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Posted by Bofire (Member # 221) on July 12, 2007, 08:01 PM:
I thought about this a while and decided to tell you guys a story. I say guys cause most of you are and if your like me hate Doctors.
18 months ago I went to the Doc cause my wife made me, Wonderful woman, she thought I was diabetic. No energy, tired, no gusto, happy to sit. I am not that way, I am generally moving from wake up to nite-nite.
First thing the Docs said is I aint diabetic, second thing was that my blood tests indicated liver cancer.
February first I did my first injection, and started oral meds, on a 12 week Chemo program. At the end of Feb. I got my first 'clean' lab test back!!!!! Thats when they changed it to a 24 week program. I approved, "hit em with both barrels" Tonight I did my last injection, my oral meds.
run out tomorrow.
I have been sick, fererish, dirreah, tired, a general butt head, but missed only a few days of work, and went Turkey hunting. Got one too.
I have not had a lab test that detected any problem since late Feb.
I AM CURED!
Thank god for my Wife. Listen to them guys, get the check ups. Get the Prostrate test and colonostomy. They can cure you if they find it early!!
I never said anything about this cause, I dont know why, and I am saying it now, cause I am hoping it will help some of you.
I am NOT looking for any bleeding heart sympathy stuff.
Carl
Posted by canine (Member # 687) on July 12, 2007, 08:52 PM:
Way to go Bofire...I'm happy for you. Keep spreading your words, your story is inspirational(sp?)
Have a good coyote season!
JD
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on July 13, 2007, 06:08 AM:
Thank you for the post. It gives all somthing to think about.
I am glad you caught it early and are doing well.
Kelly
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on July 13, 2007, 07:08 AM:
Great Post Bofire,
I'm guilty as charged.
The caps on my teeth broke, and I didn't "Have time to fool with the dentist" Now I'm getting the same work done, plus fighting a nasty infection. I lost #30 pounds that I couldn't afford to lose, just because it hurt too much to eat.
I kept making excuses for my lack of energy and stamina, until I literally collapsed one evening and my wife had to run me to the ER.
Now I sit here with an oxygen tube sticking out of my nose and I can't do anything except look out the windows and wish I could go outside. I can't help but wonder what might be different if I had only gone to the Doctor several months ago when I first noticed the problems, instead of putting every thing off for so long.
And congratulations for your clean tests! That's got to be a wonderful relief!
Posted by Rich Higgins (Member # 3) on July 13, 2007, 07:22 AM:
Glad to hear that you two are on the mend.I'm like you guys, as long as it doesn't hurt I'm bullet proof.
I last went to the doctor 8 years ago and he told me that I had heavy metal poisoning. If he's going to tell me crap like that why the hell would I want to go back?
My father was the same way. He didn't go to the doctor until he was peeing pus and blood. By then the prostate cancer had metastasized into his bones.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 13, 2007, 08:00 AM:
I'm making that appointment today.
Posted by Bofire (Member # 221) on July 13, 2007, 08:07 AM:
Tim, you are on my prayer list.
Rich, get your butt to the Doc, I am gonna be mad if I don't get to hunt with you in the near future.
Leonard, I am a privat guy that don't share much personal info., Your post makes me glad I did, please tell me when your tests come back clean!!
Carl
Posted by Greenside (Member # 10) on July 13, 2007, 08:19 AM:
Good advice, I was diagnosed having prostate cancer when I was fortyseven. This Jan I'll be having my ten year checkup and more than likely will be called cancer free. At the time of surgery the cancer was already in the margin and likely if uncaught for another year or so, I'd be six feet under by now.
A real family history for colon cancer. They have me on a two year scope schedule. ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
[ July 13, 2007, 08:57 AM: Message edited by: Greenside ]
Posted by scruffy (Member # 725) on July 13, 2007, 11:53 AM:
Similar story, I was 26 when I had a cancerous tumor removed from my neck, couple surgeries and radiation (I was lucky, didn't need chemo) and I was good to go. I'm 32 now, my daughter just turned 2.
later,
scruffy
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on July 13, 2007, 03:24 PM:
The last couple of weeks a co-worker who is in his late fifties has been complaining about not feeling well. It has been hotter than hell lately and nobody is feeling well by the end of the day, so I passed it off as the the heat.
This past Monday he had a heart attack driving to the hospital. Luckily they were able to save his life. If he would have been anywhere but a few minutes from the hospital he would most likely be dead. Turns out the artery in the lower part of his heart was 100% blocked and another 70%.
