My medical group declined to cover my chemo at Stanford even though it covered my radiation there. I was going to appeal the decision to Health Net, but I needed clear medical reasons, not just that it was a complete schlep. Stanford's Cancer Center has horrible communication systems which failed me on several levels. And though they readily agreed that it was a bad idea medically, no one would put that in writing. I got very frustrated with Stanford. For people who like tedious detail or hate Stanford, the long version is here.
In the meantime, Santa Cruz people were very, very helpful. My Stanford radiologist told me she didn't want to treat me if the chemo was done in Santa Cruz. She encouraged me to do it all in Santa Cruz as we have first-class radiologists, too.
I was so sick of Stanford that I decided that was the best decision. So, my treatment will be in Santa Cruz. I have consultations with the radiologist and the medical oncologist on Wednesday.
We will try to find a place to rent—or a housesitting gig—in Santa Cruz until we can return to our home in mid-June. If anybody who reads this has a good idea, contact us. If anyone in Santa Cruz wants an inpromptu trip to Hilo (free house and car!) in exchange for housesitting, please let us know, too!
And, my new rallying cry, Go Cal!
I'm glad I didn't read your Stanford communication post until AFTER I badgered Vern into badgering his doc for the referral! Not sure if he's referred to Stanford or UCSF yet....So sorry you had to deal with all that bureaucracy. Isn't their job to make people well?
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