My Story

In June I was diagnosed with DCIS grade 3 two weeks before my 60th birthday. I already knew about partial radiation but was not sure I would meet the criteria. When I met my surgeon, Dr. David Carr, he confirmed I would be a good candidate but then advised me that my insurance company would not pay for it. I opted to have MammoSite treatment and pay for it myself. Realizing I was one of very few who had the means to pay for treatment, I went on a campaign to make the insurers change their minds. I went to the local press and spoke with Scott Sexton at the Winston-Salem Journal. His wife sang with me in the church choir so making the contact was easy. I come from a newspaper family and knew this would make a good story. Scott’s story was published on August 20, 2006. Meanwhile my doctors submitted bills to my insurance company, which were denied. As time went by the decision was appealed and again denied. The doctors persisted and appealed again. Finally, the Second Level Grievance Review Panel met on March 6, 2007 and the request for benefits was approved by the external review.

I was notified on March 9, 2007 and I now celebrate for women in North Carolina who, finally, will have a choice of treatment for breast cancer detected early. Persistence pays and being an advocate for yourself during treatment is, by itself, healing.

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