Personal Journey Entry # 6

I promise this string of articles will not be hostile or a bashing of the health insurance industry, BUT the system is broken. I thought the five-month wait for my routine Endoscopy that discovered cancer in my body was the pinnacle of inefficiency, but then came an exchange with my carrier today. I had to take the lead and find out why the insurance company was holding up the approval on my PET Scan. I had to read the explanation twice to let it sink in.

Hi Mr. Cardello,

I was able to view your authorizations and your provider has submitted an authorization request for a PET scan. The request was submitted on 02/03/25 and it is pending. It was submitted as a non-urgent request by the provider. Non urgent requests can take up to 14 days to complete, but it could be sooner.

Let’s see. An Oncologist submits a request for a PET scan. Do you think it might be time-sensitive? How about life and death? But the phone was ringing off the hook all day from my Oncologist and a new friend, my Vascular Surgeon, who wanted to see me yesterday, but knowing they cannot do anything without test results. Their urgency should be alarming, but I am just figuring they are attempting to be efficient.

I remain symptom-free, which would seem like a good thing, except I know the cancer cells are not on hold; they are working night and day. We need to match their energy and soon.

I could write a book on my next thought, but Shay would never let that happen. That’s the way she likes to fly, under the radar. I have written about my support team, but this woman is not just on the team; Shay is my ultimate angel. May 3 will mark ten years for us, and we have had such a ride. I do not know where I would be if she had not asked me to join her on this voyage through life. Shay is the most loving, generous, sensitive, and beautiful woman, and I am more than blessed to walk hand in hand with her. Her love of life and God compliments my own, and combined, I see us as unbeatable. That is why when the day comes. And I ring that bell; Shay’s hand will be holding mine. I love you, Sweetheart, and thank you.