My mom told me today she's been diagnosed with early stages of Emphysema.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2 weeks before she gets medicare. She hasn't had medical insurance since my dad drove a truck back in the 90s. If she were younger, she'd be straight screwed. Small business (a TRUE small business; 100 square foot liquor store in a rural Oklahoma town) owner and she can't afford it. I can't imagine not having insurance, and I just wish that our stupid country would get its shit together and get Medicare for all, single payer, whatever. It just isn't fair that we're the only first world country without this most basic human right.

[RKP5637]

1. Luckily she'll have Medicare. It is a tragedy that this country is so

against helping people and working together for the mutual benefit of all. We are at or near the bottom of the world totem pole for so many things anymore.

This is not a healthy country. It's a cash register for the 1%, all about money, but falling more and more behind as a country where people are a priority. I was recently driving a lot around the US and I was amazed at the endless poverty. Not that I did not expect it, but IMO it's so untrue to call this a wealthy country.

It's better stated as a country wherein some are wealthy and millions upon millions barely exist.

As you said, "I can't imagine not having insurance, and I just wish that our stupid country would get its shit together and get Medicare for all, single payer, whatever. It just isn't fair that we're the only first world country without this most basic human right."

This country has to get its shit together in a lot of areas, I don't know if it will ever make it, so much of the US has become ever so ignorant about improving the country for all of us, not just the 1%.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Honestly, I think getting our shit together re Medicare for all is coming, and soon.

The pushback against medical insurance costs by employers and local governments is going to cause a SNAP soon for both costs and coverage.

[RKP5637]

4. If more employers stop covering healthcare that's really going to

put the push on to do something. I just wish Americans were not so gullible for all of the tactics and propaganda on healthcare. The attacks here on Obama, for example, have been relentless.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. That's kind of how I'm seeing it. It feels like we're near a tipping point.

[2on2u]

3. This might help, it may not, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, or

cure any disease, however I do think it is worth looking at.

http://www.doctoryourself.com/emphysema.html

[RebelOne]

7. That is interesting.

Years ago, my doctor told me I had a slight case of emphysema (due to smoking). I have been taking vitamin E and co-enzyme Q-10 for years and it must have helped. I will have to double up on the vitamin C and fruit and vegetables.

[freshwest]

10. Good to know it works for you. Doing some of that for my COPD from an OTJ accident and will do more.

[snagglepuss]

18. Before you do you might want to google what why new research

shows that smokers may want to avoid vit C and E.

[madokie]

6. I'm on symbicort and spiriva

It doesn't help a lot but any is better than nothing. Good thing I have the VA to fall back on as I couldn't afford these meds at all otherwise.

You are so right about our country needing to get its shit together. If not for the pukies we'd be doing a whole lot better. I'm convinced of that.

[RKP5637]

8. The pukies having so much say for so long will go down in history

as one of the major failing points of the US. Hopefully, all Americans will eventually get wise enough to dump the pukies.

[Tallulah]

9. I'm sorry to hear that

[Cleita]

11. On the bright side. Medicare won't refuse to pay for her treatment

because of a pre-existing condition. Make sure she gets a co-insurance with it. It's a little more expensive than a Medicare Advantage program, which is a privatization scam IMHO, but the coverage is worth it. With traditional Medicare and a co-insurance, she won't be refused health care and treatment and it pays for just about everything. With a Medicare advantage plan, she will give up her Medicare rights and be at the mercy of a private insurance company.

[TBF]

12. Sounds like good advice -

I am waiting for the day we have Medicare for all. It seems like the simplest way to cover everyone and certainly most other industrialized countries have figured out it makes the most sense.

[w8liftinglady]

13. Cleita... you're right about that

My mom has copd...and thank god she has Medicare and a supplement.Encourage your mom to see a pulmonologist once her Medicare has been approved (I'm thinking one affilliated with the University of OK).There are some things that are being done to help extend the life expectancy of COPD patients.My mom was diagnosed in 1996.She's been on O2 since 2003.I thank the higher powers and her docs for every day I have with her.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. She'll probably end up with Mercy...

...but it is the best care in OKC, honestly. Plus, I know a freaking AWESOME pulmonologist who will take excellent care of her and he's out of Mercy. He's an odd little Jewish man from the Bronx, which is how he identifies himself when he meets you. He's very straightforward and honest. He took care of my mother in law when she was fighting lung cancer and he is the best.
Thanks for the advice.
Duckie

[EFerrari]

14. My mom has a cornea that is quitting

It's very painful and she can't afford the surgery. Today her doctor gave her a prescription for antibiotics to go with a lens he put in to help with the pain. She can't afford to fill it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

21. I'm sorry.

What kind of antibiotics? She can't find a $4 generic at Target? Walgreens, as loathsome as they are, does have a script club for like 20 bucks a year that will help her.
Duckie

[EFerrari]

25. I think she's in that club because she signed me up for it.

This script is drops for her eye and it was $100 at Costco.

We'll figure it out but this is ridiculous already.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

27. It is.

It truly is.

[EFerrari]

29. I wish you and your family better than this.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

30. You're so sweet.

I wish you and yours better as well.

[slackmaster]

16. That's terrible. One of my grandmothers suffered for many years from that.

The only good that came from seeing her health go down the tubes is that none of her grandchildren have ever taken up smoking.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

22. I've never smoked ANYTHING!

My dad died of Emphysema and asthma. He was a heavy smoker. Mom quit about 5 years ago. It's crazy that she's actually developed this so long after she's quit.
I remember us having family get togethers at our house with my aunts and uncles and it was like a honky tonk in there. A think layer of smoke kept you from seeing clearly. It was difficult to breathe. All of my aunts and uncles quit. Of course one quit in prison, then passed away of lung cancer back in 2010.

[rox63]

23. My grandmother developed emphysema 15 years after she quit

At least that's when it was diagnosed. It eventually killed her. There is no cure for any forms of COPD. But medication can prevent exacerbations and respiratory infections that could make things worse. Get her to the pulmonologist ASAP when her Medicare kicks in.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

24. It shouldn't get worse because she's quit smoking, or so I'm told.

So hopefully she'll do good with the medications.
My mother in law died of lung cancer about ten years after she quit smoking. It was aggressive and very strangely manifested itself externally. Her Pulmonologist did more for her than her oncologist, and I'm hoping to get my mom a referral to this amazing pulmonologist.

[rox63]

26. COPD is a progressive disease

So it does get worse over time, even after someone has quit smoking. But it can be slowed down with proper treatment and medications. My grandmother never smoked another cigarette, and she got worse over time. But treatment has gotten a lot better since she passed away in the 80's.

[Phentex]

17. I'm so very sorry...

Agreed, it's an absolute disgrace than anyone should have to worry about insurance in times of need. I wish all the best for your mom.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

20. Thank you.

And I love your avatar. I'm a HUGE Kermy fan!

[RainDog]

19. k&r n/t

[Kaleva]

28. Very sorry to hear that!