ecrossen's blog

Who do I complain to now?

2009-08-21T18:34:09Z

Went and had the blood work and CT scan w/ contrast a couple of weeks ago. Got a copy of the CD that day no report yet. Got the O.K. for a "Follow-up" meeting with the folks at Loma Linda Cancer Center on Wednesday the 19th. Chased down the report on Monday the 17th. Report said had some lymph nodes swollen and a dark area on the mesentaric artery. Dr. Wong said it looks resectable, but he wants me to talk to the surgeon tommarrow. Went back yesterday bright and early and met with the surgeon. She says it is NOT resectable at this time. Wants me to have some Chemo and Radiation and come back in three months. THREE MONTHS! So if I had got the referal to Loma Linda when the oncologist had requested it back in the begining of July I brobably would be recovering from surgery instead of heading for Chemo / Rad. All the test done in June and July showed localized 1.5 cm mass only. So it has grown and starting to spread. I have been working with the California State Department of Mangad Health Care. They are responsible for monitoring the HMOs in California. I told him the results yesterday and he said he would close my case because Heathnet had reversed the HMO medical group denial and that I was able to see an Oncology surgeon at Loma Linda. He gave me the phone number of the state board that monitors Medical groups. I'm screwed, but I would hate to see someone else get the same run around I got to receive the best care possible. Ed

Still Waiting

2009-08-04T19:37:44Z

It's been over a month now since I was officialy diagnosed and staged with the Pancreatic Adenocarcenoma. I have interviewed 3 "In Network" surgeons, none of which has performed the "Whipple" procedure in over a year. No Way Jose'. Would you want someone rebuilding your engine if they haven't lifted the (hood) bonnet in a year? I requested a referal to the City of Hope here in Duarte, where I work, to see Dr Ellenhorn pancreatic surgery specialist. He has done at least a dozen or so recently. HMO says "NO, they are out of network" . I appealed and sent them copies of there own websight listings indicating that the City of Hope is a "Contracted" hospital and that the doctors medical group also takes my HMO. Denied, Denied, Denied! After a week of corresponcence, screaming and hollaring , I was able to get a partial overturn and received autorization for a "Consultation Only" at Loma Linda Medical center. Went last Wednesday. The doctor said that they have done about 10 of the surgeries in the last year and that he agreed I need a whipple procedure, but since it's been a month since you were diagnosed, we need to "Re-Stage" the cancer. Now I am pushing my primary care doctors office to get me a new CT and a referal back to Loma linda. It's taking so long. The pain and discomfort are getting worse. Hard to sleep at night. If this thing has matastisized, I'm really going to be Pist! My survival rate goes down every day. Ed

Good News!?

2009-07-10T19:32:55Z

Good news? Bone scan and chest CT came back negative. No Matastisism. Still need the elusive referal to the City of Hope Cancer center. HMO dragging feet. Not looking forward to the "Whipple" procedure, but there is no other choice if I want to see my 65th birthday, maybe even Christmas and the new year.