Insurance Nightmare

We have now heard that my mom's insurance (CHA is based in Lexington) refuses to pay for her treatment. Despite the fact that medicare and all other insurance companies will cover this procedure, CHA still refuses. We have appealed the decision, and are taking every measure known to humankind to move things along. My mom is still in the Northwest and we will get things worked out very soon. Keep her in your prayers.

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New Treatment begins Wednesday

My mom is out on the Northwest Coast preparing to begin treatment Wednesday, November 29th in Portland, Oregon. Her treatment will last for 4 days. She will be at OHSU on the hill in Portland, Oregon. Each month, for one year, my mom will undergo an intense treatment called BBBD, Blood Brain Barrier Disruption, under Dr. Edward Neuwelt. She will be able to fly home after the treatment to rest.

With this is mind, flights to Portland, Oregon, will be needed over the next year for my mom and a caregiver/family member. We will be setting up a way for you to donate your "miles" to Rita, so that she can fly out to Portland for treatment. We are also looking to Corporate Angels and the American Cancer Society for help. Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks for all of your prayers and kind words!
-andee

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Much to be Thankful for

After three hours of questions and answers with Dr. Neuwelt and Rose Marie Tyson, Rita has decided that BBBD is the treatment for her. This treatment will take place in Portland, Oregon, at OHSU with Dr. Neuwelt and his team. This treatment will be intense and will take place 4-6 days each month for the next year. Dr. Neuwelt is cautiously optimistic about my mom, but optimistic nonetheless...we needed that right now.

We are assembling a team right now to travel with my mom to Portland each month. We are trying to gather more information about programs like Corporate Angels and Southwest Airlines, which will fly patients to treatment. We are also looking into flights and places to stay. If anyone has any ideas...please email us: info@ritarudloff.com

Thank you for all of your prayers...we are so VERY thankful!


The new plans look like this....

Rose Marie Tyson, Dr. Neuwelt's M.S.N. called today with an update with on appointments and schedule. She is going to send an email with the new schedule. Mom has an appointment on Wednesday at 8:15am with Dr. Egan. She has another appt. on Wednesday and one on Monday. She gave us a binder with tons of information in it.
She accidentally gave us the information for the relapse protocol procedure. She and Dr. Neuwelt spoke and they decided to treat Mom as a non-protocol first diagnosis.
Dr. Neuwelt does not recognize her prior treatments as effectively entering the brain.

OHSU and Dr. Neuwelt's team have mom scheduled for her first BBBD treatment starting Wednesday, November 29.
-andee

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Arrived, and in Portland for Thanksgiving

My mom and I are in Portland, Oregon, for Thanksgiving. Suzie and Pam met us here and we will all be at OHSU Wednesday to find out more about BBBD and treatment for my mom.

We had a long flight out, but my mom handle it well. She is resting beside me after a good Thai dinner and some hot tea.

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!
-andee

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Oregon study

Rita will be heading out to Oregon next week to investigate the BBBD Study at OHSU. It is a very intense, year-long treatment specifically for brain lymphoma and brain cancer. We are very hopeful that it may be the right treatment for my mom.

I will be traveling with my mom out to Portland, Oregon. We will meet Suzie in Portland and head into the appointmment with questions for Dr. Neuwelt and his staff. This is a very stressful time for my mom and our family. Please send her your thoughts and prayers via the Guestbook on her site: www.ritarudloff.com

I will have my laptop with me while we are out in Oregon.

The good news is that my mom is strong and doing very well considering all of the treatment and all of the tests.

Rita will have to undergo a PET scan at Vanderbilt this Friday prior to heading out to Oregon.

Keep my mom in your prayers!

Thank you!
-andee

Please click here to sign Rita's Guestbook