Radiation Consultation

My frustration with insurance- ation?

As is tradition on this blog, once I post an update, something changes. This time it’s nothing drastic or major luckily however let’s dive in.

Pet Scan

Luckily I have the people at Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) looking out for me. My oncologist and decades of medical knowledge mistakenly thought that a PET scan was needed to accurately assess my condition. Well the folks at BCBS have a motto they live by:

Luckily the kind souls at BCBS knew my doctor just wanted me to get more chemicals injected into my body and lay on cold tables for what? - To see exactly where the cancer is??? What an insane idea.

So now I had a Bone Scan thanks to the saintly BCBS folks. Lucky for me because the results of the scan still recommended a PET scan- these sneaky hospitals trying to do the right thing.

Anyways the bone scan showed the upper neck areas that the CT caught and potentially another spot lower on the L3 section of my spine- the opposite end.

Radiation Consult

Armed with all the necessary results from the scan I met with my radiation oncologist who would oversee radiation treatment. Now I don’t know about other patients but I tend to look up the doctors or facilities I go to at a high level to see if there’s anything to know or watch out for. My doctor I was assigned had some reviews essentially describing him as a jerk and inconsiderate and uncaring. So I was ready to go!!!

Luckily he was the opposite of that- granted I have not been treated yet but my impression is someone was taking out their feelings or emotions on him. He was really professional and understanding, taking time to answer questions and put me at ease. It was like he understood how insane of a mind fuck cancer is and wants to put his patients at ease. Shhh don’t tell BCBS.

Quick summary of a radiation consult:

• Vitals taken

• Doctor introduces themself and discusses the procedure, the team and next steps

• If the patient agrees, a consent form is signed and the team follows up to schedule the simulation

Well guys, I signed!

Or something like this

So that’s the end of that. In the meantime here is an update on some other stuff:

• PET Scan is still being appealed. As BCBS told me “It is not medically necessary for cancer in the kidney.” To which I informed them “Welllllll it’s kidney cancer in my spine, not the kidney they removed two years ago in my records you have.”

  • This was met with an “Oh. . . . Oh.”

• My radiation simulation is this coming Tuesday where they’ll do a dry run and fit me for my appointments and sessions- ten in total.

• I have two MRIs coming up- one for my cervical (neck) spine and one for my lumbar (lower) spine.

  • The bone scan that showed the L3 spot is iffy so the doctors want to be sure it’s something before they start blasting away.

That’s it for now. I’ll update more as I get news or on the other heroic attempts from BCBS to save me from unnecessary medicines and tests and scans and life prolonging measures.

-Joe