I usually hear others speaking of 'The Big Drug Companies", in a negative way. They are the bureaucrats, the big boys, only out for the buck. They are feeding America pills and more pills. They hire beautiful, handsome, young and intelligent sales staff that interact mainly with the Physicians, sampling them the newest medication out; and explaining what the drug does, how it works physiologically, the studies, and outcomes of those studies. Which are always very positive.
It is a fantastic fact that we now live in a world that has eradicated many diseases, due to selfless and hardworking scientists, and researchers, that devoted their lives to finding the cures for many illnesses; that used to kill thousands and thousands of people. This is a great age of discovery, look at Viagra and how that has changed the lives of many men and their significant others. When the side-effects of other illnesses call for help, it is wonderful to know that there are great medications available to take care of some bothersome side effects.
Some may moan about the 'Big Boys' in the drug companies, and all the profits they make, and yes, purchasing medication cash pay is a real eye-opener and one wonders why? Yet these companies also make a point in helping those less fortunate, which includes so many of us Chronically Ill patients. It hits us, because more often than not, we are either under-insured, or non-insured. We have to pay cash, or a very big medical payment; and if one is 'lucky' enough to be labeled with the dreaded "Pre-Existing Conditions", that person is a real risk to the insurers, and finding medication coverage is very hard.
It may surprise you, as it did me, that two very big and prominent drug companies have programs to help those with a financial need in paying for their medications. GlaxoSmithKline has two programs, one named, "Bridges to Access", BridgesToAccess.gsk.com; and also their "Commitment to Access", CommitmentToAccess.gsk.com, program.
The second company is AstraZeneca. This page takes you straight to all the information you need about qualifying for the Free Medication Program called 'AZ & me": http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/help-affording-your-medicines . In this program, if a single household brings home 30,000 or less, you are probably eligible.
The third and last I'd like to suggest is 'The Patient Assistance Program' through Pfizer, called "Connection to Care." www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/misc/Default.aspx
This page takes you straight to where you can look up programs available, and medications they make.
You have nothing to lose in checking these sites out, you may be soon receiving a package in the mail with a 90-day supply of your needed medication(s) you can't afford, or your doctor will call you, and the med will be there ready to be picked up. Certain meds are shipped to homes, other classes of meds to your doctor's office; and it is different policy between the 3 companies which meds get shipped to your doctor's office.
You will get so much information from the websites to be armed with plenty of information when you next see your doctor. Most physicians offices have this program set up, and have the starting paperwork there, some do not, and these may be the smaller area physicians, or a small office not affiliated with a big Hospital. The benefit of going into your doctor with all this information will just make the application process easier. You will know if your med is on the list, and if not, check with your doctor's office just to be sure that a call from them may make a difference. You will know how the application process is handled, and you will know what a patient advocate is. This will be the most important person between you and the drug companies. This is usually a designated person in the doctors office that takes care of medications, this person will probably be your advocate. Your advocate works with the companies, and you, so that all the proper paperwork has been filled out, the Prescription sent in from your doctor with the paperwork, and they make sure that you are always okay on your meds while all the paperwork gets processed.
Once you are on the program, the companies will ask you yearly for your IncomeTaxes, and to fill out a new form, and you are set for another year!
I do hope that this helps some of you out, and maybe it will give a new ray of sunshine to our attitudes regarding the 'Big Drug Companies!" After all, giving free, brand-name medication that people need, is a great step in mending this attitude, and at the same time, be doing a great service to the millions of under-and uninsured.
I wish you a low or no pain day....
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Easy and Delicious Chicken Recipe
This recipe was from a Sunset magazine, and when I tried it, it was an instant hit with everyone; actually everyone who has ever tasted it. You will like the simple steps, the one-skillet-cooking, and just a few ingredients to buy. If you have trouble cooking yourself, or just don't cook anymore for many reasons; this recipe is easy for someone else to do, and maybe you can help with the noodles that the chicken can go over. Either way, trying it yourself, or asking your 'cooking person' to try it, I think you will adore the results.
