Tough Day......Looking For Some Support

[Keys Girl]

Thanks, Luise, you are so right.  I'll put the pedal to the metal to get myself an appointment with a kidney specialist in a reasonable period of time.

KG

[luise.volta]

Yay!

[nikncon]

Hi KG.I don't know where you live but I went online and called one.I was very lucky because she is seeing me in two weeks.I neede a referral from NP.She fax my blood work and ultrasound to neph.You could probably get an appt faster if you just explain your fears and see if one can accept you as a patient.Mind you if I want to see someone I'll google it and call until someone will say yes.I was very lucky because there are only eight neph. in our area and the first one that I called said yes.Good luck.

[Pen]

I'm glad you both are taking care of your health issues. It's hard to face them sometimes. I'm proud of you! Best wishes, thinking of you and sending healing thoughts.

[Keys Girl]

Thanks everyone, I spent time on the phone yesterday and may have identified a team of doctors in a city a couple of hours away who might be able to see me in 2 months.  I'm in a small city in Canada with 3 nephrologists and a large population of elderly people, so that's part of the problem.  The other problems is that in Ontario there are many recently graduated specialists who cannot find jobs as nephrologists despite spending an extra 9 years of training and wait line that are frankly shameful.  I found a recent newspaper article that details why newly trained nephrologists are working as glorified interns when huge sections of the population go untreated.  There is a system in place that allows the older doctors to decide if they hire the new doctors and since they are making at time $900,000, they aren't in any hurry to share their practices with the younger people because of the medical system they are contractual professionals.  I also made some phone calls south of the border (USA) and their nephrologists won't see me without a referral from a US GP.  I might just get myself one.  I'm a couple of hours away by car, so if that's what it takes, so be it.

I'm mad as a hatter that tens of thousands of people can't get the care they need, that many recently graduated doctors have spent 9 years of time and $$ to train to help them and the system is like the Berlin Wall between the two.  I'm sure that people are dying needlessly because of this.   Shameful in my opinion.  I have a credit card and I may just get on a plane and fly to wherever I have to if necessary to find out whether I'm already dealing with Chronic Kidney Disease or not.  I've had thyroid and related problems for years so I've been taking a lot of medication over a long period of time which may be the cause of the suspected kidney problems.

This might be a good opportunity to tell people about Chronic Kidney Disease.  It's called the Silent Killer.  There are usually no symptoms until the later stages and getting help then to reverse (to some extent) or protect the continuing function of the kidneys is usually diet and exercise (as I understand it) and keeping your blood pressure down and diabetes at bay are critical.  Taking a lot of over the counter pain medications can damage your kidneys over a long period of time. 

Nik, lucky you to get a meeting in 2 weeks........that is incredible.

I've moved out of the "shock" stage I was in the for the first day or two after I got the email and I'm now in the "A Woman With A Mission" stage to find the clarification I need.  I would be thrilled to find out there is a clerical error somewhere and my kidneys are in the normal range but I will find out one way or another. 

KG

[Lillycache]

I'm not sure what's worse.. not having access to the proper specialist and a long waiting time... OR having access, but  being able to afford to see one because of not having insurance.

My older son is uninsured.  He had an episode of chest pain in February.  He was unable to make it to the Veterans hospital a hour away.  So he diverted to local communityy hospital.   He was found to be in a Hypertensive crisis  bp 189/121.. they admitted him and ruled out a heart attack.. Got his blood pressure under control and he was disharged in less than 24 hours with medication...  Total of all his bills for that?   $16,000      AND he is responsible for paying them.   This is more than his yearly income..   He is trying to make payments, but it will only be a matter of time before he is sent to collections and he will have to declare bankruptcy.   IMO NO one in this country should be financially ruined because they get sick.   Keys... this is just a rant from South of your Boarder.  We don't have long wait times.. but if you cannot afford to pay insurance premiums or do not have insurance at your job... you will be ruined.. OR you will go without care.    I am very sad for my son.  He works hard.. he served the country for 6 years active duty during the Afghanistan and Iraq.. yet he is in this pickle..  I hate to see his credit destroyed.. but he really will have no choice once they start collections. 

[Keys Girl]

Lillycache, I'm sorry to hear about your son.  I've heard stories that a broken leg in the US will cost $15,000 without insurance.

Both systems suck.  People on both sides of the border in some of the most advanced countries in the world are suffering, emotional, physical and financial distress while trying to keep their health intact.

If I were you I would approach some high powered, deep pocketed individuals in an effort to get some assistance with those bills.  I would start a Facebook page and ask people to donate $1 each.  That someone who defended your country is in a situation like this is deplorable.

$1 for the Vet's Debt - get the cans going on street corners, get the grassroots drumming those drums, put a video or even a photo montage of him on You Tube, get the power of the people he defended come to assist him.

Let me know when you get the You Tube posting up, with your address, and I'll send you the first $1.

Ask the elementary schools if he can come and speak to the students, about his experiences and advice he might have for them and ask them to put a quarter or $1 in the can after he speaks.

He has choices if they haven't started collections, oh, and you/he can also contact the Board of the Hospital and ask them what it would take to settle this debt without a veteran being put into bankruptcy..........and of course, call Dr. Phil.  Ask if he'll take your son's situation to the mainstream media if the Board or Hospital in unresponsive.

Your son can start a support group online for veterans across the country who have found themselves in the same boat and partner with some financial institutions who might give the group financial assistance in exchange for them appearing in advertisements.

And of course, write a letter to the White House........'cause you can always send extra copies of that letter to the major networks.

The Fourth of July isn't far away, if there is a parade in your town, get a spot with a car and a banner that reads "Help A Veteran Pay Hospital Bills".  Make sure to get a respected accountant in town to donate his services to manage all funds coming in.

I'm preoccupied with getting my own situation sorted out so I can't remember what the circumstances are with your son's wife or girlfriend, but perhaps this might be an opportunity to work together.

Good luck,
KG

[luise.volta]

KG - I'm glad you are thinking of heading South of the Border for answers even is a referrall is required there.

[Lillycache]

Thanks for the suggestions Keys... but there are litterally millions of Americans and Vets in the same boat... and even much worse.  Some have lost their life savings and homes.  My son's situation is minor comparedly and so common that I doubt if it would generate much interest.    Anyway I'm glad you are going to press on and get to get the help you need. 

[elsieshaye]

Sending you my best thoughts, KG.  "Woman On A Mission", go, Woman, go!

[nikncon]

KeysGirl.I also live in a small town in Ontario.I didn't have a referral when I called.I was just very persistent.Good luck.I have to travel one hour to meet the nephrologist.

[Keys Girl]

Lillycache, what a heartbreaker for you, your son and the veterans and their families.  I hope some organization will step up to the plate to make it right.

Ta-da.....

I have an appointment in the US on May 15th with a highly rated nephrologist.  After explaining my situation they have agreed to see me without a local referral.  Less than a month away, and a couple of hours by car.....

Thank you for the moral support everyone, it's good to know that I'm not on this path alone. 

KG

[luise.volta]

Yay, KG! From 6 months to three weeks by being pro-active! 

[Pooh]

Chiming in late.  Glad you got a quicker appointed KG.  I know how hard it is to wait...wait...wait...and then get contradictory reports....it's frustrating to no end.  Don't give up.  I have learned I have to be my own advocate!

[nikncon]

Hi KG.I had my lab tests redone and now my eg for is 64 which apparently in Ontario is good.I will still go see the nephrologist that I got by myself because I have blood in my urine.My NP has no idea why and didn't say to follow up.The care in Ontario is not great compared to States as far as I can see.Good luck with your appt.