Things have really started gearing up this week. Allison’s day yesterday started early, with a 6:45 am check-in for baseline testing. Because some of the medications she’ll be receiving can impact heart function and hearing, today was focused on establishing those baselines. 

 

She began with an echocardiogram, followed by a full-body PET scan, which helps determine whether the cancer has spread and how active it may be. The technician shared that the “radioactive sugar” used to trace cancer cells is worth more than gold, something that felt fitting given the day’s expenses. 

 

After a quick snack, we headed to audiology for a hearing evaluation. We then had a short break to eat lunch and decompress (Allison opted for a much-needed nap in the car) before meeting with her oncologist to review the PET scan results and then attending our consultation with the fertility preservation clinic. 

 

Good news: the PET scan only showed the tumor in her ankle and no spread! Her hearing and heart tests came back normal as well, and we were able to come up with a plan with the fertility clinic that won’t delay treatment and everyone felt good about. 

 

Port placement is currently scheduled for Wednesday morning, and Allison will be admitted immediately afterward to begin her first round of chemotherapy. We expect to be in the hospital at least 2 night for this first round. 

 

We want to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity, prayers, and constant encouragement. We are totally blown away. Your support is helping us cover these overwhelming medical expenses and allowing us to focus on Allison and her healing. God is so good; so far our medical expenses are really close to what you all have donated! We owe just around $8000 and at this point the donations are just over $7,400. We truly cannot express how grateful we are for every single one of you!! 

 

We do have health insurance; however, despite having already met our deductible, it has felt like a significant portion of Allison’s care is still not being covered like we would have imagined it should be. Unfortunately, many of these costs continue to fall to us through copays and coinsurance. To add to the challenge, our insurance benefits reset on January 1, meaning deductibles and out-of-pocket costs will begin again at the start of the new year. 

 

Monday’s costs: 

      -Echocardiogram $740 

      -PET scan tracer (“radioactive sugar”) $500 

      -PET scan $500 

      -Audiology copay $382 

      -Oncology appointment $500 

      -Fertility Appointment (not yet billed) 

 

Some previous costs: 

      -ER visit $450 

      -Ortho consult $512 

      -MRI #1 $248 

      -MRI #2 $264 

      -Biopsy $1,529 

      -CT scan $250 

      -2 more Ortho consults (not yet billed) 

      -2 oncology consults (not yet billed) 

 

Some upcoming costs: 

      -Port placement estimated cost is $2,155 

      -Hospital admissions (not yet billed) 

      -Chemotherapy treatments (not yet billed)   

 

Again, we want to thank each of you for your generosity, prayers, encouragement and unwavering support. We are truly grateful for every message, every act of kindness, and every prayer lifted on Allison’s behalf. As we move through this holiday season and into the new year we are praying blessings over each of you. 

 

We ask for continued prayers that Allison responds well to chemotherapy with minimal side effects, that her port placement surgery goes smoothly, and that she remains free from infection. We are also praying ahead for the larger surgery planned in approximately 12 weeks, that the care team is able to create a successful reconstruction plan, avoid amputation, and preserve good mobility and function in her foot without chronic pain. 

 

Above all, we continue to pray that the chemotherapy and surgery is effective and that this time next year we are celebrating the incredible news that Allison is cancer-free! Thank you for walking this road with us, we could not do this without you. 

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, 
      because they trust in you." Isaiah 26:3