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Monday, December 22, 2008

Something is terribly wrong with the health care system in the United States

Something is terribly wrong with the health care system in the United States. When the pharmaceutical companies can basically set extremely high prices on their products knowing that people with no insurance or very little insurance could not afford the drugs that are prescribed to them by their doctors. The CEOs of these pharmaceutical companies will tell us that so much money has been spent in research and development of these drugs that the only way they can recoup costs is to put the prices that they are on the drugs.

Now on the other hand we have the insurance companies. they will sit in their multi-billion-dollar skyscrapers and say all we need to up your premium to keep up with our operating costs all and let away your policy premiums going up to help us, all did I mention you cope is going up because the pharmaceutical colonies are charging so much that we have to increase both your premiums and co-pays because it’s costing us too much money.

Then you have those of us who the insurance companies do not want to ensure. I am one lucky ones in that I’m self-employed and can afford a small group policy, oh did I say that I could afford it. Guess what in 2008 and my health insurance is over 50% of my monthly income. Did I mention that some of my drug co-pay is $50 a month, some as 35 a month and fortunately my generics are free. Now that doesn’t sound too bad does it. Okay so lets say I can no longer afford insurance one of my medications without insurance would cost me $1700 a month and that is for two yes two shots, these shots are Humira.

So you ask what is Humira? “Humira (Humera) is a TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-blocker. It works by blocking a protein (TNF-alpha) found in the body's immune system that causes joint swelling and inflammation.
Humira (Humera) is used to reduce the symptoms, prevent bone damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not had a good response to other arthritis medicines. It can be used alone or with other medicines.” from http://www.drugs.com/

My question for the pharmaceutical and health insurance companies at is this, do you think that people in my position should have affordable health insurance and prescription co-pays so we can remain productive members of society? Or would they be happy if we lost our insurance lost their jobs and he came crippled and apply for medical disability and basically become a burden to every working able bodied member of the United States.

I am very encouraged by the change in administration of this country, especially by the nomination of Tom Daschle as secretary of health and human services. Perhaps this country will finely bring true reform to the healthcare industry.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I am grateful

So yesterday I met with my rheumatologist and we discussed the possible surgery to correct the bone protruding from the bottom of the foot and he had a great suggestion. He thought it would be a good idea if I kept a log on what I was doing when my foot hurts. In that way when I do go to see a specialist I can say these are the things these are the activities that I’m doing when my foot hurts the most. With this list discussing the surgery we can be better informed on the future functionality of the foot for what it is I do. As you can imagine I was relieved that there is no impending surgery in store for me this summer. One thing I haven’t mentioned with foot surgery is the recovery time can be extremely long.

At the end of the exam I asked my rheumatologist if there was any change in the disease, and to my pleasant surprise he said no. It would appear that at least for the time being my RA use at bay. For this I am grateful, as I’m physically able to do just about anything I want as long as I do it in moderation.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

The Foot!

In May I was at the Mayo Clinic known in Rochester Minnesota to see a foot specialist about the re: nodule growing in the middle of the ball of my right foot. You can imagine my surprise when the surgeon looked at me and said that is not an RA nodule actually it is bone from the hammertoe. My first question was what can we do about this.

We discussed several options to alleviate the pain and he wanted to fall of the most conservative course of action because it is the foot and why preform surgery on the foot if orthotics will do the trick. We decided that I should have custom orthotics built and give them six weeks to see if they help the situation with a foot. While it’s been more than six weeks now and I still have pain associated with that hammer toe. In one week I see my rheumatologist and I’m going to discuss with him what he thinks the course of action at this point should be.

Should we choose to go around the surgical route it would mean for the six weeks after the surgery my foot and lower leg would be in a cast furthermore he I could not bear any weight on the foot during that time.

so while I really don’t looked forward to the prospect of having my leg in a cast for six weeks if it means having eliminated or at least alleviated the pain caused by the bone I can live for six weeks with my leg in a cast.

While let’s about it for this session on my soapbox.

I just want to wish those of you who read this a happy Fourth of July!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Duluth Arthritis Walk 2008

Yesterday was the Duluth Arthritis Walk 2008. I had planned to attend, however when I woke up I knew I would not be able to participate this year as my feet and hips hurt when I got out of bed.

I feel bad that I was unable but there was just no way. I have new orthotics coming but they are not due until late next week... too late for this years walk but they should get me moving again and hopefully with out the pain.

On the bright side of the week end I was able to raise a personal best for the Arthritis foundation, Thanks to all who donated I raised $600.00 for the event! Thanks again.

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Under New Management!

Well as some of you may know in the winter months we travel to different locations in the country and Workamper at RV parks.

This winter we have been at a large RV Park 1075 sites in Arizona. When we arrived the managing couple had a tight fist on the reigns anb had been in control for several years. The wife was in charge and had many issues. Her biggest issue was she was a total control freak, so much so that her husband was her yes man (yes dear). She had a hard time treating him or any one in the park nicely.

She did not like pets and therefore was very unaccommodating to those traveling with pets, once the pet section filled up we had to turn people away even though there were about 150 open sites many near the pet section.

They gave the resignation and had set a May 1st date as their departure, New managers in training were hired by the owner and arrived mid February. The Manager would not let them have keys, would not show them a lot of things about the park or its operation. Every one working for the park thought there was some funny things going on with the books. Then late one night the manager turned off the security cameras and was caught shredding documents! Well when the owner heard about this that was the end of the old manager. Late the next day the new management had to serve an eviction notice to the old management.

The new management held meetings and trusted the workampers and even asked for our help and suggestions. This continued right down to the annual residents and the guests. This park is a whole new place. Before the management change we were planning an early exit from this park, now we are planning on staying till our contract is up and have been asked back which we thought about. We wound up declining to return next winter as there is not enough attraction photographically to the area.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Do you ever wonder why?

Do you ever wonder why?

The other day I was feeling stiff and while rubbing my hands I felt a small bump where one of the nodules was removed last summer. I hope that it is just scar tissue and not a new nodule growing.

This got me to thinking do some people get things like RA, MS, ALS and so on? Why do some people really have to struggle at things and some it comes naturally too?

I grew up dyslexic at a time where it was not widely known, But I worked hard and fortunately my mother found the right school for me. So being different is the way I grew up, But physically I looked normal.

Then at 39 I was diagnosed with RA, at first it was mainly being soar and stiff with little visible signs. Then came the Nodules about 18 between both hands one of them being the size of a grape.

Now at 47 the RA has started to affect my hips and I have some good days, some bad days and some awful days. Oh yea the nodule on the bottom of my foot seems to have grown again it is sticks out from the ball of my foot about a 1/4 inch.

I can just imagine that there will be many more surgeries in my future to remove or replace......... I’m just tickled.

Do you ever wonder why?......... I sure do!