After months of research, and speaking to a number of treatment options specialists, I selected External Radiation. An investment of time (nine weeks of daily Monday through Friday sessions) is made in exchange for one of the least "invasive" treatments. No surgery or seed implants are required. From leaving the house in the early morning to return is only one hour. The fairly new state of the art radiation oncology facility is beautiful and staffed with excellent doctors, nurses and administrators. I joked that the only nurses that I have seen as caring as these, has been in hospice. With similar schedules, the same patients are seen daily...our "morning club"!).
The treatment has a 98% chance of a complete curing for prostate cancer caught as early as mine was. Symptoms include being increasingly more tired. Even after doubling my daily sleep from three to six to seven hours, by the end of the first week, I find I need a short nap. Nevertheless, I am still working out daily...cardio and lifting 4 times, and distance swimming 3 times per week, doing my job, my volunteer work, and a fairly active social regimen!
I received my first statement from the radiation center from my insurance company. $4,400 (times 45 days equals $198,000!!!) was billed for the first day, from which $1,200 (times 45 days equals $54,000) was approved, and $180 was paid by insurance, with the balance due from me! Luckily, I have an insurance maximum annual out-of-pocket outlay!
Tomorrow is the end of three or the nine weeks!
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