i would love to work, but.......and maybe it would be different if i had been working when i was diagnosed, but i was between jobs. the cost of dialysis makes it impossible. i'm on disability, and while you can work some and still keep it i would have to clear over $2,000 a month just to break even. because my income is less than $14k a year the state gives me "extra help" i qualify for Medicaid which pays approximately $1,000 a month in medical bills that medicare doesn't cover. they pay my prescription costs, another $1,600 a month. and they pay the premium costs on my medicare part b and d. NOPE! can't afford to work. i even had to call and complain about being billed $1.66 on an ekg, because if i had paid it and Medicaid found out they would say " oh! you have money, you don't need us!" aaaaaaaarrrrrrggggh!!!!!. even though i enjoy the time with my grandkids, all of you and especially my naps, i'd rather work, at least a little bit!!!!!
You know you can always volunteer. Work is about more than money for a lot of people. For some it can be a passion and others it can mean a purpose in life, it does not have to be about a dollar.
livecam, I get this impression from your post that you probably make a nice salary. Does your perspective hold true for....... lets say an hourly employee that may not have health benefits and all of the perks that a "corporate" type job may offer? What if someone was a paycheck to paycheck person, will they be worse off financially when the transplant happens? Many people are slaves to their possessions which creates a false "need" to maintain a certain income level. Have you ever been camping my friend?
And more importantly how do you pay for transplant meds 36 months after the transplant?
I guess we need to sell the big house and fancy car, get rid of the I-Phone and make some adjustments. Maybe start a fund and raise donations for this time in need.
So, the answer here is pretty clear. If at all possible it makes sense to keep going to the salt mine while on dialysis. Not everyone can do it but many can. With some of the home hemo and PD options that are available it is easier now to be healthier on dialysis and to keep a patient's life intact.
There is no one right or wrong answer to this question. Everyone is different with their own set of circumstances.
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Author
