| hey folks,
++++++++++++ quick update ++++++++++++
went to get a bone test friday. they injected me with this goop in the morning and i had to wait 3 hours for the goop to settle into areas of my bones that could possibly be cancerous/damaged (that's what this test is for). went for lunch and had a big ole burrito at chipotle and then dropped off a financial assistance application and then went back for them to take a scan of my bones. took like an hour for the scan as they took different pictures of my bones. a random thought came to mind on this last bone scan: laying down on the bed for all these different types of scans, i feel like i'm in a star wars medical lab or something.
my mom has been making these juice/veggie blended concoctions. one of them that she has been making recently consists of: pieces of cauliflower, broccoli, beet, and carrot and then blended into some black rasberry juice. it's thick but healthy... i think. i basically grew up on fast food so now that i have cancer, i can't help but think that fast food contributed to my current medical condition. i dunno. just some thoughts. gonna try and cut back and start eating healthy now. the keyword is "try" cuz i love processed food.
++++++++ low down ++++++++
so here is the low down. i was made aware that the approval (or not) for the financial assistance application is taking on average of approximately 3-4 weeks processing time. however, i actually got a call from the dude in charge of my file the same day (thanks God!). he wasn't calling to approve/reject my application but he basically asked me what i was looking for in coverage and i told him that i was just looking for as much financial assistance that i could get (as he is aware that i am uninsured and trying to finish my masters at sjsu). if approved, i could get a greater discount (more than the 40% uninsured rate that i'm currently getting), OR no interest payment plans, OR even up to 80-100% of the costs of treatment to be covered. just to give you an idea, with the 40% uninsured rate, i had to pay $480 for just docmo's initial consultation and $1600 for the nuclear medicine bone scan. it'll probably be MUCHO more money for the inpatient care, surgery, outpatient care, and the possible chemo/radiation. anyways, he basically stated the criteria for which they financially assist folks are:
+++++( excerpt from financial assistance application )++++++ ... our first priority is to assist those who have had emergency services. Next, is to assist those who have had or will have medically necessary non-emergency services falling within either of the following two categories:
Category 1: Stanford Hospital & Clinics or Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is the closest hospital to the patient’s home or place of work; or
Category 2: Stanford Hospital & Clinics or Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is not the closest hospital to the patient’s home or place of work but one or more of the following factors apply:
(a) The patient has a unique or unusual condition which requires treatment at Stanford Hospital & Clinics or Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital as determined by the Chief Quality and Medical Information Officer of SHC or the Chief Medical Officer of LPCH.
(b) The patient’s care would further the institutions teaching mission as determined by the Chief Quality and Medical Information Officer of SHC or the Chief Medical Officer of LPCH . +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
so, i am pretty sure that i don't exactly fit any of these criteria (i guess my cancer is not considered an "emergency" - i'm not saying this out of bitterness but just saying how it is). i also know that i don't personally have enough money to cover this cancer treatment. i don't know how much it could all cost (i left a message with the surgery scheduler asking her for a ballpark estimate and will hopefully find out soon).
the financial dude asked me if i have any "options" basically in getting money. i told him, "i guess". i could have said "no", but, really, who doesn't have "options"? i mean, if someone has family and friends, then asking them i guess is an "option" - not exactly guaranteed tho. i told him this cuz i didn't want to lie (as i ultimately am responsible to God in trying to live what i believe is an upright life) and he said try and find out from them first.
thus, the plan is to ask ya'll first for donations, and bring whatever this dollar amount figure is to this financial dude and ask for financial assistance for the remainder of the costs for the whole treatment (if there is a remainder). i think, then, i will be right before God in the sense that i at least "asked" family and friends and therefore did my part.
another less-desired option (not to say that it will be bad) is to go through a county hospital (a friend gave me the contact for a financial counselor at valley medical hospital in santa clara county in nor cal. thanks God!). they have programs (if i qualify) where low-income folk (like me) can get treated for a realllllyy minimal cost. sweet!
however, it would be my desire to get treated at stanford by docmo cuz he is, after all, a specialist in dealing with cancerous muscle tumors and i am not completely sure if there are other doctors in the nor cal area as qualified or experienced as he is in this field.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ job requisition - "LetsBuyDennisSomeMoreTime_FUND" finance manager ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
does anyone wanna volunteer to be my finance person for the "LetsBuyDennisSomeMoreTime_FUND"? (<--i just made that up - such a fund does not exist yet... haha). looking for someone who knows what they're doing in finance stuff (like it's their profession or they're pretty good at it)? i barely know how to balance a checkbook.
i have no idea but i was thinking of: + creating a bank account? + setting up the reception of donations (ie. physical address or electronic)? + finding out about tax-implications (if at all) from donators (senders) and for me(dennis - receiver)? + ?????? + ???
^^^^ i should seriously be in human resources cuz i ROCK at writing requisitions!
i also want to ask for a volunteer because i don't know what i'm doing and i also want financial accountability (ie. me not running off to Aruba (wherever that is) and gambling it all on hermit crab races).
+++++++++++++++++++++++ realistic implications? +++++++++++++++++++++++
ok, so, surgery is scheduled on thursday, feb 4th. have pre-op info session on wednesday, feb 3rd. (ie. in a few days).
setting up the "LetsBuyDennisSomeMoreTime_FUND" and actually receiving donations might take a day or few starting from ... monday?
so there might be a chance that i will have to postpone my surgery cuz i can't get the initial funds in time for the surgery and associated inpatient care costs. this isn't that big of a deal for me cuz i've had this tumor for a year and i don't think a little more time will be too much trouble... :)
+++++++++++++ last thoughts +++++++++++++
i accidentally put the whole email list in the "TO:" form of the email instead of "BCC:". oh well. but, please do NOT "REPLY ALL" unless you get permission from me.
long email, huh?
it's pretty hard for me to ask for help but i guess i have no choice now. :) and i am learning that it's good to receive love from family and friends (in whatever form that may be). :P
thanks everyone for your prayers and support thus far and encouraging emails. means A LOT! it's good to know i'm not alone in this battle.
thankful to jesus for salvation as i know where i am going if i die. thankful to the Holy Spirit for guiding my decisions thus far and keeping me on the righteous path. thankful to God for his good and perfect will.
God is GOOD!
love, dennis :) | 
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