Wednesday, June 6, 2018

We make plans... But God!

So we as humans make our plans. But God...

So now is a time when I cling to a two word phrase that Larry, our wonderful pastor, says. BUT GOD. I am clinging to But God. 

But God, alone is in control. 

But God, alone knows what is and what will be. 

But God, is still in the miracle business. 

But God, will carry us through and show us the way. 

I'm sure I will come up with more But God statements as we walk this journey. Tonight, those are the four I cling to. 

In the meantime, we must make plans and see where each step leads, knowing that no matter what the results, Our God is in control and will carry us. 

Where we stand.....

At this moment, ipilumimab and nivolumab (ipi/nivo) immunotherapy is our best choice and only real option. 

BCBS has approved nivo only, which gives almost half the positive response and 15% fewer chance of survival in the first year of the ipi/nivo combo. 

Plan A - Dr. Morris (original GI Oncologist) is doing one more appeal to BCBS by Monday. This is an oncologist to oncologist appeal. If they deny again, which is the expected outcome, we move to Plan B. 

Plan B - Patient Assistance Program through Bristol Myers Squib. We have all of our paperwork into MDA's person who handles this. So the minute she gets the word from Dr. Morris, she will submit. That should take about a week to get an answer from BMS. If they deny assistance, we have Plan C or Plan D or Plan E.

Plan C - Appeal BMS' decision and try to further convince them that they should assist us in the EXORBITANT cost of ipilumimab. If still no, Plan D and E are both still options. 

Plan D - Appeal the BCBS decision to the Independent Review Organization process. This will take a LONG time and is doubtful to overturn BCBS' decision. 

Plan E - Come up with the money to self-pay. This can happen during the IRO process of Plan D. If the IRO overturned BCBS' decision, the money would be refunded to us. Again doubtful that IRO would side in our favor. 

Plan F - If we end up self-paying for this, we will then look at Mayo Clinic and the National Cancer Institute for additional trial options. At the moment the current trial options at MDA, he does not qualify for. Maybe in the future he will, but not at present. 

And this is where I leave you with, we are making these plans, BUT GOD. He will guide us through Plans A through Z if needed and back again. The key is that we keep our eyes focused on Him every step of the way. 

Prayer Needs:

Pray for miraculous healing. 
Pray for insurance approval. 
Pray for someone at MDA to realize that they should cover the cost since it's their fault. 
Pray that the drug manufacturer will approve our patient assistance application. 
Pray for our hearts. We are discouraged. 
Pray for the girls. They are discouraged. 

Ultimately, pray for our will to align with His Will and us to glorify Him every step of the way. 

4 comments:

  1. But God! Thank you for posting and for continually reminding me that faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see. Love the Bush family!

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  2. Some things are so tough! Praying with you!

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  3. Praying for you all, Mel. Love you so much. God IS in control!

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  4. I know your pain. My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer and was given 6 months or less to live. After a double radical mastectomy, hysterectomy and massive amounts of radiation they told her to go home and get her affairs in order. Through faith, prayer, a never stopping will to live. chemo and wonderful doctors she lived. The cancer didn't go away completely but it stayed at bay. She survived that way for 12 years. Constant bouts of chemo, and now treating the side effects of all that was done to her to keep her alive. Her doctor in Tulsa told her that she had reached the end of her treatment protocol. She told her that her insurance would pay for one second opinion from a hospital of excellence and they sent her file to MD Anderson, she was accepted here because NO ONE SURVIVES inflammatory breast cancer for 12 years. She started coming here three and a half years ago and Dr. Velaro told her that they had kept her alive so that during that 12 year period they had developed a new drug to treat her. She started on the chemo and within one year she was cancer FREE. She has been Cancer FREE for 3 years. I know that there are times that will look bleak, but one thing my sister never did was stop living. She made plans for the future and I do think this helped her hang on in the hard times. She comes and stays with me every 6 months for tests and follow ups but I know you and Alan have a hard fight but both of you are up to it. Make plans with your girls and savor the sweet life. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong and keep fighting.

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