Am I Worth It?

[Bub]

I have been looking at my insurance's website.  I can log in and review what they have paid to keep me alive and well (or as well as I can get).  It has been close to $20K a month.  Is my life worth that much money?

What if they just sent me a check for $100K and I could have a heck of a time for a week or so in Vegas then die.  It would save them a lot of money, and I could see what its like to have money and  then it would be over. Maybe I should make them an offer?







EDITED:Moved to generald discussion area-kitkatz,Moderator

[willowtreewren]

Hey, Bub!

I'd take the life over the money. It isn't money that buys happiness (though it might make it a bit easier. hey?)

I once read a report about a study to see the percentage of people who would work 60 hours a week in order to make a million bucks. since I was already working more that that, I wondered where my $$$ was!

 

[Sluff]

But what if you changed your mind and the money was all gone.  yikes! 

[galvo]

Bub, take the 100k. Send me an airfare and I'll assist you in your Las Vegas adventure.

[jbeany]

My "This is not a bill" has arrived for my transplant, 3 revision surgeries, and 2 month stay in the hospital.  Good thing it's covered- my spare parts have cost over half a mil to install!

[RichardMEL]

of course you're worth it!!!

Down here we spend $85k to keep a dialysis patient alive for a year (yeah, you guys get massively ripped off in the US!).. that pays for my 3x/week dialysis sessions(hemo), zero reuse of anything - ie: new lines/dialyziers every time. The IV iron and epo shots and all that stuff. I am so happy to pay my taxes knowing it goes towards keeping folks like me going - because it is worth it. I try to think of stuff like that rather than dole bludgers getting $$$ for sitting on their backsides all day doing squat and all that.

Your life, like every single person here, is worth it - absolutely!

[Hanify]

You are sooooo worth it Bub!  Especially to your family.  However, having said that - I kind of like your idea about Vegas ... count me in!

[looneytunes]

Hey Bub...you are getting off light.  Hubby is on PD and his care is 35k + per month!  He and YOU are definitely worthi every cent!  Maybe your offer should be more like 1/2 a mil... and then go on Medicaid if you lost it all!

[Jean]

You are, and then some. However, I do like the idea of Vegas, hmmmm. No, Bub just joking. Dont even think that way!!!

[Bub]

I knew you would all respond positively, and I wasnt really fishing for supportive responses.  Thank you all, but still and again, I have to wonder sometimes.  I feel very much like a leech on society.  I have always paid my way, and spending that much money on me -- someone who in the scheme of things is not at all important -- I dont know.  I guess in a way I feel guilty. I think that's part of the reason I have not taken disability but continue slogging on at work on those days when I feel like crap.

[paul.karen]

Dont feel guilty, you have paid your dues in taxs and still continue to pay your own way by working when you could collect disability.   I have had several people tell me i am eligible to collect benefits but like you i keep on working.  Mainly i would be bored sitting at home waiting for a check once a month that wouldn't cover the expenses i need to cover.

The people that should feel quilty are the bums who collect disabilities when they dont need them.  Scammers, people hooked on welfare who are to lazy to look for work but are perfectly able to work.

So if you have worked your whole life as most have and need to take advantage due to an illness you shouldnt feel quilty, Feel glad that you are getting the assistance you need when you need it.

I do totally get what your saying though.

[lizabee]

I get "bills" every month for a grand total of about $33K.  My center's insurance lady has it all screwed up since I changed insurance 5 months ago!  It's scary to think what we would do without insurance!  I think you are well worth the amount of money they pay every month!  There is no price on life!

[kellyt]

Hey Bub...you are getting off light.  Hubby is on PD and his care is 35k + per month!  He and YOU are definitely worthi every cent!  Maybe your offer should be more like 1/2 a mil... and then go on Medicaid if you lost it all!

     I hope you're kidding...

[Rerun]

Bub I have thought the exact thing many many times.  At first I thought if I'm eligible for a transplant then it is worth it because then I can get back to work and contribute again.  Then, my chances for a transplant came back at 2%.  So, I'm not even on the list trying to save tax payers money by not doing all the required test every year waiting for something that will not happen.  So, I try and volunteer 3 days a week to repay my debt to society.  It would be lots cheaper if I just quit.  I will someday.  I should have today due to blood pressure loss and cramping.  Just shoot me!

[keefbeer]

Bub, remembering your earlier posts regards your huge fluid intake do you think $100k will be enough for a full week in Vegas ?