I talked to him yesterday and he said he went to the Dr. for a check up six months ago and mentioned to the Doc that maybe they should look at his heart. The Doc said his blood work looked fine and didn't see any problem.
Funny thing is, if you look at the guy he LOOKS like a heart attack waiting to happen. Overweight, eats terribly, hardly sleeps, sweats like crazy all the time. All the signs were there if you ask me. Its surprising his Doc gave him a clean bill of health six months ago when all you have to do is look at the guy and can see he doesn't look like the healthiest dude in the world.
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on July 13, 2007, 04:54 PM:
Lonny, the take home message there, is not to put too much faith in what a "doctor" tells you. I've been dealing with their bullshit for about 18 months now, everything from the general practioner level to the high level specialists. The more I have interacted with them, the less confidence I have in them. They are just like the mechanics at the car dealer, as far as I'm concerned. If they really know their stuff, and really decide to give a shit, they can do great work. But most of them do NOT really know their stuff that well, and most of them do NOT really give a shit. And they expect you to just take what they tell you as gospel and that's that. Even though they might be having a bad day, don't give a rats ass about you in general, and have given less thought to your situation than most of us put into deciding what kind of burger to order at a drive up window. You have to take your own best interests into account and pursue them, often going against what one particular doctor may be saying. And the medical community seems to have a real knack for making that seem like swimming againts a strong tide.
The medical system in this country is totally f****d up, if you ask me.
- DAA
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on July 13, 2007, 04:59 PM:
Geeze... Sometimes I can be an ass...
Bofire, I'm awful glad to hear you are testing clear. There really isn't too many things in this world I like to hear more, than someone beating that Evil crap.
- DAA
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on July 13, 2007, 05:42 PM:
Well, I feel like a real ass too...
I'm sure glad to hear you are a survivor Bofire. Here's to your continued good health.
I think your're right Dave. If a person suspects something is wrong with them and the Dr. blows them off, go get another opinion. I think a guy has to be persistant and ask lots of questions and make sure they are answered.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 13, 2007, 06:18 PM:
Earlier this year, I paid $120 for a "non-invasive" heart scan. It was supposed to indicate any blockages or weak arterial structure.
It came back "clean" with no blockages indicated. Two months ago I had a heart attack. There were nine blockages with the worst 2 being 90% and 87%. I needed a quadruple bypass to get around them all. Carl is right, listen to your body. Get those checkups done, especially if you're over 48. Congratulations on the clean record, Bofire. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Posted by rainshadow1 (Member # 899) on July 13, 2007, 07:00 PM:
Mostly just posting to see what Leonard titles a first time poster...
I have a good friend who lost a Nut to T-Cancer. He almost died. Got very spooky for awhile. He's clean now, thank God. Long ordeal.
After he got the all clear, and it was all said and done, I asked him, just for possible future reference,
I says, "How long did you think something was wrong down there before you went to the Doctor?"
He looked at me, knowing exactly what I was driving at, and said, "6 months."
I hate Doctors. They're there for profit, not to serve. But if something just isn't right....
Posted by KevinKKaller (Member # 559) on July 13, 2007, 08:05 PM:
Bofire Keep making liars out of the Drs.
Vary few know this about me but I moved to Id to set my wife up into country simoler to wear she grew up.
The docs gave me a short time to live I was told as a child I probly wouldent see 30.
My problems are all small but the meds are a life long fight and always getting better.
I lost my right eye when I was 21 after 3 operations and almost 6 years I am just above legaly blind That is wy I ahoot wrong handed.
I avoid Docs as much as I can But are still a nasesaty in my life.
I started treating myself with natural products 11/2 years ago and am now off1/2 of the meds thay had me on with Docs blesingsand I feal better now than I have felt sence I was 25. I am now 47. I do know what it is like to not be abol to go to work for long piriads of time from major stuf and the feling that Tim and Nasa are having of wanting to go but not being abol.
I wish you all the Best and would love to help!
What I will say is dont give up And Do every thing you can to make things right.
I have never given up and keep pruving the Docs wrong.
For me I take each day and try to make it a good day regardles of what I have to do I do enjoy work but my outdoor time is preshas to me and I try to spend as much time out as I can.
Good Luck
Good Hunting Kevin
Hope this made sence!
Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on July 13, 2007, 08:26 PM:
Lonny, the take home message there, is not to put too much faith in what a "doctor" tells you. I've been dealing with their bullshit for about 18 months now, everything from the general practioner level to the high level specialists. The more I have interacted with them, the less confidence I have in them. They are just like the mechanics at the car dealer, as far as I'm concerned. If they really know their stuff, and really decide to give a shit, they can do great work. But most of them do NOT really know their stuff that well, and most of them do NOT really give a shit. And they expect you to just take what they tell you as gospel and that's that. Even though they might be having a bad day, don't give a rats ass about you in general, and have given less thought to your situation than most of us put into deciding what kind of burger to order at a drive up window. You have to take your own best interests into account and pursue them, often going against what one particular doctor may be saying. And the medical community seems to have a real knack for making that seem like swimming againts a strong tide.
The medical system in this country is totally f****d up, if you ask me.
- DAA
I think this is the post of the year...
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on July 13, 2007, 08:37 PM:
First off, sorry to hear about all the illness in this community. But, glad to hear that everyone, for the most part, is on the mend.
Unless you live in a large city with access to state of the art tests and specialists, it's hard to get top notch health care in this country. My general practitioner may not be up for any awards, but he knows for a fact that I make most of the calls about my family's healthcare. Fifteen years in EMS gave me a good track record of making diagnoses about myself and my family. So far, I've nailed every case that's come our way.
At forty, I decided to be proactive and have a full physical so as to establish firm baseline numbers while I was healthy. Shortly thereafter, I was having trouble with seasonal allergies and, despite his hesitation, he finally agreed to give me a steroid shot. On this one, he was right. Within two hours, my B/P was through the roof, running right at 240/124, when I'm usually 120's over 60-70's. On top of that, a week later, I aggravated the two bad disks in my neck and lost the use of my right arm.I could feel every beat of my heart and I very quickly noticed that I was dropping beats. Without telling my wife, so as not to alarm her, I "ran an errand" and drove myself to the ER. Even the nurse that met me was impressed. Long story less long, they ran a butt load of tests over the ensuing weeks and deduced that the hypertensive crisis was the shot and I would get to enjoy it for six months. And Lord knows I did. The irregular rhythm was checked via ECG, they started me on meds, and nothing got better. Changed meds. Nothing changed. Still another change. Nothing still. Time for me to start taking care of it myself. I spent a couple nights on the web researching my case by symptoms and finally found a relatively rare condition that one is born with and caused everything I was felling. I called my doc and asked to meet with him. The next day, I sat down, described my signs and symptoms, and told him what I thought it was. His answer? "I think you're right." He then said that since I had researched the matter, what tests did I think were appropriate. I told him echocardiogram, 30-day event monitor, and a stress test. He commended me on my research and handed me the orders.
Although I still feel those extra damned beats all day, every day, they've been reviewed by cardiologists in Kansas as well as Chicago and deemed to be normal and of no concern. In fact, everyone has them, I just get the joy of feeling them. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Oh well, but the point being that you can have some say over your care, but sometimes you have to be insistent. After all, the doctor is still just "practicing".
Good luck to all and everyone get well soon.
BTW, for those that don't mind natural remedies, I was directed to and am now using elderberry extract instead of RX allergy meds. This stuff is incredible. It is now listed in the Nurse's Drug reference as a treatment for respiratory infections and asthma, has proven effective at reducing the length of colds, wreaks total hell on viral infections, is being used to treat West Nile Virus in horses with a lot of success and is being tested as a possible treatment for AIDS/ HIV. I'm shocked at how well it has worked for us.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 13, 2007, 09:36 PM:
This is a pretty stout bunch of guys here. All the crap you're dealing with and not letting it hold you back. I'm proud to be in the company of all of you.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on July 14, 2007, 06:18 AM:
Leonard,
You need to strike the "gravy" from Tom's status. He's not to be eating stuff like gravy any more.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 07:56 AM:
Lance, I think L-Bo thinks of me more as a gravy distributor, than a gravy eater, lol.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 08:55 AM:
I'll try to come up with something brilliant. BRB
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 08:58 AM:
give that a test spin
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 09:36 AM:
LOL, I think you'll find that "sweet" isn't a characterization I'm capable of. Brutaly honest at times, but sweet? ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 10:03 AM:
It's not personal. I think everybody with 800/999 posts will have the same classification? You have attained a lofty plateau, but the next stage to Nervana is 1000 posts. Think how swell it will be as a Field Marsha, up there with Higgins, and all of us hanging on his every word. But, that takes a lot of dedication. Are you a Gamer, or no?
