It's a rainy, dreary day, but the grass is green and the trees are looking full and beautiful outside. I had an earlier-than-usual appointment today, and getting up and going quickly so early caused the new normal nausea. Thank goodness for Zofran!!!
My mom and sister and namesake niece are in town, which is great. Staying up til 2:30 helping slowing down my sister on a barstool recovering project might have also contributed to the sickly morning, but the ab workout from the laughter makes up for it! (Mom drove me to chemo to check out my new stomping grounds! *No photo of late night antics with sister. Just trust me, though--we are hilarious and talented and amazing at DIY projects after midnight!)
I received a letter yesterday from my insurance company informing me that they were declining the P of my H+P regimen. According to their information, Perjeta is not medically necessary in my case.
"There is not documentation that this medication is being used with another medication called docetaxel. It is therefor not medically necessary per Heath Care Service Corporation medical policy RX502.034."
I've got news for you, Ms. RX502.034. I can give you documentation of the necessity of this drug. I have pages and pages of medical records showing that I have been taking perjeta to treat Her2 positive metastatic breast cancer, with successful results. I also have documentation that my survival rate is LOW, LOW, low, but, my health care professionals believe H + P = staying alive in my case. Against all odds of surviving stage IV cancer, I have continued to receive perjeta to fight this demon disease. And, guess what?
I'M STILL HERE.
Perhaps my story doesn't provide enough data for your big, bad, insurance company to pay attention to, but but it's enough documentation for me to keep fighting for my own care.
I know I have Pink Warriors on my side.
*one of my sweet nurses, Tessa, has been waiting for me for weeks. She's been telling the new nurse all about me and couldn't wait to surprise me with two more wigs to add to my collection.
"They are colorful and someone donated them, but not everyone would wear them. I immediately thought of you!"
So, Ms. RX502.034, quit being a jerk and give me a fighting chance.
But, if not, I will continue to kick cancer's butt.
I have people counting on me.
