East vs. West and Small Victories Along the Way

This post was originally published on Corrina’s Caringbridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/corrina

Well, we're deep into it at this point.

Corrina is into her second week of radiation and chemotherapy and, for the most part, is doing exceptionally well. That being said, the first mile of this journey has already had its bumps in the road.

Corrina and the two David’s in her life - Sr. (father) and Jr. (then boyfriend)

Soon into treatment, Corrina's insurance company denied the drug all the experts have recommended. Avastin has been shown to provide direct benefit to glioblastoma patients beyond the standard of care but has only been approved by the FDA on tumor progressions (once initial treatment has failed). It is not yet approved for initial tumor diagnoses right out of the gate, although all experts are convinced of its value...except the FDA.

Although this drug isn’t the ultimate solution, we didn't want to leave it off the table. Dr. Vredenburgh unfortunately wasn't able to get it approved in his peer to peer review with the insurance company, so we contacted the drug provider directly and learned that we might be eligible for a supply from and covered by them, but only pending the denial following the review of our appeal filed against the initial denial - and that could be up to 20 days according to law. (Don't get me started. Having to fight with insurance on top of dealing with the trauma of this experience is maddening. #thisisamerica).

Identifying that backup option was comforting, but the fact that it required us waiting and was still not 100% guaranteed left us a bit nervous. Mustering patience across that length of time is challenging when you identify the best treatment for a loved one who needs it.

Luckily, Claudia is a fighter. (...for all the sweetness she communicates in her posts, she is also a woman on a mission who will do ANYTHING for her daughter).

Claudia contacted our friend Susan, whose husband has a direct relationship to the president of Corrina's insurance provider. Within 24 hours of making a vociferous appeal, Avastin was approved for Corrina's treatment. YES!

Based on experience, Dr. V and his nurse Joy felt like we had worked a miracle. I have to agree, but one thing I've learned through this process already is that miracles don't just come about spontaneously while you wait for them to happen. They take a LOT of work to bring them forth, but with intention (and perseverance AND FRIENDS), so much is possible. Thank you Susan!!!

These are the small victories along the way which give us hope and fuel our momentum.

As the radiation ramps up, the tumor swelled again (just like the biopsy, this beast inside of Corrina is angry that we're fighting it and is punching us back). The increased swelling creates nausea, fatigue, and vomiting and unfortunately the quickest way to reduce it is through increasing steroids. Those steroids are agitating and produce side effects that need to be combatted with other medicine and those other medicines produce side effects that need to be combatted with other medicine and those other medicines produce side effects that need to be combatted with other medicine, on and on and on...you get the point.

Corrina has never been one to take routine medication in the first place, so this experience is quite new on her body (and mind).

Luckily, we have some extra players on Heal Team C that I must acknowledge for their incredible balancing roles and integrative support.

DJ Horn has been hugely instrumental in providing emotional, cellular, and energetic therapy. The benefits of this work are unequivocal, leaving Corrina feeling rested and filled with peace. DJ has an amazing capability of speaking to Corrina's body on the deepest of levels and is providing it with incredible encouragement to rally its inherent powers.

Kara Burkhart, Corrina's naturopath, has provided essential acupuncture, natural supplements, and overall counseling in response to Big Pharma’s inundation. Her protocol is to supplement the body’s own inherent ability to heal with natural occurring compounds and nerve stimulation, through which Corrina is thriving.

We also recently enlisted the counsel of Dr. Melissa Coats, a naturopathic oncologist who specializes in naturopathic treatment of cancers. In addition to a recommending cancer- fighting supplements, her approach focuses primarily on diet and making sure Corrina gets the fuel she needs to face this challenge head on. Not surprisingly, Corrina already eats many of the foods recommended by Dr. Coats, so no new habits needs to be learned. It’s just about getting in the calories at this point.

So this is our path forward. It’s a combination of East and West, West and East. Ultimately, this balance feels very right to us. Leaning too heavy in one direction over the other would feel neglectful. This balanced approach might not be for some, but it definitely is for us. And I think the majority of you out there who know and love Corrina fully understand why.

Thank you for your continuing support via prayer, care, food, and love. Namaste.