I know it has been about a year since I have written. My apologies. It turns out that the treatment or Lupron may be working to keep my condition under control. Yay! However, my attention is redirected once again to health insurance. After a job change recently, I am faced with the monetary challenge of being insured when you work for a small company. We only have three employees - my boss, his wife and me. His wife is a survivor in every sense of the word. She has battled and one a fight against pancreatic cancer and is now facing Lupus. These unfortunate events have made the organization’s insurance policy a very expensive one. Add endometriosis to the mix and the cost rises.
I am frustrated because I thought that after facing the issue of having a chronic illness and no insurance was not going to be a reoccurring theme in my life. Now if this was 2014, pre-existing conditions would not be an issue and the price would be reduced dramatically. Bad news – that is four years away. And with the 2012 elections, that may change too. So do I leave a job I love, that has room for growth, and find a job that is OK, but has affordable health care? And, will this nightmare ever end?
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I truly feel for you. There are such hard and horrible decisions to make when you have endo. I live in Australia so employment and insurance aren't an issue - as an individual must cover the cost of insurance. But having said that all basic health requirements are covered no matter what on Medicare. When I hear stories from the USA I thank G-d that I live here.
ReplyDeleteHow bad and advanced was your endo? If the Lupron has been working it might continue to work? And you can stay with this job? I agree with you 4 years is a long time especially when you are relying on politics. I am saying a prayer for you that you have the strength and wisdom to make a choice and that your endo stays manageable.
I recently found you through twitter. I have endometriosis. I have one child. I have suffered with endo since i was 18 when I started my period. Our insurance is always a mess. Because I have actually been treated for my endometriosis I have a pre existing condition. My son was born premature and has special needs so he does. Insurance is the HARDEST thing in the world.
ReplyDeleteHuge hugs. Good luck!
Hey from your newest follower. I also have the condition and am having trouble trying to fall pregnant.. Just have to keep your chin up, shoulders back and smile. Best wishes for you with the insurance cover.. I have no idea how hard that must be to deal with. Its one thing in my line of work that isn't a concern. However, I have to do physical training every morning which is pretty painful.
ReplyDeleteGirl in Baggy Greens
My comment was too long to be posted here, but I can't find your email adress anywhere. If you wish to read some thoughts from my Swedish perspective, please send me an email to epicindy[A]gmail.com
ReplyDeletefrom Endosucks4me - Sorry ladies, I am not good at keeping this thing up. My endo is pretty advanced. I was diagnosed in 2004 had three laps and two rounds of Lupron. Good news! I met the man of my dreams, married him and now have consistant insurance.
ReplyDeleteBaggy Greens - I hope you have luck getting pregnant. I have read about lots of things that help like eliminating caffiene. I am sure you have read about these as well. Keep on trying.
Cindy - I will email you/
Hello
ReplyDeleteI understand you are busy so I shall keep this brief. My wife has been suffering from endo for 15 years now. By reading your blog, It was like telling my wife's journey with this horrible disease as well. We just got back from Dr. Mathias office in houston about 1 week ago, and he put her on the endiet u mentioned, also, he put her on clonezepam (seizure medication) which I'm terrified she will get dependent on, peri-actin drops which she takes only at night but only 1/2 the dosage because it gets her very drowsy and sleepy, non-metal reactive pharmaceutical grade fish oil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil and her daily dosage of minerals by new vision for the reduction of her bowel spasms. Are these the medications/minerals your taking? How
Have you been fairing with them if so? How are your pain levels? Dr. Mathias wants my wife on this endo diet for 8weeks under all these medications, but I'm already seeing her spirit deteriorate and it makes me hurt to see her going through this. After the 8 week treatment, dr. Mathias will send her back to Dr. Mangal for his invasive laparoscopic procedure, much different than the lap procedures here in San Antonio Texas where we reside. Apparently, Dr. Mangals procedure will keep my wife pain free for up to 3-5 years before it grows back. I'm still hesitant because I've seen it grow back so quickly. I really do hope to hear from you as it is always comforting to know the support for women with endo is out there. Although there is no cure, you, among my wife and others continue to fight and I admire your strength. We have talked about children but financially, we are not ready, then again, where are we ever financially ready in this economy?
Sincerely,
Yesenia and Alex Macias
Hope to hear from u soon.
My email is Funnies16@yahoo.com
And even if you have insurance, it's not always the right insurance.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to Margaret from Dr. Andrew Cook's (endo specialist) office yesterday. She is so passionate and is a real fighter for all you women, putting in many, many hours on your behalf to bring awareness to the world and to undo all the misunderstandings and mistreatment of endo patients. I just love her. Anyway, she said a huge problem is that insurance doesn't recognize different stages of endo and so they'll only cover the treatment that's the least amount of work, something you'd expect for stage 1 or 2. But those at stage 3 or stage 4 are often not or minimally covered for the TREATMENT THEY REALLY NEED. And so they get the wrong treatment because many can't afford the right treatment without insurance coverage. And then it doesn't work because it's the wrong treatment, and they have to go back for surgery after surgery as a result.
The insurance system needs to be fixed or shot! They are dictating the treatment. They are dictating how you live and how you suffer! They condemn so many to pain when there are solutions they won't pay for. I honestly think someone should sue them. Seriously.
Dr. Cook is battling them, doing his best, but he's up against a Goliath. I'm hoping the Million Woman March (is that what it's called?) next year will make a difference. Please be a part of that.