"Chemo in Paris"- hummed to the tune of "April in Paris" although quite a different experience.
You may be aware that we have a serious drug shortage in the U.S. For what many say about us have the best health care system in the world, there are shortfalls. This is one of them.
After my 4th of 6 scheduled chemo treatments for recurrent ovarian cancer, my oncologist told me that he could not assure that I could get the remaining two treatments. Why? There is a drug shortage of Doxil (the treatment of choice for my situation) and many other drugs and anesthesia agents widely used in treatment and surgeries.
So I was not ready to just sit back and take the second choice with more side effects and less effectiveness. Afterall, I have been doing really well on this current combo of chemo drugs and wanted to continue feeling the good energy and sense of wellness that I have been feeling.
So I got on the phone to large and small treatment centers in the Northeast. I researched availablity at places across the country. Same answer. No Doxil for me. Then on a longshot, I asked some friends in Paris if they knew of someone I might contact to see if it might be available here or elsewhere in Europe? (I learned that Doxil is marketed under the name of Caelyx here.)
I am so fortunate that one of my dear friends contacted an oncologist they knew, who pointed me in the direction of a gynocologic oncologist at the leading cancer treatment center in Europe, just south of Paris, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy.
I gathered up my courage, my French-speaking brain cells (and there are not a whole lot of them!) and called the secretary of the doctor who I believe is the head of the ovarian cancer section of the IGR. After faxing a description of my situation to her, a telephone interview was arranged (with an English-speaking doctor as intermediary) and I was accepted for treatment! What a relief I felt!
So after wiring the upfront payment amount, I was given two treatment dates.
The first one was last Wednesday, August 24th.
Just a note about the payment. The doctor actually apologized for having to charge me, because, as she said, if I were a French citizen, there would be no charge. And despite the fact that this charge is a fraction of what insurance pays in the U. S. neither Medicare nor my back-up Cigna will pay any reimbursement because it is "out-of-country." Nevermind that "in- country" treatment that I had already been on was not available for me to be able to complete my prescribed treatment.
There will be hearings on this in Congress in early September to try to get behind what it is that the pharmaceutical companies and distributors are doing.
More about that later.
Wednesday arrived and I set out on the metro at 7:30 am!
Tuesday, the day before this, was the day for the "dry run" so that I would be sure I could easily make the trip both ways and know how to get back! It was actually quite easy and convenient. Paris public transportation is a dream! Inexpensive and easy connections.
Check in at the Welcome desk was at 8:30am where I got a form or two to complete. then off to wait for another administrator/admissions person.
I have to say at this point that every person I had contact with was so pleasant, attentive, and unhurried when they listened to me and my bumpy French. We usually were speaking combos of French and English and it all worked just fine.
There was a bit of a waiting period during which I had lunch, (was given a free voucher) ...
...and browsed the gift shop. Wow! Heartman loved that! He found some new friends!
After the consultation with the gyn/onc that would oversee my treatment, I went for a blood draw before the chemo.
Soon I was seen by Phillipe, the infusion nurse. Very sweet man, explained everything he was doing and attended to my comfort. I was in a room with 3 other chairs and Phillipe said that they had 3 other rooms like this and they see about 150 persons a day for chemotherapy in that part of the L'Hopital du Jour, Day Hospital!
Despite all that, I always felt well attended to throughout the whole chemo treatment.
So here we are now, 4 days after treatment #5, and all is going quite well. I've had some nice walks around the neighborhood and plan to go farther afield tomorrow. I have some errands and some new places to see.
I feel very fortunate to be here, to have dear friends here, and of course, you dear friends at home.
No reason for this photo except that I like the colors and light. Chemo can do that to you. :-)
Our building at 6 Villa Monceau is always kept in such nice condition and the neighborhood is welcoming and quiet.
I love the diversity of Paris.
During the early part of the week, I had to go to my bank to withdraw some precious euros.
