I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: okarol on October 22, 2008, 02:46:13 PM
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As Bajanne mentioned in another thread, there is a DVD entitled "Who Shall Live?" - we gave them to the attendees at the Las Vegas meeting.
In those early days of the technology, only a few patients could be treated, and even then at great cost. The demand greatly exceeded the capacity to treat patients, and some means of selection was needed. An anonymous panel of community members was formed to screen and select patients for treatment. The highly controversial decision-making process was the subject of an NBC documentary in 1965 entitled "Who Shall Live?" narrated by Edwin Newman. That gothic portrayal showed the faceless black silhouettes of the anonymous committee members against a stark white screen as they deliberated over the merits of each case. But on what grounds should patients be selected? Age, finances, family dependents, job title?
If you would like a copy of the documentary, please let me know and I will get one to you, free of charge.
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In 1961 you had to have $10,000 up front for 2 years of dialysis. Great Cost? That would be 3 treatments today.
I think it is great that you have these DVD's for history. I don't need one though. Thanks~
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In 1961 you had to have $10,000 up front for 2 years of dialysis. Great Cost? That would be 3 treatments today.
$10,000 should cover about one year on home hemodialysis.
8)
PS: Medicare approves about $146.00 per dialysis treatment (meds are separate, for now).
Of that amount, Medicare pays 80% and private Medigap insurance pays 20% -- if Medicare is your primary insurance.
If a private insurance policy is your primary, then the payment may be more like $500 to $800 per treatment.
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You would need also to look at salary averages in 1965 or 1961 to think about how much money $10,000 dollars represented. It would not have been uncommon to make $5,000 a year as a secretary or entry-level teacher so that's very high cost indeed.
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What cost $10,000.00 in 1965 would cost $65,085.24 in 2007.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/
8)
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I amended my original post to clarify that there is no charge for the DVD.
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I'd like one, okarol. Do you still have my mailing address?
Thanks,
petey (Marsha)
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Great offer at a greater Price of $0. How cool is that? I already have one but must confess I have not watched it yet.
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I'd like one, okarol. Do you still have my mailing address?
Thanks,
petey (Marsha)
Yes, I do, I will send one.
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Karol I would like to get one also. Thank you...Boxman
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okarol, do you have any left? I'd love a copy. :waving;
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My salary as a teacher in 1968 was $145.00 (BWI currency at the time which was 1/2 US$!!!) Dialysis here is $500 a session (free for citizens and residents). That would be $1,500 a week - $78,000 a year!!!!! In my home country, Barbados, it is $900 a week (again, free for citizens and residents) - $46,800 a year!
It is only looking at these figures that I see the great cost of dialysis.
That movie "Who Shall Live?" was eye-opening. Sam and I watched it and were overwhelmed. You see, my father passed away because of them not thinking it was worth it to put a man 88 years old on dialysis, in spite of the fact that he was extremely healthy for his age and that was his only problem. Our family doctor even cried because he was powerless.
It is also interesting to see how far we have come in terms of the machines we use.
Though I do not like dialysis, I am very grateful for the life-prolongation it is affording me.
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Karol I would like to get one also. Thank you...Boxman
okarol, do you have any left? I'd love a copy. :waving;
I will send you each one. :waving;
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Can I get a copy also, please?
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Can I get a copy also, please?
Yes, I have your address from the Holiday Exchange list. Thanks.
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Thank you!
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I like history and would like to get a copy also. I will have to look at Zach's posted link that shows what cost were like in 1965.
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Could you send me a copy too please. :)
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I'd like one, okarol. Do you still have my mailing address?
Thanks,
petey (Marsha)
Yes, I do, I will send one.
Came today! Thanks, Karol! I haven't watched it yet, but Marvin and I plan to soon. Also, thanks for the two "extra" surprises, Karol. You really are a sweetheart. Marvin and I are both wearing our "Donate Life" bracelets now. And, you remembered to send two, so my Marvin could have one...you know how to make me your friend for life don't you? (include Marvin and I'm endeared to you forever). Thanks again!
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My mother was one of those who went before a panel. My Dad was Air Force and we were transferred to Travis AFB in California because they had a dialysis machine. They interviewed my mom and another lady and chose my mom. As I recall in this case the other lady wasn't chosen because of compliance issues.
