I need some suggestions

[Guest guest]

Nate,

First i would find a surgeon near you! If not near you, and you could afford a plane ticket i would suggest Cleveland Clinic or Dr. Richter on the east coast but he will usually refer people to CC, if thats closer for them. I'm sure someone on here can tell you of some where closer. Any who. One of the hospitals may have a charity grant that you could qualify for since you are the bread winner of the house hold. I'm the bread winner in my house and i have 3 children and i'm a single parent and even when i wasn't working i still couldn't qualify for medicaid!!!! Go figure, but they would give me food stamps LMAO for what??? So i can choke to death LOL? You may have to do some leg work. I wrote to CC and told them about my situation and i had been a patient there before, they are covering any expenses that i could incur for the next 6 months! WOO HOO that was a prayer answered. Although since my stress has lessened my A isn't as bad now! But i will prolly still go for a follow up since it isn't til May anyway. I would start to do some callin around, i'm sure someone else here could give you better advice then me!!! Anyone out there wanna jump on the wagon for Nate and his family?

in Indiana

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of walbyenterprisesSent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:06 PMachalasia Subject: I need some suggestions

For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. She suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England has socialized medicine and so "insurance" is free so to speak. I live in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot get any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for this out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will not allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay off the thousands of dollars required for this surgery? I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter at the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I don't have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having to eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it slides down "easy".So, suggestions would be welcome.My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try to sell on ebay so that she can, "help daddy feel better". I'm tearing up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in the auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a picture of her wearing her artist garb.Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if I can find the cash for the surgery itself.Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?! That's my rant for the day. :0)NateThanks again Ann

[Guest guest]

I don't know if Denver has a county hospital, I assume it does... I'd show up in their emergency room with a spasm, if you get them. I'm make sure to find the eagerest intern that will forward your unusual case up to a surgeon... Watch "Grey's Anatomy", you want any of the interns but Oh would be best.

Although the surgery might be considered "elective" or delayable your only hope is to get up the chain of the command in the hospital where the best surgeon works. Or speak with the surgeon directly and see if they don't want to use you with their medical school and if you are at the county hospital, maybe it wouldn't be so expensive. Often excellent surgeons work out of the county hospital along with their high rent hospitals.

Someone had surgery in Denver, just can't remember who. Is there an association you belong to that has insurance that offers open enrollment? I thought there were some that took pre existing conditions. Call an insurance agent. I haven't called my association, but I get ads for open enrollment... Even check your trade magazines.

To be honest, if I saw your daughter's listing on Ebay I'd be hesitant to bid. I think it would be hard to get the visibility to get good bids or traffic to the ad. I used to sell a lot on Ebay, and even getting something to get them to look is hard. Then if she didn't get much money she might feel badly about herself or that she failed you. Sorry, I'm being a little blunt.

I totally understand how you feel about your daughter wanting you to help, it is a lot of burden for a child to see their parent sick.

I'd suggest dialing and nagging the best surgeon in Denver. At the same time try every insurance company to see if you can get coverage. If they have a 6 month waiting period, maybe that is a good reason to have botox... wow, can't believe I'm suggesting that. Also a dialation probably isn't quite as expensive. You might even try Creighton Medical School in Omaha... remember the woman who had surgery there, just recently posted she was doing well. They video taped her surgery. You might have better luck going to a very credible medical school but isn't as high image as the large East Coast or West Coast ones that get enough rare cases... That is just a thought. Everything boils down to supply and demand.

I think insurance or getting whatever CO calls a state insurance is best, because you will likely need it the rest of your life. I know, we went without for a while, but eventually we absolutely had to fit it into our budget and it isn't cheap. This isn't a temporary situation you are in, you may have to adjust your jobs or living situation to afford insurance. To lighten the bluntness... it is like having to give up on a 2-door turbo car once you have kids... it just gets too impractical.

Whatever you own, offer it as collateral to the surgeon and hospital, if you are making even $10 / month payments, I'd think they might accept it. Even if you own a house and have to give them a 3rd mortgage.

Sandy in So Cal.... cooking now, real cooking... long cook rice even... wow.