Good hunting. LB
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on July 14, 2007, 10:19 AM:
Living in a major city with some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world, doesn't mean you have access to medical care.
43 million Americans have no health insurance, therefore no access to the types of check-ups that are necessary for a proactive "preventative medicine" approach.
Some people just have to ignore their body.
Now I am an ass.
Krusty 
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 10:32 AM:
What are you saying, Krusty?
Is Bill Gates and Warren Buffet wrong to dump BILLIONS into the stinking AIDS mess in Africa? Could it be better spent here on illegal Mexicans? Ask around, they love our health care system.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 11:02 AM:
quote:
43 million Americans have no health insurance
Not all of them are citizens. 23 million are illegal aliens. But lack of health "insurance" does not deny them access to medical attention. The other 20 million choose not to spend any money on health insurance for their own personal reasons. Homeless, alcoholics, heavy smokers, bi-polar, and 3rd generation welfare recipients all have such a low opinion of themselves they shun doctors like they would a job application. This might be a slight over assessment, but I think it covers the majority of people who decline regular medical attention.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on July 14, 2007, 11:52 AM:
NASA,
That must be that brutal honesty you were talking about. LOL
In the environment where you live - liberal Seattle type of place, that mindset is all around you and you probably can't help yourself for taking that position. But, I'm a Conservative who thinks that if you can work, you oughtta be. There are alot of people that don't need a leg up but act like it anyway. Can you say N-E-W O-R-L-E-A-N-S. This is ag country. The cost of living is relatively low, but then again, so is the income. Yet these sod farmers are getting to the doctors when they need to.
If you're willing to work, and can't find work where you are, move. The good Lord gave you two legs, so use 'em. I don't buy the healthcare deprivation story at all. In Kansas, if you can't afford it, you fill out some paperwork and the good taxpayers of the state of Kansas will work hard in your stead to make sure you're taken care of. Now, if that isn't the case in, say, Washington state, then let's be accurate and blame it on Washingtonians who just don't care.
Posted by Krustyklimber (Member # 72) on July 14, 2007, 12:27 PM:
I THINK, there's a large portion of America's working poor AMERICANS, that cannot afford health care, whether they want it or not.
I'm not looking for any handouts.
When I want a job, I can get one, this isn't about lack of employment.
Many gainfully employed hard working AMERICANS don't make more than subsistence wages, and live paycheck to paycheck.
Lance,
You obviously don't have any real experience with the State and Federal medical program, if you think that they provide "proactive preventitive medical care".
For most of my adult life, I have been covered by the wife's plan at one job or another.
When she was picking herself up by the bootstraps, had gone to night school and changed jobs to the medical field herself, and before the insurance at her new job kicked in, I took a tumble.
I ended up uninsured, with a compound fractured tib-fib.
I had broken a tarcel bone a year earlier, fully insured, and was treated like a king.
Without insurance I didn't receive anywhere similar treatment, at the same hospital.
After being sent home, with instructions on managing an open wound with a bone sticking out of it, and advise to "get some tylenol on my way home", I waited 5 agonizing days for surgery.
The State was more than happy to take care of what was "emergent", installed a steel plate and a box of hardware, and once the home owner's paperwork went through was re-paid from an insurance company.
As soon as the wife's insurance kicked in, 4 weeks into what was expected to be a year of physical therapy, I was dropped by the State.
the wife's new insurance company determined my condition was "pre-existing", and all ongoing medical care was terminated (and left for me to pay for the time in shuffling papers, out of pocket).
I'm left with severe chronic pain, all the hardware still in, despite needing to be removed, and the only option of paying for any further care needed relating to this injury out of pocket.
If I want this steel out, or management of rejection/infection issues, I gotta pay for it myself.
If I'd have waited a month, to tumble, my life would be very different today.
Krusty
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 12:39 PM:
That sounds ridiculous. Our Mexicans get a hell of a lot better treatment than that! Move to Kalifornia for a few weeks!
Good hunting. LB
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 12:55 PM:
I agree. You should have some sort of legal recourse to complete the process. What about Medicare? Are you eligible? Even AARP has an affordable health insurance plan. I wouldn't take that crap lying down.
I have an acquaintence who's wife supports him. But her waitress job doesn't provide health insurance. So he got a job at the Safeway market re-stocking shelves at night. It's minimum wage, but the health care plan covers both of them, and pays 80% of any out of network service. Where there's a will, there's a way.
