Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Prescription Cut Off

Well the big news in my Masto and allergy world is that our insurance company has cut me off of prescription benefits for the calendar year. Ouch!!! We have a $5000.00 limit per person per calendar year, so it was only a matter of time before this happened. Actually, we've done pretty good at stretching out the year that we had. In all fairness, I started this drug regime back in late February, beginning of March so we didn't get a whole year out of it. And, it looks like we're going to have to get creative in order to make sure I have these much needed medications throughout the calendar year, every year. Obviously, my paltry long term disability payments and my husband's Parry Sound job AREN't going to be enough to keep this family afloat. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, this bites!!!!!!

Like all Masto and allergy patients, I've played games with my medications this past year. This is mostly due to denial that I actually need them or depend on them for my living another day; for avoiding anaphylaxis or near death. I had attempted to 'skip' doses or 'not bother' with Gastrocom ($380/month) and Ketotifen ($150.00/month), two of the more expenisve life saving medications I have to take several times daily but, I only got about a day and half of feeling ok and then I went downhill really fast and have, during each attempt, ended up in hospital in full anaphylaxis and it's been REALLY bad. So, it would appear not having these medications is NOT a choice. (I am, however, grateful that my medications don't cost $18,000.00/month like some cancer medications.)

Some friends suggested we pull together a fundraiser or something to cover the approx. $2400.00 we will need to get through to January 2010. It seems a bit odd organizing a fundraisser for yourself (a bit of bad form, I'd say) but I wonder if that's pride speaking? It was suggested on Facebook today that I add a Pay Pal 'donation' button to my blog page and as you can see by looking to the right of this post...there it is.

One friend suggested that if 24 of my good friends donated $100.00 each, we'd be covered. But $100 is a lot of money, especially with children to clothe, feed and put into sports or piano or Scouts.; or even just living on your own. But what about 240 friends at $10.00? (Oh my God, I can't believe I'm even having this discussion...asking people for money...this just feels wrong.)

The reality is this...we're in this pickle right now and I need to have some faith (and action) that somehow the funds for these medicines will emerge. We need to plan and maybe buy some extra insurance for next year so that we are covered for the whole year. And, I think it's time I started figuring out how to utilize what skills and resources I have at my disposal (this laptop for instance) for making some money so that I can take that "donate" button off of my blog page.

In honourable mention, I would like to add that Julie has come to my rescue already with a donation worth $300.00 for one of my medicines. I am utterly grateful to her and her family for this help. $2100 to go...

In the meantime, my job is to avoid triggers and to continue sticking to this insane restricted diet that IS working.

Thanks all, and I hope everyone out there is well, healthy, happy and good.

1 comment:

Foxxy One said...

Suggestion from one of my friends to you....

This is a reply from my girlfriend in Toronto (Ontario) she works for the minister of Health there.

"She should contact the Ministry of Health there. If they are like Ontario, there is a drug plan for the working poor. And there is also a plan for people who don't qualify for welfare, but need drug benefits."

She may have already done this.