Insurance

BlueShield had been "Suspending processing due to eligibility investigation". All my explanation of benefits had zeroes in all the columns, except what was being claimed, with a footnote to the suspended processing note. I got this 3am email with tons of claims re-examined more properly. Now I just have to audit what they have me co-paying because I know that at least one was wrong by a couple thousand and wasn't fixed when they took the suspension off.

They give no explanation for what was being investigated and refused to let me talk to anyone that knew anything about it. The claims help line said that the department cannot be called by a client. No info. on the form and no info. by phone: very nice. Well it's fixed now...

tests

Cheri and I went to USC for all the pre-therapy tests. Blood, brain mri, lung test and a CAT scan of my abdomen. It took all day (till about 2pm and then getting home before 4pm). Running around and getting blood drawn, an IV put in, drinking the icky "contrast" barium for the CAT and getting the contrast injected in the IV for both tests wasn't rough but it's a long day...

Appointment

We saw the oncologist and set up tests for 1/26/2010 that are needed prior to starting the high dose IL-2 therapy. A brain MRI, torso CAT and PFT lung test. We see the doctor again on 2/3 when he will give us the test results and probably schedule me for the first week hospital stay to start 2/7.

Staples

I got my staples out Wednesday. Ow. Some nice pinching but no worse that a teeth cleaning with that pin they use to measure your pockets. Youtube actually has video of surgical staple removals and even a kidney removal. Ick. I see the Oncologist on 1/20 to set up some tests before the HD IL-2 therapy. I walked over 2 miles today so mobility is pretty good even if I still can't lean on my right side or move my torso much (bending is baaaad).

I'm doing a lot better. I can take long walks. I don't need vicodin any longer. I went to work for a bit. Today I go to get the staples out. Recovery couldn't go much better from such a big surgery. I'm still eating as much as I can since I lost a few pounds since coming back. Healing must burn a lot of calories because I've ingested a good amount.