session (sorry, Rog, but you forgot about Saturday!). And then 3 birthday parties. yay! Then I think 2 more parties on Sunday. Did I mention it was a busy weekend?
We have staff and volunteers covering our Bon Secours event at Memorial Hospital on Sunday. Know any moms to be? Send them out for free stuff!!
Much thanks to Kolbey. I came home tonight to a clean floor in the kitchen and clean bathrooms upstairs. Very nice!
Ok. That's it now, I mean it...
(Anybody want a peanut?)
Yes, it has been a LONG day but I wanted to try to get an update in before I hit the hay. Another long one tomorrow.
Charlotte and I made it to MCV a little after 9 AM and we finally got admitted to the 7th floor at about 3:30 PM. We hung out in the Hem/Onc clinic for most of the day with a brief respite outside for lunch (yay hot dog cart and park benches...oh and did I mention cheesy poofs!). Fortunately, the Hem/Onc clinic is like an amusement park/toy store with medical treatments going on in the background. There are lots of kids getting lots of different treatments but there is a DVD player/VCR/video game system everywhere you look plus toys and books galore so CJ was pretty well entertained.
The worst news besides the wait for a bed was that she actually has to have a foley catheter put in for the duration of the chemo since the methotrexate is highly toxic and can hurt her if it gets on her skin (i.e. through the diaper). We even have to be extra careful and wear gloves during diaper changes, etc. So putting in the catheter was no fun. She now knows what is coming so in anticipation, she gets upset and extra tense which, of course, does not make the process any easier. Sigh.
We did finally settle in well to our room which we are currently sharing with a little two-month old boy who is being released tomorrow. After sufficient IV fluids started, they started the anti-emetics (AKA the "no-throw-up meds"). That was when Daddy and Aunt B entered the picture and we traded places.
I wish the hospitals gave you little bar code key tags like you get at the grocery store for being a "frequent patient". They could just save all of my information in their files and then when they need us to check in all over again, they could just scan the bar code. Would save a lot on redoing many things. I do feel like an "old pro" now when it comes to navigating around the hospital, getting through security, and managing all the ins and outs of just being there. Hard to believe that the place was pretty foreign to me before about 6 weeks ago. I had been there a few times and knew the basics but NOW I know where the turtle is that Charlotte has to visit every time we pass through the Gateway building. Plus I know the quickest route to Chick Fil A from any point in the hospital. Hee hee...
In all honesty, for those of you who marvel at my strength and attitude at this time (and I do appreciate the praise and support), I have got to say that I'm EXHAUSTED. It's been a very tiring week...probably more mental than physical. We are happy to have Aunt B here and hopefully Roger and I can get a date in here one of these days. Maybe even with each other!! Ha ha!
I am off to Romp n' Roll tomorrow for what is the OFFICIAL last day of the winter session (sorry, Rog, but you forgot about Saturday!). And then 3 birthday parties. yay! Then I think 2 more parties on Sunday. Did I mention it was a busy weekend?
We have staff and volunteers covering our Bon Secours event at Memorial Hospital on Sunday. Know any moms to be? Send them out for free stuff!!
Much thanks to Kolbey. I came home tonight to a clean floor in the kitchen and clean bathrooms upstairs. Very nice!
Ok. That's it now, I mean it...
(Anybody want a peanut?)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Charlotte has Been Having a Great Few Days
Very sorry to have to tell you that the event at Glen Allen Golf has been cancelled. They'll still be open I believe (call first).
Not a lot of new stuff about Charlotte. She's been having a great few days and we won't have any kind new road map until Friday at the earliest. That's when we meet with the team to figure things out.
Rachel says she has noticed a possible and very slight decrease in her ability to spit words out off the top of her head so there is a perceptible (however slight) change over the last couple of weeks. The words she DOES get out, however, are still amazing.
Just to address a few questions people have asked us:
They are all discussing our case widely with experts from all over the country so we're getting second, third, fourth, etc...opinions. We really feel like we're in good hands.
We should be getting the webcam laptops set up at home and at "Montessori House" so CJ will be able to see her friends very soon. I'm sure if any of you have webcams and a Skype account, you'll be able to visit too. It isn't anywhere near as good as hugs but it will have to do for now.
