Just wanted to share a quick update. 

Chemo was delayed again this week due to mouth sores. Unfortunately, she develops them with each cycle, and if they aren’t given time to heal in between treatments, her risk for infection goes up significantly. It can also lead to prolonged hospital stays and additional interventions, as the pain can become severe enough to prevent her from eating, drinking, or even talking. Alli, of course, doesn’t mind the delay since it means more time at home. Otherwise, she has been doing fairly well physically. Mentally and emotionally there are still hard days, but we continue to be encouraged and supported by your prayers and kindness. 

We are hoping to meet with the surgical team tomorrow or sometime next week to review Allison’s surgical options and finalize a plan. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for either March 11 or March 17, assuming there are no further delays. Repeat imaging is planned for the first week of March and will include an MRI, echocardiogram, and PET scan. 

Some of the hospital bills have started coming through, and it’s always astonishing to see the costs: 

-Drawing blood from her port (not including lab processing): $162 
-Chemo medications: $4,426.98 for one, $268.80 for another, and $259.82 for the third 
-One night in the hospital room: $11,128 
-Her injection to preserve fertility and suppress periods (given every three months): $56,660.20!! 

Thankfully, much of this is covered by insurance. Her first hospital stay in December for port placement was billed at $114,348.69 and was covered 100% since we had met our deductible and out-of-pocket maximum by that point in the year. Our first stay in January was billed at $66,814.51 and is still being processed, but so far insurance has decided to cover $19,557.09. The cost of healthcare is truly mind-boggling, but we are incredibly grateful for insurance, for the benefits in this state that allow us to take time off work to care for Allison, and for your continued support, which helps us stay focused on what matters most, which is getting Allison better. 

I’ll share another update once we hear from the surgical team and as we move into the next round of treatment. Thank you for every call, text, meal, coffee, gift, thought, and prayer!!