Hey, guys?!? Y'all slowing down? This has been up for half an hour!

[obumazombie]

Their first attempt to be from the government and be there to help you is to "aid".

When the government starts wanting to "care" for you, you are in the loving arms of death care panels.

[Traveshamockery]

So if one of us was truly disabled and forced to collect money from Social Security that we paid into all our lives, we would have to wait two years for health insurance through Medicare. Really does not help much if you are terminal and only have a year to live.

Funny how that works out, eh?  It's almost as if it were planned that way. 

[lastparker]

I can't help myself - I feel a whole hell of a lot of sympathy for you and your wife.  Sure, I could point out all the choices you made that got you where you are, but that is neither helpful, nor entirely fair. My husband and I are in a financial pit right now due to the crappy economy, but I have spent endless hours and sleepless nights making metal lists of stupid things we have done to exacerbate the problem.  You seem to have a clear grasp of what mistakes you've made and what changes are needed.  Stay on track and make those changes, day by day.

One of the biggest things that pisses me off about the way the Gubmint administers all the social programs is that people who truly need the resources cannot navigate the system to get what they need, while generations of moochers have the system down to a science.  At least once a week I stand in line behind a woman, dressed in the most expensive cloths, shoes or boots and jewelry, hair perfectly salon-styled, paying for name brand groceries (which haven't seen the inside of my shopping cart in years) with some form of government hand-out.  I have friends who teach in schools that are 100% free-lunch, and they tell tales of the kids waltzing in wearing $200 basketball shoes and little leather jackets, dropped off in a Cadillac Escalade.  These people are reaping stealing YOUR benefits.  If you do nothing else this month, dedicate time to researching, and applying for, and GETTING what you need.  Then spend next month planning a way to get off the dole as soon as you can manage it.

The best of luck to you both.

[BEG]

I haven't read every post here, nor much of the original post but all I have to say is everyone has at one time or another had hardships. Would I want your troubles?  NO  But would you want to have a stroke at the age of 27 (and no insurance) and be diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease (Takayasu Arteritis), have three stents two years later (carotid, subclavian and vertibral arterties on the right side, the left is screwed) then find out you are pregnant while taking methotrexate (chemo, no no for pregnancy). Then after all of that have other auto immune issues, reactive arthritis and uveitis (as well as with inflammation of the macula) along with other issues?

My husband last year had a seizure, couldn't find out why and never had another one, but he couldn't drive for 6 months to make sure he didn't have another one. He rode his bike to the train station, took the train to work, rode his bike from there to work. For a total of 17 miles of riding his bike (not including the train ride) every day. I ask you to ask yourself this question, if you had both of your legs would you have done that or went on disability?  He could have gone on disability. He also worked three part time jobs when he lost his first job out of college. He couldn't find a "real" job, we had just bought a new house and had a son. He finally found a job in Lake Havasu City, we lived in Phoenix. He drove back and forth every weekend so he could spend time with us. I stayed behind with our son and worked(dropping him off at daycare everyday) while selling the house. Not fun to do alone but I did it.

Virtually everyone at some point goes through financial problems and health issues as well as other unknown problems. I own my issues instead of using them as an excuse. By own I don't mean they are necessarily my fault (some have been, some were absolutely not my fault), by own I mean take responsibility to change what can be changed and for what can't be changed simply...accept. From there work on what you can change and work WITH what you can't.

I just gave you the answer, yes it is that easy.

After my stroke we had major medical bills as I'm sure you understand. I did daycare in my home to pay the medical bills. Did I want to do that?  Hell no. I couldn't go to work because I had so many doctor appointments soon after the stroke plus I had an 18 month old daughter and a son just starting school. I had to be here when he got home. Daycare for both would have made me make less than me just dong daycare in my own home. I had three kids plus my own and I would take them all to my doctor appointments (my husband went with me and watched the kids while I was in the appointment) and I took them all with me to the grocery store or where ever else I needed to go. You can do something from home, like someone mentioned above medical transcription or something.  You do what you have to do to make it. You will be surprised how much better you will feel and how much of a confidence boost you get from taking action and control in your life.  

