Category Archives: Healthcare Reform

Time for an update on my healthcare costs. Here is the breakdown Total Cost Patient Cost Exam & Scan  $          113,727.65  $             11,193.37 Medications  $            89,816.28  $               3,547.73 Dr Visit  $              4,108.61  $               1,646.07 Bloodwork  $              1,985.47  $                  119.91 Medical Equipment  $               1,635.61 Immunizations  $                         –    $                          –   Grand Total  $          209,638.01  $             18,142.69 AsContinue reading “Healthcare Costs 2.0”

I’ve encountered my first experience with pre-existing conditions. On Feb 14th, I will have used up the short-term disability insurance coverage and should switch over to long-term disability coverage. Although I didn’t start medical leave until November, I was diagnosed 2 weeks prior to the start of the insurance coverage in October. I am stillContinue reading “Pre-Existing Conditions”

Being a finance nerd, how else would I spend my time off? Analyzing my healthcare costs with pivot table. Here are the breakdown of costs since my cancer diagnosis Procedure Total Cost Patient Cost Exam & Scan  $         98,359.55  $               9,514.39 Medications  $         34,032.02  $                  333.28 Dr Visit  $           2.917.61  $                  1546.07 Bloodwork  $              641.91Continue reading “Healthcare Costs”

I officially start medical leave this week and will be off work for the next 6 months. Last Monday I started anti-hormonal therapy with injection and infusion, which reduces ovarian estrogen levels and treats calcium levels for metastatic cancers respectively. Next week, I’ll start the targeted therapy pills that work best when estrogen levels areContinue reading “Medical Leave”

The bone biopsy results scan came back. The biopsy of my Left Ilium confirmed the spread and showed the cells were the same profile: Estrogen+, Progesterone+, HER2-. The treatment plan will be starting with various targeted therapies, anti-hormone and CDK-inhibitors. Although this treatment won’t be as draining as chemo, next week will likely be lastContinue reading “Bone Biopsy Results”

Today I had the CT-guided bone biopsy. Leiman came bright and early to pick me up at 6AM. We had good chat about Lunchclub. If anyone wants an invite, let me know. I’ve met some pretty amazing people there. We made it to Cedar’s right on time ~6:30AM. For biopsy, I changed into gowns andContinue reading “Scan Saga II”

There is a bunch of pre-op work needed for the CT Bone Biopsy. Cedar’s hospital policy requires COVID testing for all anesthesia procedures, so I went first thing on Tuesday morning for the drive-thru COVID test. The nasal swab is as unpleasant as you’d expect. No news is good news – I’ll only get aContinue reading “CT Bone Biopsy Pre-Op Work”

The PET scan came back with concerning results that the cancer has already spread to several bones: Left 6th rib (back), Right 3rd rib (front) and Left Ilium. This would now mean that my cancer staging automatically becomes Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. I’ll have a bone biopsy to test the cells to determine ifContinue reading “PET Scan Results”

I’ve already had multiple scans to date: mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Today continues the scans for better image of the state of the cancer: PET and MRI. To prepare for the PET scan, needed to go on low-carb and low-sugar diet for 24hrs. It brought me back to my paleo days: eggs, avocado, steak, cali-rice,Continue reading “The Scan Saga”