http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?n=becki-stevens&pid=153286585
Becki and I were in the same graduating class of Brighton High School 1975, Cottonwood Heights, Utah. We did not run in the same circle. I did not know her well. I don't know any of the circumstances of her battle with MM.
What I do know is that she was a wife and a mother of five and that she has gone ahead to do other works.
May Becki's family know the love of our Savior and his plan for us.
Rest peacefully,
Vannette
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
A Busy Week Ahead
D-Pace was tentatively scheduled for September 06, the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend. Today we received a call moving that date up to this Thursday, September 01.
Tests at the Huntsman all day tomorrow. Home on Wednesday; get things packed to stay in Salt Lake for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks if all goes well. Back to Salt Lake either Wednesday evening or early, early Thursday morning. It is about a 3 hour drive. Hopefully not more with all of the road construction going on.
We also heard briefly from the insurance company that an arbitrator has been chosen. We did have input on that. Scheduling is still unsettled. I'm hoping that the arbitration session can take place while we are in Salt Lake.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Tests at the Huntsman all day tomorrow. Home on Wednesday; get things packed to stay in Salt Lake for 1 1/2 to 2 weeks if all goes well. Back to Salt Lake either Wednesday evening or early, early Thursday morning. It is about a 3 hour drive. Hopefully not more with all of the road construction going on.
We also heard briefly from the insurance company that an arbitrator has been chosen. We did have input on that. Scheduling is still unsettled. I'm hoping that the arbitration session can take place while we are in Salt Lake.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Saturday, August 27, 2011
WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST:
In the Intermediate-Risk column Glen has the * Cytogenetic Deletion 13 or hypodiploidy, and in the High-Risk column he has the * FISH, Del 17p. This puts Glen in less that 1% of all myeloma patients. THIS, is why they are stating that he is "too high-risk" and does not qualify for the second SCT that he needs to prolong his life.
FRUSTRATING to say the least.
We submitted our request for arbitation yesterday. Hopefully that will be scheduled soon.
While life is a challenge with cancer on a daily basis, today I send prayers for all those who are being affected by Hurrican Irene. May God protect, guide and direct you during this time.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
D-PACE and Arbitration
August 24, 2011
Glen and I traveled yesterday out to Salt Lake City to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital where he is being treated . He was scheduled for an iron infusion and also a line study. His port has been bothering him. Everything checked out okay.
For any of you who follow Kris Kelly, we too, see the belgium doctor on floor 2, clinic b. Thanks Kris for your post yesterday. (I really do know how to spell "belgium"). You really can't get better than perfect and we are so elated for you.
For a second stem cell transplant to be effective Dr. Tricot is recommending that it take place within 6 months of the first transplant. Glen's first transplant took place in April. With the appeals process being as it has we are approaching 5 months post-transplant and time is very critical now.
Our next option for approval is through arbitration. This can be lengthy but it is our only option. We are going to move forward with that. In the mean time Dr. Tricot has scheduled Glen to begin a round of D-PACE beginninig September 6th. This is treatment that would be part of pre-transplant anyway. We will need to be away from home for at least one and a half weeks.
We have arrangements to make . . . . . :) this is me --- off and running.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Glen and I traveled yesterday out to Salt Lake City to the Huntsman Cancer Hospital where he is being treated . He was scheduled for an iron infusion and also a line study. His port has been bothering him. Everything checked out okay.
For any of you who follow Kris Kelly, we too, see the belgium doctor on floor 2, clinic b. Thanks Kris for your post yesterday. (I really do know how to spell "belgium"). You really can't get better than perfect and we are so elated for you.
For a second stem cell transplant to be effective Dr. Tricot is recommending that it take place within 6 months of the first transplant. Glen's first transplant took place in April. With the appeals process being as it has we are approaching 5 months post-transplant and time is very critical now.
Our next option for approval is through arbitration. This can be lengthy but it is our only option. We are going to move forward with that. In the mean time Dr. Tricot has scheduled Glen to begin a round of D-PACE beginninig September 6th. This is treatment that would be part of pre-transplant anyway. We will need to be away from home for at least one and a half weeks.
We have arrangements to make . . . . . :) this is me --- off and running.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Saturday, August 13, 2011
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR: DENIALS
Glen received word by way of a telephone call early Friday morning the 12th that yet again his request for approval for a second ASCT was denied.
Here are portions of a signed letter that came by email at our request:
Dear Mr. Ross:
The HIPUtah 3rd Level Appeals Committee ("Committee") met on August 10, 2011 to consider your appeal in regard to the denial of benefit coverage under your HIPUtah plan for a second autologous stem cell transplant. Please know that this Committee reviewed every aspect of your appeal, deliberated on your request for some time, and took into account the emotional and physical suffering you are experiencing.
..............All prior reviews denied your requested services based on your condition not meeting specific criteria as established in SelectHealth's Bone Marrow Transplantation Policy #105, under Human Stem Cell Transplantation. This Committee feels that our administrator, SelectHealth, conducted due diligence in the review of this matter.
