October 2019 3rd AC Chemo Treatment, Neulasta and Estate Documents

3rd AC Chemo Treatment

Another chemo treatment down. The chemo room was almost empty when I got there. That was a first. The lady who is a crafter was happy to see me. She had made some snack holder and wanted to show them to me. Other than talking to Loretta it was uneventful.

This is the next to last Chemo treatment so my nurse Brenda talked to me about ringing the bell the next time I come and what to expect. I'll ring the bell, they will take my phone to take video and a picture, I can invite others, I will get a certificate. That is interesting to me.  I wonder who came up with ringing the bell as the way to end this part of the Cancer Process.

Getting AC is not bad it is the after effects that's a bear and is wreaking havoc on my body.  This level of tired is beyond anything a human should endure. It is so bad if I walk (slowly) upstairs to get something I have to lay on the bed to rest before I go back downstairs. Since being on AC I've walked around the block once and had to rest on the benches to make it around.  I haven't walk around again because I don't want to pass out.  The exhaustion is real.

Neulasta Shot and After Effects

Well, I thought after the last shot verses the patch that I had found a way not to be balled up in pain...not so.

Somehow after this Neulasta shot I was in the same level of muscle pain as the patch.  I thought I was going to be okay until Thursday afternoon and my muscles ached and locked up. I was in a ball for two days again!  My nurse also told me even after my last chemo shot that I should get the Neulasta shot so I don't get sick.

O-k-a-y, so one more shot of this ridiculous drug.  It is on my list to research it  later.  I can't do it now because I'm not trying to buck the "system".  I'm afraid what I'm going to find is that some company came up this way of keeping the chemo shots on schedule (OR MONEY COMING ON A ROUTINE BASIS) for this cancer treatment "system"....however it literally incapacitates those taking it.  NEULASTA IS WORSE THAN CHEMO! 

There is one cancer treatment lady I met early on name Marie.  She has the same type of breast cancer that I have and going through the same treatment plan. She wasn't there so I got concerned. I texted her to check on her and she said her white blood cell count was too low for Chemo mostly BECAUSE her insurance company did not approve the Neulasta.  Okay...deep. Again this Neulasta keeps the money flowing into the system and I don't think its necessary but will delay treatments like it did Marie.  I mean delaying treatments by MONTHS because instead of getting a chemo shot every other week it would getting  a hit monthly.  Again...I'll research this AFTER this is all over.

October 2019 2nd AC Chemo Treatment,Costs and Politics

Follow-up to 1st AC Treatment and Neulasta

Before I can write about the 2nd AC Chemo treatment I need to talk about the Neulasta patch.  I'll have to some research on Neulasta because it is WORST than chemo. The next morning after the patch activated I could hardly move.  

I could hardly get out of bed.  Every muscle in the core of my body hurt.  If I moved it hurt. The next day about the same, it hurt to move.  Between the Chemo, Neulasta, Nausea medication it was a two week hell ride. I learned that not all Chemo drugs are the same. 

Doctor's Appointment

So, you have to go to a doctor's appointment between treatments.

The doctor was unavailable so I saw the nurse and went though the process of explaining how things were going. It feels like a check the box type of thing, but I am focusing on being kind during this process.  Just be kind and be aware of how difficult that can be at times.  Just go and be kind to everyone you meet that is my mantra.

A Day In The Life of A Cancer "Treatment" Patient

Waking Up

...is a challenge.

5:30 a.m.
Wake up and say good bye to my son and tell him I love him as he goes off to work. That might be the last words he hears from me so I try to sound as upbeat as I possibly can.  I don't know what the day will bring.

Now that I'm up I remember my body hurts.

I remember I don't have anywhere to go.  I remember I don't WANT to go anywhere...but I'm up.

Alive.

I just lay there and think about getting up, dressed and heading off to work.  Something I've done for over 30 years and I figured out the other day that I've had 18 different jobs.  Sitting there WANTING to do that.  Good grief, never thought I'd WANT to be able to go to work, but now I do.

That's not my world now...

...so I get on my phone to see what's happening in the world.

I'm just trying to make sure no major/crazy issues are happening in the world that would leave me in limbo during cancer treatment. That's a fear....I'm half-way through Chemo I need to finish that, have surgery and radiation. If the world can just keep it's sh*t together that long.

Aside...
Cursing - I used to curse like a sailor in my 20's and 30's.  I abruptly stopped once I heard my son curse when he was in his teens. Now after going through this sh*t; I'm cursing in my head all the time.  It's so insane going through this...please someone who is/has gone through this and has NOT cursed in their head reach out to me because I'd like to meet you. You don't exist...this sh*t is crazy.

