Completely crazy

[Slywalker]

Count me in as totally crazy - I worked while I was doing Hemo and PD and still working after my transplant.  Kept me part of the human race, kept me feeling like perhaps I was normal,  kept the insurance premiums paid and kept the bills paid.  I also appreciate being around people during the day and not being isolated.    I have a job that allowed sick leave for various surgeries, hemo appointments, etc.   Not saying it was easy.  Especially the year before I even started dialysis - energy level was very low so not much energy left for the family in the evenings.  But they were and continue to be a great support system. 

Have a great day everyone.

Sandyb

 

[lola]

Kit Otto is praying to be crazy like you. He says work will keep him from laying around all day.

[RichardMEL]

How can people afford dialysis who aren't working?

In Australia dialysis is provided under the medicare system so the govt pays. All the drugs are also provided under the PBS scheme so at a vastly discounted cost to patients. Indeed since I started at the unit I don't even pay up front for my aranesp shots - the unit just gets them and adminster it. Those on social security can get PBS meds for something like $5.

I feel very lucky to live in a country that is so supportive of folks with kidney failure. It's not perfect for sure but it could be much worse.

[Bajanne]

Not crazy at all!   I feel so much better now that I am working.  Apart from the paycheck, it feels good to be active!

In this country, dialysis is free if you don't have insurance.  If you do have, the insurance has to pay.  Since I lost my goverment job with subsidized health insurance, I am getting everything free - dialysis, tests, and any operations (I had to have one on my graft recently).  In fact, there is no difference in treatment since I have no insurance, thankfully.

[monrein]

We also don't pay out of pocket  for Aranesp and here in Ontario there is a drug program that is adjusted according to income. 

[flip]

I still work my online business. I also have retirement and Social Security Disability.