***Chicken in Tarragon Sauce with Sun-Dried Tomatoes***
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed in one inch pieces
1-2 bunches of green onions--I like them so I use almost 2 bunches.
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 pint heavy whipping cream (I get two just in case)
Tarragon to taste
Garlic salt to taste
salt and pepper to taste
Oil
Prep: Chicken cut into inch-cubes. Chop green onions in about 1/2 inch long pieces.
Directions: Put enough oil to cover skillet bottom. Usually one to two Tbsp. is enough. Heat on medium heat on stove. Do not wait until oil is either smoking or splattering, this is too hot. Carefully place cut-up chicken in skillet, sprinkle with a little garlic salt, pepper, and brown lightly on all sides, until chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 min. Remove chicken with slotted spoon and keep warm. Add chopped green onions to remaining oil in skillet. Add more oil if you need, but even skinless chicken will give some drippings that add to the oil. Saute the green onions. While doing this, boil some water and pour over the one cup of sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl large enough for them to soak in. Soak until just pliable. You don't want them too soft. Let these cool, and slice them into strips. Add these to the green onions and saute to mix the flavors. Add the heavy whipping cream. I end up using the entire pint, and always get 2 pints when shopping in case I need a bit more. Stir while cooking on low heat. Do not let the cream sauce simmer quite yet. Add the Tarragon, it is up to your taste. I rarely cook with measured amounts, it should be about a tsp. or more. Add the Tarragon a little at a time, stir well, and taste. Now start to raise heat under pan, still keeping watch to not let cream boil. Add chicken to skillet and stir well, mixing all ingredients well. Let sauce come to a simmer, and VOILA! A delicious sauce to put over pasta, rice, even baked potatoes!
I like it over Fettuccine Noodles. You will be surprised how well this goes over with kids too!
Serve with a salad, or slice tomatoes and place a piece of fresh Mozzarella cheese on top, then a leaf of Basil, and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Nice coolness to offset the chicken dish. Good fresh bread or foccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip in, is great on the side, and to sop up any sauce left on the plate!!
Hope you try it, and I hope you enjoy!!
"The Meal's Complete When The Kitchen's Neat"
***Chicken in Tarragon Sauce with Sun-Dried Tomatoes***
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed in one inch pieces
1-2 bunches of green onions--I like them so I use almost 2 bunches.
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 pint heavy whipping cream (I get two just in case)
Tarragon to taste
Garlic salt to taste
salt and pepper to taste
Oil
Prep: Chicken cut into inch-cubes. Chop green onions in about 1/2 inch long pieces.
Directions: Put enough oil to cover skillet bottom. Usually one to two Tbsp. is enough. Heat on medium heat on stove. Do not wait until oil is either smoking or splattering, this is too hot. Carefully place cut-up chicken in skillet, sprinkle with a little garlic salt, pepper, and brown lightly on all sides, until chicken is cooked through, about 20-25 min. Remove chicken with slotted spoon and keep warm. Add chopped green onions to remaining oil in skillet. Add more oil if you need, but even skinless chicken will give some drippings that add to the oil. Saute the green onions. While doing this, boil some water and pour over the one cup of sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl large enough for them to soak in. Soak until just pliable. You don't want them too soft. Let these cool, and slice them into strips. Add these to the green onions and saute to mix the flavors. Add the heavy whipping cream. I end up using the entire pint, and always get 2 pints when shopping in case I need a bit more. Stir while cooking on low heat. Do not let the cream sauce simmer quite yet. Add the Tarragon, it is up to your taste. I rarely cook with measured amounts, it should be about a tsp. or more. Add the Tarragon a little at a time, stir well, and taste. Now start to raise heat under pan, still keeping watch to not let cream boil. Add chicken to skillet and stir well, mixing all ingredients well. Let sauce come to a simmer, and VOILA! A delicious sauce to put over pasta, rice, even baked potatoes!
I like it over Fettuccine Noodles. You will be surprised how well this goes over with kids too!
