Good-by 2009: and good riddance!
2009 was a nightmare for many of us. The last few months of it, for me, were disastrous. My four year relationship suddenly ended out of the blue; i don't know if i'll ever know what exactly went wrong. I lost my health insurance (again), and got really sick. I had to relocate back home, and have been taking care of my elderly grandmother since November. She has congestive heart failure and is on hospice. It's been very difficult trying to take care of her, my six animals, and MYSELF! I had to almost completely give up the raw diet because the over abundance of fiber was causing me all kinds of bowel issues. Mostly i just eat soft mechanical now. Seeds and popcorn, things like that are completely OUT of the question. I finally got some government assisted health insurance, but it's been three months in the making, and the service is so bad, my referrals keep getting lost, or deferred, or there's always something that gets screwed up. I still have not had a single follow up colonoscopy since diagnosis in 2007. My frustration reached a critical point, and i had to stop trying for a while. Now i'm ready to get back on the horse, and ride around the world again.
I would love to hear from anyone who's having a hard time with their medical coverage, or getting proper care and treatment because of their health insurance, or lack thereof. I've had to report a couple of places to the medical board, and i'm ready to send a posse out for these incompetents running our health care.
Anyway, i'm very curious to know how my old friends are doing, so i will spend some time reading as many posts as i can. I heard the horrible news about Mike, and it concerns me deeply that those of us who seem so relatively healthy one month can be gone the next. My heart goes out to his family.
Hugs and much love!
Krista
Comments
-
Welcome back!
Hey, Krista!
You're true to your word. You told me on facebook that you would try to post, and here you are. I'm sure everyone will be glad to read a post from you!
I'm very sorry about all the things that have been going on for you. You've had a tough time, and you do need a fresh start for 2010. Hope one of the first parts of that new start is a colonoscopy!
I'll be praying for you and your grandmother.
*hugs*
Gail0 -
Welcome back
Welcome back Krista, I have wondered often where you were. I to am glad that 2009 is over and I'm confident that 2010 will be a better year. Sorry to hear what you have been going through the past few months. Things will get better soon. Looking forward to your posts.
John0 -
Hello stranger!!!!! I'm so glad to see you!!!!
And what a GREAT pic!!!
Whew! What a year you had!!! I have you and your grandmother at the top of my list.
As far as insurance, well, I was lucky. Well, sort of....I pay about $700 per month for the 'luck'. And, because it's an HMO, there was (and is) MILES of red tape...and getting tough, and using phrases like "If you can't give me an answer, I guess I need to get the insurance commission involved". Eventually all my medical bills were covered, but I had to ride herd on them constantly. They were notoriously slow payers, and once my oncologist threatened to stop treatment until she got paid (Which, BTW, was against the contract terms she had with the insurance, and I told her point blank this very thing, and shame on her for stressing ME out with HER billing troubles!!!).
About 2 months ago, I received word that my group changed...seems this group I had was SO bad, that Healthnet (the umbrella company) shut them down...
BIG hugs to you, sweet soul. And may 2010 be a better year!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Hi Krista,
I've only been a
Hi Krista,
I've only been a member for a few weeks, so I can't say, "welcome back." But I can say I'm glad to know you. I've also said many happy good byes to 2009. May 2010 be a good and healthy year for us all.
I'm really sorry your relationship ended. I hope that taking care of your grandmother provides a moment or two of joy in between all the work.
You've had a much harder time than I have with insurance, but here's my story. I used to be an elementary school teacher. After several years of working with my dad in real estate development and construction (how's that for good timing!!) I decided to go back to teaching where all the money is- lol. Our company dropped our health insurance plan in June. I felt confident about getting a job and having insurance through our state employees plan. My wife and I actually considered going a few months without insurance, but KIm found a temporary plan through Assurant. I got a job teaching 3rd grade in mid July and signed the contract just before my diagnosis. My state insurance did not begin until September. Without the Assurant plan I would have been up the creek. However, Assurant has not been very good. They're slow to pay. We provide them with information, forms and everything they ask. Then they turn around and say that they don't have the paperwork. We send it all again and still they don't pay. I'm sure this sounds familiar to lots of folks. Assurant only has to cover me from June to September. They lost big time with me, but that is the risk that they take. I have to say, the hospital, Baptist here in NC, has been very helpful.