The Committee thoroughly reviewed studies presented in the appeal along with SelectHealth's current policy, as stated above, and other scientific documentation presented on this medical service. In addition we reviewed your request, your medical information, and the additional information provided by Dr. Tricot and yourself, relating to your appeal. Based on this information, the Committee voted to deny the appeal based on you not being a candidate for a second transplant based on the mSMART criteria as you are considered a high risk individual with a deletion of 17p13. This Committee feels that SelectHealth has a solid policy on this issue which was derived on evidence-based medicine. In addition, outside entities have reviewed the appeal and presented a determination with the same conclusion. It was determined that no new significant data or information was presented that would support us covering of the second transplant at this time.
If you have further . . . . . . . .
If you wish to continue your appeal of the denial of coverage, a voluntary review through arbitration is available to you under your contract. Arbitration in the final level of appeal through which a dispute may be settled. . . . . . . .
mSMART: Mayo Stratification for Myeloma And Risk-adapted Therapy
One SCT is known as the "Mayo" method while a double or tandem SCT is known as the "Arkansas" method. This Committee looked at the Mayo data and said no new "significant" data was presented. I beg to differ. Dr. Tricot has patients that are still living 10 years post-transplant. Glen was placed in a study so that "data" will be available. His "data" cannot continue if treatment is denied. He will be removed from the study.
I am too upset to continue on with this. It is 12:35am. Obviously I am not asleep. I feel like the woman in the commercial that calls in and gets "PEGGY", asks for a supervisor, gets transferred a number of times until she gets "PEGGY" (Peggy with a beard, Peggy), then stomps her foot while screaming
"COME ON"
Vannette
Here are portions of a signed letter that came by email at our request:
Dear Mr. Ross:
The HIPUtah 3rd Level Appeals Committee ("Committee") met on August 10, 2011 to consider your appeal in regard to the denial of benefit coverage under your HIPUtah plan for a second autologous stem cell transplant. Please know that this Committee reviewed every aspect of your appeal, deliberated on your request for some time, and took into account the emotional and physical suffering you are experiencing.
..............All prior reviews denied your requested services based on your condition not meeting specific criteria as established in SelectHealth's Bone Marrow Transplantation Policy #105, under Human Stem Cell Transplantation. This Committee feels that our administrator, SelectHealth, conducted due diligence in the review of this matter.
The Committee thoroughly reviewed studies presented in the appeal along with SelectHealth's current policy, as stated above, and other scientific documentation presented on this medical service. In addition we reviewed your request, your medical information, and the additional information provided by Dr. Tricot and yourself, relating to your appeal. Based on this information, the Committee voted to deny the appeal based on you not being a candidate for a second transplant based on the mSMART criteria as you are considered a high risk individual with a deletion of 17p13. This Committee feels that SelectHealth has a solid policy on this issue which was derived on evidence-based medicine. In addition, outside entities have reviewed the appeal and presented a determination with the same conclusion. It was determined that no new significant data or information was presented that would support us covering of the second transplant at this time.
If you have further . . . . . . . .
If you wish to continue your appeal of the denial of coverage, a voluntary review through arbitration is available to you under your contract. Arbitration in the final level of appeal through which a dispute may be settled. . . . . . . .
mSMART: Mayo Stratification for Myeloma And Risk-adapted Therapy
One SCT is known as the "Mayo" method while a double or tandem SCT is known as the "Arkansas" method. This Committee looked at the Mayo data and said no new "significant" data was presented. I beg to differ. Dr. Tricot has patients that are still living 10 years post-transplant. Glen was placed in a study so that "data" will be available. His "data" cannot continue if treatment is denied. He will be removed from the study.
I am too upset to continue on with this. It is 12:35am. Obviously I am not asleep. I feel like the woman in the commercial that calls in and gets "PEGGY", asks for a supervisor, gets transferred a number of times until she gets "PEGGY" (Peggy with a beard, Peggy), then stomps her foot while screaming
"COME ON"
Vannette
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Juggling Act
I love watching jugglers. I however, have never been coordinated enough to master this talent. Tonight I am alone for a short while. I'm feeling a bit melancholy for I have been working hard at my own juggling act for just over one year now.
I can't pretend to know how anyone feels to have a devastating disease. I do struggle with depression and have for years. My role as caregiver has been a wake up call for me. I know that I am capable of doing more than I do. Its not always easy and I have no more choice at this role than my husband does bearing the role of a cancer patient / survivor.
At the time of Glen's diagnosis in July 2010 my mother had been ill for a good year before that. My sister and I were already quite familiar with what it meant to hold down a chair in a doctor's office or hospital room. Then came the time when both my mother and my husband were each ill and undergoing different treatment options. I truly am grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing Glen to withstand his treatments as well as he did. At times I would leave his side to be with my mother.