Serve with a salad, or slice tomatoes and place a piece of fresh Mozzarella cheese on top, then a leaf of Basil, and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Nice coolness to offset the chicken dish. Good fresh bread or foccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip in, is great on the side, and to sop up any sauce left on the plate!!
Hope you try it, and I hope you enjoy!!
"The Meal's Complete When The Kitchen's Neat"
My Serenaded Birthday
Well what do you know? It is coming...again...just too quick do these years fly by. It is soon to be Birthday time and you ladies know as we get older, they do get less important overall. OH, not that we don't want anyone to acknowledge that it is 'our' one day a year; it is the realization that when people used to say to me, "You are so young, so smart, so beautiful; enjoy your youth while it is here", I never realized just how quickly it all would pass by.
I enjoyed my youth, oh yeah I did!! Then suddenly, one day, I wake up thinking about my retirement fund. Wha????? WHAT? That is when I realized my youth had been, well, had. It is a new horizon now for me, and I have had other people on my mind lately as my birthday rapidly approaches.
Because my youngest brother was born a day after me, and the doc in my life for over 9 years' b-day was a day before mine, we all 3 would get together on mine, the middle b-day, for a drink or 8, maybe have a fabulous dinner, or BBQ with family and friends together.
Speaking of dates, it is absolutely amazing those that he and I shared! Aside from our birthdays being the next day from each other, here's a few more. His son, who is the same age as mine, was born on MY father's B-day. And my son--born on HIS father's B-day. Uh-huh. Wow huh! Then there was the fact that we both got married, (our first marriages), on the same day. Year different, but same wedding anniversary with our ex's! Just the son and father thing was crazy enough. Odd how dates bring us together, when we find some in common. Isn't it a real draw when you meet someone, and find out they share your B-day? Doesn't it make for a tad more of a connection, and easier to speak to each other?
The B-day that I will always remember the most, was my 40th B-day. What that sweet doc did for me was above and beyond anything I had ever been 'given' for my B-day.
There was a lot of scurrying around the week or so before my b-day. He told me that we were having some people over for my b-day, and we'd have a nice dinner at home with close friends and family. How much better could that be? It got better, believe me.
I was told to not worry about 'anything', and that he would be cooking the dinner. Cooking and us two was quite the hobby. When we met, he literally could only make one dish, and I taught him how. He basically boiled water in the cooking department. After 6 years of living together, I turned out to the next victim a man who could cook a lavish dinner, set the table right, and so beautifully too, then clean it up! He took an immediate interest in cooking when he would sit in the kitchen and have wine with me as he watched me cook. My mother taught me how, and now he was learning her recipes! He took to a few right away, and would cook a couple times a week at first. Then...it became, "What would you like tonight honey....squab, or a nice pork loin topped with a cherry sauce?" Yep. I taught him to enjoy cooking. He began to love to create, and experiment. My son and I were the Guinea pigs, and 99% of it went down so nice! (It was the poor little rabbit's I just had a tough time with!)
On my b-day, I saw a table being delivered, with beautiful China and glassware, gorgeous flatware, linens, and 3 or 4 Brunch-type servers. When he later put it all together, it was like Martha Stewart had run by and had a little fun in our dining room! (I hear it is now an altar, but I'll leave that one alone!) He added my favorite flowers, (one of his 'things' he did for me so often, was indulge me in flowers, he knew how much I loved them), and went into the kitchen. I had semi-strict orders to stay out. Soon, some of the most delicious smells were coming out of our kitchen.
I got ready, leopard bra and low-cut black top, my favorite black skirt, (he had requested that one), and black stockings with seams down the back, finished off with new patent leather pumps. It must had been a 'good day' pain-wise, b/c I don't remember that being an issue. I felt sexy, and of course he had told me over and over that I couldn't possibly be turning 40, and how lucky he was to have me. He was a very sweet man to me, and always complimented me, helping me to feel pretty when maybe it was a day I didn't.
