Making Headway

I truly believe if you all were to look up the word "assertive" in Webster's Dictionary, you would find a picture of my face. I am seriously the veritable definition of the word these days. Here's what I've found out about the Anthem issue:

(1) MPRI cannot see me until they have Anthem's pre-determination approval on file. This is a document that says that the insurance company will pay at least part of the costs (even if it is onlly out-of-network) for their services.
(2) My pre-determination paperwork is sitting in a pile somewhere waiting to be signed
(3) Anthem is about 4-6 weeks behind on these papers. This means that it is not likely anyone will even look at the paper until the end of May.
(4) If the paper is not signed until the end of May, I cannot be measured or fitted until then.
(5) After I'm measured and fitted, it will take about 1 month for the computer to run the numbers and for the doctors to develop my radiation plan.
(6) According to my calcuations, this means I would be able to begin radiation anywhere (because Bloomington can't let Goshen start until they are done with the plan) until the beginning of July.
(7) Radiation will last 6-8 weeks
(8) I would not even be done with radiation when school starts next fall

Does anyone else see this as unacceptable? Hey... I'm happy this is a slow-growing cancer, but I'm not going to sit around and let it grow in my face all summer. I am already having a hard time chewing, smiling, and laughing, and it seems to be getting worse by the day. I'm the funniest person I know. I'm forced to laugh on a regular basis. I can't afford to not laugh. Plus, Dr. Thornton himself said it was the best form of medicine for my tumor :)

So... here is what I say: I will be in Bloomington for measurements and fittings next week. If Anthem doesn't get the paperwork signed, MPRI is just going to have to figure out how much it will cost me to pay for those procedures outright, and we're all gonna have to do some serious fundraising until the suits at Anthem get out their Mont Blanc pens, get on the ball, and get my pre-determination paper signed! I AM NOT TAKING NO FOR AN ANSWER! In fact, I'd like to go to Bloomington on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, and I may just show up in the waiting room!

Secondly, RaKeesha Marie Ballard will be going on the U.S. History Trip. Let's all make this happen. I won the school $500 for an Excellence in Education Award (tune in to see me on the 16 Morning News on Monday) and the trip costs $600. I think I know how EMHS should use that check!

So...everyone needs to jump on board Ashli's Assertive Bandwagon! It's actually a pretty fun ride!