Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Health Update

Yesterday, as you know, I had some tests at M.D. Anderson (no math was involved).  Today I got the results from the doctor.  She said that my condition was “stable,” but with the harsh chemo I was getting, stable wasn’t good enough.  She wants improvement.  Who doesn’t?  So she’s starting me on a new form of chemo.  This will require me to take pills, four of them a day.  She told me that a month’s supply was $5000.  The nurse practitioner later said a month’s supply was $8000.  Either way, those are some expensive pills.  To everyone’s surprise, the insurance approved the pills.  I’m sure glad I have insurance.  I start taking the pills tomorrow.  The side-effects will supposedly be somewhat the same as the current chemo, but with a few other things tossed in.  So I’ll just have to see  how I tolerate this stuff.  I tolerated the other chemo just fine, but of course it wasn’t working, so it didn’t matter.  I appreciate all your prayers, good karma, good thoughts,0 and support, so keep it up!

21 comments:

Cap'n Bob said...

I hope the pills do the trick. Fingers, legs, and eyes are crossed.

michael said...

Hanging in there with you all the way!

J. Kingston Pierce said...

I'm glad to hear that hope rules the horizon! Stay optimistic, Bill.

Jerry House said...

For that money the pills should darn well better heal you...while also cleaning your refrigerator, doing your windows, and washing and waxing your car! Stay strong, Bill; you have an army of friends pulling for you.

Rick Ollerman said...

Best wishes as always, Bill....

Rick Robinson said...

Sounds like soon you'll be glowing all over. Sure hope this does the trick. I'm glad the insurance covered the pills, but those prices are murder, and greed to the worse degree. Damn big pharm.

As Jerry says, you have an army of friends and well-wishers behind you, rooting for good results as hard as they can.

George said...

Good insurance comes through again! I'm sure pills that cost $8000 a month will work wonders!

Kathy said...

You are so fortunate that insurance pays for those pills. Sending good vibes your way and hoping for the best. Hang in there! My love to the VBKs.

James Reasoner said...

Sending all kinds of good thoughts your way. And I'm shocked the insurance covered the pills, too.

Unknown said...

Good wishes duly proffered. Onward!

Steve Oerkfitz said...

Good luck. Glad your insurance paid up. I had to drop one of my diabetes meds since it went up to over $500 a month when I lost my old insurance and had to pick up another one.

pattinase (abbott) said...

A friend takes a pill every day and has for eight years (some sort of blood cancer but not myeloma). There have been some adjustments, but on the whole, he still practices law and seems fine. I am sure your response will be the same. His pill costs $40,000 a year!

Richard Krauss said...

Thanks for the update. Best wishes for handling those spendy pills. Keep them away from the cats.

SteveHL said...

As always, best of luck.

Unknown said...

My husband has been doing the pill thing for about 6 months now. The expense horrified us as well. The good news is that those expensive little boogers are working. He is tired some days, and he doesn't have a much hair as he used to but he is as handsome as ever! Thinking good thoughts for you.

Rick said...

In my thoughts, as always, Bill.
(Rick Libott)

Vince said...

Keeping you in our thoughts, Bill. All the best to you.

Gerard Saylor said...

Dang. I hope things keep getting better.

Howard said...

Holy crap, I thought my blood thinner was expensive. Well, it's only relative. My best wishes to you for success, and without side effects!

Gerald So said...

Thanks for the update, Bill. All the best.

Todd Mason said...

And more hoping that there's not much difference, or even fewer, side effects with the new meds.

FWIW, insurance companies have ways of paying less than you would. What a riculous system we have...may it keep working at least this well for you.