We arrived at the Uintah Basin Medical Center (UBMC) at six o'clock this morning for the birth of our newest grandson. It has been an extremely long day now approaching nine pm. No baby yet.
I wanted to have at least this short entry on this date of September 27, 2011 for the history books as I believe we will have baby before midnight. I, however am signing off
and will continue this when there is more to tell.
A prayer in my heart,
Grandma Ross
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
HOWITZER vs. BB GUN
This past Thursday, September 22, 2011 was our session with the arbitrator whom I will call Mr. T., the HIPUtah Executive Director , an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah, Glen's doctor, Dr. Tricot, ourselves, Glen and Vannette and by speaker phone, a doctor who sat in on the board (I believe, trying to keep all my facts straight) on the last appeals level.
Our session lasted about three hours wherein much was discussed. We are to have an answer by the end of this coming week. The arbitrator has the right to reverse the denial, however, he will have to be able to justify his decision. The biggest obstacle to overcome is finding a loop hole contractually. If that makes sense. I will cover more when the decision comes in.
Dr. Tricot and Dr. Gxxxxx had an extreme difference of opinion about the care Glen should be receiving. They went head to head over the NCCN guidelines for treating MM. Dr. Tricot as well as the arbitrator are having a hard time understanding why and "Internist" has been given this privilege rather than a myeloma specialist. After Dr. Tricot had left the room and Dr. Gxxxxx had been dismissed by telephone the arbitrator made a comparison. Dr. Tricot being a HOWITZER and Dr. Gxxxxx being a BB GUN!!!!!
Glen and I had too much fun with this during our drive home.
Please continue to offer prayers in Glen's behalf. We are so grateful for all those who are supporting us. Thank you. We'll be letting you know the outcome of all of this.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Our session lasted about three hours wherein much was discussed. We are to have an answer by the end of this coming week. The arbitrator has the right to reverse the denial, however, he will have to be able to justify his decision. The biggest obstacle to overcome is finding a loop hole contractually. If that makes sense. I will cover more when the decision comes in.
Dr. Tricot and Dr. Gxxxxx had an extreme difference of opinion about the care Glen should be receiving. They went head to head over the NCCN guidelines for treating MM. Dr. Tricot as well as the arbitrator are having a hard time understanding why and "Internist" has been given this privilege rather than a myeloma specialist. After Dr. Tricot had left the room and Dr. Gxxxxx had been dismissed by telephone the arbitrator made a comparison. Dr. Tricot being a HOWITZER and Dr. Gxxxxx being a BB GUN!!!!!
Glen and I had too much fun with this during our drive home.
Please continue to offer prayers in Glen's behalf. We are so grateful for all those who are supporting us. Thank you. We'll be letting you know the outcome of all of this.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONEASHA
Our daughter, Moneasha LaMae (Mo nee sha ) was born thirty-two years ago today.
She is the expectant mother. Moneasha thinks that her new son should have a birthday of his own so she is not hoping to have him this day. (no signs of that happening). She is beautiful both inside and out. She is compassionate and considerate of others. At the present she is in school training to be a medical assistant. We know that she will do well as she has the traits to serve the public well.
My mother's name is LaZon. My sister's name is Vickie Mae. I threw the La and the Mae together for Moneasha's middle name. LaMae! I'm finding that while I thought it was unique, its not. Her name has special meaning to us and that's what counts.
Happy Birthday Little Darlin', (that's what her grandmother called her). We love you so very much.
Dad and Mom
ps: I also created Moneasha's first name. Kind of a long story. Let me just say, NO, we are not from the South. She gets teased alot. Her mama is just a small town country girl from a little corner in Utah.
My mother's name is LaZon. My sister's name is Vickie Mae. I threw the La and the Mae together for Moneasha's middle name. LaMae! I'm finding that while I thought it was unique, its not. Her name has special meaning to us and that's what counts.
Happy Birthday Little Darlin', (that's what her grandmother called her). We love you so very much.
Dad and Mom
ps: I also created Moneasha's first name. Kind of a long story. Let me just say, NO, we are not from the South. She gets teased alot. Her mama is just a small town country girl from a little corner in Utah.
Home again, home again, jiggity jig!
Yesterday, September 12, Glen's counts were recovered well enough for us to get to come home. Once again he exceeded the projected dates of recovery from the D-PACE making it possible to come home sooner than later. While he did experience a lot of nausea, he did not throw up, did not need any infusions or have any other side affects. He is, however, wiped out. He has very little strength and stamina. This is hard for him because he is a "doer". He has a hard time sitting still and not feeling like he is accomplishing anything.
Beginning next Monday the 19th he will begin cycles of VTD. Twice a week, every other week. So . . . that next Thursday, which is the 22nd, he will have treatment before heading to the conference room for arbitration. Should we be successful in our efforts fighting for the 2nd auto SCT we would move into that instead of the cycles. Otherwise, he will move forward with a maintenance schedule.
Arbitration is going to take place in a conference room at the University of Utah Hospital making it most convenient for Dr. Tricot to attend in Glen's behalf. We are going up against the Utah Attorney General's Office. Did I say "SCARY" and "SO NOT FAIR"!
The Utah Attorney General, Mr. Mark Shurtleff has most recently been having his own battle with cancer: http://desne.ws/pHdMf8 . Ironically, I graduated in the same high school class with Mr. Shurtleff who was either the class or student body president. That's too many years back for me; can't recall exactly.
Moving on . . . our grandson has not arrived, yet! I was able to make it to the baby shower last night. It was grand and very enjoyable. A nice distraction from labs and infusion rooms.
