Saturday, January 11, 2014

Delaware (poor) Health & (anti-) Social Services, And Other Bad News.

A Scanned copy of the money-quote from the Delaware Health & Social Services letter written about last week appears below.  (for a clear image click to embiggen.) If you do the math you'll see that I am a whopping $2.97 over the allowed limit.

It's quite insulting, as you can see.



Everywhere I went Thursday and Friday medical staff gleefully reminded me that I was no longer covered for …..whatever it was to cover.  I still don't know.  They wasted no time yanking me from the computer systems. And it was frightfully annoying.

Thursday morning I had labs done at 7:30 am, and thought if a transfusion was necessary it would be scheduled Friday afternoon following my appointment with the surgeon upstate.

However, shortly after arriving at home a call came in that the BC was extremely low and I would have to be transfused that afternoon.  It couldn't wait another 24+ hours. The blood was on order and I was to arrive at 1 pm, so the deed could be done. 

Blood arrived at 2:30 pm.  I didn't get home until nearly 7 pm.  Another whole day shot - and I haven't many of them left, it seems.

My sidekick, Deb and I left earlier than normal Friday morning, made our way to Christiana in pouring rain which turned to freezing rain as she drove north. We still arrived on time so I got a second set of labs done and waited to see the surgeon. 

The nurse at the surgeon's desk cheerfully informed me that my coverage had changed, then asked if I wanted to pay the co-pay right then.  I laughed and said "bill me!" Apparently she didn't see the humor as I did. I could have offered her the $2.97, but doubt she'd get the joke.

The doctor visit was not a hopeful or uplifting one. There is no sign of a match in the database for me, and the wait of a year or more isn't an option. He had 3 suggestions: 

See a specialist in 50% match transplants at Johns Hopkins which I may or may not be eligible to receive. A long shot.

Ask about getting into a new study for JAK -2 protocols.  Another long shot. Don't ask.  No clue.

Ask if the mild oral chemo - 5 daily doses every month (which could be administered at the Center here) which may slow down the eventual slide into leukemia is an option.  Of course, I'd be subjected to transfusions as I am now, so little change there.

The doctor raved about the magic this specialist has worked on people far worse than I. The nurse gave me all relevant info and told me the doctor was forwarding my files to Hopkins and that an appointment should be made as soon as possible. Hopkins takes up half the city of Baltimore, MD and is considered one of the premier research hospitals in the world.  We shall see what I come up with.  There will be a call for an appointment on Monday morning.  The wait may be a couple of weeks, but I'd be on his schedule.

Aside from these options I was given 2 years - on the outside - if things remain the same or one of the above comes to pass. I suddenly felt very small, very tired, and with little hope for the future. 

The pity potty was quickly flushed as we made our way back to the beach in heavier freezing rain and sleet. It began to warm up as we neared the beaches so it turned to rain and eventually slacked up a little. Then, we were suddenly dealing with fog, as well. No joy ride to be sure and I was grateful for Deb and for not having to drive alone.

Both were starving, so Deb asked where we should have lunch. Being January, I had no idea who was open for lunch - being out of the loop nowadays. We tossed out a few possibilities and then she said we ought to go to Dos Locos for lunch so I could see my friends and get cheered up a bit.  So we did.

No more pity-party-of-one.  My whole outlook changed when I got those hugs and laughter, jokes and other silliness thrown at me. We had a delightful lunch with wine and good company.  It was great fun. The restaurant bought our lunch, thanks to the locosguys.  Very generous, as always.

Being a late lunch I wasn't hungry for supper last night, so before climbing into bed for the night I enjoyed a bowl of ice cream, which really hit the spot. 

The rains continue today with milder temps in the low 60s, but have nowhere to go. I'm grateful because I don't have a lot of energy today.  I remain snug here bracing myself to get on with setting up the new printer.  


Yes, Mr. Procrastination, at your service. That's me.

And so it goes.
*

6 comments:

  1. :(

    all the more reason to look forward to the blogger gathering in 60 days! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. The sad and unfair state of medical coverage in this country is criminal. We should all have universal coverage, regardless of income circumstances. To me that is a basic right. This country is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't have universal health insurance coverage. There is absolutely no excuse for this. Your present situation is only one of thousands if not millions. Thank God for the Affordable Health Care bill Although imperfect and far from universal coverage, at least more people will not have to suffer as you are now. President Obama saw what his mother had to go through during her final illness. He knew how unfair it was for her to have the stress of trying to cover her medical bills while fighting her illness. That is why he pushed for even this modest reform in our grossly inadequate health care system. Yours is a classic example of "falling in between the cracks." You have so much to offer this world and yet this is happening to you and all of us feel so helpless to help. Thank goodness that you have a friend like Deb and your friends at Dos Locos to help ease your present burden, if only a little.
    Not to make this about me but yesterday I was given the news (by my dermatologist and a whole body exam) that I may have melanoma. Biopsies will be taken. I'll post when I get the results.

    One day at a time. A cliche but so true.

    Stay warm and cozy.

    Ron

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank God for your friend, Deb! She must be a sweetheart as she has such a big heart! And thank God for Dos Locos -- a place where you are loved and can feel at ease.

    Now to the health care system: Tell them that they are wrong because the standard deduction is $25.00. Didn't they know it had been increased??? And that you are eligible. Hell, given their mentality, they may even believe you. I'm sorry - I don't mean to belittle your situation; it must be awful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cajun, I'm so sorry to hear of your illness. Johns Hopkins is an excellent hospital and hope you are able to get treatment from them. Take care.
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  5. Don't worry about the bills. Feed your body, heart, soul first. Added stress will only compound your inability to heal quickly. Let them wait.
    BJ

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome if they are positive and/or helpful.
If they are simply a tirade or opinionated bullshit, they will be removed, so don't waste your time, or mine.

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