Dr. Barth

It is Friday night and I am sitting on the floor on the 1st floor at Hoag where I can manage to get Wi-Fi clearly.

I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready to enjoy a wonderfully hot weekend!

My Dad left and the boys are being entertained by dear friends tonight and tomorrow night and the next night and the next so that I can be with Gary overnight.

Gary’s parents are here and they will be here until Monday. They have been keeping Gary company during the day. At this point Gary needs someone to be with him 24 hours a day until he gets stronger and more aware of what he requires.

Well, Dr. Barth just left. He gave us some news that is not good but it did not seem to phase Gary so I have not brought it up to him. He told us that our Aetna PPO denied the SBRT (radiation treatment) that is needed for Gary’s liver. There is apparently no other radiation option due to the potential dangers to Gary’s vital organs that are near the liver.

I was hoping and praying that Aetna would approve this needed treatment. My cynical mind wanders and I get pissed when I think that Aetna could be denying us this crucial treatment because they think that there is no hope for Gary to survive. I know the medical directors are not idiots. If traditional radiation would possible kill him then why would they not approve this safe and effective treatment? It makes no sense. They have shelled out hundreds of thousands of dollars on Gary thus far and a measly $30,000 doesn’t seem like much!

Dr. Barth shared with us that the only other option is to administer chemo directly to the liver through chemoembolism. Unfortunately, Gary is not strong enough to withstand that right now.

So, here is what needs to happen to get the cancer treatment rolling.
1. We need to help Gary drink and eat throughout the day. Soft foods and lots of liquids.
2. We need to help Gary to start getting out of bed and really pushing himself harder. I know it sounds awful but time is of the essence and the more Gary focuses on getting better and pushing himself the closer we get to actually treating the cancer.
3. Gary needs to use his breathing device to get the gunk out of his lungs and to prevent infection from setting in.
4. Gary needs to stay positive and focused on the big picture.

When Dr. Barth was in tonight Gary told him that he was glad that he chose to fight because the operation was not as bad as he thought it was going to be! He was quite proud of himself! How dare Dr. Barth give him the option of laying down and dying!

Most days I can hardly believe that I am sitting on the 8th floor with Gary and we are fighting a new front to this disgusting disease. I look at Gary and I can’t possibly fathom losing him.

GARY NEEDS CARDS AGAIN
I know it is a lot to ask but his room has white walls and you know how I feel about white walls. If everyone could send cards to the church again that would be so great! If you know my home address then please send the cards to my home. I just don’t like putting my home address out on the internet for all to see!



GARY SALLEE
C/O Mountain View Church
PO BOX 2058
MV, Ca. 92690


Thanks everyone! I am going to watch What Not To Wear and to try and not think about what it means to not be able to have this much needed radiation therapy. Maybe I am the one who needs the valium!

Love and Hugs,
L