no Rituxan yet

Disappointing news from the oncologist:

Medicare turned down his request for Rituxan based on the diagnosis of paraprotanemia. They also turned it down for MGUS. As a result I had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday. It wasn’t as bad as I expected. The doc is trying to find evidence of Waldenstroem’s, which is a slowly progressing form of Non-Hodgekin’s Lymphoma. With this diagnosis, Rituxan will be approved. But even if there is no clear evidence in my bone marrow (often Waldenstroem’s presents initially without much evidence), he may be willing to give me this diagnosis anyway. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high. He does not always express himself too clearly.

THanks, [B]Ken[/B], for the encouragement. However no cheers from this side of the ocean yet! I’m sorry to hear about your pain problems. I know it is so frustrating for you being unable to stay active. Hope cooler weather helps. Although my symptoms have been getting significantly worse in the past two months, I still have no pain. Finally got a wheelchair because of so much weakness and trouble walking. We will be heading to the mountains for our 30th anniversary today & hopefully getting away from all this medical stuff for a few days.