Guess it's time for an update. I have completed nine chemotherapy sessions. They warned me the effects would be cumulative, and indeed they are.
I rarely get out of bed during chemo weeks now. I have been able to drive myself to the hospital for the Monday infusions, but during the eighth session, I got so sick while I was still at the hospital, I had to call a friend to drive me home. She brought another friend to drive my car, and I got home OK.
I think I have mentioned this before, but my chemo session every other Monday involves about three hours in the infusion center. They load me up with close to a half gallon of various IV drugs. Then they attach a portable pump to me, which drips 5FU into my system for 48 hours. And when that's over, I'm completely hammered. I can't drive. In fact, at this point, I can barely walk when the 5FU is done. It gets worse every session. But I have to go back to the hospital to have the pump disconnected. I thought I was going to need a wheelchair last Wednesday. I made it out of the hospital under my own power, but just barely.
Nausea is still a problem. I've been through a couple of different medications. They all work a little, but nothing is completely effective. So I throw up a lot. At least it gets me out of bed.
Chemo is going to cost in the mid-six figures. Insurance will cover almost all of that, but it looks like my co-pay for each sessions is going to be about $600, which means the whole thing will cost me about $7200 out of pocket. My total out-of-pocket expenses are going to be in the range of $40,000 - $50,000. I've already paid most of that.
Do not try to send me money. I don't need it. I can cover this myself, and I'm very grateful I can. But these dollar figures should give you some idea, if you don't already know, how a catastrophic illness can destroy a family financially.
