What a whirlwind!!! I called for an appointment at Yale with Dr. Kiran Turaga, a surgical specialist, who is an expert in peritoneal cancers. The out of state visit was covered! His team double booked and fit me in on the very next clinic which was only a week away! Amazing! We were scrambling for flights when my Brother Kris’ friend,Frank, offered to fly us there in his plane! Of course we said YES! We aren’t completely crazy.
God opens a door. You need to walk thru it. We didn’t know it that day but the private plane was the door opening further! We were flying to New Haven, Connecticut in the middle of the airline systems crash. We had zero delays, didn’t expose me to the usual germs when flying, and were so comfortable. TY Frank! You are an amazing person and friend. We appreciate you! Thank you to my mom and brother,Kris, for clearing their schedules for the ride along. 😀
Nobody wants to purposely throw a potentially confusing third opinion in the mix, but once I learned about this amazing surgeon, how could I not try!
The visit was great! Dr Turaga, an expert in Peritoneal metastasis, thinks I am a candidate for the CRS/HIPEC surgery. He has completed at least 1000 of these surgeries and has a very confident and positive attitude. I know in my heart he is my surgeon.
The surgery is scheduled for August 29th.
So here’s the crappy part. Currently I am now being told that Dr Turaga is out of network with my insurance. I am DEEP in the process of appealing. Simultaneously, we are preparing to go, booking flights, preparing for missed work, hotel rooms, caretakers, etc. we anticipate to be there at least two weeks. It’s a HOT MESS right now. I am doing EVERYTHING in my power to get it approved. Sigh.
Thank you so much to everyone for your awesome support! I appreciate all of you so much! Every call, text, messenger, card, hug, and so on lifts me up. Some of you have done much more and I’m not sure if you want public recognition. Please know I am thankful! If I have missed thanking anyone along the way, please know I see all of you and am so appreciative!
Please get YOUR colonoscopy! Do not wait! Time matters!
Current needs:
•Continued prayers to be disease free!
•Prayers for United to approve my surgery specifically with Dr Turaga
•love and support for my family during this time.
•for those wanting something more tangible I think we will mostly be needing Amazon to deliver directly to the hotel any items that we will need during my recovery since we can’t bring that much on the plane.
If you want to know more, short version:
What is CRS/HIPEC?
CRS is short for cytoreductive surgery. It is the removal of all sites of cancer within the abdominal cavity.
HIPEC is short for hyperthermic (heated) intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. It is the administration of heated chemotherapy solution into the abdominal cavity of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The heated chemotherapy is delivered into patients while they are in the operating room during the CRS procedure. This is a very long surgery and you are open from sternum to pubis.
You amaze me. You positively is contagious 🙂 and I think continues to heal you. Stay strong my friend and continue to fight the good fight (with the insurance company) and more. #cancersucks
God bless you! I pray daily for your healing
Praying for you Angela! You are strong and God will answer our prayers! Love you!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
God can and He will! Continua prayers for you and your family.
Omg you continue to amaze me and inspire me. Yes doors are opening because you deserve them and you know to walk through them. I feel so positive about this as well. Where will you be posting your Amazon information?
Through this battle you’ve been such a strong advocate for yourself, and finding this new treatment and doctor just proves once again how brave and determined you are. It’s inspiring to see how you never back down, always pushing forward with such positivity and courage. I know this next step might be daunting, but if anyone can handle it, it’s you. Your strength, resilience, and upbeat spirit are truly amazing, and I’m here cheering and praying for you on every step of the way. Please know that I’m thinking of you and sending all my love and support as you start this new treatment.
You’ve got this, and I’m with you all the way.
Continued prayers and healing energy🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I’m so thankful that you found Dr. Turaga at Yale and I will continue to pray for you daily leading up to August 29! Sending much love to you, Kris, Loraine, Andy and all of your family!
Many prayers, especially that United will cover your thoroughly researched decision. You are courageous and I am so inspired by your fortitude. Love you and will continue prayer as all of your other friends have done.
Thinking of you everyday and pray for you. Stacey
Praying for you
I’m so happy you found a doctor that you are comfortable with. I had this procedure done in 2017 in Jupiter with Dr Bhagwandin I highly recommend him.
You are in my mind’s eye, dancing with happiness that you are healthy, strong,
cancer free. Now and forever.
Thinking of you often, with prayers for your complete healing.
Wow!! I pray that it all works out for you with your health insurance and pray for continued success with your surgery and treatment. God bless you on this journey 🙏 🤗🙏
As you said, doors open when needed. You will get through this surgery with success and finally be cancer free! I truly believe that, I know it! Please post a list of what you want from Amazon and it will be there for you! We LOVE YOU!!! God has you in his hands. You are in our prayers!
To my very strong and courageous friend. Keep fighting as you do! I continue praying for success with everything you need from Insurance to complete healing. We all love you and whatever you need, we are here. Remember, God is always with you. Love you Girl!
Angela, I prayed to God, again, and asked him to intercede on your behalf with United insurance company.
If that doesn’t work, can we do an on-line appeal for enough funds to cover the hospital and doctor bills? There’s a web-site, but I forget the name of it.