[BlueStateSaint]

I haven't read every post here, nor much of the original post but all I have to say is everyone has at one time or another had hardships. Would I want your troubles?  NO  But would you want to have a stroke at the age of 27 (and no insurance) and be diagnosed with a rare auto immune disease (Takayasu Arteritis), have three stents two years later (carotid, subclavian and vertibral arterties on the right side, the left is screwed) then find out you are pregnant while taking methotrexate (chemo, no no for pregnancy). Then after all of that have other auto immune issues, reactive arthritis and uveitis (as well as with inflammation of the macula) along with other issues?

My husband last year had a seizure, couldn't find out why and never had another one, but he couldn't drive for 6 months to make sure he didn't have another one. He rode his bike to the train station, took the train to work, rode his bike from there to work. For a total of 17 miles of riding his bike (not including the train ride) every day. I ask you to ask yourself this question, if you had both of your legs would you have done that or went on disability?  He could have gone on disability. He also worked three part time jobs when he lost his first job out of college. He couldn't find a "real" job, we had just bought a new house and had a son. He finally found a job in Lake Havasu City, we lived in Phoenix. He drove back and forth every weekend so he could spend time with us. I stayed behind with our son and worked(dropping him off at daycare everyday) while selling the house. Not fun to do alone but I did it.

Virtually everyone at some point goes through financial problems and health issues as well as other unknown problems. I own my issues instead of using them as an excuse. By own I don't mean they are necessarily my fault (some have been, some were absolutely not my fault), by own I mean take responsibility to change what can be changed and for what can't be changed simply...accept. From there work on what you can change and work WITH what you can't.

I just gave you the answer, yes it is that easy.

After my stroke we had major medical bills as I'm sure you understand. I did daycare in my home to pay the medical bills. Did I want to do that?  Hell no. I couldn't go to work because I had so many doctor appointments soon after the stroke plus I had an 18 month old daughter and a son just starting school. I had to be here when he got home. Daycare for both would have made me make less than me just dong daycare in my own home. I had three kids plus my own and I would take them all to my doctor appointments (my husband went with me and watched the kids while I was in the appointment) and I took them all with me to the grocery store or where ever else I needed to go. You can do something from home, like someone mentioned above medical transcription or something.  You do what you have to do to make it. You will be surprised how much better you will feel and how much of a confidence boost you get from taking action and control in your life.  

H5 FTW!

[BEG]

I just skimmed your OP, you keep blaming quack doctors. I had one doctor who would not listen to me. I had to change rheumatologists for insurance reasons (yes, I did get on insurance AFTER my stroke and diagnosed with Takayasu's Arteritis...funny it was a preexisting condition but I got insurance none the less, and this was 1995) and knew my body. I knew something serious as wrong.

The 2nd time I saw him I told him I was having similar symptoms as I was having before my stroke and I had lost weight (classic sign of an auto immune disease). He dismissed it and said I was anorexic. I have never been anorexic in my whole life. I called my neurologist that very day, was in his office the following day and put in the hospital that day. That is when they found the arteries on the right side were occluding (between the three they were 75-90 occluded). The very next day I was having angioplasty and stents placed in each artery.

YOU are responsible for your own care. If you don't think something is right, demand a 2nd opinion. I would be dead today if I didn't.

I also read where you said your heart raced a few times. I too have had that happen only it was continuous around the time I had the stents.  Went to the cardiologist, they sent me home with a recorder and I got it on the second day. It was beating over 250 beats per minute. I felt like I was going to die when it would happen. Off to the ER I was sent, another angiogram (within three weeks, I had had the stents done three weeks prior) and then this cool test where a tech had a wall of knobs and buttons, put leads up through the catheter they used for the angiogram and recreated the heart rhythm. Found out I have supra ventricular tachycardia.  I could have had it ablated but I had just had the stents and didn't want another procedure at the time. Took medication for awhile. Now I'm not on anything. When it happens I take quick deep breaths and can usually stop it but I haven't had it happen in the same degree it used to happen pre medication.  They also say to put your hands in cold water and splash your face if you can't get it to stop.  I hope these tips help if it happens again before you can get to the hospital.

[jtyangel]

I just skimmed your OP, you keep blaming quack doctors. I had one doctor who would not listen to me. I had to change rheumatologists for insurance reasons (yes, I did get on insurance AFTER my stroke and diagnosed with Takayasu's Arteritis...funny it was a preexisting condition but I got insurance none the less, and this was 1995) and knew my body. I knew something serious as wrong.