Whenever we start the month of radiation, we will need to call on our friends and family a good amount to either stay with her or occasionally take her to treatment since it will be an everyday thing. Tuesdays will definitely be high maintenance as both of us are scheduled with Romp n' Roll activities that day. After this Friday, we'll have to reassess our needs and then adjust the care calendar. Stay tuned.
With the kaibosh on the Glen Alen Golf (Thanks anyway, Dean and we'll pick another night soon) tomorrow holds the next "event" which is massages for mom at Romp n' Roll. Lori Raybold will be back tomorrow from 1:30-8:00pm with both her chair and her table so Mom can get pampered either way.
Chair massages are walk-in and can last from 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
Table massages are 30 or 60 minutes and must be reserved. Plan to arrive 10-minutes before your time.
Lori is offering a really great deal for us so poke and prod your significant others to sign you up. It's the least they can do for a hard working mom! (Call the store to reserve your time)
Friday is our Mom's art project and Saturday is the Chick-fil-a Cow Drop at the Hanover Airport.
Then next week we start all over!!!
Not a lot of new stuff about Charlotte. She's been having a great few days and we won't have any kind new road map until Friday at the earliest. That's when we meet with the team to figure things out.
Rachel says she has noticed a possible and very slight decrease in her ability to spit words out off the top of her head so there is a perceptible (however slight) change over the last couple of weeks. The words she DOES get out, however, are still amazing.
Just to address a few questions people have asked us:
They are all discussing our case widely with experts from all over the country so we're getting second, third, fourth, etc...opinions. We really feel like we're in good hands.
We should be getting the webcam laptops set up at home and at "Montessori House" so CJ will be able to see her friends very soon. I'm sure if any of you have webcams and a Skype account, you'll be able to visit too. It isn't anywhere near as good as hugs but it will have to do for now.
Whenever we start the month of radiation, we will need to call on our friends and family a good amount to either stay with her or occasionally take her to treatment since it will be an everyday thing. Tuesdays will definitely be high maintenance as both of us are scheduled with Romp n' Roll activities that day. After this Friday, we'll have to reassess our needs and then adjust the care calendar. Stay tuned.
With the kaibosh on the Glen Alen Golf (Thanks anyway, Dean and we'll pick another night soon) tomorrow holds the next "event" which is massages for mom at Romp n' Roll. Lori Raybold will be back tomorrow from 1:30-8:00pm with both her chair and her table so Mom can get pampered either way.
Chair massages are walk-in and can last from 5, 10, or 15 minutes.
Table massages are 30 or 60 minutes and must be reserved. Plan to arrive 10-minutes before your time.
Lori is offering a really great deal for us so poke and prod your significant others to sign you up. It's the least they can do for a hard working mom! (Call the store to reserve your time)
Friday is our Mom's art project and Saturday is the Chick-fil-a Cow Drop at the Hanover Airport.
Then next week we start all over!!!
Chemo Starts Tomorrow
Big day today. Last day of RNR's Winter Session, Aunt B coming in, and Charlotte goes in for her first chemotherapy treatment
Imagine the emotional turnaround when I first hear from Rachel that CJ gets to start treatment Friday. At first it was, "Yay! She gets to start chemo tomorrow!" Then it was the polar opposite as the concept hits, "Ugh, she starts chemo tomorrow." A sick twisted part of me heard The Price Is Right "YOU LOSE" music as I realized exactly what that meant. But as usual, I think the adults make it worse
CJ keeps amazing us and from what we've heard, kids weather the first treatment pretty well. We've been talking to her about it a good amount and the other day, Charlotte was overheard in the gym telling someone that she was going to get daddy's haircut. (see note below)
It's been just another of the totally surreal experiences leading up to this first round of chemo. Haggling with the insurance company, keeping the store going, dealing with regular, normal domestic hassles that seem so much less important and are that much more irritating because they really do have to get done.
In the "something-seems-silly-but-I-really-don't-want-to-deal-with-it-right-now" category, it looks like our monthly week of meals from Ashland Community Preschool is not going to happen. There are still members planning to provide some meals but I think I'll have to reassess our situation and do some more planning. I'll let you know what we need.