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on July 14, 2007, 02:40 PM:
Actually, Krusty, when I met my wife, she was a single mother on welfare and going to school. The state of Kansas really took pretty good care of her, including two different surgical procedures. She had to complete a lot of paperwork, and providers tried to ding her for every extra dime they could beyond the plan allowances offered by the State, but all she had to do was enlist the help of her state case worker and those problems disappeared. Again, it sounds like a Washington thing to me. I can say that my time in EMS showed me that there is MUCH more Medicaid fraud then there is Medicare fraud from our elderly, so in a state with a large urban center with a large number of twenty-somethings and thirty somethings abusing the system, I could see where it would be overwhelmed pretty fast.
I don't know what you mean by "federal programs". I'm on a "federal program" and they take pretty good care of me and my family. Then again, I'm an employee rather than a "dependant".
Bear in mind that a lot of those people included in that figure have no health insurance because they choose not to insure themselves. Either because they choose not to seek a job that offers health care as a benefit, choose to stay in a place where no jobs are available nor will be in the foreseeable future, or because they do not see the program as a necessary expense. The latter is very common. Too many bullet proof, hard-headed people out there that would rather spend their ching on toys then ensuring their future - the same group of people that hit forty, start pooping out kids, and then realize that they have no retirement saved up, are ass deep in debt, no savings, no investment portfolio, and will be that group of individuals who actually think that Social Security was meant to be a front line retirement program. LOL Sorry, K, but I don't feel any sympathy whatsoever for anyone that chooses to stay in those circumstances, refusing to relocate to greener pastures, then has the audacity to complain about the conditions they face. I'm not saying that's you, but there are a lot of people in that group.
I just got back from grocery shopping where I got sidetracked talking to a past neighbor of mine who just returned from the Big Easy. Says there are still people there living out of tents! I think they've had plenty of time to consider a new mailing address. Maybe they want to stay there becaus that's where their roots are. Fine, but understand that it's your choice and there are consequences.
Personally, I've got a job. Left one I loved to take this one, which I can't even say I like. Not in the least bit. I'd change to another one tomorrow if I could just get past two simple words : "federal" and "pension". I'm a husband and father - not a gambler. I've got a wife with medical conditions that need constant monitoring, and two kids that I want to stay healthy, whatever the cost may be to me. Just as important, I have myself to keep healthy so that they will never go without. God knows that carrying 35# of mail on a bad neck 12 miles a day isn't (probably) a good idea, but it's the chance I have to take to meet my one primary responsibility in this shitty world - take care of my family. Everything else is secondary. My dad hated his job and welded in a hot shop every day, just to make sure we were taken care of. As I've gotten older, I've really grown to admire that sacrifice. If an opportunity ever presents itself to change careers where the package they offer takes better care of my family and me then what Uncle Sam, you and every other taxpayer offers, I'll change in a heartbeat. Until then, what I "feel" like doing for a living is a far cry from what circumstances dictate. There isn't any such thing as "if I feel like working" in this world for me. I didn't even know not working was an option. Would never even think of that. LOL Your lot in life is the sum total of the decisoons you've made along the way. Choices about education, training, recognizing opportunities, and more importantly, choosing to let them pass on by. I just don't see it as the government's responsibility to save people from the consequences of their own poor judgment.
It is what it is and you do what you gotta do. The paycheck is only part of what brings me to a job. The benefits are the other part. As long as someone is offering them, I'm working.
Posted by KevinKKaller (Member # 559) on July 14, 2007, 02:53 PM:
WOW We are seing difrent sides of the fence arnt we.
I have had majer med problems sense 1967.
Treted in and out of hospitols all my life
I diddent pay to much atention in school if I wasent interested I went Hunting a lot!
so shen I was 19 I went to traid school during traid school I found out I was going blind NO INS I lived in Ks Then 79-80 I could not get help from any gov unles I apied for ssi.
I did get help fron a great non profit org.
I only lost 1 eye.
I can go on from over the years Change jobs move or not be abol to work and pay the premioms for 6 months at a time and Gess what You can not buy insuranse that will do any good for 1 year But if you dont buy you will not have any thing at all.
Bottom Line the only help I can get from any gov local of fed Is to quit working for 1 year do all the papper work and start colecting ssi. Atn then thay stil wont pay for the things I nead.
I put out about $400. out each month for my supplies and that is with ins.
