“… and the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey of one inch, ever arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at our feet and learn to be at home.” Wendell Berry

I am certainly learning to be at home with my cancer. On Monday, April 15th, I had a PET/CT scan which indicated “no evidence of FDG avid malignancy” which means no new cancer. In addition, the spot on my lung continues to shrink with the FDG resolved to background level which implies that the spot was never cancerous.  So, I continue to live with cancer that has not spread since December 2019. Excellent news.

Meanwhile on the health insurance front….

Dealing with insurance is a part time job. On January 2, 2024, I entered the catastrophic coverage phase of Part D Medicare which means no co-pays for the rest of the year for drugs picked up at a pharmacy. I only take 1 drug, Kisqali, a cancer drug which unfortunately costs $14,500.00 monthly. When I called about getting my March refill, I was told that my insurance believed I had a different primary insurer (BCBS) as of 10/31/2011 and was therefore refusing to pay for it. Several phone calls and hours later, I got an override and my monthly supply.

Two days later I realized that on 10/31/2011 I was still working and did have insurance which ceased upon my starting Medicare. More emails and phone calls. I spoke with a woman at BCBS’s legacy decommission team whose first question was, “Do I have my policy number?”  I told her the only numbers I knew were my birthdate and my social security number. She was very helpful and I now have an official letter attesting that 10/31/2011 was the last day I had BCBS as I went on Medicare 11/01/2011, the month I turned 65. 

I am still well enough to deal with such insurance issues. What is most distressing about this incident is that in February I signed and returned a form to the insurance company stating that I had no other coverage.  Not being believed is difficult to accept.

Padraig O’Tuama is a favorite writer of mine. In his newest book, Being Here, he writes

“Turning to the day

And to each other

We open ourselves to the day and each other….

This is the day that the Lord has made

And a day we’ll have to make our way through.

May we find opportunities for generosity

Toward others and ourselves….”

Wise words for spring. I’ll update this page after my next scans which might mean six months from now. I remain grateful for your unflagging support.