It's weird at best to listen to the national debate on health care from the perspective of a cancer patient. Lots of people talk about pre existing conditions in the abstract.
When you get your posse together count me in. I can ride a horse and I have my own pitchfork.
Stay strong.
Peace,
Roger0 -
Insurance woes
I can relate to the 'no insurance' as that is where I am at this point. I am at the inbetween place...can't get regular insurance and too young by just over 2 yrs for medicare and a little too well off (ha ha) for medicaid.
There seems to be little support out there from what I have been able to find. My only hope right now is through my local hospital...waiting to hear from them if I qualify for assistance...they are a non-profit so do have some programs.
I am relatively new here, but glad you are here to keep up the news.
Marie0 -
Cancer ain't easy, coverage should be
Sorry to hear of your not-so-fun last year. I do hope this one is better for us all. I am still rolling the boulder up the hill only to have it roll down again. At least I'm still rolling the boulder which is an expensive one even with insurance.
This shows why we need healthcare coverage for all. "They" all have to stop bickering and fix the f-ing thing. "We" need to write our congress-people and other elected officials to demand the reform we need.
-phil0 -
Hi KristaPhillieG said:Cancer ain't easy, coverage should be
Sorry to hear of your not-so-fun last year. I do hope this one is better for us all. I am still rolling the boulder up the hill only to have it roll down again. At least I'm still rolling the boulder which is an expensive one even with insurance.
This shows why we need healthcare coverage for all. "They" all have to stop bickering and fix the f-ing thing. "We" need to write our congress-people and other elected officials to demand the reform we need.
-phil
I am so glad you posted.I have been worried about you. The end of 2009 was not so good for me either and I haven't posted very much. A dear friend is back in the battle with breast cancer after 14 years,My mother-in had surgery for what we thought was pancreatic cancer and is still recovering and one of my best friends had a major stroke at 51 and passsed away leaving his wife and 3 children. I have been trying to help with all of them as much as I can.
HOWEVER, I believe that 2010 will be much brighter for both of us. I am so sorry for what you have had to endure. Remember you can share here or PM me if you ever need to talk.
Smiles,
Dawn0 -
Heartbreaking!dmdwins said:Hi Krista
I am so glad you posted.I have been worried about you. The end of 2009 was not so good for me either and I haven't posted very much. A dear friend is back in the battle with breast cancer after 14 years,My mother-in had surgery for what we thought was pancreatic cancer and is still recovering and one of my best friends had a major stroke at 51 and passsed away leaving his wife and 3 children. I have been trying to help with all of them as much as I can.
HOWEVER, I believe that 2010 will be much brighter for both of us. I am so sorry for what you have had to endure. Remember you can share here or PM me if you ever need to talk.
Smiles,
Dawn
Krista, you're so strong, and you will get through this, so much going on, but we stay resilient, we do keep going, my grandmother was in a nursing home when she died of congestive heart failure. She was in the very advanced stages of Alzheimer's, which was very hard for me to watch, then when my aunts couldn't take care of her anymore, they put her in a nursing home so they could work as well, and 2 weeks later she was gone. She was getting really violent, they couldn't leave her alone. I know how heartbreaking it is to watch your grandmother so sick. We're here for you when you need us.
I do hope you get to the doctors though and quick! my Insurance company has been pretty good so far, never denying any of my treatments or prescriptions, my husband is in a union as well, I been lucky, but I always wonder what happens when my plan runs out. It's a huge worry for me.
I'm so sorry to hear about your breakup as well, hopefully you are now strong enough to go on, and be able to happier things for YOU as well, and think of yourself, you're so selfless, and wonderful, and really hope you look out for yourself now, you're number 1, and you really need to go to the doctor, and out for some "Me" time. I'm glad to see you back, you put a smile on my face today, and hope to see you more.
Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
~Hugsss~
~Donna0 -
Hi KristaShayenne said:Heartbreaking!
