More of the Same

May 1st

One thing I have not really talked about is insurance and the leave of absence from work side of this journey. In addition being your own advocate to ensure you get what you need WHEN you need it.

The advocate piece of this is exhausting – on top of already being exhausted from the disease and the treatment. My surgeons office scheduled me for an ultrasound and drainage and when I confirmed with the radiology department they didn’t have the drainage scheduled. So they rescheduled for two weeks later…what the F&$#. My pain was then not two weeks from then. My Dr office said they were working on it, but after 3 days and no return call, I tapped into my network and was able to get in for both within 24 hours! Hmmm why should I have to do this when I am supposed to be keeping my stress level very low! I know how busy the Dr’s office is so I am happy to help but it is not easy and doesn’t help with the recovery. Now we have done that and I can move on to the next.

Disability insurance company originally approved me for eight weeks of leave, even after my Dr requested four MONTHS. I challenged them at the time and they said that is how it works and they extend as needed! So they called me last week to see how it was going and if I was ready to go back to work…ah NO! They indicated they would need to contact the Dr and I was like why she already said 4 month recovery time…after a little back and forth I calmly said that I felt they may not fully understand the type of procedure I underwent. I explained that my digestive system was virtually removed, rerouted and put back in. In addition electrical shocks were given to the area and that over the last 2 weeks was kicking in to kill off the cancer tentacles. He said that he was going to talk to the nurses and get back to me…1 hour later he called very apologetic and said that he did not understand the severity of the issue – um what…”pancreatic cancer” what part of this diagnosis is not severe. He said he was so sorry and hoped he did not cause me any added stress, hmm well ok, too late now, but that I was approved till the end of July for leave! Ugh so much work that the patient should not have to deal with – BUT I did finally call the Bank’s leave group and they are fully engaged now and will take it from here – my bad for not realizing that they were there to help ME – I didn’t think my situation was grave enough for this benefit…shame on me!

So the last thing I have to worry about now is my leave and my work – I anticipate a return to work earlier than end of July but my wonderful manager has said – you are in the fight of your life and we will be here when you are ready for the return!

Two doctors appointments today and they are still pleased with my recovery but we’re very clear with me that I need not beat myself up with the slow pace. They think my recovery struggles are mechanical and not cancer related and that my digestive track is slow to get up and go…patients grasshopper patience!

I have not seen very many people due to my lack of energy and the fact that visitors take so much out of me – but I know you are all there and willing and praying me back to my old self! I don’t know what I would do with you this tribe of warriors – I hope the next post is full of better news!