7:00 a.m.
I can still be on the phone just seeing what's happening. I run across an article about the police chief where I used to work is retiring at the end of the year for 2 months then coming back for 6 more months to get them thru the Republican National Convention.  I think back on working the Democratic National Convention...great times and I need to write an article about that experience...  Then I go back to thinking about what the Chief is trying to do and HOPING that:

1. I'm alive long enough to receive my Charlotte pension, and 
2. The pension fund in NC isn't bankrupt by the time I get it.

8:00 a.m.
Think about getting up but it takes so much energy, so I decide to stay in bed and do some bible study.

I'm up to Joshua Chapter 18.  I have to have three bibles to really understand any of this and one of the bibles is the Good News Bible...which has pictures.

All I keep thinking as I'm reading the bible from Genesis to Revelations (including the Apocrypha -hidden books) that IF GOD WANTED ME DEAD I'D BE DEAD.

I stayed in the book of Numbers for a very long time...so long, so long... because when I got to Chapter 16 I was dumbfounded. It is about the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. God opened up the earth and the men, their families, and animals went into the earth alive. Instantly God killed them. I just kept reading that chapter over and over again. It was no joke.

I can do about 30 minutes to 1 hour of bible study and then I want to fall back to sleep. It's heavy material.

9:00 a.m.
I have to get up.

I take a shower and the hot water feels good on all the pain spots over my body. Physically taking a shower takes A LOT of energy.

After I take a shower I have to get back in bed to rest for 10 minutes BEFORE I can wash my face and brush my teeth. I don't have enough energy to continue to stand up.

I make it though that and then have to do my saltwater baking soda gargle or I will get mouth sores. I do that and then put on Oil of Olay on my face.  My eyebrows are almost gone now. My eyes look like my mom's when she was sick.  I could always tell when she was sick or getting sick by her eyes.  My eyes look like that now. No life.  Dead. Bloodshot. I get over that I'm looking at myself and I look like my sick mother then I put on chap stick all over my lips or they will crack.

Almost done.

I put on my underclothes and then lotion my entire body because my skin feels and looks like leather. I don't recognize my hands and feet. Oh my poor feet.

11:00 a.m.
Somehow its 11:00 I don't know how that happened.

I put on some clothes - Shorts and a black t-shirt.

The phone rings. Crank call.

I'm hungry but don't want to eat.  My chest hurts. I go get water.  Just stay hydrated that's the best I can do. Then no, I need to eat something.  Grapes, yogurt and nuts is all I can manage to eat.

I get back on line and read about a lady who "battled" breast cancer and has died of the "complications of cancer". Her name was Wendy Chioji.

I just keep thinking once you think you've "beat" cancer you don't.  It comes back with a vengeance. You're just buying time. Then I look out the window.  The wind is blowing.  It looks like it's going to rain.


12:30 p.m.
I go downstairs to get on line on the laptop to see what checks have cleared the bank. Still wondering the easiest way to get money from the VA credit union to the NC Credit union so I can actually make money on the money sitting around in a little to no interest account. I don't feel like dealing with that today.

I turn on NPR and listen to them talk about stuff.

Half the day is gone. I'm just grateful I'm up and can get out of bed today.  

I'm grateful I'm not getting Chemo today. This sh*t is hard. Ridiculously hard. I'm hungry again but don't want to eat.

October 2019 Chest CT Scan, Chemo #1 of AC and Other Thoughts

Chest CT Scan

Had a CT Scan because the Oncologist saw a tiny spec of something in my lungs during the 1st Scan back in June. She wasn't very concerned with it because she said we have to take care of the Breast Cancer first.

She didn't think what she was seeing was lung "cancer" but if it was she said the chemo drugs I was on for breast cancer was used for lung cancer so he would go away in theory.

 I can remember when she told me she found something in my lungs and I couldn't look at her as she was telling me about it.  My dad died of lung cancer.  I couldn't handle it.

I told her that back in the 1980's I was diagnosed with this mysterious thing called Sarcodosis.  I never had any effects of it.  Sometimes it would show up on Chest XRay's but hadn't in the last 20 years so I forgot all about it.

I still think of it as  fluke or something.

The Oncologist said, that yes it could be sarcoid but she wouldn't know for sure unless we did a biopsy. She said at that time in June we would just watch it and see what happened.  So after the end of the 1st round of Chemo drugs she ordered a followed-up with a CT Chest scan.