[RichardMEL]

mate what thinks that you're any less worthwhile spending money on than say bums who abuse social security, or something? Yes, it's a lot of money, but so what? You have been, and still can be, a positive part of society - and unlike the bums or drug users who take up medical resources trying to pull them out of an OD that they did to themselves - this is not something you've brought on yourself by choice or whatever. Of course it's worth it! Yes, it's OK to feel a little guilty - I think thats normal - but I'm sure your family and friends don't see it that way - they would be glad that the technology exists and you are in a situation where you can take advantage of it - to keep you alive.

In my situation dialysis alllows me to still work, so I earn $$ and pay taxes, so the investment is worth it (even though I currently pay back less than they pay out to keep me going).. over the years it probably evens out in both the taxes I directly (and indirectly) pay, plus the economic impact of me working, spending money, etc.

so I don't feel guilty! I feel thankful that I live in a country prepared to pay the $$$ to keep its citizens living! Hopefully when I get a transplant I can contribute more back.....

[Jie]

I get "bills" every month for a grand total of about $33K.  My center's insurance lady has it all screwed up since I changed insurance 5 months ago!  It's scary to think what we would do without insurance!  I think you are well worth the amount of money they pay every month!  There is no price on life!

If one does not have insurance, the cost is 3K a month or less. The clinic just charges whatever maximum amount they can get. If one has medicare as the primary, the cost may be 6k or 7k a month, just like in Canada. It is the private insurance that gets robbed off.

[kitkatz]

YOU are worth every penny!

[kellyt]

YOU are worth every penny!

ditto!   

[texasstyle]

Bub, don't ever feel guilty or feel like a leech on society. Your insurance is paying. Let them! If the insurance companies didn't have your dialysis to use their money on, then all the big wigs of the company would be using it for THEM to go to Vegas and we can't have that lol. Often people with chronic illnesses go through periods of depression.There's a lot to think about and a lot of reflecting on yourselves and your life. I suppose that comes naturally with age as well. My husband said the exact same thing as you. That he always paid his way and never took anything from anybody. He got so sick and he retired early just before starting dialysis. His sister convinced him to apply for benefits and he got them. After it was done he was thankful he did. It was something extra to his pension. I told him it was not about him "taking" something, but him needing something. You really NEED dialysis. It's not something that can be turned down. Sometimes we have to drop our pride and realize this is just the way it is.  Most people in life end up dealing with an illness or some type of affliction by the time they get into their ripe old ages.This so happens to be your type of dealings but you're not alone. Lots & lots of people are on dialysis. It's ok to feel all the emotions you do. We're only human right? Dialysis is life. $100,000 would be gone in a New York minute. You can, and will, live a long time and still enjoy life and all it has to offer. Your posts are always honest and you have a great sense of humor. EVERYONE is special to SOMEONE.

[HubbysPartner]

Bub, don't ever feel guilty or feel like a leech on society. Your insurance is paying. Let them! If the insurance companies didn't have your dialysis to use their money on, then all the big wigs of the company would be using it for THEM to go to Vegas and we can't have that lol. Often people with chronic illnesses go through periods of depression.There's a lot to think about and a lot of reflecting on yourselves and your life. I suppose that comes naturally with age as well. My husband said the exact same thing as you. That he always paid his way and never took anything from anybody. He got so sick and he retired early just before starting dialysis. His sister convinced him to apply for benefits and he got them. After it was done he was thankful he did. It was something extra to his pension. I told him it was not about him "taking" something, but him needing something. You really NEED dialysis. It's not something that can be turned down. Sometimes we have to drop our pride and realize this is just the way it is.  Most people in life end up dealing with an illness or some type of affliction by the time they get into their ripe old ages.This so happens to be your type of dealings but you're not alone. Lots & lots of people are on dialysis. It's ok to feel all the emotions you do. We're only human right? Dialysis is life. $100,000 would be gone in a New York minute. You can, and will, live a long time and still enjoy life and all it has to offer. Your posts are always honest and you have a great sense of humor. EVERYONE is special to SOMEONE.

Well said, Texasstyle! 

[pamster42000]

What if...

Life is full of what if....

My daughter, Sarah probley was worth alot of money to the hospitals, dialysis unit etc.....but keeping her alive when she was diagnoised when she was six  with a rare kidney disease until she was 25 was priceless to me and her family. I will cherish every memory good and bad. She made me a stronger person and I treasure every moment I had with her.

Sorry to put a damper on this post, just being reflective this evening.

[*kana*]

Oh, Bud!  You have to stop thinking too much about stuff like this.  You ARE worth it and don't you ever think that you are not. 

Look how much is spent on prisoners or people in rehad that have "chosen" their path in life.   Keep your chin up, Buddy~

[kitkatz]

You are more than 100% worth all of the money and time spent on you!