Unemployment.. Underemployment and catastrophic heath issues.. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

AdvisorGuy · #1 12-14-2010, 10:38 AM

Several months back, I posted that I would be staying away from religious, political, and social issue-based threads, which I did. That included staying away from the news as well. I haven't watched CNN, MSNBC or FOX for more than five minutes in the last few months as well. I watch the local news for the weather forecast, that's about it. I also posted at that time about my health issues, that no one seemed to give a ***** about, but that's what this post is about..

As some may recall, I was unemployed for over a year and a half, finding a job in July that payed way less than the amount of hours I worked and was diagnosed with a "bacterial intestinal infection" back in May that caused me to lose a lot of weight. I started the job in early July. Within a month, my feet were swelling discolored, similar to a diabetics might be. I went back to the same "free clinic" as with no job or insurance at the May illness and just starting the job, I still had no insurance, I was misdiagnosed yet again - HIV+. Why ? My T-Cell count was very low - 258. They immediately went with the HIV diagnosis and of course notified county health services who called me & demanded I come in for a check up and interview. Meanwhile I sat home curled in a ball for two days.. There was no possible way I was HIV+. Their quick test indicated the same result - positive.I refused to start any care with them.

Come late September, early October, I went to the JPS Hospital emergency room in Ft Worth due to swollen & discolored feet. After being there 10 hours, nothing was done That bruise on the bottom of my right foot had grown and grown brothers & sisters. They ultimately lead to Neuropathy in my feet. I was immediately, financially classified at JPS and care & diagnosis started immediately. With no treatment between the HIV+ diagnosis and then, my first blood tests revealed a T-Cell count jump from 258 to 475. It is currently at 674, healthy adult T-Cell count being between 600-1000, with no HIV treatment - JUST EATING and putting weight back on. I was also immediately sent for a CT scan and started on some pill medications as the doctor felt it was a form of cancer than specifically effects men of Mediterranean background. CT scan came back with a lump on my left lung, 2 on my liver, 1 at the back of my throat and 1 in my colon. I also have a number of "lesions" on my body. One on my neck grew to the size of a cherry as it was located right on lymph nodes and had a great blood supply. It and a small one on my back were removed for biopsy 3 weeks ago. Two weeks ago, a lymph node was removed from my right upper neck for biopsy as well and a Port-A-Cath power Port was installed in my right upper chest just under the skin below the collar bone - for chemotherapy. The three biopsies confirmed the oncologist's initial visual diagnosis. I had my first chemo session yesterday - 6 sessions 3 weeks apart so it puts me to mid-April. Oncologist assures me it's mild and totally treatable. The only thing is my feet.

Due to the nerve damage in my feet, the ability to stand or walk is greatly diminished. Even sitting in say an office chair with my feet on the floor is just as painful. I had to resign from my job of 3 months on October 27th and I've had ZERO income since. Disability paperwork has been filed as the prognosis for my feet is; they will most likely not get much better than they are now even after chemotherapy. I should start receiving SSI benefits shortly with full SSDI not kicking in until about April. I have $11 to my name. I've had to get charity assistance with last & this months rent & utilities. I've had to go to a food bank and apply for food stamps - *****ing embarrassing to admit ANY of that. I'm actually moving into a smaller, less expensive apartment tomorrow. I had to ride out the lease. My car is about to be 3 payments behind and repossessed. If I can get 2 payments in, they'll work with me to get the next 2 or 3 moved to the back of the loan. If I NEED anything, it's my car. Arlington, Texas is THE largest city in the country with ZERO public transportation. Any of the charitable transportation services are either no longer in service due to reduced donations & funding, or cannot guarantee my pick up for the day(s) of my appointments for the same reasons until the day before (confirm or deny pick up) even with calling a week in advance..

To end my socio-political rant, I will say this: If you HAVE insurance, utilize it to the highest degree you can. If you can get a physical every year, DO IT. If you can get reimbursed for health club membership, DO IT. If you DON'T HAVE insurance, FIGHT TO GET IT. And I say this whether you're a Democrat, Republican or have no political affiliation at all. I'm a prime example of what happens to the un/underemployed that suffer health issues no matter what party I may or may not be part of (none btw) I'm someone who's worked my a$$ off since I was 15, not someone who's lived off the system. I've never earned over or near $100G's per year but came pretty close in my years with Mercedes. And in those years, I paid over $20G's+ in taxes being a single person with no children or property ownership deduction perks, so I don't feel guilty asking for the help I'm receiving or possibly about to receive. You shouldn't either.

jt20 · #2 12-14-2010, 11:37 AM

Its quite tragic.

And I am certain it could happen to many that do have jobs, perhaps even two jobs.

Skid Row Joe · #3 12-14-2010, 12:14 PM

Sounds like you're doing the best you can with a grave situation, and that the system works, since you are getting healthcare even though you cannot pay for it. Keep the faith...

SwampYankee · #4 12-14-2010, 01:27 PM

Sorry to hear that, AG.

There's no shame in asking for help when you need it, that's what it's there for and what it's intended for. I'm not religious, but I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope you can find a solution to your employment and financial issues.

