A few post ago, I had posted about Raymond having a breathing test and the doctor was concerned that his lungs were compromised because he was unable to do the first level of the test. The CAT scan was actually negative for the lungs... meaning there is no cancer in his lungs! The CAT scan on his stomach was just done on his last day of the first round of chemo, so we'll find out the results of that tomorrow.
I'm sorry for any confusion and extra worry that this may have caused.
Tomorrow, he gets bloodwork done and additional labs to check on the progress of the first round of chemo.
I'll update tomorrow...
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
RAYMONDSHOPE MONTHLY FUNDRAISING EFFORT:
VERY IMPORTANT & SERIOUS POST
Well, today is the day that I have to set my pride aside to do what is right for my son. I am a very independent person and do not like to ask for help. In fact, I will exhaust every avenue first before I do. But cancer is unforgiving and does not allow me the luxury of procrastinating and putting off what must be done.
The state of Florida is still requesting information and waiting on medical records and whatever other red tape that they can come up with to put off approving Raymond's medicaid application. He had to resort to Polk County Health Plan which, as anyone on any county run insurance plan knows, pays for virtually nothing. They are not covering his pain medications, which the oncologist called in for a preauthorization for, nor one of his antinausea medications. Those two alone are $85.00 for a 10 day supply. He has 4 months worth of chemo to go through, which is causing migraine headaches and nausea as expected. Therefore, at $85.00/10 days for 4 months, we are looking at $1040 just for the meds. As per my usual M.O, I am seeking other avenues to cover the meds such as placing an application for free or reduced meds through the manufacturers of them. However, in the meantime, my son is holding his head in pain. Anyone who has ever had a migraine can relate. The one nausea medication that the health plan does cover is helping some, but the oncologist said that the two nausea meds she prescribed really work in tandem to be the most effective.
Another expense we are running into is the hospital bills that are starting to pour in already from the surgery and subsequent care since January. The chemotherapy and all related expenses are now being covered by Winter Haven Hospital, bless their souls! But the bills prior to chemotherapy are still our responsibility.
Then there is the transportation costs of getting to the treatments daily. He has finally gotten approved for Polk County Transit, which will take him from now on to his treatments and to his related medical appointments, but since January our neighbor, Paul Currie (another kind soul) and a friend, Dakkota Dudzik, have been our main sources of transportation. I have given both of them gas money when I can, but I'd really like to be able to fill each of their tanks at least once to show our gratitude.
Our air conditioner for the house needs a freon charge, but it's not broken so the landlord has suggested that we "get fans" to stay cool as he refuses to pay for what he considers "creature comforts". Under normal circumstances I would agree, but Raymond's chemo meds raise his core body temperature to begin with and we live in sunny Florida that is already peaking 80 degree temperatures most days. Therefore, on top of writhing in pain and feeling the nausea, he is also sweating bullets when he tries to rest... and he is extremely fatigued, as you can imagine.
Towards the goal of paying for all of the above plus whatever else comes up, and to alleviate the added pressure of financial strain, I have started a fundraiser to run for a month at a time called "Raymondshope." You can find the link at the top of the column to the right of the posts. I am very much hoping that I will only need the extra help for one month and that everything will fall into place with the other resources I am seeking. Lord knows, the economic times being what they are, not many of us can afford donations of any kind. Please consider helping my son financially if you are able, but if you are not, the page has a section called "Hugs" where you can just leave words of encouragement and even advice on who we can turn to for help during this trying time.
And now, as I knew would happen, my cheeks are beginning to feel hot and my pride is a bit bruised and I am embarassed to be having to ask for any type of handout but, being a mother, we do anything necessary (within the constraints of the law and morality, of course) for our children.
Thank you so much for listening!
Well, today is the day that I have to set my pride aside to do what is right for my son. I am a very independent person and do not like to ask for help. In fact, I will exhaust every avenue first before I do. But cancer is unforgiving and does not allow me the luxury of procrastinating and putting off what must be done.
The state of Florida is still requesting information and waiting on medical records and whatever other red tape that they can come up with to put off approving Raymond's medicaid application. He had to resort to Polk County Health Plan which, as anyone on any county run insurance plan knows, pays for virtually nothing. They are not covering his pain medications, which the oncologist called in for a preauthorization for, nor one of his antinausea medications. Those two alone are $85.00 for a 10 day supply. He has 4 months worth of chemo to go through, which is causing migraine headaches and nausea as expected. Therefore, at $85.00/10 days for 4 months, we are looking at $1040 just for the meds. As per my usual M.O, I am seeking other avenues to cover the meds such as placing an application for free or reduced meds through the manufacturers of them. However, in the meantime, my son is holding his head in pain. Anyone who has ever had a migraine can relate. The one nausea medication that the health plan does cover is helping some, but the oncologist said that the two nausea meds she prescribed really work in tandem to be the most effective.
Another expense we are running into is the hospital bills that are starting to pour in already from the surgery and subsequent care since January. The chemotherapy and all related expenses are now being covered by Winter Haven Hospital, bless their souls! But the bills prior to chemotherapy are still our responsibility.