Then evry 4 to 6 months I go in for blood work and my shair is about $200
Wial in Az last year I ran into a wetback geting blood work done and he told me he has never paid a dime for any treatment and loves our health care.
Tell me what I am doing wrong?
I Gess Better ? How do I become a WET BACK
I Think I should have left this aloan.
Please forgive my Spelling
I Killed a lot of good coyotes during that morning class
Good Hunting Kevin
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 03:28 PM:
quote:
Wial in Az last year I ran into a wetback geting blood work done and he told me he has never paid a dime for any treatment
That right there is the biggest reason that the average citizen has to pay an arm and a leg for medical care. I am totally disgusted with our Govt. for not securing our borders and allowing this pillaging to continue. ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 03:55 PM:
That's a big part of it, that's for damned sure.
Listen to this. My mother-in-law had to become a pauper, liqudate her savings, turn her house over to her son and sign over her social security in order to get into a rest home.
While there, she was ignored by the "staff" while they attended to the spanish speaking patients, who paid not a dime for their care. Since she couldn't speak, rape and beating were commonplace. My wife found her mother's clothes all over, on other people. Kind of a commune mentality among the help, why should this white woman have nice clothes and everybody else wear flour sack dresses?
She never even got the hair styling, or teeth brushing, or her toenails clipped. If they could have hung her from a meathook, they would have.
And, another thing. I was struck by a thought yesterday of our modern freeway system and the number of undocumented, uninsured, jaloppy driving illegals on our superhighways. We are the biggest suckers in the entire world.
Amnesty? I say round them up and deport them. Let us see if we will sink without mexican car washers and kitchen help. For absolutely certain, we can give back a lot of those construction jobs that have disappeared unless you are a suntan shade of brown.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by 3 Toes (Member # 1327) on July 14, 2007, 04:10 PM:
Yep, even I have an opinion here. The insurance industry is the biggest rip off in the country. I notice most of you that post that insurance is easy to get and keep work for someone who supplies your health care. I bought my own for several years because I was self employed and let me tell you it's no easy feat. When I finally dropped it I was at close to $1000 a month, and we had never had a claim. Never, not once. I had kept moving the deductable higher and taking less (no dental, no vision) but finally just couldn't do it anymore. Now I have a policy through my new job, but I still have to fork over $250 a month for my share. Insurance is my biggest expense still, if you add up the car insurance, outfitter insurance, and I still carry a construction policy for odd jobs, it costs me more than most of my other bills combined. What a crock. I absolutely hate insurance companies and anyone involved with selling the crap.
[ July 14, 2007, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: 3 Toes ]
Posted by KevinKKaller (Member # 559) on July 14, 2007, 04:19 PM:
Threw my inployer it costs me almost $300 each monthfor my wife and I
It took afect in March I have a $1500. Deduct and I have already met it.
I HATE WET BACKS !!
I do make a decent living But a lot of it goes to Meds and Insurance.
Good Hunting Kevin
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on July 14, 2007, 04:19 PM:
Yeah, me too. I hate that industry. They just jacked my auto premiums again and told me I'd be better off to keep the wife's car on the policy, or my rates would go up another $300. How does that figure? Like last year, it cost me $400 to insure myself. I should have never told them that my wife died, keep insuring both of us, forever.
Then, there is that little item they didn't want us to know, that the average Kalifornian pays about $1000 per year to insure illegal mexicans.
Good hunting. LB
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 14, 2007, 04:33 PM:
I did engineering consulting as an independent contractor for 27 years. Being self employed meant health insurance for a family of 5 was strictly out of pocket. It took 3 different policies to get decent coverage. Two of them were co-op plans for self employed workers. With 4 kids under 16 I was filing claims every 2-3 weeks. The secondary plans would pick up portions of what the primary plan didn't cover. It was a PITA but we managed.
Posted by Brad Norman (Member # 234) on July 14, 2007, 05:13 PM:
I place insurance companies right next to the devil. Most of us pay our premiums and never make a claim. When that time does come however, the insurance company fights you tooth and nail to keep from paying you what you have bought and paid for. We can hire an attoney to help us out but that really makes the insurance company mad because they do not believe that an individual should be on the same playing field as them and the only way you can do this is to get them in the courtroom. They will really drag it out and it ends up costing everyone more money. Insuance companies don't stay in business by paying claims.
On another note, location is the most important factor in successful coyote hunting. Nothing matters if the coyotes aren't there. A wise man once told me, "It doesn't matter what you sound like, as long as you sound like something."