I would love to have a copy of the video too - please let me know what I can do to get one. Thanks. Dianne
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PS: Medicare approves about $146.00 per dialysis treatment (meds are separate, for now).
Of that amount, Medicare pays 80% and private Medigap insurance pays 20% -- if Medicare is your primary insurance.
I am thankful every single day that I have insurance, even if it is Medicare. After saying that though, Medicare can be the worst at covering necessary procedures and medical supplies. Luckily (and I'm being facetious here), I am disabled and qualify for state Medicaid. They pay the 20% that Medicare does not.
After reading all the replies to your post, I have begun to truly understand the financial cost of dialysis. I had absolutely no idea.
Okarol, would you mind sending me a copy of the DVD as well? I will send you my address by PM.
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Please let me know if the DVD's were received (I know you got yours Petey) because I cannot remember who else I mailed them to. :oops;
All other requests will go out soon.
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I would absolutely love a copy!! My mother is a 74 yr old RN who tells me of remembering a time when I would not have been able to be on dialysis.
Edited: Address removed - okarol/admin
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I finally got more DVD's and I think these are who still needs a copy sent to them:
Boxman
willieandwinnie
mibarra
Chris
Ramona
graftgurl
Katey
If I missed your name, or already sent you one, please let me know.
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Yes, I would still like one. Thank you!
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me too
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I'm in, have anymore PKD pics or surgical pics? :rofl;
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Yes i would definitely like one. My parents and siblings all live away from me and are eager for me to share!! Thanks!
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Okarol, I would love one, would be happy to send you some money. Would be a great teaching tool. Working in Dialysis, we have all been told the stories. We refer to that panel as "the God Squad" because they were deciding if you were worthy enough to live. It's similar to that for cadaver transplants now. In Texas, anyway, the transplant hospital always calls the clinic first, to see "what kind of patient this is" as far as med compliance, or substance abuse, they won't take you, kidney will go to someone else.
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Have any others? I would be forever grateful :)
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I would really love to have one. Thanks.
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Can I have one, please?
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Can I have one, please?
I thought I gave you one in Las Vegas - did I miss your bag?? I'm sorry!
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That is okay. I know you love me anyway even if you wouldn't share in VEgas! :rofl;
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That is okay. I know you love me anyway even if you wouldn't share in VEgas! :rofl;
Victor probably sold it on ebay. :rofl;
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Victor does not know how to use Ebay!
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Victor does not know how to use Ebay!
That's what he wants you to think. :clap;
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:rofl; :rofl; :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
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Darn it! Just thought of this, I should have sent you the extra blank DVD's I have when I sent you a package.
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If you still have any, may I PM you my address?
thanks
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I apologize that I haven't had a chance to mail these DVD's - just too crazy lately - will do it soon.
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It's the holiday crazy season. Give yourself a break for once. Sit down have some :popcorn; or some :wine; and relax.
You do know that you do do a lot on here and on other places.
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My best friend and I both came down with renal failure in the late 1970's. We both heard stories of the 'God Squad' and considered ourselves very lucky to have dodged that bullet.
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I am to lend my copy of it to my nephrologist. In my country, Barbados, the 'god squad' still operates. My dad, 89, was denied dialysis because of his age! And he had no other conditions but kidney failure! A very healthy, alert, functioning member of society! We still feel robbed!
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That just sems so odd for that to happen bajanne2000, but it also doesn't supprise me at the same time. I hope your younger generation of doctors change the habbit.
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In my country, Barbados, the 'god squad' still operates. My dad, 89, was denied dialysis because of his age! And he had no other conditions but kidney failure! A very healthy, alert, functioning member of society! We still feel robbed!
here in australia the famed god squad operates,over 70 years of age , you will spend your days hooked to a machine, no tx
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You can read a little about this here
(http://books.google.com/books?id=nPn79JYIjc8C&pg=PA213&vq=scribner&dq=inauthor#PPA212,M1)
I think the link will work - it's a few pages from a book.
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I know this has been posted for a long time, but is it still possible to get a copy of this documentary? I saw it some years ago, and would love to share it other patients and renal professionals (too young to remember when this was the reality).
thanks,
mtnsw
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You can contact Lori Hartwell at the Renal Support Network to see if she can get you a copy www.rsnhope.org