12/28/11

I swear I've talked to every "bean counter" in the Pacific Northwest.  After all that, I'm told by Kaiser that my Senior Advantage Medicare will cover any procedures that I need in Seattle.  What wasn't I told this a long time ago ? ? ? ? ?    Anyway, I'm scheduled to see Dr Ngheim in Seattle on Tuesday and am also scheduled for some radiation next Thursday.  My tumor is so large that they're afraid of it bursting.  I'm guessing that waiting a week is hurrying up.  I need to not do any sky diving or sumo wrestling in the mean time.  Not a real problem.

I'll bring you up to date as this thing progresses. 

Jim

December 21, 2011

I had a PET Scan on Monday, and met with my Oncologist today.  Not great news, but it wasn't surprising news either.  The chemo has not done anything other than thin my hair.  My external tumor has grown considerably, but my internal tumors seemed to have either decreased or stayed the same.  Part of the explanation for that was that they were swollen during my previous scan, and that inflamation has gone down.

My ongologist is recommending my treatment continue in Seattle at the Cancer Care Alliance.  My doctor there is a specialist in Merkel Cell Cancer, and has some different techniques that could work.  The problem is that the "bean counters" at Kaiser have to be convinced that this is the correct solution so my life depends not on doctors, but on accountants - pretty scary, huh! ! !  I'm supposed to meet with my radiolgist soon to see if some radiation might partially shrink the tumors for the time being.

I'll keep you posted

Jim