I Started Chemo Treatment Today

I debated about writing about this on our company blog. After much thought I concluded that there was important insurance related information that I could pass on to recently diagnosed cancer patients, patients under treatment and cancer survivors.

There are questions many people ask about covering the potential high costs of cancer treatment whether it be loss of time at work, potential high costs of drugs not covered under medical plans and all kinds of miscellaneous things that pop up. I plan to deal with very specific situations that people run into about life insurance and cancer, disability insurance, critical illness, long term care benefits etc. There is a lot to share. Things people need to know about handling their Group Insurance Benefits, Ontario Trillium Drug Benefit Plan, etc will be discussed on an individual basis.

I plan to write at least every other day. I will deal with my personal situation, feelings, experiences etc under one blog title, and will deal with insurance matters in the next blog. I will share some stories that other cancer patients have shared with me. I invite comments, questions and your story.

This series will be about hope, faith and practical options.

If you read my bio you will see that I had cancer 12 years ago. On May 21, 1998 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was 49, in good health, and had no symptoms. A simple PSA test during my annual medical exam earlier in the year indicated that I should have further investigations. I did and the final diagnosis was given to me in May. My life changed that day. I started living my life "between appointments". Once the word cancer has been used in the same sentence as your own name, your life will not be the same. Cancer patients and survivors will understand that statement fully!

I had a successful radical prostectomy in September 1998.

In January 2009 a couple of suspicious "spots" showed up during a cat scan. They were investigated further and I was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. Uncommon/rare but dangerous. The last thing a cancer survivor ever wants to hear are," it's back" or ""again". The "silent terror" starts again. I was scheduled for chemotherapy and ultimately a stem cell transplant to commence in July 2009. By the grace of God, prior to my treatment, all signs of the cancer disappeared. The therapy was cancelled, I was monitored and I continued to live my life "between appointments".

On Labour Day weekend 2010 a lump showed up on my neck. Thank God I was given a sign to look into things again before there was a chance cancer would start running silently throughout my body and get out of control. More tests and I was told my mantle cell lymphoma was back. Best treatment is 6 sessions of chemo, followed by a stem cell transplant.

It's 8:00 pm Friday night as I write this. I filled 11 prescriptions Thursday as a lead up to this morning. I checked into the Juravinsky Cancer Centre at 9:00 this morning with my wonderful wife Isabell. The staff was caring and helpful. It is an amazing facility. By 9:45 the IV was in my arm and the treatment started. It was okay. At 11:15 we were on our way home. I am on a CHOPR treatment. I have to be back Monday at 8:00am for the R part. Apparently on the first round I need to be monitored very closely over 4-5 hours for potential adverse reactions.
I'll let you know.

I spent most of the afternoon laying around and feeling tired, but not feeling sick. I had a normal supper and took some more pills that I am on for 3-5 more days. My wife and I are very satisfied with our decision to take the treatments. Cancer treatment options are always the decision of the patient.

Sorry for the rant. I invite any and all questions or inquiries about insurance related matters or my personal experiences. I can offer over 25 years of insurance experience and 60+ years of living experience.