While there are many jokes and gripes about having a mother-in-law, I feel like I am one of the lucky few who had the chance to marry into a wonderful family. My mother-in-law, Diana, has taught me so much about having a positive attitude, no matter what life throws your way. She's taught me how to have the courage and strength to keep fighting when others would give up. She's also taught me the most important thing about life, your family.
My mother-in-law has been battling breast cancer for the last two and a half years. I've watched her go through extensive surgeries and chemotherapy treatment, all while keeping a positive outlook and a sense of humor. She has already had a radical mastectomy and has also had 40% of her liver removed. The cancer has metastasized again to her liver and we have been recently told that the chemotherapy treatment that she was undergoing is not working. The tumors have increased in both number and size and the cancer has since spread to several places in her bones.
My wife, Kristen, and Diana have met with several doctors where she has been told that she is not a candidate for many of likely treatments. Her doctor has recommended a procedure of transcatheter occlusion and radiopharmaceutical therapy (radioactive beads place directly into her liver). The insurance company has denied the treatment stating that it is experimental and investigational. This treatment is approved for liver cancer. However, since the cancer originated in her breast, the insurance company is classifying it as breast cancer in the liver and is refusing to approve/pay for the procedure. I'm not familiar with how issues, like this, are typically handled in the medical and insurance industry. It's hard for me to understand and comprehend why someone who needs life-saving treatment can be denied coverage for treatment at her doctor's recommendation, if they have insurance. After all, the reason people like you and me have insurance, is for emergency situations.
Her doctors are appealing this decision and have asked for family and friends to write letters on her behalf asking for them to overturn the decision. If you have time and would like to help, I would really appreciate it. All they want is a personal letter stating that she has gone through so much and deserves every chance to beat this devastating disease.
If you could address the letter to:
Mercy Healthcare Group
Grievance Department
4350 E. Cotton Center Boulevard, Building D.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
Re: Diana Mourssali
The letters can be emailed to me or Diana, dsmourssali@q.com, and they will be submitted with the doctor's appeal.
Thank you again for all your support and prayers. It means more than any of you can possible know.
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