Just lately, we've been taking advantage of all the great gift cards that have come in like Applebees and Starbucks and Ukrops, OH MY! Yum and thanks to all for those.
As for the head shaving thing, I'm now growing the top-knot so please forgive any scruffiness on my part. When the official party gets planned (probably a Friday afternoon in April if CJ is feeling well enough) I'll have enough stubble to build a moderately respectable mound on the art room floor.
Another big event: The Shifflett's Birthday Bash is today and I can't tell you how excited I am to host it. Obviously, CJ can't be there but we'll have lots of fun and I'm sure the photos will filter back to her.
Gotta go do another marathon day at RNR and Mom has a marathon day at the hospital. Thanks to all who are writing letters and keeping the energy up. We kind of need it right now.
Imagine the emotional turnaround when I first hear from Rachel that CJ gets to start treatment Friday. At first it was, "Yay! She gets to start chemo tomorrow!" Then it was the polar opposite as the concept hits, "Ugh, she starts chemo tomorrow." A sick twisted part of me heard The Price Is Right "YOU LOSE" music as I realized exactly what that meant. But as usual, I think the adults make it worse
CJ keeps amazing us and from what we've heard, kids weather the first treatment pretty well. We've been talking to her about it a good amount and the other day, Charlotte was overheard in the gym telling someone that she was going to get daddy's haircut. (see note below)
It's been just another of the totally surreal experiences leading up to this first round of chemo. Haggling with the insurance company, keeping the store going, dealing with regular, normal domestic hassles that seem so much less important and are that much more irritating because they really do have to get done.
In the "something-seems-silly-but-I-really-don't-want-to-deal-with-it-right-now" category, it looks like our monthly week of meals from Ashland Community Preschool is not going to happen. There are still members planning to provide some meals but I think I'll have to reassess our situation and do some more planning. I'll let you know what we need.
Just lately, we've been taking advantage of all the great gift cards that have come in like Applebees and Starbucks and Ukrops, OH MY! Yum and thanks to all for those.
As for the head shaving thing, I'm now growing the top-knot so please forgive any scruffiness on my part. When the official party gets planned (probably a Friday afternoon in April if CJ is feeling well enough) I'll have enough stubble to build a moderately respectable mound on the art room floor.
Another big event: The Shifflett's Birthday Bash is today and I can't tell you how excited I am to host it. Obviously, CJ can't be there but we'll have lots of fun and I'm sure the photos will filter back to her.
Gotta go do another marathon day at RNR and Mom has a marathon day at the hospital. Thanks to all who are writing letters and keeping the energy up. We kind of need it right now.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Quick Update
Quick update:
I feel like I have been on the phone or managing stuff all day. Between tech support for our DSL (that did NOT get fixed with an onsite visit today), other business related stuff, and other misc. phone calls, it feels like I haven't stopped. What time is it?
Anyway, the main update is that we have determined that Dr. Khan and Charlotte's oncology care at MCV is considered in network and if all goes well, we will start chemo tomorrow (Friday). We will get everything with the stem cell stuff worked out and have a few options including:
0. Our rep from Care Connection is talking to the VA insurance commission to see if they can intervene. It seems ridiculous that there is no Virginia hospital (especially a teaching hospital) on their "approved" list.
1. Dr. Khan has a peer-to-peer meeting set up with another doctor who works for humana and hopefully they can work things out without filing a formal grievance.
2. We have the "formal grievance" option if none of that works but the good news is that we can start chemo and have time to deal with the stem cell issue.
Miss Charlotte is much happier now that the catheter has been removed and she has been a busy bee today, making pictures, "wrapping" presents with paper and decorating the wrap and being in all other ways a busy and adorable preschooler.
Gotta run and be busy some more...
Thanks again for everyone's ideas, comments, support, and help. I noticed on the news last night that the topic of health care is hot, hot, hot on the agenda in DC right now so this is a great time to make your representatives aware of how frustrating our current system is.
Rachel
I feel like I have been on the phone or managing stuff all day. Between tech support for our DSL (that did NOT get fixed with an onsite visit today), other business related stuff, and other misc. phone calls, it feels like I haven't stopped. What time is it?