The 2nd time I saw him I told him I was having similar symptoms as I was having before my stroke and I had lost weight (classic sign of an auto immune disease). He dismissed it and said I was anorexic. I have never been anorexic in my whole life. I called my neurologist that very day, was in his office the following day and put in the hospital that day. That is when they found the arteries on the right side were occluding (between the three they were 75-90 occluded). The very next day I was having angioplasty and stents placed in each artery.

YOU are responsible for your own care. If you don't think something is right, demand a 2nd opinion. I would be dead today if I didn't.

I also read where you said your heart raced a few times. I too have had that happen only it was continuous around the time I had the stents.  Went to the cardiologist, they sent me home with a recorder and I got it on the second day. It was beating over 250 beats per minute. I felt like I was going to die when it would happen. Off to the ER I was sent, another angiogram (within three weeks, I had had the stents done three weeks prior) and then this cool test where a tech had a wall of knobs and buttons, put leads up through the catheter they used for the angiogram and recreated the heart rhythm. Found out I have supra ventricular tachycardia.  I could have had it ablated but I had just had the stents and didn't want another procedure at the time. Took medication for awhile. Now I'm not on anything. When it happens I take quick deep breaths and can usually stop it but I haven't had it happen in the same degree it used to happen pre medication.  They also say to put your hands in cold water and splash your face if you can't get it to stop.  I hope these tips help if it happens again before you can get to the hospital.

A friend of mine who used to be a dance instructor has SVT. It was scary when it would happen when she was teaching. As her friends, when we were in class we kind of knew we were on standby if she felt bad enough that she had to stop and one of us had to take over--hey how hard could it be since we did it with her regularly right so we knew the routines. I can remember one day she got through it all and I just knew htough something was wrong. She just looked 'off'. I asked her after and sure enough:-( she was having an episode. I think she determined hers were aggravated by the beginnings of menopause and a serious medical condition her husband had that no doubt contributed anxiety on top of it. I've only had those higher rates(and nothing near that) with anxiety and it does suck. I feel fr you both on that:-(

[franksolich]

YOU are responsible for your own care.

[Traveshamockery]

When BEG and I spend time together, we have fun and we laugh.  We both have had some life-changing medical issues that have required a lot of care and a lot of money, but those medical issues don't define us as people and as women. 

Shit happens, you deal with it and move on the best way possible. 

[BEG]

A friend of mine who used to be a dance instructor has SVT. It was scary when it would happen when she was teaching. As her friends, when we were in class we kind of knew we were on standby if she felt bad enough that she had to stop and one of us had to take over--hey how hard could it be since we did it with her regularly right so we knew the routines. I can remember one day she got through it all and I just knew htough something was wrong. She just looked 'off'. I asked her after and sure enough:-( she was having an episode. I think she determined hers were aggravated by the beginnings of menopause and a serious medical condition her husband had that no doubt contributed anxiety on top of it. I've only had those higher rates(and nothing near that) with anxiety and it does suck. I feel fr you both on that:-(

I can tell before it's about to happen. It's almost like my heart stops for a few seconds then bam...beats faster than shit. There is no way I would be able to do anything, much less exercise while it's happening even now that they aren't as bad. When it started I literally felt like I was going to die when it happened, like I was going to pass out and die.

[BEG]

When BEG and I spend time together, we have fun and we laugh.  We both have had some life-changing medical issues that have required a lot of care and a lot of money, but those medical issues don't define us as people and as women. 

Shit happens, you deal with it and move on the best way possible. 

Exactly, it helped make me who I am (like realize how great it is to be alive) but does not define me. If you were to look at me you would never know I had anything wrong with me. I don't wallow in my sickness, I live when I feel good and when I don't I take it easy. Of course right after it happened I was depressed for awhile but I did something about it.

Ya gotta do this or just go ahead a lay down and die:

"Live! Live! Live!  Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" ~ Rosalind Russell (Auntie Mame)

[jtyangel]

I can tell before it's about to happen. It's almost like my heart stops for a few seconds then bam...beats faster than shit. There is no way I would be able to do anything, much less exercise while it's happening even now that they aren't as bad. When it started I literally felt like I was going to die when it happened, like I was going to pass our and die.