Glad to hear you're initial HIV diagnosis was proved false and your prognosis with the oncologist is good, though!

panZZer · #5 12-14-2010, 02:57 PM

Advisor Guy, I would advise you that you are in the wrong place, I know a place that would be much better for you and the landlord was in of the best I have had. CowTown ,PM .

kerry · #6 12-14-2010, 04:46 PM

I feel your pain. That is one tragic sequence of events. Once you got your new job, I was thinking your future would improve. Man, was I wrong. I have no meaningful advice. If the option were open I'd say move to Canada or Europe where the culture is humane enough to keep people in your condition in a better state.

MercFan · #7 12-14-2010, 05:12 PM

Man, sorry to hear that... will keep ya in my prayers. Best of luck -

davidmash · #8 12-14-2010, 05:24 PM

I wish I was in a position to offer more than words. Unfortunately I am having a difficult time paying for my own pot to piss in.

I hope everything works out.

SRJ,

Is this the same quality health care you would want for your self? I doubt it. I know I sure as hell would not want it for me. My vet gives better care than it would appear that Advisor received.

AdvisorGuy · #9 12-14-2010, 05:55 PM

Dave, I have to say that I fell in with the right people at the right time at JPS.. After 10 hours in the emergency and the "Three Wise Surgeons" that were about to send me home with nothing but referrals, the discharge nurse... A damn nurse, stepped in and said: "NO !!!! This man is not being sent home in this condition..." Within 2 days I was "financially classified." Lab work & CT scan were done the same day. First oncology appoint 5 days after that. Dermatology appointment 4 days later to remove the large tumor on my neck & small one on my back for biopsy. A week later was the lymph gland removal & port-a-cath installed.. The initial care I received elsewhere before this, Dave ? yeah, Harry got better care at Parker Animal Clinic. By the way, I had to put him down 6 weeks ago on top of all the $hit my life has been in the last 6 months.. So I really come home, or sit home, with no life form here. Twelve years of companionship, gone... Yeah, I cried like a little baby. My eyes still well up or when I talk about him or even type this sentence about him.. At least I'll still have the same four beige walls to stare at in the new apartment...

AdvisorGuy · #10 12-14-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jt20

Its quite tragic.

And I am certain it could happen to many that do have jobs, perhaps even two jobs.

Yes it does.. Just search for the video clip of Junior when he was running for reelection in 2004 and that woman of near 60 years old, said to him: I work 3 jobs," and his response was: "Isn't that uniquely American."

Yeah, it is....

davidmash · #11 12-14-2010, 06:08 PM

I am glad you got lucky in that regard at JPS but I find it sad that someone must get 'lucky' to receive good health care in this country. One would think we would strive to be better than that.

AdvisorGuy · #12 12-14-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I am glad you got lucky in that regard at JPS but I find it sad that someone must get 'lucky' to receive good health care in this country. One would think we would strive to be better than that.

Geez you're a bonehead, Dave.. This is the greatest country in the world..

Billybob · #13 12-14-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I feel your pain. That is one tragic sequence of events. Once you got your new job, I was thinking your future would improve. Man, was I wrong. I have no meaningful advice. If the option were open I'd say move to Canada or Europe where the culture is humane enough to keep people in your condition in a better state.

Stated as if it where fact! In all of Europe and Canada exist the equivelant of the UK's NICE - National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, "NICE uses a metric called quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which grades a person’s health-related quality of life from 0 to 1. ... NICE rarely approves a drug that costs more than 45,000 per QAL"

The "Death Panel" of which Sarah Palin has been piloried and Paul Krugman has been lauded!

davidmash · #14 12-14-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I feel your pain. That is one tragic sequence of events. Once you got your new job, I was thinking your future would improve. Man, was I wrong. I have no meaningful advice. If the option were open I'd say move to Canada or Europe where the culture is humane enough to keep people in your condition in a better state.

Several years ago my mother fell and broke her elbow. Fortunately she was in Germany at the time. They took her into surgery, put in two plates and I think 6 or 8 screws. She had a semi private room for 11 days, IV anti-biotic and PT for the duration of her stay. When she got home the hospital sent her a bill. It was under $5k. Kaiser gladly paid that bill.

My hernia surgery with a stay of 5 hours in the hospital cost more than that. The health care system in the US is FUBAR. I hope I am never in need of it, and if I am, I hope I am lucky.

Skid Row Joe · #15 12-14-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmash

I wish I was in a position to offer more than words. Unfortunately I am having a difficult time paying for my own pot to piss in.

I hope everything works out.

SRJ,

Is this the same quality health care you would want for your self? I doubt it. I know I sure as hell would not want it for me. My vet gives better care than it would appear that Advisor received.

You are going to have to explain yourself vastly better than it seems you are able to. Do you have a point screaming to get out??

Unless I missed something, you seem to be in a good position to help AG. You have two incomes, AND live in Arlington, Texas as the OP does.

For Chrisakes, the guy has $11.00 to his name! Yet you have not offered to help the poor guy.......I am truly mistified here by your post.

What gives here??