Introduction

Welcome to my blog about my mom, Loretta, and our journey through learning of her cancer and treatment.

Just a little background. Mom is 61 and hadn't been to a doctor in about 18 years until this past June 2011. The reason for this is due to the surmountable cost of insurance, even when your spouse has insurance it can be cost prohibitive.
So, Mom finally got approved by JPS in June and it was a good thing too, she had Basil cell carcinoma on the bridge of her nose. She underwent surgery to remove the tumor and plastic surgery reconstruction. She also has high blood pressure and Thyroid problems. We thought she was finally getting the attention she was missing and was going to be OK. Boy were we mistaken.
Mom started having some abdominal pain the first of January 2012. After talking with her and the pain getting worse, she finally agreed that she needed to go to the clinic or ER.
The following blog posts chronicle the events since then. Future posts will continue to explain treatment, issues concerning her condition and general comments.
I appreciate you taking the time to learn about what it means to be diagnosed and this type of cancer. Mom has been a trooper so far, she says "I'll beat this".

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

More Surprises

2/21/12 - Tuesday
I got all of our transportation and lodging taken care of for our trips to Tulsa on Friday and UTSA on Monday. We will be staying with a friend in Tulsa, Ron & Nelda were more than happy to let us stay with them. Our friend Sherry is going to let us use her new car to make both trips. Its a Kia Rio and gets about 30 mpg, a nice savings seeing as how gas is around $3.50 right now.
I texted my brother to let him know we got the appt with St John and our plans. He offered to help pay for some expenses. That was a nice thing too, because the visit cost for St Johns is anywhere from $50 to $300.
I told Gran and Mom about Michael's offer to help with expenses and they were both overjoyed to hear that news. None of us had even talked about the cost of these trips or what we would do for expenses. I just figured I would pay for it however I could. The cost wasn't an option of deterrent in my opinion.
My Uncle in Louisinana, Bill, sent me a FB message about a government and state program that offers a preexisting insurance plan and programs that support the payment of the premiums.
PCIP.GOV is where you sign up for the insurance plan and CHAP.TEXAS.GOV is the state agency in Texas that will help pay all or part of the premium. I filled out the online application for PCIP and all I need is a letter from her Dr to get it sent off.
Mom had her Dr's appt with her primary at 4pm. Dr said that mom needed some additional antibiotics and refilled her pain pills. Said that Mom should carefully watch her temperature and if it starts spiking again she needs to go to the ER. She said the new pain was to be expected.

2/22/12 - Wednesday
Mom's out running errands and off to another Dr's appt today, this time with the gastroenterologist for a follow up on her stent.
I came to work to find an new email from CTCA in my inbox.. Let's see what they said this time:

Hi Sondra, I was informed of the email that was sent to you on February 14th and I wanted to let you know that our nurse advisor reviewed your mother’s records and I would like to discuss it with you when you have a minute.  Please give me a call.  I look forward to speaking with you.

OK! Guess I'll call them when I'm at lunch today and see whats up..

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