Insurance Commissioner

I joined the American Cancer Society Action Network, which is the political arm of the ACS. They are the organization I was involved with over the past year or so that got funding for under and un-insured colonoscopies and an insurance mandate to cover routine colonoscopies. Washington state is starting to address the need for better healthcare coverage. Several proposals are being floated for ballot vote this November. All are flawed, but anything that provides better access for people is good. I was invited to a small meeting with the insurance commissioner, Mike Kreidler, where he reviewed and wanted input for his proposal - basically an "umbrella liability" coverage for all state residents to be funded by a payroll tax. Anything over $10,000 would be covered by the state, so employers and non-covered people would have limited financial exposure and/or could buy cheaper coverage as it would only be for $10,000. There were some points not totally worked out, but I liked the idea of the plan. Website for this proposal is: http://www.insurance.wa.gov/consumers/reform/index.shtml

Personalized Chemotherapy

Article Date: 03 May 2008 - 0:00 PDT - Can a blood test improve treatment outcomes for colorectal cancer patients? Recently published studies indicate that personalized chemotherapy dose management -- measuring drug levels in patients' blood and adjusting them for optimal dosing -- can substantially reduce severe toxicity and improve efficacy in colorectal cancer. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106152.php

Catching Up

I haven't posted in a while. I guess as I get more time between me and the cancer treatment, I have learned to integrate all the fears and emotions. My outlets for dealing with the disease have taken more of a form of helping others.

I have two friends, who sadly, have been diagnosed - one with rectal and one with colon cancer. I've been touched by this. I also realize that although rectal and colon cancer may have the same characteristics under the microscope, they are treated very differently. My friend will be undergoing chemo and radiation prior to surgery. Her concern about the surgery is that she may end up permanently having a bag and is considering the quality of her life. One on hand I want to tell her she must have to increase her odds and on the other hand totally relate to the prospect of having a constant and quite inconvenient reminder. I know for me, I focused on the having a port installed as the worse thing that can happen. Its odd how our minds connect to something.

My other friend has No Evidence of Cancer and her CEA during chemo has gone down from 50+ to just under 5. This is very good, but I still worry a bit. Under 5, is considered "normal" by the testing labs, but as I understand it under 2.5 is normal for non-smokers. She had quite a few challenges with the chemo, but continued to work. She is a real fighter.

I have also become an "ambassador" for the American Cancer Society. It is the political activist arm of the ACS. Two of the activities I have participated in at a local level were the passages of bills by the state to cover un and under-insured people for colonoscopies, as well making insurance companies cover routine colon screenings.

Flat lesions

from the web site: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=87641
---------------- While the majority of colon cancers were thought to develop from polyps, a new study challenges that assumption and points out that so-called non-polypoid (flat or depressed) lesions in the colon are also likely to turn into cancer. A study in the March 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reports that such lesions were present in almost 10 percent of people screened for the study, and that these lesions were 10 times more likely to be cancerous than polyps were. ... Generally, non-polypoid lesions can be removed at the time of a colonoscopy. If the center where you have your colonscopy done doesn't have the expertise yet, you may have to undergo a second procedure to have the lesion removed.

Lost

I still feel like I'm "lost" about the direction I want in my life. A friend of mine whose parents have cancer shared the following reflection: "I didn't understand what you meant before by difficulty in moving on with your life, but now that I have seen what both of my parents have gone through, I now understand a little better. In the movies, when a person thinks they're going to die, they often try to accomplish all their missing dreams, such as portrayed in the "Bucket List" movie. In real life, my experience is that people get preoccupied with death and become stuck in what they should do." I think I may be preoccupied, as are many of the survivors I know. Some deal it with by activism with the disease, some be being depressed. Me, it's this lost feeling.

I go to the eye doctor today, for a routine exam, and just this "I don't want to go" feeling. I think one gets doctored out. Perhaps, that is why people get preoccupied, because it is always in the back of your mind. There is always another test to do. Any medical procedure - even if it is not cancer related - is a reminder. I had my mammogram last week and it was normal, but while I was there my mind wandered to scenario of having cancer - the surgery, the chemo.

Cancer Free

My CEA level (the blood marker which indicates cancer) is still low and the thyroid ultrasound indicated no change - i.e. nothing cancerous. It's interesting how quickly the fear sets in. While I was having the ultrasound, I thought about what I had cancer. Would I have surgery? Would I have chemo? Or would I just want a good quality of life as long as I could? After getting the results, I was just so happy. I don't have to go back for the next cancer check until July.

Dealing with the Unknown

I have my standard three month check-up with the oncologist today. I went in last week for the blood draw, so the results can be known for my visit. I also go in for another ultrasound on my thyroid. I see the doctor for that next week. I feel fine and healthy, but there is always this scare that the cancer may come back or that I'll need more medical procedures. I guess that is why I am writing a blog entry after so long. Somehow expressing your fear helps me deal with it.