>> Nate,> > First i would find a surgeon near you! If not near you, and you could> afford a plane ticket i would suggest Cleveland Clinic or Dr. Richter on the> east coast but he will usually refer people to CC, if thats closer for them.> I'm sure someone on here can tell you of some where closer. Any who. One> of the hospitals may have a charity grant that you could qualify for since> you are the bread winner of the house hold. I'm the bread winner in my> house and i have 3 children and i'm a single parent and even when i wasn't> working i still couldn't qualify for medicaid!!!! Go figure, but they would> give me food stamps LMAO for what??? So i can choke to death LOL? You may> have to do some leg work. I wrote to CC and told them about my situation> and i had been a patient there before, they are covering any expenses that i> could incur for the next 6 months! WOO HOO that was a prayer answered.> Although since my stress has lessened my A isn't as bad now! But i will> prolly still go for a follow up since it isn't til May anyway. I would> start to do some callin around, i'm sure someone else here could give you> better advice then me!!! Anyone out there wanna jump on the wagon for Nate> and his family?> > in Indiana> > _____ > > From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf> Of walbyenterprises> Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:06 PM> achalasia > Subject: I need some suggestions> > > For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. She > suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully > somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.> > Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England has > socialized medicine and so "insurance" is free so to speak. I live > in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very > healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot get > any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing > condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We > do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for this > out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid > from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will not > allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I > don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take > payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay off > the thousands of dollars required for this surgery? > I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and > the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens > room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter at > the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I don't > have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having to > eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it slides > down "easy".> So, suggestions would be welcome.> My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try to > sell on ebay so that she can, "help daddy feel better". I'm tearing > up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in the > auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a > picture of her wearing her artist garb.> Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of > them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if I > can find the cash for the surgery itself.> Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?! > That's my rant for the day. :0)> > Nate> > Thanks again Ann> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I don't know if Denver has a county hospital, I assume it does... I'd show up in their emergency room with a spasm, if you get them. I'm make sure to find the eagerest intern that will forward your unusual case up to a surgeon... Watch "Grey's Anatomy", you want any of the interns but Oh would be best.

Although the surgery might be considered "elective" or delayable your only hope is to get up the chain of the command in the hospital where the best surgeon works. Or speak with the surgeon directly and see if they don't want to use you with their medical school and if you are at the county hospital, maybe it wouldn't be so expensive. Often excellent surgeons work out of the county hospital along with their high rent hospitals.

Someone had surgery in Denver, just can't remember who. Is there an association you belong to that has insurance that offers open enrollment? I thought there were some that took pre existing conditions. Call an insurance agent. I haven't called my association, but I get ads for open enrollment... Even check your trade magazines.

To be honest, if I saw your daughter's listing on Ebay I'd be hesitant to bid. I think it would be hard to get the visibility to get good bids or traffic to the ad. I used to sell a lot on Ebay, and even getting something to get them to look is hard. Then if she didn't get much money she might feel badly about herself or that she failed you. Sorry, I'm being a little blunt.

I totally understand how you feel about your daughter wanting you to help, it is a lot of burden for a child to see their parent sick.

I'd suggest dialing and nagging the best surgeon in Denver. At the same time try every insurance company to see if you can get coverage. If they have a 6 month waiting period, maybe that is a good reason to have botox... wow, can't believe I'm suggesting that. Also a dialation probably isn't quite as expensive. You might even try Creighton Medical School in Omaha... remember the woman who had surgery there, just recently posted she was doing well. They video taped her surgery. You might have better luck going to a very credible medical school but isn't as high image as the large East Coast or West Coast ones that get enough rare cases... That is just a thought. Everything boils down to supply and demand.

I think insurance or getting whatever CO calls a state insurance is best, because you will likely need it the rest of your life. I know, we went without for a while, but eventually we absolutely had to fit it into our budget and it isn't cheap. This isn't a temporary situation you are in, you may have to adjust your jobs or living situation to afford insurance. To lighten the bluntness... it is like having to give up on a 2-door turbo car once you have kids... it just gets too impractical.

Whatever you own, offer it as collateral to the surgeon and hospital, if you are making even $10 / month payments, I'd think they might accept it. Even if you own a house and have to give them a 3rd mortgage.

Sandy in So Cal.... cooking now, real cooking... long cook rice even... wow.