So I had an appointment with the oncologist so she could give me the results of the CT Scan and we could talk about the next round of Chemo drugs.

Going into the doctor's appointment I really didn't know what "the best" results could be. If the spot in the lungs was gone then that meant it probably was cancer...and had it spread from the breast lump or just a new cancer location.

If it was still there what would that mean?  So I went into the appointment just asking for the best results whatever they could be. 

At the appointment the Oncologist walked into the room, we said hello and hugged.  Then she handed me the CT scan results and said we got "the best" results.  The tiny spot is still there in the lung but it's more than likely not cancer.

It is the same size it was during the 1st scan so it has shrunk or grown which indicates to her its not cancer. If it were cancer it would have grown in the three months or it would have shrunk/disappeared from the Chemo for three months but it did neither.

She said yes it could be the sarcoid but we would need a biopsy for that and for now we are going to deal with the breast cancer and continue to watch what happens to the spot. Also on the results of the CT Scan was they did not see any portion of the breast cancer mass!  The report actually said that it could have been surgically removed...that's how much nothing was showing up on the scan.

All "the best" possible results.  We talked about the next round of Chemo drugs and how bad it "could" get...not that it had too but it could.  Then I thanked her and tears welled up in my eyes.  I couldn't ask for a better doctor.  I trust her and that is not typically of me and the medical professionals.

Chemo#1 of AC

Next day new Chemo drugs started.

It was great to see all the nurse oncologist and I saw some of the other Chemo patients that I hadn't seen in a few weeks.  That was great!  My son went with me to this appointment because I didn't know how I would react to the new drugs. So it started with the pre-meds which lasted about 45 minutes THEN I got the strong Red Chemo that lasted 15 minutes than the C drug for 1.5 hours.  It was finished in 2 hours which wasn't bad. I instantly felt that impact since I hadn't had Chemo drugs in 3 weeks.

Then it was something new...Neulasta a patch that goes on your arm or stomach, keep it on for 28 hours and in 27 hours it pumps medicine in my body to help increase your white blood cells so you and keep on track for Chemo sessions.

By the time I got home it was instant tired, go to sleep.  The neuropothy in my feet is still there but has gotten a little better.  I was so tired my feet didn't even keep me up, but it was a bad night.  Sweats, having to drink water throughout the night, feeling like I wanted to throw up but didn't....OH NO!!!  My only grace is this is only for 8 weeks and it's only 4 hits as I now call these Chemo sessions.

I got a call from the nurse navigator  the next morning which was timely!

I asked her questions to make sure I understood the process. She gave me the same information the nurse oncologist gave me about Neulasta and how to deal with nausea and take the medicine.

We also talked about the process AFTER chemo is FINALLY done.  She recommended to have the Oncologist make the appointment for the MRI then make an appointment with the surgeon in 5 days.  He will have MRI results by then and will determine the type of surgery.

From what she can tell from the Chemo results she said I'm a candidate for Lumpectomy which is in/out patient surgery and recovery is 2-4 weeks. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Other Thoughts

Medical Bills

I'm still dealing with the $5,100 bill from Sentara Williamsburg for a Biopsy back in May 2019.  The insurance company says I should owe $3,500. Finally able to get Sentara to research this and they agree something is wrong and they have put the bill on hold and asked me not to pay until they research it.  I'm already at the $10,000 maximum out of pocket max...so no more medical bills for me until July 1, 2020!

All of this has made me want to learn more about Health Insurance. I've done a little research and it is interesting.  Actually becoming an insurance agent in VA is easy entrance...study, pass the test, find a broker...it is similar to becoming a real estate agent.

What Can You Do For Someone Going Through Cancer Treatment?

1. ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM - this seems simple but it's goes a long way.  I can't tell you how appreciative I've been for my weekly text messages of people asking me how I've been doing. 
2. DO NOT send a text or a call or a visit and you talk about yourself, normal/everyday stuff and ignore what the cancer patient is going through.  This is NOT helpful when this person is more than likely experiencing side-effects and their life has been tossed out of kilter.  Even asking about their cancer, chemo and trying to understand is helpful because that person can talk about it and feel like someone cares.  
3. DO NOT talk about what you know about chemo and the experience because SOMEONE ELSE who had it told you about it. If it is YOUR cancer experience that is okay to share but second hand experience...don't focus on that.  Everybody's experience is different...just listen and ask thoughtful questions about THAT person who you are listening to.

