We learned in the hospital that seeing his friends is better than any chemo treatment. The week has already gotten off to a good start. On Sunday, Harry was visited by Sam, Max, Alan, and August. They hung out and Harry showed them his new obsession - "Curb Your Enthusiasm." And they saw Saul Goodman in possibly the prequel to the prequel for "Breaking Bad."
Most of my week was spent dealing with the hospital and insurance on billing. We received our first bill: for $349,384.85. But the good news is we only owed $208,907.76! After three days of constant calls, we learned that A) hospitals need to have better people handling billing (and please stop calling it "customer service"!) B) once you befriend a nurse, and get a direct line into your insurance company, it is amazing how fast service can be C) hospitals will try to bill you above the insurance agreement, hoping you will pay. The takeaway: always, always argue. After our $10,000 deduction, turns out we only owe $150. For now. A genuine bargain and $349,234.85 below MSRP.
Harry's numbers were too low the previous Friday to continue treatment. His body was begging for a break. With no chemo this week, Harry felt better immediately. He went to the Dupont Farmers' Market on Sunday and walked around the neighborhood on Monday. And he was up for Monday poker night at the Jinich's. And he looked so good, I even snuck in a little sushi. (Sorry, Dr. A). Wednesday, he went to the Nats' game with Aaron, Doug Fister pitching a masterpiece against the Mets. (Sorry, Aaron). And Harry's blood counts went up enough that we were told he could take a weekend away, albeit with the normal restrictions - no airports, no leaving the country, somewhere within 60 minutes of a major medical center, no swimming in lakes or rivers, and no arguing with the patient (that last rule is is just for his sisters.).
After resolving the insurance issue, we realized we had an extra $208,757.76! Vacation time!
With short notice, a return trip to Nantucket was not going to happen. After several recommendations we decided to go up to Nemacolin. It actually sounds like a chemo drug. Nemacolin. Very therapeutic. Booking on a Thursday for the next day, left us with limited room options. Five people in one room was tight. But the wonderful folks at Nemacolin understood Harry does not get many days of vacation. Mason at the front desk arranged for us to have the Presidential Suite (where presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have actually stayed.). It was spectacular - two king bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, full terrace/courtyard and a spectacular view of the mountains. A bath tub so big it takes 40 minutes to fill. And a butler.
Harry spent three days being normal - fishing, shooting, rope climbing, zip lining, paint ball combat, golf, mountain biking, off-road jeeping (can we verb-ize it?) and even a massage. Maybe not normal, but pampered.
Many thanks to Mason, Brian, Katlyn, Keith and the fabulous team at Nemacolin. This was an incredibly memorable weekend for us. Back to the hospital on Tuesday.
Most of my week was spent dealing with the hospital and insurance on billing. We received our first bill: for $349,384.85. But the good news is we only owed $208,907.76! After three days of constant calls, we learned that A) hospitals need to have better people handling billing (and please stop calling it "customer service"!) B) once you befriend a nurse, and get a direct line into your insurance company, it is amazing how fast service can be C) hospitals will try to bill you above the insurance agreement, hoping you will pay. The takeaway: always, always argue. After our $10,000 deduction, turns out we only owe $150. For now. A genuine bargain and $349,234.85 below MSRP.
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| The bill for $208,907.76: it had us turned sidewise as well! |
Harry's numbers were too low the previous Friday to continue treatment. His body was begging for a break. With no chemo this week, Harry felt better immediately. He went to the Dupont Farmers' Market on Sunday and walked around the neighborhood on Monday. And he was up for Monday poker night at the Jinich's. And he looked so good, I even snuck in a little sushi. (Sorry, Dr. A). Wednesday, he went to the Nats' game with Aaron, Doug Fister pitching a masterpiece against the Mets. (Sorry, Aaron). And Harry's blood counts went up enough that we were told he could take a weekend away, albeit with the normal restrictions - no airports, no leaving the country, somewhere within 60 minutes of a major medical center, no swimming in lakes or rivers, and no arguing with the patient (that last rule is is just for his sisters.).
After resolving the insurance issue, we realized we had an extra $208,757.76! Vacation time!
With short notice, a return trip to Nantucket was not going to happen. After several recommendations we decided to go up to Nemacolin. It actually sounds like a chemo drug. Nemacolin. Very therapeutic. Booking on a Thursday for the next day, left us with limited room options. Five people in one room was tight. But the wonderful folks at Nemacolin understood Harry does not get many days of vacation. Mason at the front desk arranged for us to have the Presidential Suite (where presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have actually stayed.). It was spectacular - two king bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, full terrace/courtyard and a spectacular view of the mountains. A bath tub so big it takes 40 minutes to fill. And a butler.
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| Mason Lincoln & Harry (He is really tall!) |
This was awesome! Presidential suite! The only adjustment I ever got for leukemia was a discount at the Red Roof Inn. (Actually, I also got a free 2-bedroom apartment for 9 months courtesy of Arms of Love, the American Cancer Society, and Grande Pointe Apartments.) What a great vacation! Congrats.
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