Anyway, the main update is that we have determined that Dr. Khan and Charlotte's oncology care at MCV is considered in network and if all goes well, we will start chemo tomorrow (Friday). We will get everything with the stem cell stuff worked out and have a few options including:
0. Our rep from Care Connection is talking to the VA insurance commission to see if they can intervene. It seems ridiculous that there is no Virginia hospital (especially a teaching hospital) on their "approved" list.
1. Dr. Khan has a peer-to-peer meeting set up with another doctor who works for humana and hopefully they can work things out without filing a formal grievance.
2. We have the "formal grievance" option if none of that works but the good news is that we can start chemo and have time to deal with the stem cell issue.
Miss Charlotte is much happier now that the catheter has been removed and she has been a busy bee today, making pictures, "wrapping" presents with paper and decorating the wrap and being in all other ways a busy and adorable preschooler.
Gotta run and be busy some more...
Thanks again for everyone's ideas, comments, support, and help. I noticed on the news last night that the topic of health care is hot, hot, hot on the agenda in DC right now so this is a great time to make your representatives aware of how frustrating our current system is.
Rachel
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Addendum to Previous Entry
Quick Addendum to the previous entry:
I have been on the phone with Humana reps for about the last 40 minutes. While I may be frustrated with their policies and all the hoops we are having to jump through, I have to say that their customer service representatives are top-notch. They have been very helpful and the one person I have been working with most closely has gotten other people on the line and has actually given me the direct number of the head of her department to contact if needed. These are definitely not the people who are trying to "screw us over".
Here is the latest on where things stand:
MCV hospital IS in network for medical care. What I don't know (yet) is if Hem/Onc (specifically Dr. Khan) bills under the same Tax ID. If so, part of our problem is solved. If not, we have a few options:
1. We can see if Dr. Khan can bill through MCV's tax ID (some hospitals can do this, others can't).
2. We can have Dr. Khan get in touch with Provider Affairs to be "in network" and have him date the start of his "contract' with them to be the date he began care for Charlotte. This could be a lengthy process but could be approved while she is undergoing chemo and if they backdate the contract, it will be covered
3. We can accept that we are "out of network" and then file a grievance. This is how we get the insurance company to pay for an "out of network" doctor. Another 60 day process for an appeal but in the meantime she can receive treatment.
4. If MCV/Oncology is in network but stem cell is still out of network, we can do #3 just for the stem cell part and see if we get approval.
5. OR we can just pack up and go to an in network hospital for everything (or just for the stem cell part).
I will be talking in depth with the doctor tomorrow to see what our options are.
Meanwhile, I can't imagine what families who don't have the knowledge or time or energy to fight this stuff and/or ask the right questions do in situations like this. It boggles the mind!
I have been on the phone with Humana reps for about the last 40 minutes. While I may be frustrated with their policies and all the hoops we are having to jump through, I have to say that their customer service representatives are top-notch. They have been very helpful and the one person I have been working with most closely has gotten other people on the line and has actually given me the direct number of the head of her department to contact if needed. These are definitely not the people who are trying to "screw us over".
Here is the latest on where things stand:
MCV hospital IS in network for medical care. What I don't know (yet) is if Hem/Onc (specifically Dr. Khan) bills under the same Tax ID. If so, part of our problem is solved. If not, we have a few options:
1. We can see if Dr. Khan can bill through MCV's tax ID (some hospitals can do this, others can't).
2. We can have Dr. Khan get in touch with Provider Affairs to be "in network" and have him date the start of his "contract' with them to be the date he began care for Charlotte. This could be a lengthy process but could be approved while she is undergoing chemo and if they backdate the contract, it will be covered
3. We can accept that we are "out of network" and then file a grievance. This is how we get the insurance company to pay for an "out of network" doctor. Another 60 day process for an appeal but in the meantime she can receive treatment.
4. If MCV/Oncology is in network but stem cell is still out of network, we can do #3 just for the stem cell part and see if we get approval.
5. OR we can just pack up and go to an in network hospital for everything (or just for the stem cell part).
I will be talking in depth with the doctor tomorrow to see what our options are.
Meanwhile, I can't imagine what families who don't have the knowledge or time or energy to fight this stuff and/or ask the right questions do in situations like this. It boggles the mind!
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