Saturday, August 13, 2011

Frustrations

Well, I lied, this is NOT a happier post, only one filled with anger and frustrations!! It is no big secret that my husband is sick with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer for which there is NO CURE, only hope of  remission. He was diagnosed back in January. From that day on cancer has moved into this house and into every thought. He is a Vietnam veteran and it is believed that he contracted this horrible disease from exposure to Agent Orange. In January a trip was made to the VA office in our county and he filed a claim for some sort of compensation. There is no profiting from all of this because in the end any personal monitory gain will be used for the $90,000 cost for the maintenance drug. Unbelievable isn't it, that cost. The chemo alone was over $3,000 a treatment and all I can say is thank God for Medicare and AARP because we would be living in a cardboard box by now, well I would be, because my husband would be gone. Fingers and toes could not count the number of trips we have made for numerous doctor visits, treatments, blood work, and all else that goes with this territory. So to get assist with paying for this golden remission medication he had to go to the VA hospital for assist again and so that set off a whole new chain reaction for more testing because of course the blood work and previous tests done at the oncologists office isn't good enough for the VA, they have their own rules to go by. In the meantime, we wait, and wait, and wait and do some more waiting for a letter or a phone call. Waiting for that phone call because he has to be seen by an oncologist at the VA so that they can give a blessing for his other oncologist to continue treating him, but for them to help pay for this drug........and my husband reads his American Legion magazine and sees that these frustrations are nothing new......other vets have gone through the same thing, many have died because the government drags it's heels with getting on the ball and helping it's vets, so the mutual consensus is that MANY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DRAGS IT'S HEELS SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY ONE RED CENT TO DEAD PEOPLE.  People who are dying don't have days, weeks or months to play this waiting game. He has finished his last dose of chemo 3 weeks ago. He had a favorable reaction to his treatments. Everything was looking up. The myeloma puts off a protein that clogs the kidneys, tests show it is once again taking over. It is the straw that broke the camel's back in January, he dodged the dialysis bullet that time. And so we wait, and the protein is once again showing up in his urine. It is only a matter of time, precious time. It is so hard to be positive when you are at the mercy of others when it means your life is on the line. It has been a roller coaster ride and right now we are on a down hill ride. I feel so helpless.

4 comments:

  1. oh Susanne {{{hugs}}}..I am so sorry you and your husband are going through this. It must be awful for you..and so frustrating :-(

    I pray that yourhusband gets the treatment he needs..God Is Able..I pray for Him to enable it!

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  2. I'm sorry that ya'll are going through this. You will be in my prayers.

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  3. Susanne, this is horrible, I am so sorry for you and your husband. No one should have to wait to get treatment they need especially someone who has fought for his country. I am glad you blogged about this so we can send you love and prayers of help and healing. Blog friends are here for you.
    Meredith

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  4. Susanne, just now reading this post also. My blog reader didn't alert me to new posts on your blog. Why does the VA do this????? Can you call your state senator? Of course I think most everyone in Congress is useless, only there to stay as long as possible and collect all the benefits of the position...sorry to get on that soapbox. Any answers or calls yet? Praying for you. God Bless! Mary

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