ljuliemoss

Meloni,
I live in Spokane Valley! Hi. I am recently diagnosed w NSC and am fighting w insurance and going through more diagnostics to get a good enough biopsy to get cyberknife approved. The waiting is the hardest.
Hope all goes well for you
Julie
 

Meloni,
I live in Spokane Valley! Hi. I am recently diagnosed w NSC and am fighting w insurance and going through more diagnostics to get a good enough biopsy to get cyberknife approved. The waiting is the hardest.
Hope all goes well for you
Julie
 

Hi Katie,
So nice of you!
I am getting a new scan and a new biopsy the end of September. The insurance company won't pay for any treatments until they get a better biopsy. Strange how I need the darn thing to grow so they can get a better biopsy. 
Much less anxious about things and rolling w the punches. Not knowing is still the hardest but it is all steps in the game of life.
Knowing that support is so close by REALLY helps.
When I know more, I will share.
Thanks again so much!
Julie
 

Katie,
Thanks so much. I am currently on a vacation from doctors. It has really given my some peace and imagined control!
My Mom died in December and the courts are closing everything in a couple weeks. I am busy, on my days off, with that. Then I will do heavy research and fight the insurance company. Having 3 radiation treatments vs having your chest opened and a part of your lung removed, seems like an easy choice. I am an RN and know that in the end, having a lobe removed is not the end of the world and I would have total recovery.
I had a spinal fusion last year and don't have enough time to take 6 weeks off. I have plans to go to Norway in a year so don't want to use all my vacation time.
It is green and sunny outside and there are flowers everywhere. I am learning that stopping to smell the roses, should be a daily if not hourly event!
Julie

Katie,
Thanks so much. I am currently on a vacation from doctors. It has really given my some peace and imagined control!
My Mom died in December and the courts are closing everything in a couple weeks. I am busy, on my days off, with that. Then I will do heavy research and fight the insurance company. Having 3 radiation treatments vs having your chest opened and a part of your lung removed, seems like an easy choice. I am an RN and know that in the end, having a lobe removed is not the end of the world and I would have total recovery.
I had a spinal fusion last year and don't have enough time to take 6 weeks off. I have plans to go to Norway in a year so don't want to use all my vacation time.
It is green and sunny outside and there are flowers everywhere. I am learning that stopping to smell the roses, should be a daily if not hourly event!
Julie

Thanks, You guys are awesome! Julie

Thanks, You guys are awesome! Julie

LJulieMoss,
First, and I failed to mention in my first post: I am so sorry for your diagnosis. Your fear and anxiety are completely normal, of course. I wish you didn't need to be here, but I'm so glad you found this forum. There are a lot of amazing people on this site, and survivors who have been here since the JURASSIC ERA (I'm looking at you, Tom!  ). 
skmcornett is correct, and certainly has the experience to walk you through the process of appealing a denial. Also, I'm reminded that Tri-Care (managed by United Healthcare), offers nurse case management services to people with diagnoses such as ours. If you haven't already explored this option, you may want to check out whether your insurance offers the service. It's beneficial to we the patients because referrals will be streamlined and often approved more quickly. 
Regarding surgery v. Cyber knife: I'm not familiar with cyber knife. Did your providers explain if one procedure would be more beneficial to overall prognosis? My understanding is that surgery is generally 1st treatment, if possible, but technology changes more quickly than I can keep up.  
If you're interested, there are many here who can walk you through and just listen to your anxieties and fears of surgery, lung cancer, etc. <3 
IF you explore the surgery route, take a look at Dr. Jon Boyum, if he's on your insurance. His team is at Deaconess, but he has privileges at Sacred Heart as well, and he'll operate at either location. He's amazing. 
I hope to hear from you soon. <3 
 

Oh the eternal waiting game. Would love a black and white answer too. Until then, live life to the fullest, be happy and do what you need to deal w anxiety! Hugs Julie

Oh the eternal waiting game. Would love a black and white answer too. Until then, live life to the fullest, be happy and do what you need to deal w anxiety! Hugs Julie