It has been almost three weeks of concern since my last 2 MRIs. A PET Scan was requested by my Oncologist Dr. Armenio. This was requested because of the high mitotic rate of the primary lesion. A mitotic rate of 4 is of concern, my pathology registered a mitotic rate of 16. A PET Scan shows hot spots and unusual activity within the body regarding lymph node and tissue changes. My insurance company, which is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island denied this request, making it necessary to complete the 2 MRIs.

MRIs are a wonderful diagnostic tool but they show incidental findings that although need further investigation, should not add to the worry and invade every waking hour.

The price of a PET scan in this area runs between $5,100 and $5,600. The price of the 2 MRIs is almost exactly the same price.

So now when there is something seen in the MRI that needs further studies, Dr. Armenio again requests a PET Scan. The first request is denied. An appeal was initiated and this was also denied. Dr. Al Malki, who is a Fellow also following me, insisted on a peer to peer review of this denial. The peer to peer review was conducted with Dr. Robert Lawrence White who is the assistant medical director of Radiational Oncology with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island. This again was denied.

So almost three weeks later, we are still in the authorization stage, now for a CT Scan with contrast. The Physicians were trying to stay away from any further contrast as the 2 MRIs were performed with contrast.

This has been an amazing journey. When it is put in print it seems almost impossible that all of this has transpired in just 7 months. The saga is as follows: 4 surgical procedures each leaving scars that measure between 3 – 8 inches in length, 4 MRIs with contrast, 1 PET scan, 3 Ultra Sounds because of a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) causes by the PICC line and 2 months of staggering doses of Interferon which proved to be liver toxic.

My question to Dr. Robert Lawrence White is, “do you think this has been fun? Do you think that I enjoy all of this medical invasion of my aging body?” “If this were your family member, would your decision be the same? I think NOT!!!”

I loath every one of these tests. I tolerate them with as much courage as I can muster. All while keeping up with a very challenging full time position as a Registered Nurse in private practice. All the while trying to soothe my husband's and family's worries and concerns.

I intend to continue to live the best life I can for as long as I can with this dreaded disease of Malignant Melanoma, but never even dreamed that I would have to fight the insurance company to achieve this goal.