No Radiation

Ma had an appointment this morning with Dr. Shank, the radiation oncologist. Dr. Shank feels that additional radiation will not help Ma at this stage. This is what I expected to hear.

Afterwards Ma had her port flushed. I keep forgetting to ask if Ma should have it removed, but maybe it's better to keep it just in case.

Crappy Insurance

I spent over an hour making phone calls to the online pharmacy and insurance company and the pharmaceutical company. It looks like the $366 copay is correct. That's $530 a month or $6350 a year. I thought Ma had good insurance but apparently not when it comes to her chemo pills.

Xeloda Arrived Today

Ma's pills arrived today, and she took her first dose of 3 pills tonight. She'll be taking them twice a day for the next two weeks, then she gets a week off. If she gets severe side effects, the oncologist can adjust the dosage.

Ma ordered her Xeloda online hoping that will save money, but the online pharmacy claims she has a copay of $366. That's too much! I hope it's just a billing error. According to the manufacturer (Roche), Xeloda is covered under Medicare Part B. I suspect the pharmacy is erroneously charging her meds under Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). Apparently a lot of pharmacies don't know how to bill oral cancer medications. Roche even provides the correct billing codes. I'm hoping we can clear this up in the next few days.

Skin Metastasis

Ma's cancer has spread to her skin. The symptoms: red, itchy skin on one breast only (the one that got a lumpectomy) along with tumor nodules. The treatment: An oral chemo called Xeloda. It's milder than IV chemo. The worst side effects are diarrhea and hand & foot syndrome. Hair loss and nausea, while possible, are less likely to happen.

Ma will take 3 pills (500 mg. each) in the morning and 3 pills at night every day for two weeks, take one week off, then start the cycle all over again. She'll be on it indefinitely.