Today started with coughing and puking up blood and bile...

And while Chris is asleep, I'm still monitoring him for issues.

If it continues, off to the ER we go.

In the meantime, Friday I was informed by the neurologist that insurance won't approve the neurological studies (2 MRIs and 2 MRAs) necessary to get Chris cleared for surgery to remove the cancer in his neck. Insurance wants the surgeon to order them.

The surgeon doesn't have credentials to order them. He wants the PCP to order them. The same PCP who sent the entire issue to the neurologist. 5 weeks ago.

Let's repeat this for the people in the back. WHILE MY HUSBAND IS DYING FROM LIFE-THREATENING CANCER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WASTED 5 WEEKS AND DELAYED NECESSARY TREATMENT.

I am watching my husband die inch by inch, sometimes foot by foot, while the insurance company introduces unnecessary delays.

And of course it's not like they're paying the bills or living expenses. Those never stop.

Several people have said it feels like they're waiting for him to die so they can avoid paying. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly seems like it.

In the meantime we are BOTH losing our minds, and I need to pay insurance, rent, utilities, and all of that other stuff necessary to life. Because life doesn't stop for cancer.

As an extra bonus it seems Facebook has changed their algorithm again, and these posts aren't reaching that many people.

So please, if anyone could help, please do. We are just trying to make it through enough treatment to work again or make it through the end without getting evicted.

If you feel moved to help, I've still got the GoFundMe me up and running, PayPal to chris@chrisbyrne.com always works, Messenger Payments is a thing, Google Wallet is a thing (melody.byrne@gmail.com).

Thanks all,

Mel

I'm utterly convinced that the single biggest risk to someone's sanity...

Isn't doing, or being done to. It's being stuck, and being stuck waiting.

It's doing horrible things to us, I know this for sure.

Chris is literally bedridden and my depression... Well I don't think it's ever been this bad.

There's nothing quite like the helplessness of having nothing to do to fix things but wait.

Right now we're waiting for insurance to approve 2 MRIs and 2 MRAs of Chris's head and neck, because the neurologist suspects brain cancer.

And I am an utter wreck. EVERYTHING is on hold. Cancer treatment. Getting Christopher back home. Getting back to work. EVERYTHING.

And it's killing me. So much so that I went back on an anti-depressant that was part of a combo that had really bad side effects because I need to do SOMETHING.

Because we're waiting to see if Chris will live or die, and waiting on the clearance to proceed with treatment.

In the meantime, it's not like bills stop. No, those never stop. Rent. Health insurance I need to pay by the end of the month. Electric. Internet. Getting the truck fixed. Meds. Eating. None of that can stop.

And currently there's exactly $7.57 in the bank account.

But we're still working on all of this. It's just really incredibly difficult.

If you feel moved to help, I've still got the GoFundMe me up and running, PayPal to chris@chrisbyrne.com always works, Messenger Payments is a thing, Google Wallet is a thing (melody.byrne@gmail.com).

Thanks all,

Mel

So surgery didn't happen...

Because the neurologist suspects tumors in the brain somewhere. For reasons.

So the neurologist ordered 2 MRIs and 2 MRAs.

In the meantime insurance cancelled us, again, because they didn't credit my payment in time (payment was in on time, they took a week to credit it).

Also, finding a place that insurance would accept that did Open MRIs and MRAs was... Problematic.

Solved insurance. Found places. Neurologist called radiologist for a peer to peer. That happened on Thursday.

It's Monday and as is my practice, I called them to check up and find out why the MRIs and MRAs aren't scheduled.

... Because insurance wants a peer to peer review because the neurologist ordered so many tests and they want justification.

*Screams*

So... Need the neurologist to clear Chris for surgery. Neurologist ordered tests because he suspects tumors in the brain. Insurance wants him to justify looking for suspected brain cancer.

That's where we are.

In the meantime I've gotta pay the bills, finish getting the truck fixed, and pay insurance. Again.

If you feel moved to help, I've still got the GoFundMe me up and running, PayPal to chris@chrisbyrne.com always works, Messenger Payments is a thing, Google Wallet is a thing (melody.byrne@gmail.com).

Thanks all,

Mel