Managed Care

I finally spoke with someone at the California Department of Managed care and have a state attorney on my side.  I'm going to try to get my HMO to pay for my treatment with Dr. C.  The rule is they don't have to pay for any care not at one of their facilities.  It took a lot out of me today to deal with this.  I'm miserable about not having the freedom to go where ever I want for the best care.  I'm not optimistic that we can prevail, it seems like such a racket and these big health care corporations have so much power.  How did it get like this?  How do Americans sit and take this?  Worse, cry communism when someone complains about the system.  I was disappointed when I took a good look at Obama's Health Care plan that it doesn't help me out.  It really only helps the very poor, which is a good thing, but what about the rest of us?  There must be many people like me, the under-insured.
This is the third collage in my cell series.  I finally think I was successful at using the ancient Egyptian pieces with my mid-century imagery.  Again, this is about treatment.  I'll post a better image when I get back.

je vais a paris

I leave tomorrow for my big vacation, 2 weeks in Europe, 9 days in Paris.  I can't believe I'm going.  I put the trip out of my mind to concentrate on managing my health, but it's happening!  Colette and JP have graciously lent us their flat in the 7th Arondisement.  Merci!  It gives me the chance to get to know the city and not have to rush through the sights.  I don't know how bad my side effects will be, but that reduced dose of Ixempra left me less beat up than last time.  Of course, my white blood cell count is down, so I can easily catch something traveling.  I think I will be wearing a lovely mask with a ventilator on the plane.  Yes, my friends, its a glamorous life.
This is another in the cell series of collages, this time I've gone back to my early 1950's Mademoiselle magazines.  A bientot!

Round 2 of Chemo

After a bit of a debate, I just got round two of my Ixempra IV chemotherapy yesterday.  My local oncologist recommended putting it off until after my trip to Europe next week.  It was tempting.  My consulting Onc. in Philadelphia, Dr. C advised against putting it off.  It was an impossible decision.  Since there's no cure, how do you decide?  After much stress, I decided I committed to follow Dr. C for now, and took a slightly reduced dose of Ixempra.
Like clockwork, my hair fell out almost 3 weeks to the day of my first infusion.  I have a few tiny tufts and some fringe of bangs.  But not for long.  I made the decision to go to a fancy custom wig maker today, to see what he can do for me.  Stay tuned.
This is one of my new collage pieces.  I made this one shortly after my liver biopsy, but I think is generally a reflection of my treatment.  She is from a turn 1909 Ladies Home Journal -- an Ad for her extremely uncomfortable girdle.  She looks so sad in it!  It sure doesn't make me want to order a Warner's Rust-Proof Corset.