Krista, you're so strong, and you will get through this, so much going on, but we stay resilient, we do keep going, my grandmother was in a nursing home when she died of congestive heart failure. She was in the very advanced stages of Alzheimer's, which was very hard for me to watch, then when my aunts couldn't take care of her anymore, they put her in a nursing home so they could work as well, and 2 weeks later she was gone. She was getting really violent, they couldn't leave her alone. I know how heartbreaking it is to watch your grandmother so sick. We're here for you when you need us.
I do hope you get to the doctors though and quick! my Insurance company has been pretty good so far, never denying any of my treatments or prescriptions, my husband is in a union as well, I been lucky, but I always wonder what happens when my plan runs out. It's a huge worry for me.
I'm so sorry to hear about your breakup as well, hopefully you are now strong enough to go on, and be able to happier things for YOU as well, and think of yourself, you're so selfless, and wonderful, and really hope you look out for yourself now, you're number 1, and you really need to go to the doctor, and out for some "Me" time. I'm glad to see you back, you put a smile on my face today, and hope to see you more.
Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
~Hugsss~
~Donna
I am sorry things are not going well but you are back and that is a good thing.I will be moving at the end of this month into a condo i found to rent close to where i lived in the house. My older son and brother in law are coming to move me. Its been nine months and i am doing ok.My brother who has the brain cancer is doing well still taking tremador but no sign of cancer so far which is good news.I lost 10 pounds on weight watchers, I do miss angel so much but it does not hurt as bad .
take care
michelle0 -
I am SOOOOO with you!
2009 was one of the toughest years I've ever had. I knew it would be rough, but there were many days I didn't think I'd survive. (and almost didn't). Good riddence! 2010 will be a miraculous year for both of us.
You and your grandmother are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Kimby0 -
Thanks guys!
You're all such a great bunch of friends! Thank you for responding and sharing your insurance and other woes with me.
Health care is something i worry a lot about too, and i agree that it's the last thing we should have to even think about. I gotta say, the health insurance nightmare has been far more stressful and angst provoking than the cancer and it's treatments have been, and that's pretty bad! Being as we're fighting the biggest battle anyone could ever fight, we have to carefully choose our side battles. I've been fighting to get the word out to others about colorectal cancer in general, and i strongly encourage everyone i talk to about it to get screened at any hint of symptoms. But with this insurance B.S., no one can just go out and do that. Even some of us who already have the diagnosis still have to go through the red tape and lame referral process to get a simple follow up test.
Roger, your comment cracked me up! I'm so happy your wife got that insurance for you! Your situation is becoming more and more common with people losing their jobs, and then their health coverage. This is a situation that the individuals against universal health care aren't considering. Stranded without health care coverage can strike anyone at any time. No one is immune, and when it happens, God forbid there is a life-threatening illness diagnosed. I wonder sometimes how many people in this country could actually afford cancer treatment costs out of pocket?
That reminds me, i've got to go make a bunch of phone calls to these persons again!
I haven't been able to respond to anyone else's posts on this site. I will try again later. There were a bunch i wanted to join in on!
Donna, if i can't respond to your post, let me add here how happy i am that some of your tumors are shrinking!! I was so happy to hear that! Hopefully the other tumors will join the band wagon, and giddy-up go! Thank you for your b-day wishes! Thank you as well, Gail! I have to thank you guys for posting on Facebook. You are all so thoughtful!
Love ya!
Krista0 -
big moveangelsbaby said:Hi Krista
I am sorry things are not going well but you are back and that is a good thing.I will be moving at the end of this month into a condo i found to rent close to where i lived in the house. My older son and brother in law are coming to move me. Its been nine months and i am doing ok.My brother who has the brain cancer is doing well still taking tremador but no sign of cancer so far which is good news.I lost 10 pounds on weight watchers, I do miss angel so much but it does not hurt as bad .
take care
michelle
I'm so glad you're finally moving, Michelle. This will probably be good for you as a step towards moving forward. I'm also very glad your brother seems to be doing well. No signs of cancer??? How marvelous!!
Congrats on the weight loss! Losing weight can feel great!
Hugs!
Krista0 -
looking great!kimby said:I am SOOOOO with you!
2009 was one of the toughest years I've ever had. I knew it would be rough, but there were many days I didn't think I'd survive. (and almost didn't). Good riddence! 2010 will be a miraculous year for both of us.
You and your grandmother are in my prayers.
