Happy Holidays

Hi everyone. Since my last post Jill has started a new treatment. Last Wednesday she received the first infusion of chemo. This part of the treatment will last two weeks. Later this week she will start 4 weeks of radiation therapy focused on the tumors. We hope and expect that she will have the bone marrow transplant soon after that.

Jill is feeling a little more comfortable now that the treament has started. So far the side effects of the chemo have been relatively mild. She, Sylvia and Scott have been getting out and enjoying Christmas related activities. Tomorrow (Christmas Day) Jill will spend the morning at the clinic and then they will enjoy a Christmas dinner in the afternoon.

We still haven't resolved the insurance issue but continue to hope that the insurance company will reverse their decision before Jill is ready to begin the treatment. Whatever their final decision, we intend to follow through with the transplant if the doctors continue to recommend it.

During this period of reflection, family reunions, and celebration we take stock of our good fortune. We feel fortunate to be have a strong and supportive family and circle of friends. We extend the very best wishes to you and your families in the New Year.

tom

More changes

Since my last post there have been several new developments. Last week the insurance company rejected our first appeal of their decision to deny funding for the bone marrow transplant Jill needs to prevent the recurrence of lymphoma. Jill is working on a challenge to their lastest arguments for rejection. We believe the denial is based on incorrect and dated information about the procedure and Jill's situation. In the mean time Jill found out last week that her cancer has returned for a fifth time. The cancer cells were detected in three bones. Since the bone marrow transplant that Jill has been waiting for is most effective when the cancer is in remission, it is likely that the oncologists will want to treat the cancer before starting the transplant procedure. We will learn this week what the team recommends. This delays things but gives us more time to convince the insurance company that the transplant is necessary and should be covered.

In the meantime, Jill and Sylvia have been Christmas shopping, sending out greetings and taking in some of the holiday events in the area. Scott flew out to Seattle to visit last weekend and they took in a Celtic Christmas concert.

We hope you are all enjoying the holiday season. Stay warm and safe.

tom