Then there is the transportation costs of getting to the treatments daily. He has finally gotten approved for Polk County Transit, which will take him from now on to his treatments and to his related medical appointments, but since January our neighbor, Paul Currie (another kind soul) and a friend, Dakkota Dudzik, have been our main sources of transportation. I have given both of them gas money when I can, but I'd really like to be able to fill each of their tanks at least once to show our gratitude.
Our air conditioner for the house needs a freon charge, but it's not broken so the landlord has suggested that we "get fans" to stay cool as he refuses to pay for what he considers "creature comforts". Under normal circumstances I would agree, but Raymond's chemo meds raise his core body temperature to begin with and we live in sunny Florida that is already peaking 80 degree temperatures most days. Therefore, on top of writhing in pain and feeling the nausea, he is also sweating bullets when he tries to rest... and he is extremely fatigued, as you can imagine.
Towards the goal of paying for all of the above plus whatever else comes up, and to alleviate the added pressure of financial strain, I have started a fundraiser to run for a month at a time called "Raymondshope." You can find the link at the top of the column to the right of the posts. I am very much hoping that I will only need the extra help for one month and that everything will fall into place with the other resources I am seeking. Lord knows, the economic times being what they are, not many of us can afford donations of any kind. Please consider helping my son financially if you are able, but if you are not, the page has a section called "Hugs" where you can just leave words of encouragement and even advice on who we can turn to for help during this trying time.
And now, as I knew would happen, my cheeks are beginning to feel hot and my pride is a bit bruised and I am embarassed to be having to ask for any type of handout but, being a mother, we do anything necessary (within the constraints of the law and morality, of course) for our children.
Thank you so much for listening!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Post-chemo update...
Raymond got through the first 5-day cycle of chemotherapy. He wasn't nauseated during those 5 days, but he is now. He is also starting to lose his hair, which bums him out.
His grandma came to visit him on Saturday and he was so sick that he couldn't even stay out of bed.
He is having migraine headaches every day. I'm assuming it's from the chemo drugs coursing through his body. The doctor prescribed him some pain meds, but the stupid insurance WellDyneRx is not covering it. I've started a fundraiser to try to help alleviate the expenses of medicines that the insurance won't cover and transportation to and from treatment, etc. The link to the fundraiser is:
Raymondshope (Raymond's Hope)
His grandma came to visit him on Saturday and he was so sick that he couldn't even stay out of bed.
He is having migraine headaches every day. I'm assuming it's from the chemo drugs coursing through his body. The doctor prescribed him some pain meds, but the stupid insurance WellDyneRx is not covering it. I've started a fundraiser to try to help alleviate the expenses of medicines that the insurance won't cover and transportation to and from treatment, etc. The link to the fundraiser is:
Raymondshope (Raymond's Hope)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
It's Official....
Well, it's official. Raymond's chemotherapy starts on Monday @8:30am.
His pulmonary function test indicated that his lungs are not strong enough for one of the chemo drugs, so he has to do the other 2 chemo drugs 5 times/week for one week out of each month for 4 months. He has to do 4 cycles of the chemo.
He was all irritated the other day, so I didn't bring it up to the doctor, but when I can get her by herself away from him, I'm going to ask her what the CAT scan of his lungs showed. She seemed concerned. And she wanted to do CAT scan of his abdomen, but by this time, he was tired, irritated, and just wanted to go home. He promised me that he would let her do the abdomen CAT on Monday. She said she needs to get a "baseline" before the chemo starts.
So, keep him in your prayers especially this week. Pray that God give him the strength he needs to endure the coming week.
Already, I have to call Polk County Healthcare because they're not covering 2 of the 3 prescriptions that the doc wrote for him.
His pulmonary function test indicated that his lungs are not strong enough for one of the chemo drugs, so he has to do the other 2 chemo drugs 5 times/week for one week out of each month for 4 months. He has to do 4 cycles of the chemo.
He was all irritated the other day, so I didn't bring it up to the doctor, but when I can get her by herself away from him, I'm going to ask her what the CAT scan of his lungs showed. She seemed concerned. And she wanted to do CAT scan of his abdomen, but by this time, he was tired, irritated, and just wanted to go home. He promised me that he would let her do the abdomen CAT on Monday. She said she needs to get a "baseline" before the chemo starts.
So, keep him in your prayers especially this week. Pray that God give him the strength he needs to endure the coming week.
Already, I have to call Polk County Healthcare because they're not covering 2 of the 3 prescriptions that the doc wrote for him.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Going to See the Surgeon for Follow up Consultation Today...
Well, today is the day I've been dreading. We go see Raymond's surgeon. The nurse kept calling and saying that it was "imperative" that we get in there for the follow up appointment, but then would reschedule if he hadn't heard anything about the insurance yet.
This doctor is the one who told me that it did look malignant but he'd wait for the biopsy to tell for sure.
Needless to say, I'm nervous.
I'm thinking positive thoughts though. I'll update you later.
This doctor is the one who told me that it did look malignant but he'd wait for the biopsy to tell for sure.
