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Three precriptions with insurance cost me about 50 bucks. Ah but note 2 things. First... the lifesaver "FREE TRIAL SUPPLY of EMEND". Those 3 little pills are NOT coverd by my insurance and would have cost me about $415 at one particular pharmacy - not the one you see here. Lots of phone calls by the wonderful nurse at my Oncologist's uncovered a couple things. First, the insurance company would not budge. There is no generic for Emend and it is not covered. (period) Second, a call to the drug distributor yielded the actual cost of these three little pills to the pharmacy. (appx. $215) So let me tell you folks, next time you start in on the state of our healthcare system and big insurance companies, don't forget greedy pharmacies. I also found out that Costco Pharmacy has the lowest markup around. AND... I could be wrong, but I don't think you need to be a member to use the pharmacy.

Those other pills... well, one of those bottles of 60 pills, the one on the left, was a substitute because the insurance company again did not cover the name brand drug. Maybe the generic is just as good. "It's in the same family," I was told. I guess I'll never know because those sweet little pills in their non-generic form cost over $1600 at this pharmacy! The generics are $500 less. Gotta save a buck somewhere. Times are tough.

And last... the one prescription that was covered that I didn't have to fight for. Go figure. I guess since I'm fighting for my life, what's a little extra skirmish? It only took a couple trips across town and 3 trips to the pharmacy. I have no idea how much time my wonderful medical team fought for me on the phone so that I could have the medication I needed for tomorrow morning. I really appreciate it.

And speaking of positive notes, I want to thank the good folks at Andrews & Patel Associates for the free trial pack of Emend. I have another month to fight for the next round.

The nurse who gave me the voucher said, "I'd LOVE to give every insurance executive a dose of Cisplatin WITHOUT Emend! Then we'll see if they cover it."

LOL

Maybe she has something there.

So here we go. Almost a month after I first reported my symptoms to a Dr., I am finally starting treatment. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. This is not the exact treatment my Oncologist wanted me to have. Why, you ask? Well, because no hospital in the Harrisburg area could fit me in to have a mediport implanted before next Friday. My Oncologist did not want to wait yet another week. We'll deal with that for round 2.

Chemo starts tomorrow! Stick around. If I feel up to it in the next couple days, I have a treat for you. I will be loosing my hair. So before you get that selfie, I thought I'd start off with me from the 70's. I think you'll enjoy that.

Wish me luck and keep praying. I have found out that I have the most amazing flicker friends!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

...Steve

Friendship Bracelet - Double Right Hand Knot by Friendship Bracelet

To see video demonstrations and instructions for this knot, Double Right Hand Knot, printable instructions and videos for many patterns, visit www.myfbm.com/myfbm-workshop/

Francisco Ruiz Miguel by  Peragón 