Hugs,
Kimby
Thanks, Kimby! You look wonderful! All bronzed up, and loving life! I'm with you, 2010 is going to be awesome!
Hugs,
Krista0 -
Thanks guys!dmdwins said:Hi Krista
I am so glad you posted.I have been worried about you. The end of 2009 was not so good for me either and I haven't posted very much. A dear friend is back in the battle with breast cancer after 14 years,My mother-in had surgery for what we thought was pancreatic cancer and is still recovering and one of my best friends had a major stroke at 51 and passsed away leaving his wife and 3 children. I have been trying to help with all of them as much as I can.
HOWEVER, I believe that 2010 will be much brighter for both of us. I am so sorry for what you have had to endure. Remember you can share here or PM me if you ever need to talk.
Smiles,
Dawn
Thank you Dawn and Phil for your well wishes. I'm sorry i made you worry. I hate staying away from the board too long. I tend to get out of touch when things go too badly, and shutter myself away. Now i'm past the gloom, and into the angry stage! lol!
If you're on facebook, add me! It's easier for me to keep in touch on that site, for some reason.
Hugs,
Krista0 -
Thanks JohnJR said:Welcome back
Welcome back Krista, I have wondered often where you were. I to am glad that 2009 is over and I'm confident that 2010 will be a better year. Sorry to hear what you have been going through the past few months. Things will get better soon. Looking forward to your posts.
John
I haven't looked around the board too much, but i haven't seen any posts from you. How are you doing?
Hugs,
Krista0 -
KathiKathiM said:Hello stranger!!!!! I'm so glad to see you!!!!
And what a GREAT pic!!!
Whew! What a year you had!!! I have you and your grandmother at the top of my list.
As far as insurance, well, I was lucky. Well, sort of....I pay about $700 per month for the 'luck'. And, because it's an HMO, there was (and is) MILES of red tape...and getting tough, and using phrases like "If you can't give me an answer, I guess I need to get the insurance commission involved". Eventually all my medical bills were covered, but I had to ride herd on them constantly. They were notoriously slow payers, and once my oncologist threatened to stop treatment until she got paid (Which, BTW, was against the contract terms she had with the insurance, and I told her point blank this very thing, and shame on her for stressing ME out with HER billing troubles!!!).
About 2 months ago, I received word that my group changed...seems this group I had was SO bad, that Healthnet (the umbrella company) shut them down...
BIG hugs to you, sweet soul. And may 2010 be a better year!!!
Hugs, Kathi
You're so sweet!
Thank you for your prayers!
I sure hope you're not with that stupid doctor anymore! That was totally wrong of her to put her insurance problems on you! Maybe she would rather be dealing with insurance problems AND cancer?! lol!
Hugs!
Krista0 -
Hi Marie!Lovekitties said:Insurance woes
I can relate to the 'no insurance' as that is where I am at this point. I am at the inbetween place...can't get regular insurance and too young by just over 2 yrs for medicare and a little too well off (ha ha) for medicaid.
There seems to be little support out there from what I have been able to find. My only hope right now is through my local hospital...waiting to hear from them if I qualify for assistance...they are a non-profit so do have some programs.
I am relatively new here, but glad you are here to keep up the news.
Marie
Thank you for your kind words! I understand about the in-between thing. It's much the same thing with Medi-cal. Either too young, or too old. I hope you're getting some sort of treatment now? Yeah, well off is now below poverty. You can't qualify for county medical services here unless you make below $800 per month. If you make less than $800 per month, you're most likely sleeping in a homeless shelter, and eating out of garbage dumpsters.
This year will be better, for sure!
Hugs,
Krista0 -
Hi dear Krista,I was worried
Hi dear Krista,I was worried about you because I haven't seen your post for a long time.The other day,we did open a post to look for you.Finally I heard that you were ok because you replied somebody's either facebook or blog.Anyway I am glad you are back.I am so sorry to know that you had been through so much.Life is strange,sometimes all the bad things happen at the same time.You are in my prayers and I hope your insurance problem will be solved very soon.Take care.0 -
HI Krista
Hi Krista,
So good to see you! You have been through so much. 2010 must be better. I look forward to seeing your posts. You've been missed!
Aloha,
Kathleen0
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