Have a grand day everyone,
Vannette
Beginning next Monday the 19th he will begin cycles of VTD. Twice a week, every other week. So . . . that next Thursday, which is the 22nd, he will have treatment before heading to the conference room for arbitration. Should we be successful in our efforts fighting for the 2nd auto SCT we would move into that instead of the cycles. Otherwise, he will move forward with a maintenance schedule.
Arbitration is going to take place in a conference room at the University of Utah Hospital making it most convenient for Dr. Tricot to attend in Glen's behalf. We are going up against the Utah Attorney General's Office. Did I say "SCARY" and "SO NOT FAIR"!
The Utah Attorney General, Mr. Mark Shurtleff has most recently been having his own battle with cancer: http://desne.ws/pHdMf8 . Ironically, I graduated in the same high school class with Mr. Shurtleff who was either the class or student body president. That's too many years back for me; can't recall exactly.
Moving on . . . our grandson has not arrived, yet! I was able to make it to the baby shower last night. It was grand and very enjoyable. A nice distraction from labs and infusion rooms.
Have a grand day everyone,
Vannette
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
ARBITRATION
Today we were able to schedule arbitration with all involved for September 22, 2011. I welcome any advise.
Vannette
Vannette
Waiting to drop . . .
Four days of D-PACE and dex done. Yesterday in clinic Glen's counts were still all good. He is not scheduled to return to clinic until Friday the 9th. We have a couple of days to somewhat relax. In the meantime between now and Friday Glen's counts should drop before starting to climb back up again. No restaurants, no crowds. HE HATES BEING IN THE CITY AND AWAY FROM HOME. Dex begins again tomorrow. The neulasta shot Glen received yesterday did not affect him the way the first one did. Thank goodness. That first one was rough. This one has been tolerable.
On the flip side of this, our newest grandson, scheduled due date October 3rd, seems to be in a hurry to get here. He quite possibly will make his arrival in the next few days. WAIT! We haven't held a baby shower yet. With Glen's schedule (and everyone else's) we just weren't able to fit it in. We thought we could come out to Salt Lake for this round of D-PACE and make it home for the shower on Monday, then . . . . . have baby.
I know, there is no messing with the Will of the Lord! We will be happy to have "Camden Wade" arrive whenever this blissful event happens. His mommy's birthday is the 13th. I don't think he is going to wait that long.
In all I believe our stay here in the apartment has been pleasurable. Several couples got together for a bbq on Labor Day. May people with similar situations supporting each other. Sweet.
See you on the "up" side.
Oh, no word yet on arbitration.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
On the flip side of this, our newest grandson, scheduled due date October 3rd, seems to be in a hurry to get here. He quite possibly will make his arrival in the next few days. WAIT! We haven't held a baby shower yet. With Glen's schedule (and everyone else's) we just weren't able to fit it in. We thought we could come out to Salt Lake for this round of D-PACE and make it home for the shower on Monday, then . . . . . have baby.
I know, there is no messing with the Will of the Lord! We will be happy to have "Camden Wade" arrive whenever this blissful event happens. His mommy's birthday is the 13th. I don't think he is going to wait that long.
In all I believe our stay here in the apartment has been pleasurable. Several couples got together for a bbq on Labor Day. May people with similar situations supporting each other. Sweet.
See you on the "up" side.
Oh, no word yet on arbitration.
Keep Strong,
Vannette
Friday, September 2, 2011
Arrival in Salt Lake for D-PACE
Glen and I arrived at Huntsman around 10 am yesterday morning to begin D-PACE and to meet with Dr. Tricot. First, off to the infusion room to get the chemo started. Since this is administered in 24 hour dosing it needed to get started right away. Wow! The pack that was sent with the drugs is huge. Much more than needed. I have dubbed it "Glen's new buddy" Nurse Laurie is going to attempt to get him a smaller one.
Glen has not had any pain medication today. Two days of Dex down. Two to go.
One of three PA's recently got married. We learned today that she quit her position with Dr. Tricot and moved to Seattle. There was Andrea, Abby and Amanda. Andrea has departed. There is a new PA hired. I wonder if his/her name begins with and "A".
Our meeting with Dr. Tricot was encouraging. Glen has done well with his treatment. He has tolerated most of what has been given. Very few set backs. While I cannot recall the doctor's exact words he did let us know that he feels Glen will be with us for some good years yet. Much more than what either Glen or I had come to understand. A second transplant will add to that. We hope to get scheduling of the arbitration accomplished this next week and the actual arbitration while we are here in Salt Lake.
Our apartment is nice. Nice and CLEAN! We are so fortunate to have these accomodations available to us. This being our third stay away from home . . . . .I left half of what we normally bring along home this time. I work myself much harder than necessary sometimes. I am learning.
Time to rest.
Keep Strong, Vannette
Glen has not had any pain medication today. Two days of Dex down. Two to go.
One of three PA's recently got married. We learned today that she quit her position with Dr. Tricot and moved to Seattle. There was Andrea, Abby and Amanda. Andrea has departed. There is a new PA hired. I wonder if his/her name begins with and "A".
Our meeting with Dr. Tricot was encouraging. Glen has done well with his treatment. He has tolerated most of what has been given. Very few set backs. While I cannot recall the doctor's exact words he did let us know that he feels Glen will be with us for some good years yet. Much more than what either Glen or I had come to understand. A second transplant will add to that. We hope to get scheduling of the arbitration accomplished this next week and the actual arbitration while we are here in Salt Lake.
Our apartment is nice. Nice and CLEAN! We are so fortunate to have these accomodations available to us. This being our third stay away from home . . . . .I left half of what we normally bring along home this time. I work myself much harder than necessary sometimes. I am learning.
Time to rest.
Keep Strong, Vannette
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