I'll shut up and carry on

Holy geez! How are we almost to Christmas already?! I seriously blinked and this year was pretty much gone. Believe me, I am NOT complaining. Happy to have another year here that I can blink through. Haha :)

As with my last post, I come bearing both pleasant and unpleasant news. Let's get the icky news out of the way first, shall we?

This past Saturday I received a written response to my grievance I had filed with my insurance company. They supported my HMO group's decision not to cover my surgery. So, my grievance was denied. Same reasoning was given, only slightly different phrasing: "it is not medically necessary for you to go outside of your medical group's network". Gee, it isn't? And that's all it comes down to right?

It has nothing to do with the fact that I feel comfortable with this surgeon handling my case because he has been on it since the very beginning. He knows how my body heals and what my breasts looked like prior to all this crap. I was so livid over the decision that I sobbed while reading that letter.

I'm not looking for a fight. I'm not looking for a surgery to correct my breast reconstruction for something minor either. Frankly, I've been experiencing a gradual increase in pain and tightness on that right side. But I suppose that it isn't medically necessary that Dr. Mowlavi do my second breast reconstruction. However, that's the only way I will feel comfortable with it.

 

I have no clue what action to take next, but I'm going to call and talk to his patient coordinator. Give her the news and ask what step I should take. If I'm not already out of options as it is.

The whole thing makes me feel sick. I can't imagine someone being so coldhearted that they could dismiss anyone who has been disfigured due to lifesaving surgery, the chance to feel whole again. Just brutal.

So here I am again. I trust you Lord. Not sure why this is going the way it is, but I am sure that it's in your plan and there is good reasoning for it.

Onto the good stuff!

My CT/PET results came back... and there was no sign of metastatic disease!!!! P.S. that means no cancer! 

YEEEEAAAH!

That's the best I could possibly hope for. Of course this means I've been dragging my heels on any other doctor visits I should be making. Such as scheduling to finally have my port-a-cath removed, or getting my echocardiogram done, visiting my gynecologist and opthamologist, etc. etc.

Gotta get through the holiday season, then I'll try to tackle all those things me thinks. I'd like to say that my business is pertaining to Christmas preparations but it's more due to work. It's stressful and tiring for this Anj normally, but this time of year there wears me out even more.

Speaking of when the season is over, I'm tempted to get a hair makeover once we reach the new year. But WHY?! many of you may ask. Well, my chemo curls seem to be reaching an end. My hair at the roots, and probably an inch or two of length from there is curl-less.  Soooo, my hair is becoming increasingly obnoxious to try and fix.

It will make my mama cringe (sorry Mom, I love you!), but I might need to chop it shorter. I also have a million split ends. The curls I have at the ends of my hair are very dry, despite what moisturizing EVERYTHING I may use on it. So anybody got any recommendations for me?

Not sure about the color either. I love the red, as does everyone, but I'm not sure if I enjoy the upkeep. I would love to do something fun if the Bux allowed it. Alas, that is not the case.

Or, I may end up chickening out on a hair makeover yet entirely because I'm still just so happy to have hair at all. Hahaha!

Click here to see the post and photo from last year!

A couple weeks ago, Jason and I went to his work's holiday party. Comparing a photo of me at last year's party opposed to this year, you might see why I'm a bit reluctant to cut my locks off too horribly much. It took a while to grow that dang hair out! I've only gotten trims once every 3 months I think?

Grumble grumble. Good to know I can concern myself with petty things again such as what my hair should look like. Lol! I know that sounds sarcastic, but I mean it!

Life continues to feel more and more normal. I pray it continues on that way for us.

Other than all that, our kitten Michonne is awesomesauce. She cuddles me almost nightly at bedtime and gives kitty kisses for days. She's definitely made us feel like we have our own little family. ^_^ So, have a photo of her adorableness for good measure!

That's all folks! In case I don't post again before the end of the year, I want to wish you all a most blessed and beautiful holiday season with your loved ones! At this time of giving and receiving, remember the love you share with one another is the most important gift of all. <3

...well, you know, besides the gift of Jesus being born unto the world that is! ;) Haha. Merry Christmas all and see you in 2014! God bless!

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed"  Proverbs 16:3