Our guests arrived, from fellow docs and their wives, to both my and his older brothers, mine a Sommeleir; who doc adored, they were like 2 peas in a pod; and some other family. We shared some aperitifs and wonderful pate, and other appetizers that he had made. I noticed at one point, the kids were kind of whispering and there was a bit of a rustling downstairs, coming from the garage entrance. Walking up were three Mexican men with traditional instruments, dressed in fancy ruffled shirts. They were simply called a Trio. As I was kind of taking it all in, they stopped at the top of the stairs and got instruments ready. Then they played.
They were serenading me! Since it was all in Spanish, I couldn't understand them completely, and doc was next to me telling me what they were singing. He told me it was a traditional Spanish song that was used in serenading the ladies up on their balconies. I was teary just from his sentiments, from what he had done for me, the planning it must have taken; and it was all as he had hoped: A Surprise!! I noticed the Spanish-speaking wives were swaying to the music, hanging on every word. As it was translated to me, I was taken away by the romantic lyrics.
As doc did last-minute preparations in the kitchen, the music continued, and some of our Mexican friends were in small spats; looked like a male vs. female kind of thing...I asked them what was going on, and the girls told me they were asking why they had never before been serenaded like that! YIKES!
Dinner was amazing, and the Trio played on. Doc made his famous pork-loin with Cherry Glaze, a delicious assortment of quail, red potatoes with rosemary in olive oil, baked just till a bit crispy, (I am getting so hungry right now!), and a Spanish Paella with seafood, and other meats. A plate of sliced tomatoes topped with a slice of fresh cheese, a basil leaf, and olive oil drizzled on top, with a sprinkling of salt and pepper started the feast, then we served ourselves from the gleaming heated Serving Dishes. The best of wines flowed, the bread was passed, live music was played, conversations were all over the gorgeous table, and my b-day cake finished off the night.
Great, home-cooked with a lot of love, fine food; could not outdo an actual professional Trio in our home, playing all night, starting out with a few love songs just to serenade me. What he put into making that night wonderful for me was the most heart-touching, and caring things that anyone has ever done for me on my birthday. One I will obviously never forget.
It is true; that saying, "It doesn't matter what the gift is, it is (truly) the thought that counts."
Thanks doc.
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
I enjoyed my youth, oh yeah I did!! Then suddenly, one day, I wake up thinking about my retirement fund. Wha????? WHAT? That is when I realized my youth had been, well, had. It is a new horizon now for me, and I have had other people on my mind lately as my birthday rapidly approaches.
Because my youngest brother was born a day after me, and the doc in my life for over 9 years' b-day was a day before mine, we all 3 would get together on mine, the middle b-day, for a drink or 8, maybe have a fabulous dinner, or BBQ with family and friends together.
Speaking of dates, it is absolutely amazing those that he and I shared! Aside from our birthdays being the next day from each other, here's a few more. His son, who is the same age as mine, was born on MY father's B-day. And my son--born on HIS father's B-day. Uh-huh. Wow huh! Then there was the fact that we both got married, (our first marriages), on the same day. Year different, but same wedding anniversary with our ex's! Just the son and father thing was crazy enough. Odd how dates bring us together, when we find some in common. Isn't it a real draw when you meet someone, and find out they share your B-day? Doesn't it make for a tad more of a connection, and easier to speak to each other?
The B-day that I will always remember the most, was my 40th B-day. What that sweet doc did for me was above and beyond anything I had ever been 'given' for my B-day.
There was a lot of scurrying around the week or so before my b-day. He told me that we were having some people over for my b-day, and we'd have a nice dinner at home with close friends and family. How much better could that be? It got better, believe me.
I was told to not worry about 'anything', and that he would be cooking the dinner. Cooking and us two was quite the hobby. When we met, he literally could only make one dish, and I taught him how. He basically boiled water in the cooking department. After 6 years of living together, I turned out to the next victim a man who could cook a lavish dinner, set the table right, and so beautifully too, then clean it up! He took an immediate interest in cooking when he would sit in the kitchen and have wine with me as he watched me cook. My mother taught me how, and now he was learning her recipes! He took to a few right away, and would cook a couple times a week at first. Then...it became, "What would you like tonight honey....squab, or a nice pork loin topped with a cherry sauce?" Yep. I taught him to enjoy cooking. He began to love to create, and experiment. My son and I were the Guinea pigs, and 99% of it went down so nice! (It was the poor little rabbit's I just had a tough time with!)
