A few updates

Good news: remember when I had that spleen issue a couple of weeks ago, and I was prescribed Eliquis, a blood thinner? Well, initially the pharmacy said it would be a $781 co-pay for one month’s supply. Yikes!! I talked to my doctor about that, and she advocated with my insurance to lower the cost, and so when I picked it up today, the co-pay was $0! Huzzah! My doctor is wonderful! The lesson here is that speaking up against a medical cost that doesn’t look right can make a huge difference.

My doctor isn’t sure how long I will have to take the blood thinners. Neuroendocrine cancer doesn’t normally make clots, and having Factor V Leiden shouldn’t need me to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. However, since I indeed have had two clots that caused splenic infarcts at this point, they want to play it safe for the time being.

I went to a physical therapy appointment last week, and it was great. I was given exercises to help stretch out my incision, and build my core/energy back up. I’m really glad I went, and I’ll see that therapist again only “as needed”. I want to be in good shape when I eventually go back to work!

I had trouble locating a talk therapist that I wanted to go to and that was also accepting new patients, but I finally did land on one, and my appointment is in early December. I wish it was a little earlier but I’ll take what I can get. I’ve heard from multiple sources that since the pandemic, available therapists have been in short supply because lots of people started needing extra help, which I totally get.

My third Sandostatin shot took place today, and I made more monthly appointments for the next three. The nurses have been giving me some flexibility on where the shot goes in: left/right upper buttock, or left/right lower hip aka “saddlebag”. I tried a saddlebag today and it’s definitely my least favorite spot. I’m very sore!

In other news, not having my period anymore is absolutely fantastic. Definitely a silver lining throughout all this. I may still have to be concerned about menopause symptoms like hair loss, weight gain, hot flashes, lower bone density, etc. but for now those haven’t really kicked in, so while I can I’m enjoying all the perks and none of the downsides!