(07-25-2017, 05:05 PM)Dakota Wrote: For those who have been around awhile, you know I am a stage 4 cancer patient. Well, long story short, I am now on a new insurance plan (Medicare). For those who are unfamiliar with the insurance, there are parts A, B, and a couple others (D,I think).  Starting in August, I begin Medicare. The problem with Medicare is it pays 80% of the medical bills, and the patient is left to pay the last 20%. I have been battling stage 4 kidney cancer for almost 3 years. The 2 main medications I take to keep the cancer at bay cost $4700 and $11,800, respectively. If that weren't bad enough, I am losing almost 300 dollars a month for the insurance.

So, what does this all mean? I don't have a snowball's chance in hell of paying my medical bills anymore. I was supposed to have another shoulder surgery in the next few weeks, but won't have the money to do that. I also won't have the money to keep paying for the essential medications that are keeping me alive. Barring a miracle, it looks like I am nearing the end of the line.

I don't know how to feel about it. My quality of life has been reduced to almost nothing over the past 3 years. I have been on disability for much of that time, and those funds are just enough to  pay the monthly bills. I don't have the money to do much of anything else. I am just existing. That's no way to live.

I have a couple social workers working on finding funding for my healthcare, but they said to not hold my breath.

So if this is it, it's been a good ride. I had a good life. I saw much of the world, and had some very fulfilling jobs.  The downside is that I have a wife and family who love me very much. I have my dog, Dixie, who is my best buddy in the world. It's a lot to digest both good and bad. Since I just got all of this news today, I haven't have any time to really digest all of this.

All I know is that without my meds, it's just a matter of time. Hopefully someone or some group comes through to help with the medical costs, but I'm not counting on it.

So, all in all, it's been good to know each and every one of you. I wish you all nothing but the best.

Dakota, your story touches on part of the reason I wanted Bernie Sanders as president. There should never be a question of someone being able to afford critical medical care in the wealthiest nation on Earth.

I'd suggest taking jagwired's advice and looking into Canadian meds as their nation took the step of controlling predatory greed from the pharmaceutical industry complex years ago and they're much better off for it.

---