On my b-day, I saw a table being delivered, with beautiful China and glassware, gorgeous flatware, linens, and 3 or 4 Brunch-type servers. When he later put it all together, it was like Martha Stewart had run by and had a little fun in our dining room! (I hear it is now an altar, but I'll leave that one alone!) He added my favorite flowers, (one of his 'things' he did for me so often, was indulge me in flowers, he knew how much I loved them), and went into the kitchen. I had semi-strict orders to stay out. Soon, some of the most delicious smells were coming out of our kitchen.
I got ready, leopard bra and low-cut black top, my favorite black skirt, (he had requested that one), and black stockings with seams down the back, finished off with new patent leather pumps. It must had been a 'good day' pain-wise, b/c I don't remember that being an issue. I felt sexy, and of course he had told me over and over that I couldn't possibly be turning 40, and how lucky he was to have me. He was a very sweet man to me, and always complimented me, helping me to feel pretty when maybe it was a day I didn't.
Our guests arrived, from fellow docs and their wives, to both my and his older brothers, mine a Sommeleir; who doc adored, they were like 2 peas in a pod; and some other family. We shared some aperitifs and wonderful pate, and other appetizers that he had made. I noticed at one point, the kids were kind of whispering and there was a bit of a rustling downstairs, coming from the garage entrance. Walking up were three Mexican men with traditional instruments, dressed in fancy ruffled shirts. They were simply called a Trio. As I was kind of taking it all in, they stopped at the top of the stairs and got instruments ready. Then they played.
They were serenading me! Since it was all in Spanish, I couldn't understand them completely, and doc was next to me telling me what they were singing. He told me it was a traditional Spanish song that was used in serenading the ladies up on their balconies. I was teary just from his sentiments, from what he had done for me, the planning it must have taken; and it was all as he had hoped: A Surprise!! I noticed the Spanish-speaking wives were swaying to the music, hanging on every word. As it was translated to me, I was taken away by the romantic lyrics.
As doc did last-minute preparations in the kitchen, the music continued, and some of our Mexican friends were in small spats; looked like a male vs. female kind of thing...I asked them what was going on, and the girls told me they were asking why they had never before been serenaded like that! YIKES!
Dinner was amazing, and the Trio played on. Doc made his famous pork-loin with Cherry Glaze, a delicious assortment of quail, red potatoes with rosemary in olive oil, baked just till a bit crispy, (I am getting so hungry right now!), and a Spanish Paella with seafood, and other meats. A plate of sliced tomatoes topped with a slice of fresh cheese, a basil leaf, and olive oil drizzled on top, with a sprinkling of salt and pepper started the feast, then we served ourselves from the gleaming heated Serving Dishes. The best of wines flowed, the bread was passed, live music was played, conversations were all over the gorgeous table, and my b-day cake finished off the night.
Great, home-cooked with a lot of love, fine food; could not outdo an actual professional Trio in our home, playing all night, starting out with a few love songs just to serenade me. What he put into making that night wonderful for me was the most heart-touching, and caring things that anyone has ever done for me on my birthday. One I will obviously never forget.
It is true; that saying, "It doesn't matter what the gift is, it is (truly) the thought that counts."
Thanks doc.
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Six Rights Nurses Have In Medication Administration
Written for the Mass. Nurses Association, these are the most wonderful rights I have ever seen as a Nurse, for Nurses. Nurses are under such responsibility when it comes to medication administration; it is up to us to check each doctor's order for mistakes, illegible writing, incorrect dosages, open-ended directions; and if it gets by us, it is our fault, the Nurses, not the doctors. We are the final people to recieve an order for meds before administration.
