I have incurred over a million dollars in medical bills since Sept, 24, 2018. I get a pembro drip that is 28K every three weeks. And a CT scan every few months, 45 treatments of radiation.. 10K a pop on average.
Feeding tube insertion. 40K.
They had to try a few times since my stomach rides high. They had to basically use a live "CT" scan while sending a thing down my throat to push my stomach below my ribs so they could poke a hole in my belly and insert a feeding tube. And then they used staples to hold everything in-place. My god it hurt and they have amazing drugs that make you feel so good and pass out for three hours. Then you wake up screaming frantically pushing the button for more drugs. My sister had twins vaginally.. It is a toss-up who has done more pain.
I am lucky.. I am cheap. I have no kids, and my possessions fit in the back of a 1987 Volvo wagon. I tested that when I moved after I found out about the cancer. But I have gone through all this without worrying about money, kids, or bills. I was lucky I just had enough savings I could quit everything and do my health.
But my god. If you get cancer and you have a mortgage you are fucked. It has consumed every minute of my last year. Every second you think about it growing in you.
Sorry man. US healthcare is honestly brutal. I am hoping you have insurance, which has a decent max out of pocket limit. It isn't a solution this insane problem though.
I too went into medical debt in my 20's. Now, in my 30s I deal with chronic pain but at least my credit recovered. I hope you recover from this!
I think this is incredible and everyone should seriously evaluate their commitment to both their money and time when it comes to charity work. So many people "want the government to do something", very few will get their hands dirty.
[+] [-] johnpowell|6 years ago|reply
Feeding tube insertion. 40K.
They had to try a few times since my stomach rides high. They had to basically use a live "CT" scan while sending a thing down my throat to push my stomach below my ribs so they could poke a hole in my belly and insert a feeding tube. And then they used staples to hold everything in-place. My god it hurt and they have amazing drugs that make you feel so good and pass out for three hours. Then you wake up screaming frantically pushing the button for more drugs. My sister had twins vaginally.. It is a toss-up who has done more pain.
I am lucky.. I am cheap. I have no kids, and my possessions fit in the back of a 1987 Volvo wagon. I tested that when I moved after I found out about the cancer. But I have gone through all this without worrying about money, kids, or bills. I was lucky I just had enough savings I could quit everything and do my health.
But my god. If you get cancer and you have a mortgage you are fucked. It has consumed every minute of my last year. Every second you think about it growing in you.
[+] [-] joshmn|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] avgDev|6 years ago|reply
I too went into medical debt in my 20's. Now, in my 30s I deal with chronic pain but at least my credit recovered. I hope you recover from this!
[+] [-] 4gotunameagain|6 years ago|reply
I wish everything goes well. You can do it.
[+] [-] Akinato|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ddingus|6 years ago|reply
The US system is expensive and increasingly cruel.
I do not expect that state of affairs to endure too much longer.
[+] [-] smbowner|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] not_a_cop75|6 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] m463|6 years ago|reply
I think health care costs can easily become exponential, no matter what society you live in.
[+] [-] exabrial|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pinkpegasus|6 years ago|reply