Well, it has been a hugely hectic week, dealing with insurance, flights, scheduling, etc.
I am going to Mayo Clinic next week. Leaving Tuesday early evening. On Wednesday, blood tests and MRI.
On Thursday, my main reason for going: Dr. Lam has mentioned the C-11 Choline Pet Scan a few times and seems to think now is the time to do it. Mayo is the only place it is done, so I am doing it. That scan might be obsolete in a few years if some of these clinical trials pan out (they look very promising). Anyway, I made my decision.
Oh, on Friday, I meet with Dr. Kwon and we will discuss my results and what to do about
them!
Also, FYI, regarding insurance:
As it turns out, Mayo is in-network for me. More importantly, it appears my insurance has approved the C-11 procedure. The Mayo cost is $7650. There will be a large negotiated discount and then I pay 10%.
Mayo indicated that it is FDA approved, also that MediCare covers it, and also that many insurances now cover it (as does mine apparently).
(I say "apparently" as I am always a bit uneasy about
such situations -- you live long enough, you get surprises, but I have been told it is approved).
The tough time part? It's just difficult to deal with. On the positive side: Dr. Kwon, who runs the C-11 program there, has spoken at a few of the PRCI conferences. He often shows situations where an incurable situation becomes largely "curable." These are situations where the PC is found in one or two main areas and is removed or zapped, leading to a very long undetectable PSA. So, it gets my hopes up: another bite of the apple, so to speak.
But, realistically, this is unlikely. More likely is that we will find Mets and I will have to deal with that. This is not a good feeling. I guess it is the same apprehension when facing a CT Scan / bone scan.
Nerve-wracking.
I HATE dealing with this evil that does not go away. Like Jason, it's BAAAACCCCKKKKK!
Mel (making no pretense of saying I don't worry!)
Mel
Post Edited (compiler) : 10/29/2014 2:30:13 PM (GMT-6)