To see the 6 Rights for Nurses was a very fresh idea. We are accustomed to going through the '5 Rights of Patient Medication Administration.' These are:
1. Right Patient
2.Right Medication
3. Right Dose
4. Right Route
5. Right Time
If all 5 are followed for each patient that receives medication, the chances of a mistake are nearly nil. These have been ground into our brains since Nursing School.
Enjoy reading this very wonderful idea of giving Nurses a head start on the very time-consuming, important, and huge responsibility of administering meds. This takes such a load off of us to not have to check and then double and triple check the simplest of orders. No longer needed is our constant vigilance of making sure everyone involved; from the Pharmacist, to the Doctor that wrote the order, did it correctly. As long as we follow our 5 rights for the Patient, everything should be just fine.
If we lived in a world that adhered to 6 simple steps by others involved in medication preparation and orders; we Nurses would actually have our own set of Medication Rights!
Happy reading!!
http://www.massnurses.org/News/1999/990600/sixrights.htm
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
To see the 6 Rights for Nurses was a very fresh idea. We are accustomed to going through the '5 Rights of Patient Medication Administration.' These are:
1. Right Patient
2.Right Medication
3. Right Dose
4. Right Route
5. Right Time
If all 5 are followed for each patient that receives medication, the chances of a mistake are nearly nil. These have been ground into our brains since Nursing School.
Enjoy reading this very wonderful idea of giving Nurses a head start on the very time-consuming, important, and huge responsibility of administering meds. This takes such a load off of us to not have to check and then double and triple check the simplest of orders. No longer needed is our constant vigilance of making sure everyone involved; from the Pharmacist, to the Doctor that wrote the order, did it correctly. As long as we follow our 5 rights for the Patient, everything should be just fine.
If we lived in a world that adhered to 6 simple steps by others involved in medication preparation and orders; we Nurses would actually have our own set of Medication Rights!
Happy reading!!
http://www.massnurses.org/News/1999/990600/sixrights.htm
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
NATIONAL INVISIBLE CHRONIC ILLNESS AWARENESS WEEK!!
On these wonderful days of National Invisible Chronic Illnesses Awareness Week, I am given a chance to stop for a moment, and not only thank those in my life that have intimately helped me through the years of my surgeries, procedures, and the resulting and unrelenting pain; I am also looking at who has helped myself, and others; in the virtual world.
I have been so blessed to 'meet' many people online who have helped me to look at myself, deep inside, they have given me harsh words when I needed them, (for me to slow down!), or the simple words, "I understand." When a fellow Chronic pain/illness sufferer says that, I know they know exactly how I feel, and that can mean so much to those of us that are suffering. Even those of us that write online, that try to get to our computers to write what is in our heart and minds, have a great need for encouragement. This is where the 'other' CP and CI sufferers that reach out to one another makes all the difference in my life.
I know I have helped others. They have told me in long conversations that I was the only one they could tell a certain feeling or past experience to. Not even their friends, or family could be counted on to be non-judgmental-- as I was with them. I hope that my Blog has helped some...even if it was that ONE person that felt alone. Reach one, and I have reached out. I have hopefully calmed the fears of thinking that they are alone in this struggle of pain and illness. As we have seen, there are many of us 'out there'!
The woman that began this wonderful week is a lady named Lisa Copen. Lisa means a lot to me. I learned of her when looking into starting a 'Hopekeepers' group about 4 years ago. I had the 'Hopekeepers Magazine' sent to my Pastor, so he could begin to see how prevalent Chronic Pain and Illnesses are. Lisa began this idea also, to start a group, to reach out to others in pain. My heart was in it 100%. Yet my body was not to be so easy to follow my heart.
Nearly ready to start my own Hopekeepers group, then struck again by many acute bouts of my Chronic Pain, so high on the pain scale that I decided I was not well enough at the time to be the leader of a group, and the turnout was bound to be small, so I did not know what kind of help I would have gotten. I had to give that idea up. At least at that very time in my life.
Lisa is presently concentrating now on National Invisible Chronic Illness Week!!!! Go visit: www.invisibleillness.com for much more information on people and companies that make a difference, and how the public can become educated on the subjects of Chronic Illness, and Chronic Pain.