No she said the same thing. She is stubborn like that and did at least tell me once that I remember before class that she had one earlier or something and to be ready if she had to go and if I would cover. I don't know if her being used to working out and in the nature of her fulltime job having to maintain similar rigorous physical requirements made her just grin and bear it most times, but I know it could not be easy--the one time I  knw for sure she was having something go on(before I knew officially) I could tell she was off:-(.  She's a stubborn thing and trust me, us, her friends felt like this when she told us.... And if she told us before hand she was feeling 'funny' we would watch her like a hawk on stage

[98ZJUSMC]

and none of them even had so much as a couple of old laptops on a card table for patients to go online with.  Not even reliable wi-fi, not that we had a capable device until it became absolutely necessary to get a cheap smart phone for Jeanette to coordinate our move, calls to/from this or that government agency, and even prospective employers whilst spending time with me.

Nevada health care standards are ranked near the bottom in the US for a reason.

Huh.  So, quality healthcare is dependent on number of laptops per patient, wifi access and networking capability?  Provided for free, of course and forced you to buy a smart phone.

Who knew, .....those bastards.

Damn.  How did we survive the 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s.........

[thundley4]

Nevada health care standards are ranked near the bottom in the US for a reason.

Harry Reid, the suspected pederast has been working for the people of Nevada for decades.

[GOBUCKS]

Nevada health care standards are ranked near the bottom in the US for a reason.

Every state's deadbeats claim their state is the worst in the nation.

It's sort of how every state's teachers' union claims their state is ranked 47th in education funding.

[RobJohnson]

Harry Reid, the suspected pederast has been working for the people of Nevada for decades.

Nevada Medicaid Enrollments Surge

Nevada Medicaid Enrollments Surge

LAS VEGAS -- Nevada's Medicaid enrollments are higher than expected under federal healthcare reform.

Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden says the Medicaid caseload has grown by more than 10,000 from September to December, which is when the major part of the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

Figures presented Thursday to the state's health insurance exchange board also show that 74,000 have been deemed newly eligible as of Jan. 5, when the state expanded its eligibility to include childless adults.

The increase is also because of thousands of people who have never applied before, because they were not sure if they would qualify, have now applied.

"This is like a brand new population that has to shop for insurance," Social Services Manager for the Department of Welfare and Supportive Services Patrick Williams said.

To handle all of the applications, the Department of Welfare plans to hire about 410 case workers by the end of this year.

In the meantime, people who have applied for Medicaid should be prepared for delays because Nevada case workers are juggling more than 1,000 cases per person.

[whiffleball]

I feel for your medical issues.  I've had cancer a few times, autoimmune, chronic digestive issues, yadyada.  You deal with them and drive on. 

I don't feel for your victimhood.  It's the typical liberal response to life's hardships and a complete farce.  It's a mindset that's bringing this great nation to the brink of collapse. 

Life ain't always fair.  It never has been, it never will be.  But, you still have life and instead of blaming your woes on everyone and everything try taking charge.  Do something for yourself instead of waiting for another to do it for you.  One might even say, Man Up.

[txradioguy]

I feel for your medical issues.  I've had cancer a few times, autoimmune, chronic digestive issues, yadyada.  You deal with them and drive on. 

I don't feel for your victimhood.  It's the typical liberal response to life's hardships and a complete farce.  It's a mindset that's bringing this great nation to the brink of collapse. 

Life ain't always fair.  It never has been, it never will be.  But, you still have life and instead of blaming your woes on everyone and everything try taking charge.  Do something for yourself instead of waiting for another to do it for you.  One might even say, Man Up.

[Splashdown]

The sixth Rocky movie, Rocky Balboa, was a great movie. There's a quote that says everything about life:

The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you're hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!

As an English teacher, I'm partial to Ernest Hemingway, as well:

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.”

2013 was a tough year for lots of people. It'll get better or it won't. Our job is to persevere through the tough times. That makes the good times all the sweeter.

[Bad Dog]

Splasshdown,

Good quotes but, I am guided by the words that ended the welcoming speech from my basic training drill sergeant SSG Gutierrez a foggy morning in Ft Polk LA.  He said; "Ju play ball wit me and I stick the bat up you ass".  In my arrogance, I thought his fractured English had messed up the old quote.  I soon found out he had provided the best description of military life ever given.  Keeping his guidance in mind has given me a very prosperous and satisfying life.