Cancer Walks and Support

I've been thinking about these annual walks and wondering exactly what they accomplish, how they help cancer patients, and where the money goes?  They don't help defray the cost of treating cancer it seems, maybe it goes into the clinical trials that I keep hearing about?  I just don't know the purpose and I'm hopeful that I'm wrong and they are doing good work.

September 2019 - Oncology Appt, Half Way There

Oncology Appt.

The doctor was late because she had been at the hospital all night.  Her assistant asked if I wanted to meet with her instead of the doctor.  From my last experience I politely as I could indicated that I would wait for the doctor and it was a GOOD thing that I did.

I lucked up on the Oncologist, she is great! We talked about not being able to feel the mass any more, she asked about my side effects and the worse is now that my feet are numb....called neuropothy.  My hands are not bad that came and went, but I can't feel my feet anymore.

She made a note and then decided that there is no efficacy in continuing the next two Taxol treatments.  Most people only make 9 -10 treatments and I've had 10 treatments so she cancelled the last two treatments.  

Then she looked at her notes to confirm I had not started with the other drugs and advised I still need to do the two new drugs because they don't have any clinical trails that indicate you can just do Taxol/Carbo to get cure...BUT...there is a slight break between the new drugs to build your body back up.

She did indicate that with the new drugs I'll be more tired and nauseated so it's every other week.  The body can't take weekly.

During the 2-3 week break she ordered chest scan and blood work.  I asked if the new drugs caused neuropothy and she said it is not typical.  Hopefully my feet start to come back because sleeping at night is unbearable.  During the day I'm moving around so they get stimulated, but at night forget it, it's like a toothache in your feet.

During the Chemo Free Break...

• I feel like I can think clearer.  
• I can walk up the stairs without getting winded. 
• It doesn't feel like someone is sitting on my chest. 
• Tiny bits of hair is growing back on my head. 
• My feet are still numb but it feels like portions of the nerves are coming back to life. 
• My son said my color is coming back (what??? he said that I looked pale before but now he can tell the difference in my skin tone...interesting). 
• My hands don't look like they are the hands of a 100 year old. 

I'm just thinking that I should enjoy feeling half-way normal.  Honestly I'd forgotten what that felt like. I didn't even realize I didn't feel like normal as I was just pushing through the pain.

Medical Bills 

I can see the light at the end of that tunnel too.

We are at $150,000 in claims and I've reached my $10,000 max.

I'm paying the bills as they come in and learning during the process. I've now paid $2,000 in medical bills and trust me I've learned they only bill you ONE time then they bill you a SECOND and FINAL time before they threaten for you to get in touch with them to set up a payment plan OR face a collection agency. 

Learning about the medical "system" and seeing how it could ruin your credit and force people to go bankrupt. It's unreasonable to think people HAVE THOUSANDS of dollars to pay for a service that is:

• Overpriced
• Not negotiable
• Not known before the service is rendered

It is unreasonable.  I'm now interested in this topic...insurance, health care, medicare, etc. This isn't going anywhere and the older a person gets the worse it could get if you need medical care.

Sentara $5K Bill

I got a REQUEST FOR PAYMENT statement for the $5,158.44 and no phone call from the supervisor who should have been looking for this bill.

Okay so now I have to do the accounting for myself and uncovered errors on the Hospital part and the Insurance part.  I did a spreadsheet and came up with the number it looks like I owe. $2,468.21 (me) vs. 3,506.31 (Insurance)  vs. 5,158.44 (hospital).  Actually it was like forensic accounting and I ENJOYED doing it.  

I was just sitting there as I was working on it thinking how many elderly people might just sent a check for $5k without having anyone to help them.  I think there is a business opportunity in this.  I looked it up and there is it is called "Daily Money Management/Paperwork Management"...hmmm...something to consider. 

 I can especially see this working with medical bills because in this case there is a difference of $2,600!  It all just took me back to my first job as a bookkeeper....something to consider for the future.

Oncology Bill

They are far far behind in their billing...and at $10K for a chemo treatment I can see that they could afford to be...especially when folks have insurance.  So, I'm paying them as they bill me and that's months behind.  I just need to pay it before the end of the year for tax purposes.

Talk to Navigator

I thanked her for all her help especially setting up the appointments with the surgeon and oncologist.  Best medical team I could have asked for.

September 2019 10th Treatment, Surgeon Appt., Medical Bills

10th Treatment

This was the two chemo drugs day and it is tough. It takes DAYS of recovery.  Getting the treatment is not bad it is after the treatment that is tough. Seems to me that the side effects are building especially being tired.