Oh shit, that was another post. My apologies.
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on July 14, 2007, 08:32 PM:
Ok, you've drug me out.
Blaming the Mexicans for taking advantage of our healthcare system is pure bullshit.
They are simply the messengers, and the message they are trying to give us is that our system is broken and needs to be fixed. Quit blaming them and get off of your ass and get the problem fixed.
This is still a Democracy, Instead of sitting on your asses and blaming the Mexicans because they take care of a hole is the system, quit whining and fix it.
The Mexicans are simply doing the same thing that every one on this board does, every time you pick up a predator call. They have discovered a weakness and are exploiting it to their advantage.
You guys who sit there at you computer bitching about Mexicans and blaming them for wanting good heath care are no better than the bunch who sat in New Orleans while Katrina hit waiting for the Federal Government to came running in and fix things.
I bet there is not a single person here, bitching about healthcare or insurance, who has ever taken a single day of their own time to go to their Statehouse and lobby for Healthcare or Insurance reform.
You'd might as well vote for Hillary, as she is offering you free healthcare and you won't have to get off of your lazy asses. Your only cost will be handing over all of your guns.
Posted by Brad Norman (Member # 234) on July 14, 2007, 09:15 PM:
Tim, I agree with you. The Mexicans are not to blame...it's the insurance companies themselves.
For what it is worth, I've spent countless hours at the Oklahoma Legislature asking that the insurance companies be required to submit their data on why they need rate increases. They fight like hell to withold this information.
Posted by KevinKKaller (Member # 559) on July 14, 2007, 09:35 PM:
I Hate Thinking that my hard erned money goes to feed cloth school and med somone who has broaken the law to get it. I pay my dews yes I grumbol but untill this thred you probly dident know a thing about me
I am married to an imagrant (East Germin) She is a wonderfol persen that Came hear ligaly and with lots of paperwork is and will be.
I do know the hedacks involved in getting and staying legal.
I do call and send letters to our congressmen and other electid oficisals
I do vote.
We have a broaken systim that neads fixed just how to fix it I dont know .
But one thing is sure the strain of the illegal is a big burden to all us tax payers.
We nead another Regan.
My 2C
Good Hunting Kevin
Posted by Bofire (Member # 221) on July 15, 2007, 03:11 PM:
The government is a mess, I have no answers, insurance companies are a rip-off, I have no answers.
BUT
If men and women like you, can, if you are able, don't let embarrasment or ignorance or even the all-mighty buck, stop you from doing what ever you can and need to, to LIVE.
Ask questions of your Doctors, read, ask more, think about what they are saying.
Without people like you where are we? Without you where is your family? I have no answers.
Carl
Posted by Crow Woman (Member # 157) on July 19, 2007, 03:47 AM:
Carl... Well said!
Tim... You rock, as always
The ultimate bottom line is like this topic was titled... "Listen To Your Body People" Men AND Women!!!!
I've just spent the last few days being poked and prodded and felt and feeling like I'm having the worst sex on the face of the earth and no one offered me a drink before or a cigarette afterwards... BUT... it just may have saved my life!
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 19, 2007, 08:07 AM:
Sure sounds like we're all due for a 100,000 mile maintenance check. Right now is probably the best time of year to haul the chassis into the shop and git er done. Don't want a breakdown during fur season, right?
Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on July 19, 2007, 12:01 PM:
What in the hell did we do before there was such a thing as insurance? Insurance is so ingrained in the health care system now, it's an absolute necessity. I think the culprit is the health care system itself? Maybe if there were no such thing as malpractice litigation, a doctors visit could still be compensated with three dozen eggs or a hen or two:)
We would be outraged if it were necessary to show your food insurance card when checking out in the cashier line at Safeway or Albertsons. Imagine haveing to show your clothing insurance card when checking out at JC Penny?
Why in the hell do we need insurance for absolute necessities? health care should be as out of pocket affordabe, as any other need we have in society.
There's a problem for sure, what the answer is, I'll be damned if I know it. I sure as hell don't think it's government provided health insurance, I think it is plain affordable health care.