Lisa wrote a post that has resounded with me quite loudly, almost as if she knew I had just read her post, as my best friend and I were parking at the market, with me saying (for the ? time), "I really need to get one of the Handicapped Placards, but am terrified because I may 'Look Good' that day, and am not in the mood to be stared at by those that see me get out, no cane, (yet), no wheelchair, no cast." That post Lisa wrote needs to be read by everyone, ill or well. Let others see that not everything can be seen.
The post: "Can those with an Invisible Illness Park in the Blue Spots Without Others Seeing Red?" by Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries, is a great read, and oh, so true.
http://www.restministries.org/invisibleillness/thingstoprint/ii7_oped_canthosepark.htm
I applaud Lisa Copen for what she has done for us all, and may she and all the others I have met, continue to be advocates for those of us with Invisible Illnesses and/or Chronic Pain!
I wish you a low or no pain day!
I have been so blessed to 'meet' many people online who have helped me to look at myself, deep inside, they have given me harsh words when I needed them, (for me to slow down!), or the simple words, "I understand." When a fellow Chronic pain/illness sufferer says that, I know they know exactly how I feel, and that can mean so much to those of us that are suffering. Even those of us that write online, that try to get to our computers to write what is in our heart and minds, have a great need for encouragement. This is where the 'other' CP and CI sufferers that reach out to one another makes all the difference in my life.
I know I have helped others. They have told me in long conversations that I was the only one they could tell a certain feeling or past experience to. Not even their friends, or family could be counted on to be non-judgmental-- as I was with them. I hope that my Blog has helped some...even if it was that ONE person that felt alone. Reach one, and I have reached out. I have hopefully calmed the fears of thinking that they are alone in this struggle of pain and illness. As we have seen, there are many of us 'out there'!
The woman that began this wonderful week is a lady named Lisa Copen. Lisa means a lot to me. I learned of her when looking into starting a 'Hopekeepers' group about 4 years ago. I had the 'Hopekeepers Magazine' sent to my Pastor, so he could begin to see how prevalent Chronic Pain and Illnesses are. Lisa began this idea also, to start a group, to reach out to others in pain. My heart was in it 100%. Yet my body was not to be so easy to follow my heart.
Nearly ready to start my own Hopekeepers group, then struck again by many acute bouts of my Chronic Pain, so high on the pain scale that I decided I was not well enough at the time to be the leader of a group, and the turnout was bound to be small, so I did not know what kind of help I would have gotten. I had to give that idea up. At least at that very time in my life.
Lisa is presently concentrating now on National Invisible Chronic Illness Week!!!! Go visit: www.invisibleillness.com for much more information on people and companies that make a difference, and how the public can become educated on the subjects of Chronic Illness, and Chronic Pain.
Lisa wrote a post that has resounded with me quite loudly, almost as if she knew I had just read her post, as my best friend and I were parking at the market, with me saying (for the ? time), "I really need to get one of the Handicapped Placards, but am terrified because I may 'Look Good' that day, and am not in the mood to be stared at by those that see me get out, no cane, (yet), no wheelchair, no cast." That post Lisa wrote needs to be read by everyone, ill or well. Let others see that not everything can be seen.
The post: "Can those with an Invisible Illness Park in the Blue Spots Without Others Seeing Red?" by Lisa Copen of Rest Ministries, is a great read, and oh, so true.
http://www.restministries.org/invisibleillness/thingstoprint/ii7_oped_canthosepark.htm
I applaud Lisa Copen for what she has done for us all, and may she and all the others I have met, continue to be advocates for those of us with Invisible Illnesses and/or Chronic Pain!
I wish you a low or no pain day!
Shauna
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Some Information on Medical Insurance For The Chronically Ill
Today I had an insurance agent at my home, discussing medical/dental/vision, etc. coverage for the self-employed. I am so impressed with this company, and their view of those with the dreaded pre-existing conditions. The name of it is the 'National Association for the Self-Employed'. More info @http://www.needinsurance.org/. It is for anyone that writes a check themselves for their insurance. This happens to also pertain to many Chronically Ill people, not just the self-employed. Although it is important to note that many Chronically Ill have to obtain their own insurance now because they have become self-employed due to chronic illnesses!
