Skip to main content

OK, it's official. Now I'm depressed

For the past 10+ years I have been living with the belief Mantle Cell Lymphoma would be the likely cause of my demise. It became even more evident two years ago, when I decided to retire, due to some limitations as a result of my MCL. So never did it cross my mind, during that time, I would develop other health issues that could potentially be worse.

But then 2012 happened. First it was a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma in May, which put a crack in that belief, and now a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), with 90% blockage of the main left coronary artery, and the necessity for bypass surgery, has shattered it.

On the surface that might not sound so bad. The condition was found early enough, and it can be corrected. Right?

Well, not exactly. It becomes much more complicated when you have another underlying condition (Mantle Cell Lymphoma), and your health insurance/care is through the Veterans Administration (VA).

I was told by the attending cardiologist, as he was describing my condition to me, there is a high probability, the doctors at the VA in west LA may not approve bypass surgery, because of my lymphoma, and if I had Medicare or other health insurance (which I do not), I should seek it out.

Bummer! Talk about bad news!

Fortunately, it didn't end there. The cardiologist went to discuss my situation with the other [older] attending cardiologist, and after considering what I would hopefully assume was my age and physical condition, it was decided they would refer me to the West LA VA for bypass surgery anyway.

So now it's just a waiting game. I know I've always believed in the VA health care model, where doctors are motivated less by profit, and more by what is best for the patient, but when you appear to be on the wrong end of a situation, your perspective can certainly change.

I would just hope that my age, physical conditioning and having lived nearly 11 years with a diagnosis of MCL, without requiring any treatment, would lean that final decision a lot in my favor.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Rebecca said…
They can't be serious! [insert primal scream here].
8:39 AM
Marc said…
Yeah they can, and they were. :(
8:40 AM
Alan said…
Even if you're denied, you'll soon be of Medicare age.
And stop mentioning basal cell carcinoma. It is a non-issue.
9:25 PM
Marc said…
And what is it that has you convinced I'll last that long?
10:22 PM
Alan said…
You didn't just develop this overnight. You've probably had it for years. Of course anything can happen but it's just as likely that nothing will until you reach Medicare age. (That doesn't mean I wouldn't keep fighting to have it done as soon as possible).

A friend of the family who was 90 years old several years ago was told he needed a bypass. He refused. He's still around.
11:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

History IS repeating itself

I didn't grow up during the rise and fall of Hitler and Nazi Germany, so for me to claim it feels like those are the times we are living in now, must be taken with a grain of salt. But I have seen enough movies, and read enough history to know, if the times we're living in now are not akin to the rise of a Nazism and Facism in Europe in the 1930's and 1940's, then we're not far off. If you can't see the parallels with Nazi Germany, then you must be living in a different country than me. Republicans and other right wing extremists will stop at nothing to subvert the will of the majority, forcing their beliefs, that they are the superior race and have been appointed by God, to impose their will on America, while they blame all our problems on immigrants, blacks and Jews. As I speak, Mitch McConnell, and his minions are raising roadblocks to all legislation designed to help average Americans under the guise of fiscal responsibility. They condone violent and verba...
Post a Comment
Read more

Open letter to all Democrats

Stop the nonsense! Continuing to go after Trump, without any hope of getting a conviction, does nothing more than provide Republicans with an obstructionist dialogue (now that they have come up with the unconstitutional talking point) in addition to giving Trump much needed publicity, when we should be ignoring him. It's the pure definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result! Instead Democrats need to be laser focused on what is important to all Americans, i.e. healthcare, Social Security and Medicare, infrastructure reform, the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, to name just a few. And when you do talk about Trump, simply steer the conversation as to how the Trump administration botched everything, how Trump is responsible for the deaths of 400,000+ Americans, due to his inaction and the down playing of the pandemic, plus the deaths of 2 Capitol policeman during the insurrection Trump provoked and incited on January 6, 2021. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stop the stupidity!

Rural medical center (in Georgia) suspended from vaccination program after inoculating school district staff. Give me a break! Trying to get kids back to school, while protecting teachers, bus drivers and other staff, is exactly what school districts should be doing. If they have vaccines, give them out. We should be giving out vaccines to all who want them, whenever available. Trying to adhere to rigid guidelines will only result in fewer people getting vaccines, resulting in the discarding of precious vaccines, and less protection for everyone. Of course we should be giving first priority to healthcare workers, and any other essential public service employees, such as policeman, fireman, etc. first, but when they're not around to receive shots, or refuse shots, then give them to anyone willing to take them. What I would have objected to is the medical center trying to capitalize on the pandemic to make a profit, from giving vaccines to people far down the list of recipients, but ...
Post a Comment
Read more