[ July 19, 2007, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Az-Hunter ]
Posted by tlbradford (Member # 1232) on July 19, 2007, 03:12 PM:
Tim - this is actually a republic not a democracy. That way our "representatives" get special "treatment" by rich insurance lobbyist. Dinners, trips, campaign contributions, etc. They set the policies and we live by them, while they claim to be helping us out. The whole government is a gawd-awful mess. No strong leadership, conservatives and liberals trying to meet in the middle for the sake of getting reelected, commen sense and logic are thrown out the window. My dream is to see the government get the hell out of 50% of the programs they run. Why is there a $100,000 earmark for a f'n Lake Champlagne Celebration, attached to our troop funding for Iraq. Why do I have the National Endowment for the Arts paying some nutbag to piss on the cross and call it an artistic statement? It makes me puke.
I don't know enough about healthcare to know how to solve it, but I know the cost of insurance comes out of my pocket for my family, and the bleeding heart Washingtonians will take my taxes and pay for healthcare for those who want to sit on their asses and abuse the system. I'm not saying that there are those that don't deserve the help, or need it, and I am more than willing to have that happen on my dime. Like Krusty's situation, he should get the help and have his leg fixed, and it should have happened at the time of the accident, when it was needed the most. My best friend was in a near fatal car accident outside of his hometown of Forks, WA without insurance. He supported not only himself, but also his mother, and helped out his two brothers and their families. If the State wouldn't have picked up the bill, he would have been bankrupt and several good people would have been in a bad place. (Krusty if you want to shoot me an email I can put you in touch with him, and he could tell you the steps he went through to get help from the state, they really took care of him to get what he needed)
O.K. End of rant.....I am glad to see everyone is on the mend, or mending. We will keep you in our prayers.
Posted by JD (Member # 768) on July 19, 2007, 04:10 PM:
Vic may not have the answers but I think I got one for the health care issue, if you want affordable health care you`ll have to replace all those high dollar, well trained nurses, doctors & specialists with illegal aliens, they`ll work for less without complaining.
This thread is a real hoot. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
BTW... those of you with strong opinions about people getting the medical atten. they should, have never had to pay your own way or retired from the work force, but your day is coming & I reckon we`ll all be whistling a different tune when it gets here. Some folks find themselves in a bad position by no choosing of their own (like Krusty did with his leg) & to insinuate that those circumstances were caused by some sort of poor decision is not only arrogant but borders on being ******* retarded, life happens fast & not everyone who has trouble did something to deserve it......just go ask a few older folks what it is that they ****** up to find themselves in a bad way financially over medical issues.
Tim..... so if someone breaks into my house with the intent to steal from me, my wife & kids & possibly do us bodily harm.... what should I do?
Blame the ****** that`s breaking into my house & shoot his ass right there or should I contact my representative & see if we can get stricter laws or maybe build a fence around my house to keep the thiefs out while in the meantime he & his buddies keep coming back & stealing shit from me?
I do agree that we should be kicking the asses of the pricks that we voted into office for not dealing with this but in the meantime do we sit by calmly & see what happens? I say we take to the streets with mexican flags hanging upside down & on fire, chanting anti illegal slogans the whole while, I say we refuse service of any sort to an illegal.
Oh yea, we should start with our officials but don`t forget that they are illegals, they ARE ******* criminals, around here we refer to people who steal things as thiefs.
edit....I just realized that I typed "thiefs" instead of "thieves".......& I complain about illegals not understanding the english language...sheeesh!!! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
[ July 19, 2007, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: JD ]
Posted by Tim Behle (Member # 209) on July 19, 2007, 04:30 PM:
quote:
Tim..... so if someone breaks into my house with the intent to steal from me, my wife & kids & possibly do us bodily harm.... what should I do?
Shoot to kill.
And if you catch him stealing from your yard, lead him inside at gunpoint, then shoot him.
A word of caution, head shots are messy, but are the most effective, and have the least chance of the thief surviving and trying to sue you. When ever possible, confront the criminal in a room with tile or linoleum floors.
Posted by NASA (Member # 177) on July 19, 2007, 04:56 PM:
JD, even with insurance, my out of pocket share is $119,000 and all the bills are not in yet. My fault, though. I could have opted for the alternative.
Posted by JD (Member # 768) on July 19, 2007, 09:10 PM:
Nasa, That`s a cryin` shame, I don`t know what your financial status is but for the average American that would cause bankruptcy. It aint right.
I just spent a day in the hospital & I can imagine that it`s going to cost me a few weeks wages just to pay "my share"....I`ll soon find out.
quote:
When ever possible, confront the criminal in a room with tile or linoleum floors.
Tim, maybe I should start by inviting my elected officials over for dinner.........the dining room has a tile floor.
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