[obumazombie]

Splasshdown,

Good quotes but, I am guided by the words that ended the welcoming speech from my basic training drill sergeant SSG Gutierrez a foggy morning in Ft Polk LA.  He said; "Ju play ball wit me and I stick the bat up you ass".  In my arrogance, I thought his fractured English had messed up the old quote.  I soon found out he had provided the best description of military life ever given.  Keeping his guidance in mind has given me a very prosperous and satisfying life.

Your Drill Sergeant Gutuirrez might have overlooked the most motivating quote for you...
How dare you ?

[Las Vegas Leviathan]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024332799

Very quick update on my wife (Jeanette) -- she is due home any time now.
My hands are hurting almost too much to type right now so long and short of it, Jeanette is coming home tonight, still almost 2 weeks out from getting her foot sutures pulled. She'll have home health and antibiotics through her PICC line.

I am concerned that this is way too soon. They tried to place her in a nursing facility, but the only one with Medicaid beds open was the dump where I spent my last 23 hours before getting rushed to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas for amputation surgery on my left leg. She decided upon home rather than there, and for a number of reasons I don't fault her for that decision even a tiny bit.

Her blood sugar has been outstanding while in the hospital past couple days (consistently below the low-200s and even in the true normal range a couple of times though that makes her feel hypo and sick as hell this early on). We are going to do everything we can to get the apartment not just clean, but spotless, hopefully with some assistance of some kind. Too many reasons why Jeanette needs to be mostly off her feet right now, and my options are limited in a power chair.

Okay, that's all I can handle for now. Will be back with more news later.

You guys and gals have been just excellent! Thanks again for your time and concern.

The sentiments in the last paragraph apply to a great many of you guys and gals here, too, our ideological differences aside.  I have more to say here as well, but a) my friggin' fingers and b) time....

[lastparker]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024332799

Very quick update on my wife (Jeanette) -- she is due home any time now.
My hands are hurting almost too much to type right now so long and short of it, Jeanette is coming home tonight, still almost 2 weeks out from getting her foot sutures pulled. She'll have home health and antibiotics through her PICC line.

I am concerned that this is way too soon. They tried to place her in a nursing facility, but the only one with Medicaid beds open was the dump where I spent my last 23 hours before getting rushed to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas for amputation surgery on my left leg. She decided upon home rather than there, and for a number of reasons I don't fault her for that decision even a tiny bit.

Her blood sugar has been outstanding while in the hospital past couple days (consistently below the low-200s and even in the true normal range a couple of times though that makes her feel hypo and sick as hell this early on). We are going to do everything we can to get the apartment not just clean, but spotless, hopefully with some assistance of some kind. Too many reasons why Jeanette needs to be mostly off her feet right now, and my options are limited in a power chair.

Okay, that's all I can handle for now. Will be back with more news later.

You guys and gals have been just excellent! Thanks again for your time and concern.

The sentiments in the last paragraph apply to a great many of you guys and gals here, too, our ideological differences aside.  I have more to say here as well, but a) my friggin' fingers and b) time....

Do your best to keep her off those feet, and keep the wounded foot elevated as much as possible (she will hate it - it becomes uncomfortable) and most importantly, since she will be "at your mercy" so to speak, make sure her diet is appropriate for her diabetes - keep that sugar in check!  This is more important than cleaning the house.  Just make sure that the route she'll use to get to the bathroom, and anywhere else she may need to go without assistance, is free from trip hazards.

Lastly, don't go sit on the beach with your best friend from college drinking until the wee hours of the night when her Mother has left her for the evening with a casserole in the oven, expecting you to be there to take it out at 6pm - do you have any idea how hard it is to get a flaming hot casserole dish out of the oven on one foot?  Oh -sorry - flashbacks to what my husband did to me right after I got home from having pins and a plate put into my ankle. 

Best of luck!

[Wineslob]

Holy Shit! BEG showed up!

 

[GOBUCKS]

And the whining, complaining, sickening dependence of a professional leech continues to infest the board.

He's found some sob sisters, and won't let up as long as they're there to pity him.

Why the fascination with the self-serving whines of a professional democrat leech? How can anyone believe a word from a DUmmy?

People should feel more compassion for Doug's predicament than this useless waste of many square yards of skin.

Until he wallduded himself, Doug was a self-supporting, taxpaying lunatic.