Got some mail on Saturday from Dr. Icenogle's office, who is the surgeon
I will see on March 8th for some preliminary tests in case I want to go
with the transplant option. I'm supposed to fill out the form and mail
it in or bring it with me on the 8th.
It seems so ironic to me that the single page of paperwork I have to fill
out for a frigging heart transplant is far less than I fill out to get my
Medicare B paid for by Washington State, which runs 6 pages and which
I have to do every 3 months.
In related news, Dr. Goldberg told me when I saw him last Thursday and
he broached again the whole transplant option that I shouldn't be
worried about the cost inasmuch as it would come in some form from
various sources. He didn't say what sources, but what he did say was
"nobody can afford it."
The average cost of a heart transplant in the U.S. is about $788,000.
But then, who would pay for it? I guess you don`t have all that money :left: And why are they suggesting it when they know only few could afford it….
Well I found something. According to Tranplant Living the cost of a heart transplant is now $788,000.And here's something on funding sources.
Well like Dr. Goldberg said is comes from some "source" — I assume he was talking about public money. I'm sure that if that wasn't available he wouldn't have mentioned it.I was trying to find out more details on the possible "sources" this morning on the internet but haven't found anything so far.It's possible. If I choose to do it. Haven't decided yet on that.
I think you should take one day at a time.thinking everything at once ,it will make you need a Tylenol for a head ache.Your doctor is getting paid by your state for his services,that alone tells him ,you have no income,if he suggests a Transplant , he know already you can no pay for it, and he will not work for free.. so, you focus only of what can give you a longer and more comfortable life! I am delighted there are people/doctors/organizations out there they care 🙂 you do your part ,and let them do their part :heart:yes, take one day at a time Eddie,and think positive :heart:
Well I'm all for taking it easy. Hopefully I'll be easing into some Thai noodles on Wednesday. :pThis is all introductory. Early this morning about 4:00 I woke up and it felt like the left side of my chest was a rock, my muscles ached, and my arm hurt and I was naseous. Normally that would be a heart attack but for me probably an "episode" (as they are called) of ventricular fibrulation. But the ICD evidently did it's job again and after taking 2 nitro tablets and putting on the oxygen for a while I survived it. I probably overdid it Saturday with that walking. It may have been psychologically good for me, but physically not so much…In any case I think that the time is here when I need to explore the next option. So I have to think about it. A lot of things to consider — social, family, psychological, spiritual. Thank you! :heart:
I don't want to be a killjoy, Ed, but I strongly suggest you consider seriously. My father had a bad heart. It first started doing somersaults when he was in his early fifties, but he got by on medication and stamina until he was 87. Then they started cutting. One year later he was dead. It's the story in headlines, but that is pretty much how I experienced it.
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
I love you :heart:
I have wondered if I were told I need a lung transplant, how it could be paid for, Edward. Thanks for the link. I wasn't sure if Medicare would pay for a transplant. Bet they would be real picky about who qualified.Just do your research all over that transplant versus no transplant. Don't let anyone scare you one way or the other. You alone know if you have gotten to the point of transplant and maybe have a lot more years, or no transplant and slowly lose what quality of life you have now. Pray for guidance.
@ Angeliki.:angel: @ Martin.Thank you, that is something the doctors don't tell you — You know how optimistic they are. I would image that a person would have to be to do what they do. But being on the other side of the stethescope…another matter.@ Linda.I hope that if you would need to, and if want to, that you could get the transplant in spite of money. As my dad used to say, "You never know until you try."If Dr. Icenogle came right out when I see him and said, "So you want a transplant, right?" I'd have to tell him, "No."It's strange but even though my heart was broken when I was born and needed to be fixed up a bit, it's turned out to be a pretty good little heart over the years. I hate to give up on it just because it's now sick.I know that might sound childish, something from The Little Heart That Could, but that's how I feel.