Walking around the block is a challenge. Walking up stairs is a challenge. Being in the sun for too long is a challenge.  I'm just trying to keep moving as much as possible without falling out.

Eating is getting harder.  I'm not hungry. Mostly thirsty but not hungry.  I started back on chicken and I feel worse.  I need to back off of that.

A man rang the RED Bell during this treatment.  He rang it and rang it and they took pictures.  It was great. Happy for him.

Surgeon Appointment

The appointment went well.  The surgeon said he could not feel the tumor either! 

Chemo is tough but it is working as it should!  I can't be happier about that.  The surgeons nurse told me she had breast cancer 11 years ago and I will beat it just like she did.  Just keep going.

The surgeon showed me the MRI.  I hadn't seen the before MRI images and it was something that stopped me in my tracks.  The tumor that was there was as big as a peach.  IT WAS LARGE.  It took my breath away. I kept looking at the screen in disbelief that THAT was inside of me at one point. Then we talked about the process:

• I need to schedule the next appointment with the surgeon after I finish chemo.
• The surgeon will set up the post MRI
• Based on the MRI will depend on the type of surgery recommended
• Surgery will not be scheduled until one month after chemo (ONE FULL MONTH!!!)  That was NEW information and it takes me into DECEMBER for surgery. 
• I will need Radiation after surgery and it will take 6 weeks!!! This is a very long process.

At least now I know the process and I appreciate the surgeon.  I really lucked-up going to Williamsburg for the mammogram.  Happy about that. 

Medical Bill from Sentara Williamsburg

Called Anthem BCBS about the $5K bill from the hospital.  They said I need to give Sentara the claim numbers in order for them to get it right.  Called Sentara and was told that the bill is incorrect and the rep said she had sent an email to the supervisor who would call me in 72 hours. 

August 27th 9th Treatment - New Attitude- Disability Insurance -Medical Bills -Nutritionist - Nurse Navigator

New Attitude

Into the third month of "Life After Being Diagnosed with Cancer" and I have a new attitude.

It dawned on me that if I can be happy (or Joyful) during time of my life I can be Happy (Joyful) during anytime of my life.  I can't figure out the word - happy, joyful, content - for this.  I don't think it is an emotion because emotions come and go.  Content is a bible term and more permanent.

It's a state of mind.  That 's what I'm looking for a state of mind that is consistent regardless of the outside circumstances.

My attitude walking into this week was one of...maybe its Accepting.  Accepting the circumstances and falling into as if I choose it.  This reminds me of two of a Joseph Campbell quotes:

• Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.
• All you have to do to transform your hell into a paradise is to turn your fall into a voluntary act.
  

This made all the difference in my outlook and how I treated people.  

I read this week how a newscaster in New Orleans died in a freak plane crash. Her name was Nancy and how she treated people was a driving force for how people responded to her death. 

9th Treatment

I brought my new attitude into the session...except dealing with the front desk lady and the disability paperwork (see below).  I realize that I am a firm believer in getting it right the first time.  It's not just a slogan it's required.  I recovered but I was in business mode and ended that with being pleasant.

After I got through the paperwork request I was on the joyful code.  From the nurse who takes your vitals...she's pleasant...and because of that my blood pressure was good today.  I've gained 2 pounds in a week. I was starting to get concern because I was dropping lots of weight.  Now I have to lose the 2 pounds and maintain. I think it's the weekly steroids or the fact I started eating meat - chicken and fish - again.  I just didn't think I was getting enough protein and I need protein to keep my energy up.

When I sat down I greeted those that I knew:

• The lady who does crafts and I told I would call about putting items in the shop.  I need to find her card and schedule the call to see what she can do.
• The lady who always looks deathly ill and looked that way today.
• The lady who is 33 yrs old with 3 young kids who just moved from NC - Found out her name is Marie (more about my conversation with Marie)
• A new lady who came over to me and asked me if this was my first time.  I thought she meant with chemo treatments but she meant getting cancer!  She said this was her 3rd time getting cancer!!! First Breast Cancer then 10 years lady colon or kidney (can't remember which because I'm in shock and not totally connected cognitively), now breast cancer again in the other breast.  She told me because she wanted me to know that "God is Good and  I'm telling you getting cancer can change you for the good"

For the majority of the time before the infusions started I was talking to Marie.  She's joyful and fun.  I also learned a lot because we have the same breast cancer - triple negative ductual invasive. We were both diagnosed at the same time I'm 2 treatments ahead of her. Things we discussed that I want to remember:

• She called getting cancer and treatments like a plane ride - sitting in the recliner, keeping busy for 2- 3 hours....interesting analogy
• She also has friends who text her weekly sending encouragement during the week.  That is so helpful and I can attest those who have hung in there with me for all this time are true jewels. 
• We talk about how we can help after this is all over
• Donate to the ladies who bring the sandwiches
• Tell the cancer story so people know what to expect
• She told me about the cancer hats that are in a basket in the lobby and showed me one she got to keep her head warm in the winter since we're bald and it's going to get cold. 
• Her head is almost bald. She hasn't cut it yet but it is completely white because she had long hair and air/sun was not getting to her scalp.  She's making the cut and wig shopping a fun girl event...that's important. 
• There is a delay between treatment drugs...I confirmed there is a week delay.
• Our cancer started in a duct and broke out.  When it broke out we could feel the lump and it grew rapidly from there.  Both of our tumors were very large and both had now gone away with the chemo treatments. 
• She talked to a counselor early on because she was still trying to do everything, but that caught up with her when fatigue set in. 
• She sold her house in Charlotte for a profit too. Markets still good there. 
• Talked out her kids and telling them about her having cancer.  I haven't told Danaja yet but she knows I'm sick and staying at home.  I don't want to scare her.
• Surgery and how they determine what type of surgery the patient will have
• We have the same doctor

My chemo nurse started the process.

We had some problems with the Port but not as bad as last week. It took effort but she got the blood out to be able to do blood work. I like my Chemo Nurse, Brenda.  I feel lucky that I have her.  She's efficient, informative and kind.  I'm trying to figure out what to do for her and the crew on my last chemo day.  Maybe cookies from Costco and flowers for Brenda.  I don't know yet. The infusions began.

At the end I also talked to the other Chemo nurse about telling black americans about cancer.  There is somewhat of a stigma to this thing.  Honestly you don't want people to know.  It's a fail.  It's viewed negatively. This nurse who was black american said people need to see what cancer looks like, they need to know to get checked early to catch it early.  I'm kindof wondering my role in cancer advocacy.  I don't know yet.  

Disability Insurance

Has been a bear this week!!!

• Prudential asked me to call my employer to get information about getting Prudential the information to go from 50% to 70% after the 6 weeks in up.  
• Called employer and they advised that they don't send that to the insurance company but it comes from a weekly feed from the benefits center
• Called Prudential to advise them of the weekly feed and who to contact (I shouldn't have to do this).
• Called Prudential to asked if they received the fax (good grief faxing still!) with my W4.  They were taking the MAX for Federal Taxes and it was almost $500 a week (yikes!)  Never heard back if they received it or not. 
• Did not get the weekly Thursday check. Called Prudential about this...no call back.  Check did not arrive until Monday of the following week.  Looks like the Federal Taxes were reduced but not by much.   No explanation from Prudential
• Received updated uploaded letter approving the 70% and advising that I had about 10 days to get them updated medical information so they could extend the benefits past the initial approval.  Well it takes 10 BUSINESS days to get medical records. THIS IS PAINFUL!
• Then I have to inform my boss and employer that I plan to extend the date.
• I'm trying to figure out at this point how folks who are not administrative manage this while they are SICK on DISABILITY.  If you don't have attention to detail...forget it...you're out of luck!  
• It has been a daily painful stressful effort this week.  This doesn't help when you are tired and sick. 

Medical Bills

Just keeping an eye of them.  Received two more small ones I was waiting for.

I created a spreadsheet from Anthems information so at least I can know which ones to expect, one I've paid and that are coming.

Basically I'm down to a few stragglers from May/June time frame that are coming in, the big one from Sentara Williamsburg for $3.5K for a crazy facility fee for a Biopsy.  One which I intend to negotiate down because I think it's highway robbery. This is the same bill that initially came in at my cost $18K, then my cost $5K.  I'm waiting on the final bill before I call them to discuss.  I'm willing to pay $2k as a one time lump sum payment and call it done.  We will see.

Nutritionist

Anthems nutritionist finally called.  Just checking boxes.  I told her I was interested in meal prep information because I wanted to start cooking.  She will send me some links to recipes,  She was helpful. I'm looking forward to trying it...especially when I get back to work.

Nurse Navigator

Sentara's nurse navigator made her monthly call. I missed her call so called her back and told her I was doing well.  Again this was after an attitude adjustment because before I saw the role as checking the box, unnecessary and just another person to "talk to" about something I wanted just to end.  I left her  a nice voicemail and intend to see the benefit in talking to her.