Needless to say, I'm nervous.
I'm thinking positive thoughts though. I'll update you later.
Update after the doctor's appointment...
Yesterday, at the urologist, we were informed that traces of the cancer had been found in the blood vessels around where they removed the mass!
That explains why they want to do the chemotherapy. We have to go to the hospital on Thursday for something they call a "pulmonary function" test. He said that the chemo is rough on the lungs and they have to test to make sure they are strong enough. After that, they will schedule his chemo to start and it will be 3 days per week for 6 hours each time. I thought that the chemo was only once/week. I'm glad that Jordan is here to help me with him. He's not looking forward to it, obviously. Please send words of encouragement to him on his fb page (link is on the "Meet Raymond" page) or through comments here.
That explains why they want to do the chemotherapy. We have to go to the hospital on Thursday for something they call a "pulmonary function" test. He said that the chemo is rough on the lungs and they have to test to make sure they are strong enough. After that, they will schedule his chemo to start and it will be 3 days per week for 6 hours each time. I thought that the chemo was only once/week. I'm glad that Jordan is here to help me with him. He's not looking forward to it, obviously. Please send words of encouragement to him on his fb page (link is on the "Meet Raymond" page) or through comments here.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Our half of the family is WAY MORE than the whole...
I've given it a week to see if any of Raymond's paternal side would either comment here, or get in touch with him. Nothing. No concern whatsoever from his dad's side of the family. Well, his dad pretty much wrote him off as soon as he was diagnosed with bipolar years ago. Raymond Young, Sr. doesn't tolerate anyone who is not perfect in his eyes. So, they've bickered back and forth over the years and Ray Sr. (sorry, Raymond Jr., it was my idea to name you after your dad. Had I known how he'd really turn out....) told him to never contact him again. Nice dad, huh? That was my last attempt to contact any of them. They don't deserve to know how he's doing... and wouldn't care in the least anyways.
Well, at least he knows his maternal family love him. His Grandma Carol was there with him the day of his surgery, his cousins Amy and Ericka have both contacted him via phone and fb... his Aunt Denise also, his Aunt Theresa sent her love through Maddi, whom he has also talked to on fb, and Jordan was not only there the day of his surgery, he's moved here with us to be with him. Aunt Tammy calls nearly every day, and is trying also to help find information regarding his cancer. And she wants to come here in June to be with him.
I can put his dad's family out of my mind... I just hope that he can. I know it bothers him that his dad is so absent from him, but he also knows the Sr. is an ass so I think he's already come to terms with that. But Grandma & Pap Young, Kolten, Marissa, Uncle Blaine, Aunt Jewel, and Aunt Pam... they are a different story. He'd like to know that they care, or at least would like to think they do.
He never reads this blog, and I didn't tell him that I sent out the link to the Youngs, so hopefully their non-response won't be something that weighs heavy on his heart.
Dr./medical update: went to urologist on Wednesday, but somebody screwed up his appointment date and he had to reschedule. New appointment is this Tuesday @ 10:15am. I'm a little worried because the nurse said it's "imperative" that he get with this Dr. Oommen, who is the one that did the surgery. When questioned on if it is something life threatening, she only said "any surgery needs follow up care." While that's understandable, it's not what I would call "imperative". However, by that time, Raymond had walked out because he was upset about the appointment screw up so she wouldn't say any more than that about it. I guess we'll find out on Tuesday.
I'll keep you posted (even though I'm still slightly suspicious that I'm talking to myself as I receive little to no feedback...).
Well, at least he knows his maternal family love him. His Grandma Carol was there with him the day of his surgery, his cousins Amy and Ericka have both contacted him via phone and fb... his Aunt Denise also, his Aunt Theresa sent her love through Maddi, whom he has also talked to on fb, and Jordan was not only there the day of his surgery, he's moved here with us to be with him. Aunt Tammy calls nearly every day, and is trying also to help find information regarding his cancer. And she wants to come here in June to be with him.
I can put his dad's family out of my mind... I just hope that he can. I know it bothers him that his dad is so absent from him, but he also knows the Sr. is an ass so I think he's already come to terms with that. But Grandma & Pap Young, Kolten, Marissa, Uncle Blaine, Aunt Jewel, and Aunt Pam... they are a different story. He'd like to know that they care, or at least would like to think they do.
He never reads this blog, and I didn't tell him that I sent out the link to the Youngs, so hopefully their non-response won't be something that weighs heavy on his heart.
Dr./medical update: went to urologist on Wednesday, but somebody screwed up his appointment date and he had to reschedule. New appointment is this Tuesday @ 10:15am. I'm a little worried because the nurse said it's "imperative" that he get with this Dr. Oommen, who is the one that did the surgery. When questioned on if it is something life threatening, she only said "any surgery needs follow up care." While that's understandable, it's not what I would call "imperative". However, by that time, Raymond had walked out because he was upset about the appointment screw up so she wouldn't say any more than that about it. I guess we'll find out on Tuesday.
I'll keep you posted (even though I'm still slightly suspicious that I'm talking to myself as I receive little to no feedback...).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)