All is going well with dad's treatments

Dad had his 4th treatment last week, and we made sure he got lots of rest for a few days afterwards - so it didn't hit him like it did on the previous treatment. Followup bloodwork was good, and he also had a CT Scan yesterday to "re-stage" and send results to the oncologist in St Louis, at the Barnes Jewish cancer center. We are working on getting a referral to a well-reputed surgeon there, Steven Strasberg.

This week is also the deadline for medicare open enrollment and we still haven't decided on part D medicine coverage. Today we're meeting with the pharmacist for his recommendation.  Yikes, what an ordeal; it is a huge decision with enormous financial implications for seniors.  It is a complex and convoluted process.  I have spent many hours online pricing mom and dad's specific drugs - I can't imagine most seniors are doing this!

Plus, my understanding is that Part D (as it was modified about 5-6 years ago), is costing us much more than other government spending people are griping about (wars, bailouts, recovery act, ear marks) - Part D being a huge government handout to the pharmaceutical companies. Imagine you're a huge company like Walmart, or uh.....Medicare....with an incredible amount of negotiating power... normally you use your buying power to arrange better prices for your organization so you can provide better prices to your customers (ie., be more competitive, or in Walmart's case, make incredible profits).  Yet, our elected officials in their infinite wisdom, signed this deal with the drug companies agreeing that Medicare could NOT negotiate for better prices....ie., the drug companies can sell at whatever price they choose...  Would they have signed that deal if it were their credit, their name, their hard-earned money?

Hmmmm... I wonder if this has something to do with the healthcare meltdown we are seeing? Healthcare costs exploding exponentially? Drug commercials all day, every day? Drug companies showing HUGE profits in this terrible economy while most people are struggling? The cost of the silly little bailout is nothing compared to the billions we are handing to drug companies right now. The whole thing will eventually collapse, but I'm afraid it's gonna take us all down with it.

A good time in Branson

We spent 2 nights in Branson, enjoyed the drive-thru festival of lights, and a couple films at the Imax, which dad said is not nearly as impressive as the Omimax in St Louis, but we all enjoyed it nevertheless.
 

3rd treatment was Tuesday

Dad's 3rd treatment hit him a little harder than the others, about 2-3 days afterwards he was feeling really tired. He thinks it might have been that combined with a water pill he took for his ankle which has been swelling. They say drinking lots of water helps reduce symptoms by washing the chemo through your system - maybe the water pill conteracted his water intake???

He's feeling much better now, 4 days out.

Oh, huge THANK YOU to Lori (and grandpa's little helper Sami) who were out here for over a month and were a lot of help (we are all particularly grateful for the sloppy chicken meals - yummy!). Dad really misses Sami helping make the bed, not to mention.....put out the dogs, bring in the dogs, put out the dogs, bring in the dogs.....

Next week Thursday - Friday, we are going to Branson for 2 nights, since Dad said he wants to go - though if he is not feeling well, we can always cancel out.  We'll just drive around town and check out the lights, and relax in the 2-bedroom suite (timeshare we've stayed at before).

Dad has the normal follow-up bloodwork on Tuesday, so our biggest challenge is getting the dogs to the kennel!