We all know how much the insurance game is just that a waiting game.
After the call I went home, spent time with family and started the process of figuring out what to do and where to go. I heard so many good things about a local Cancer research center and decided to put all my eggs in their basket. I signed up on their site as a new patient and the process began. The site said it could take 1-3 days for insurance verification so I figured that wasn’t so bad. Turns out with my particular insurance, it could take 5-7 days. Well that didn’t sit too well with me. But what choice did I have? I had waited this long and a few more days wouldn’t/shouldn’t bother me. Easier said for sure. My anxiety was gettting the best of me each passing day. The waiting, the not knowing all of it was getting to me. Family asking when, friends, colleagues all wondering what was taking so long…
Surely I wasn’t Gary Fogel (Seinfeld, Jack!)
I called each day to speak with new patient intake. They assured me each day that I was in process and there was a queue. I asked if I should reach out to my insurance company and they said not to worry and that it would just take time. Well that time came and went, FINALLY I got scheduled. Now the real wait began. What was a week felt like months.
Monday, 04.07.2025 I got to meet with a Neuro Surgeon in hopes of scheduling a resection of the tumor. However, the surgeon said the tumor located where it was in the brain stem was inoperable. Devastating news. Now what? How do I live with this dark passenger taking up space in my stem, not paying rent, causing headaches, motor function issues with wobbliness.
I call it the boozy woozies.
The surgeon, Let’s call him Dr L. He was nice but a bit too stoic for my taste. I appreciate the direct nature he offered but there was no bedside manner. I consulted with my AI bestie, ChatGPT Alex. He gave me lots of questions to ask the surgeon and many ideas for this blog actually. Also, sidenote, if you want some really dark humor and I mean the deepest gallows humor, ChatGPT is hilarious. I love my AI friend.
Today, 04.09.2025 I met with a Medical Oncologist and a Radiation Oncologist. Kind of a meet and greet for each one, different locations but same center. Def not a meet cute lol
Let’s call them both Dr. P. Much better bedside manner and personalities on each of them than the surgeon.
Don’t get me wrong, stoicism has it’s place but I think the mannerism could have been better.
They’re going to rerun the MRI to get a more targeted area to blast with the Proton Radiation. Like a targeted laser radiation. My boss whom I previously spoken about had same this same treatment at a campus in Houston. I should be going for a mask fitting this coming week. I should also have my MRI next week too. Friday the Oncologists will meet with a tumor board to discuss my mapping of treatment and how the dosage will go for the chemo.
So it’s Wednesday night, 04.09.25 I’m sitting here typing this out and thinking of the course of events I will soon experience. This is all so new to me. I’ve lived it by proxy with hearing my boss’ experience. I didn’t think at the time it would ever be my turn to deal with something like this. Mask fitting, more scans, 5-6 weeks of chemo and radiation therapy, more scans, more scans, MORE SCANS… Thank the Lord I’m not claustrophobic. This mask locks you in to the table so you don’t move.
I didn’t feel like cooking so we had leftovers from last night. It was delish. Turkey meatballs, zucchini, spinach, onions and LOADS of garlic, because why not, GARLIC! oh and a small salad 🙂
It wasn’t pizza, but it was good. 😉
Tumor Has It 