I got my shots on Friday at Northwestern. They cost 11k per shot. I had been getting two 20mg shots of sandostatin, one in each butt cheek. The tumors kept growing, and my Doctor was able to get my great insurance to cover two 30mg shots of sandostatin. I will turn 64 this December and 65 in 2016.
While I was on the infusion floor, I heard another patient asking whether anybody gets 60mg of shots because his doctor told him medicare will only approve the 40mg monthly. I explained to him how unpleasant it will become if I do live to 65 because the sando keeps my symptoms under control and slows the tumor growth. I will have a choice at 65. To either have a terrible time of it as I slowly fade away with the reduced sando injections, or I can travel to Canada to Windsor, the closest spot from where I live, and pay $1,500 for a twenty Mg. shot and whatever the clinic will charge for the injection. The Canadian price used to be over $2,500 per 20mg, but they have negotiated the price down, and the exchange rate has become more favorable. This will mean about 21k out of pocket medical bills at 65. I will have to continue working in one business in order to afford that, but it is no big deal because I am only working about 20% of what I used to work.
It is critical to do careful analysis of your insurance policies. The supplementals with medicare, and to look for alternatives which will allow folks to survive when facing the Big C. I seldom show emotion, but when I see sick people who cannot get these shots or have them reduced because insurance companies feel the medications are still in the experimental stage, I just hang my head. When I see a young mother with children battling this disease, it overpowers me. I spoke with my 90 year old mother this morning who is in hospice, and she probably has less than a week. Her parts have simply worn out, and we share a very positive attitude. She is thankful that her mind has been lucid and clear to the end, and this is strange.....I do not feel that deep sadness when my own 90 year old mother is about to pass because I know she has had a happy and fulfilling life and it is time, but it is really hard to see Cancer taking young mothers who have not lived, who will not get to share their lives with their children....month after month of visiting the infusion floor and seeing how unfair life can be at times. So I try not to dwell on it until my visit next month, and today I picked up some lumber and needed help with loading the same.....I explained to the fork lift driver who helped me load, that I was building a handicap ramp to my house and I want them to say when the are wheeling me out....."damn....this is a good ramp"......He became silent put his head down, made some cuts of the wood and came over just laughing.....he said I tried to keep the laughter in, but damn that was funny......enjoy every moment and live life to the fullest.
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