I am a organ donator. :yes:
I am a Texas State Registered organ donor. If there is anything useable when I die, they are welcome to it. Haven't told my son, but what I signed online is a binding contract. I donated corneas, skin heart, liver, kidneys, arteries and anything else they want, including being used as a cadaver. I really need to inform Chris so he'll know what to expect when I go.
"…used as a cadaver" You should tell him about definitely. He doesn't need to save some money in the box for your burial 😀
It's amazing what doctors are able to do these days 🙂 Still, I'm like you in this way, Ed, and wouldn't want a transplant either. For me, my struggle would be purely pyschological. They don't have anyone counseling you in regards to making a decision?That's a big decision you have to make and I will keep you in my prayers.
Organ donor? I would, if I had an organ, which I don't. Never really had enough space for an organ. I've heard about illegal organ smuggling. Sounds absurd. I can't imagine how to conseal and smuggle an entire organ let alone several of them. Our local cathedral has one of North Europe's oldest and biggest organs, and I've seen it. It's massive. It's hard to picture smuggling one of those. Doesn't exactly fit in the glove compartment… 😉
I was very interested to see the State of Washington involvement into the Transplant issue,I fond this link very interesting…http://blog.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/keiser/keiser-rsquo-s-organ-transplant-bill-signed-into-law/the blogs are informative too…http://blog.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/(I am sure the Reps are having similar sites… ) The more one knows the better.
@ MagsThanks for the support. I don't know if they have counseling or not but I would suppose that if I chose to go that route that they might have something similar. Spokane is a small town but we are also the major medical center for the entire Inland Nothwest. So I would bet they have something. @ Martin. I understand perfectly. The line "would you like to see my organ?" doesn't seem to get the same response these days that it used to. And I've tried, believe me.
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
😆 😆
YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN THINKING and I think it's a shame that I can't skip the transplant and they hand me $700,000 instead. I might still die but I'd go out with a bang. A Porsche 911 Turbo, 6 months in Cairo, 6 months in Paris, same 6 months with some hot hooker in Paris, a couple of Versace suits, etc. etc. etc.
@ Angeliki.Thanks for the links, Angeliki!That's a good chunk of change there. :yes:@ Darko. :p 😆
😆 Glad I could help!
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
ROFL youuuuuuuuu ahahahahahaha I needed this laugh! you are one smart man Eddie!Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
for this alone you get 1,000 points by me! w00t! :yes:
My little sister's sister-in-law had her first heart transplant about 15 years ago. Gave her 15 years they didn't expect her to have. She's just recently received her third heart (second transplant), and last I heard, she's doing well.Whether a transplant is for you or not will depend on you, Edward. In all those ways you mentioned.Whatever you decide, you'll always be in my heart, and you'll have my full support.:heart:
Wow, :heart: you too on that one, Star!Glad your sis-in-law is alive! I especially think of young people that are like 18 and need a heart — they haven't even gotten off the ground yet.
Wonderful story Star. If a transplant could give you 15 quality years more, would you do it? And this young lady may live to be old. Transplant patients are living longer and longer lives.Doesn't matter if you show your organ or carry it around in a cart. hahahah
Eddie,this article is on a man that lived 31 years with a transplanted heart and the end came from unrelated sickness… imagine 31 more years! you will be a very old bag at 85 😀http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1205842/Longest-surviving-heart-transplant-recipient-dies-cancer-aged-51.html
Originally posted by L2D2:
it depends of the organ :p
What would Pat Maginess have done?
@ Angeliki."you will be a very old bag at 85"That's what I'm afraid of. :p@ Martin.You know in the first novel Maginess was diagnosed with a heart problem (coronary artery disease) and advised by his doctor to quit drinking and quit smoking. Did he quit? Uh, no, not exactly. Not at all really. :p That was in 1951, and they didn't have bypass surgery back then. So it was a BFD.BTW, I don't have coronary artery disease. Just thought I would make that clear. I decided to give my character something a little different. :p
I don't know what I would do, Linda. There's a lot involved in that kind of decision.