Specific Prayer Request

You have lifted us in prayer for so long, and I truly feel suspended in mid-air by the strength you have given us. We have a specific prayer request, and once again, I thank you in advance for storming Heaven on our behalf.

Brian made the decision to throw out the temodar/nexavar plan and go with a more agressive chemo regimen. This is a combo of carbo/taxol, and we found out today that Brian's insurance doesn't require a precertification on chemo. That makes this part a done deal. The problem lies in the fact that we still want him on the nexavar. Apparently, it is very common for insurance companies to deny pill-form drugs when combined with an infusion chemo, such as carbo/taxol. So just because we previously had a green light on the nexavar, doesn't mean it will be approved for use with carbo/taxol.

It retails just over $7000 for a 28 day supply, which would likely mean wholesale well over 4K. That would be out-of-pocket. I am trying to figure out what the hell to do, and the only thing that seems like it will work is prayer. We have been so pleased with Brian's insurance. The fact is, nexavar is an approved drug; however, it is only recently being used for the treatment of advanced melanoma. This fact could send up the red flags with insurance, although I still wholeheartedly disagree with someone behind a desk dictating what is best for Brian, regardless of what the well-seasoned oncologist who specializes in melanoma might think. Apparently, often drug companies will foot part of the bill for a treatment they believe to be necessary if the doctor proves that the patient can't get it elsewhere. Even then, what is considered PART of $4000-5000 per month?

Calm. Deep breath. Take it all in. Let God work His wonderous deeds, His mysterious works, His love.

A friend recently gave me a book, God is in the Hard Stuff. It's a real thinker, and one that Brian and I have only been able to read, one chapter at a time. A huge part of the book is like I'm quoting Brian or myself on our feelings about Brian's illness, and about our faith. One of the many lines that has stuck in my mind is this...

Don't watch God work, then trust Him; instead, trust Him, and watch Him work.

So we pray. Right now, nothing else matters anyway. It doesn't take a genius to know that we can't afford the nexavar, or even begin to have the means. And Brian needs the drug.

So WE won't carry that burden; I won't carry that burden. It wasn't a burden I was meant to carry, at least that is what God tells me. I, myself, will not find a way. I will trust God to provide this

Please pray for God to lead us to the nexavar, one way or the other. And pray that He might find a way to lighten our load in the process.

We'll know by midday today if it is approved by insurance. We can only pray the Blue Cross continues to be a stronghold, and continues to facilitate God's healing hand.

Jenni