Journal entry by Kim Renkema —
Hello friends,
It's been a full year since I added any updates. The bad news is that Stefanie turned 28 in 2022 and had to find health insurance outside of her dad's work. She went more than 6 months without insurance so the medical bills from last year are still quite frightening and unresolved. This also means she hasn't been at MD Anderson for a year but they have been good to consult. She also went for about 6 months without Xgeva and the tumor grew 2-3 cm. Basically, she has not felt great, has had increased pain, and has lost a lot of weight.
The good news is she has some new pain doctors and an oncologist in Tulsa now. Her insurance still isn't nearly as good as her dad's and doesn't allow for MD Anderson and visits, procedures, and medications cost quite a bit more than they used to. She is working as a teacher's aide in Tulsa Public Schools and has just moved into an apartment.
The reason for my post today is that she is at St. Francis currently for a LESI/Caudal procedure to see if she could be a candidate for a pain pump that would 1) help with the pain and 2) allow her to get off oral pain medications. We'd appreciate your prayers for this procedure as she may have to stay overnight as well as any type of financial resolution for this new device and her medical bills.
Love, Kim
It's been a full year since I added any updates. The bad news is that Stefanie turned 28 in 2022 and had to find health insurance outside of her dad's work. She went more than 6 months without insurance so the medical bills from last year are still quite frightening and unresolved. This also means she hasn't been at MD Anderson for a year but they have been good to consult. She also went for about 6 months without Xgeva and the tumor grew 2-3 cm. Basically, she has not felt great, has had increased pain, and has lost a lot of weight.
The good news is she has some new pain doctors and an oncologist in Tulsa now. Her insurance still isn't nearly as good as her dad's and doesn't allow for MD Anderson and visits, procedures, and medications cost quite a bit more than they used to. She is working as a teacher's aide in Tulsa Public Schools and has just moved into an apartment.
The reason for my post today is that she is at St. Francis currently for a LESI/Caudal procedure to see if she could be a candidate for a pain pump that would 1) help with the pain and 2) allow her to get off oral pain medications. We'd appreciate your prayers for this procedure as she may have to stay overnight as well as any type of financial resolution for this new device and her medical bills.
Love, Kim
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