anger, short temper

[robin]

I have Humana as my co-insurance through AARP and it pays great. There is only one med that isn't covered and it runs about $680 a month. I also have a couple of meds who's co-pay is $60 but it is all manageable.

Oklahoma City did recommend that we start fund-raising but I guess either we were lazy or just didn't want to deal with that aspect of transplant. The hospital in Miami had a great transplant family motel that only cost $50 a night (that was almost 4 years ago) and in Oklahoma City and in Little Rock, they had apartments that could be rented reasonably and motels at discounted prices. We had meals in the room that we purchased from a grocery store so there wasn't any extra expense there as we had to eat where-ever we were. Gasoline is now almost a dollar more than it was when I was traveling to Oklahoma but mileage is deductible from your taxes (though only at 20 cents a mile) for medical when it's 56 cents for business...figure that one out).

Things can be expensive but the hospital has been willing to work with us on payment. I nearly croaked when I found they had billed $79,000 for retrieval of the liver and $30,000 for the surgeon to remove it. I'm thinking...that is over $100,000 just to get the liver...nothing towards putting it in me.

We were lucky that we didn't have dependent children. Can we count dependent cats...they cost as much as kids do? I can't imagine having 3 kids in college at once. Are they not able to get grants and student loans since your income is limited and you have 3 in college, Susie? I know I could not have survived college without loans and grants, even working full time. Still happy my kids were out of the house and on their own.

In the big picture, I really expected to have to empty out my retirement savings and have been more than pleased that I've only gone in it once and for only $10,000. Outside of that...we are managing because Medicare has been wonderful. I must say...I've been impressed with it.

Good luck Susie and keep your spirits high...robin

[hanklive39]

Hi Robin, Mom!

The one thing that you may not be aware of is the costs of your Prograf is covered by part B medicare under catastrophic prescriptions, and the only costs that you need to worry about is the co-payments... Part D covers all the other meds and you only have to pay the co-payments for those so, if your pharmacy starts to include the costs of your Prograf with your other meds, they're not calculating it correctly because of the differences in the coverage catagories with respect to medicare... The same goes for the insurance companies!!! They sometimes need to be reminded of this since their own own mindsets are geared towards maximum profit margins only without giving any considerations to what is right and what's incorrect!!!

Hope this helps

Respectfully,
Henry

[robin]

How bout those Giants!!!! Loved the pcitures Hank. I'm aware that Medicare pays for about $2000 of my prescriptions. That is part of my concern in waiting for the review. I'm thinking there is no way they can deny me right now. My blood pressure has decided to take a drop and is running in the 80/50 range which makes me dizzy. Figure I should be safe for another couple of years, I hope. Keep your spirits high...robin 

[Hank's mom]

Hi Hank and Robin -
Thanx for the financial info, all of it really helps. When I was in the hospital last week the social worker paid me a visit. Apparently I am qualified for some Medicare insurance. She wasn't sure why I already didn't have it since I have been declared disabled for the past two years. I have never been called up for a revue, so perhaps it's in part because I haven't requested one. The only thing I can think of was that the initial application required the previous year's tax records. Of course, that is when I was working so we sounded better on paper anyway. I do already get a discounted rate on dental care because it was in the clinic's computer - I had no idea. Anyway,  the social worker checked with the lawyer the hospital uses who is going to contact me once he can find out more. Anything would help, that's for sure.

The only really big hurtle is finding a place to stay initially, possibly including the weeks before. I have heard that the hotel which serves the whole medical complex - including many big hospitals in Boston - discounted rates for both patients and their families. I have to look into it further. My son mentioned that he will be doing his internship in a Boston business so will probably need to get a place there and we could actually share the place. I don't know if he anticipates all that includes - but I told him to see if there was something anyway. (Of course, he still has to get the job. LOL) I sort of remember being such an idealist, though I am currently having trouble remembering my name.

I also checked with my insurance company - the trannie includes retrieving the donor liver and God forbid, I reject it, the new trannie would be considered as a new item, no caps, no problems. It's nice to have so much pressure lifted. I will still seek some funding-raising, just in case any of it falls apart, such as my marriage - there's the big question mark. I've already taken him off the emergency phone list as I said I would if I had an emergency and he was too snooked to get me there safely. He was actually shocked, but there it is, deal with it!

Sorry to add that little nugget. At any rate, whatever I don't need pays forward to the next person in need, which will all be written in the trust. My kids do all have grants and loans, but of course, there are always surprises, which is where we come in. Their jobs don't cover much and my one son needs to put all his energy into his studies since his learning disability multiplies all assignments by at least two as it is. They do yeoman's work during the summer which they can stash to take on some of the extras like car insurance and such. Anyway, part of my zest to go through all of this is to see them through all of it and beyond. I probably spoil them, but they return the favor with their love and unfailing loyalty to me. A huge wellness factor.

As usual, I've run on some. Thanx you two, really. Great pics Hank, though I admit to being a Pats fan - consider my locale. 

Hope your bp pops back up where it belongs Robin, and soon. If anyone can kick it back up, it's you.

Be well, and much love,
Susie

[mindy]

While I was on pegintron I got so nasty with my little girls, very short tempored, screaming, etc.  At about 55 weeks, I agreed to go on Lexapro.  It did make a difference Jody.
I'm not sure, I don't think any of us that has tx can be, which is the drug that causes this anger management problem?  Just talk to your doc about a low dose of medication.