I have not only owned my own company for Clinical Micropigmentation for 3 years now, but I am becoming a free agent in Nursing. I have many options for insurance coverage through companies I will be working with, but I prefer to cover myself, and take the stipend offered for any insurance I pay myself. In Travel Nursing, a high percentage of companies start the medical benefits on the first day, since most assignments are 13 weeks. If they held to the usual 90 day policy before benefits, we would have one week of insurance before the assignment ended! lol
Having a Chronic Illness leaves so many either rejected from insurance coverage, or made to wait 6 months, then begin coverage at a high cost to the patient, high deductibles and low coverage. The big insurers are the worst offenders of this type of what I consider discrimination. Having found a company that doesn't care what I have now to deal with, what surgeries I have had, what medications I am prescribed. It was amazing. It is formed of a group of those that pay for their own medical insurance. It is something that will follow me around the states, all of them; that I travel to. It is also something for those that have been rejected, or put through the waiting game because of their illnesses.
The link below will take you to a most interesting article in the New York Times, by Marci Alboher; about self-employed people needing health insurance, and also getting health care when pre-existing conditions have kept you from obtaining decent insurance. It is something we must all pay attention to: the fact we NEED health care because we are fighting invisible illnesses, and chronic pain, we are the people that truly need to access health care, and have every right as those that are healthy in obtaining and keeping insurance. It has been a catch-22 for us. It is time to find, research, compare, and look outside the normal box of companies that provide health care.
There are options. I hope that this has been helpful to anyone who is seeking medical insurance-- and running into walls.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/smallbusiness/27sbiz.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
This site is also in the above article, it is an organization that helps patients get procedures paid for that doctors have ordered, yet their insurance is not covering it, they are advocates for patients, and any organization that is for patients are gold in my book! And even better, it is a non-profit company. Got to love it!
http://advocacyforpatients.org/
I wish you a low or no pain day.......
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
I have not only owned my own company for Clinical Micropigmentation for 3 years now, but I am becoming a free agent in Nursing. I have many options for insurance coverage through companies I will be working with, but I prefer to cover myself, and take the stipend offered for any insurance I pay myself. In Travel Nursing, a high percentage of companies start the medical benefits on the first day, since most assignments are 13 weeks. If they held to the usual 90 day policy before benefits, we would have one week of insurance before the assignment ended! lol
Having a Chronic Illness leaves so many either rejected from insurance coverage, or made to wait 6 months, then begin coverage at a high cost to the patient, high deductibles and low coverage. The big insurers are the worst offenders of this type of what I consider discrimination. Having found a company that doesn't care what I have now to deal with, what surgeries I have had, what medications I am prescribed. It was amazing. It is formed of a group of those that pay for their own medical insurance. It is something that will follow me around the states, all of them; that I travel to. It is also something for those that have been rejected, or put through the waiting game because of their illnesses.
The link below will take you to a most interesting article in the New York Times, by Marci Alboher; about self-employed people needing health insurance, and also getting health care when pre-existing conditions have kept you from obtaining decent insurance. It is something we must all pay attention to: the fact we NEED health care because we are fighting invisible illnesses, and chronic pain, we are the people that truly need to access health care, and have every right as those that are healthy in obtaining and keeping insurance. It has been a catch-22 for us. It is time to find, research, compare, and look outside the normal box of companies that provide health care.
There are options. I hope that this has been helpful to anyone who is seeking medical insurance-- and running into walls.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/business/smallbusiness/27sbiz.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
This site is also in the above article, it is an organization that helps patients get procedures paid for that doctors have ordered, yet their insurance is not covering it, they are advocates for patients, and any organization that is for patients are gold in my book! And even better, it is a non-profit company. Got to love it!
http://advocacyforpatients.org/
I wish you a low or no pain day.......
"The Only Constant in Life....is Change."
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