My mother passed away on April 05, this year; in the middle of Glen's stem cell transplant. Life events such as death cannot be coordinated with any other event in one's life. It happens. As a family we were able to make arrangements for a funeral without interferring with the remainder of Glen's treatment. I personally missed being with Glen when he had the second dose of Melphalan but surprised him the following morning to be there with him when he received his stem cells. Priceless.
That one day of treatment is the only day that I have not been right next to my husband. Words aren't enough. Glen's income stopped with his diagnosis, I did not work outside our home, we managed six months of treatment with no insurance. Our church leader, Bishop Peck, told us we would be okay. A year ago he told us that. And we are.
I love my husband dearly. We have the support of our five children, our families, our church family and our community. In that I would say "life is good" as we continue on our journey and sometimes our juggling act to whatever we may meet just around the corner.
Keep Strong, Vannette
I can't pretend to know how anyone feels to have a devastating disease. I do struggle with depression and have for years. My role as caregiver has been a wake up call for me. I know that I am capable of doing more than I do. Its not always easy and I have no more choice at this role than my husband does bearing the role of a cancer patient / survivor.
At the time of Glen's diagnosis in July 2010 my mother had been ill for a good year before that. My sister and I were already quite familiar with what it meant to hold down a chair in a doctor's office or hospital room. Then came the time when both my mother and my husband were each ill and undergoing different treatment options. I truly am grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing Glen to withstand his treatments as well as he did. At times I would leave his side to be with my mother.
My mother passed away on April 05, this year; in the middle of Glen's stem cell transplant. Life events such as death cannot be coordinated with any other event in one's life. It happens. As a family we were able to make arrangements for a funeral without interferring with the remainder of Glen's treatment. I personally missed being with Glen when he had the second dose of Melphalan but surprised him the following morning to be there with him when he received his stem cells. Priceless.
That one day of treatment is the only day that I have not been right next to my husband. Words aren't enough. Glen's income stopped with his diagnosis, I did not work outside our home, we managed six months of treatment with no insurance. Our church leader, Bishop Peck, told us we would be okay. A year ago he told us that. And we are.
I love my husband dearly. We have the support of our five children, our families, our church family and our community. In that I would say "life is good" as we continue on our journey and sometimes our juggling act to whatever we may meet just around the corner.
Keep Strong, Vannette
Progress being made
I submitted a request for a review on a state level for the approval we are seeking for a second stem cell transplant for Glen. I do know that the request was received because I called the insurance office yesterday to confirm such. In that I was told that someone would be contacting us to schedule the review.
Today, mid-day we have not heard from anyone. I started making my own calls. I am learning as I go. My first thought was to talk to a state senator. Through that I was referred to the governor's office; more of a state level, not federal. Through that I was referred to the State Insurance Department. I spoke with a woman who made me feel that she was genuine in her concern over this issue. With a simple phone call from her to the insurance company she was informed of this information:
The person whom I was waiting for to call me was in transit, actually in her car, hand delivering all of the pertinent information to a member of the board for the HIP Pool for the State of Utah. All of this will be reviewed tomorrow and we were told that we will also be notified of their decision -- tomorrow -- !!
So . . . progress is being made even though we were not aware of it. This is good. This is a very good thing. I pray for a positive outcome to this. Three denials have been hard to swallow. Until tomorrow . . .
Keep Strong, Vannette
Today, mid-day we have not heard from anyone. I started making my own calls. I am learning as I go. My first thought was to talk to a state senator. Through that I was referred to the governor's office; more of a state level, not federal. Through that I was referred to the State Insurance Department. I spoke with a woman who made me feel that she was genuine in her concern over this issue. With a simple phone call from her to the insurance company she was informed of this information:
The person whom I was waiting for to call me was in transit, actually in her car, hand delivering all of the pertinent information to a member of the board for the HIP Pool for the State of Utah. All of this will be reviewed tomorrow and we were told that we will also be notified of their decision -- tomorrow -- !!
So . . . progress is being made even though we were not aware of it. This is good. This is a very good thing. I pray for a positive outcome to this. Three denials have been hard to swallow. Until tomorrow . . .
Keep Strong, Vannette
Friday, August 5, 2011
Appeal Denied . . . again!
Once again Glen's insurance company has denied second level appeal for a second stem cell transplant that his doctor considers critical. We simply do not understand.
Glen is covered through a policy made available through the State of Utah. The insurance company manages the account but the funds come from the state. We do have one more appeal left and that will be to the state. It has already been submitted.
Time is so critical now. If this second transplant is going to happen it needs to be now.
Trying to Keep Stong,
Vannette
Glen is covered through a policy made available through the State of Utah. The insurance company manages the account but the funds come from the state. We do have one more appeal left and that will be to the state. It has already been submitted.
Time is so critical now. If this second transplant is going to happen it needs to be now.
Trying to Keep Stong,
Vannette
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)