>> Nate,> > First i would find a surgeon near you! If not near you, and you could> afford a plane ticket i would suggest Cleveland Clinic or Dr. Richter on the> east coast but he will usually refer people to CC, if thats closer for them.> I'm sure someone on here can tell you of some where closer. Any who. One> of the hospitals may have a charity grant that you could qualify for since> you are the bread winner of the house hold. I'm the bread winner in my> house and i have 3 children and i'm a single parent and even when i wasn't> working i still couldn't qualify for medicaid!!!! Go figure, but they would> give me food stamps LMAO for what??? So i can choke to death LOL? You may> have to do some leg work. I wrote to CC and told them about my situation> and i had been a patient there before, they are covering any expenses that i> could incur for the next 6 months! WOO HOO that was a prayer answered.> Although since my stress has lessened my A isn't as bad now! But i will> prolly still go for a follow up since it isn't til May anyway. I would> start to do some callin around, i'm sure someone else here could give you> better advice then me!!! Anyone out there wanna jump on the wagon for Nate> and his family?> > in Indiana> > _____ > > From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf> Of walbyenterprises> Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:06 PM> achalasia > Subject: I need some suggestions> > > For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. She > suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully > somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.> > Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England has > socialized medicine and so "insurance" is free so to speak. I live > in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very > healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot get > any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing > condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We > do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for this > out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid > from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will not > allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I > don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take > payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay off > the thousands of dollars required for this surgery? > I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and > the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens > room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter at > the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I don't > have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having to > eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it slides > down "easy".> So, suggestions would be welcome.> My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try to > sell on ebay so that she can, "help daddy feel better". I'm tearing > up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in the > auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a > picture of her wearing her artist garb.> Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of > them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if I > can find the cash for the surgery itself.> Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?! > That's my rant for the day. :0)> > Nate> > Thanks again Ann> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

All of the insurance carriers I've looked into have at least a two

year period for pre-existing conditions. I guess it's better than

nothing, but, it seems forever.

Colorado has Medicaid, but, we don't qualify. This whole state

insurance thing is garbage. You can't much more than my rent each

month or you don't qualify. We have applied twice and denied twice.

The only thing I own that no one else has a claim on or wants is my

A. Kind of funny in an ironic sort of way.

I have nothing to offer as collateral. We rent, have car payments,

no jewelry, etc.

As for going to a medical school, I'm not trying to make excuses to

be difficult, but, the last thing I want is some student pushing

around my stomach and esophagus. Even if it is free. I mean,

everyone is posting and saying make sure to go to a good doctor.

Make sure you get a specialist who will check everything, crossing

t's and dotting i's. It's just a little scary getting the surgery in

general, but, then to go to a school or to just settle for a doctor I

can afford or who will do it for free is too much I think.

As I said, I'm not trying to be difficult or negative or anything.

It's just that I've tried all this stuff and I am now in my 6th year

of A. and I don't see much of a way out.

I will try checking with the county hospital to check for a " better "

doctor. It would be easier if anyone knows of a doctor in Denver,

Boulder, or Colorado Springs that is very good so that I have a name

to inquire about. That would probably speed things up.

Anyway, something will happen. It always does.

Nate

> >

> > Nate,

> >

> > First i would find a surgeon near you! If not near you, and you

could

> > afford a plane ticket i would suggest Cleveland Clinic or Dr.

Richter

> on the

> > east coast but he will usually refer people to CC, if thats

closer for

> them.

> > I'm sure someone on here can tell you of some where closer. Any

who.

> One

> > of the hospitals may have a charity grant that you could qualify

for

> since

> > you are the bread winner of the house hold. I'm the bread winner

in my

> > house and i have 3 children and i'm a single parent and even when

i

> wasn't

> > working i still couldn't qualify for medicaid!!!! Go figure, but

they

> would

> > give me food stamps LMAO for what??? So i can choke to death LOL?

You

> may

> > have to do some leg work. I wrote to CC and told them about my

> situation

> > and i had been a patient there before, they are covering any

expenses

> that i

> > could incur for the next 6 months! WOO HOO that was a prayer

answered.

> > Although since my stress has lessened my A isn't as bad now! But i

> will

> > prolly still go for a follow up since it isn't til May anyway. I

would

> > start to do some callin around, i'm sure someone else here could

give

> you

> > better advice then me!!! Anyone out there wanna jump on the wagon

for

> Nate

> > and his family?

> >

> > in Indiana

> >

> > _____

> >

> > From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On

> Behalf

> > Of walbyenterprises

> > Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:06 PM

> > achalasia

> > Subject: I need some suggestions

> >

> >

> > For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England.

She

> > suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully

> > somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.

> >

> > Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England

has

> > socialized medicine and so " insurance " is free so to speak. I live

> > in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very

> > healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot

get

> > any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing

> > condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We

> > do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for

this

> > out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid

> > from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will

not

> > allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I

> > don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take

> > payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay

off

> > the thousands of dollars required for this surgery?

> > I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and

> > the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens

> > room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter

at

> > the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I

don't

> > have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having

to

> > eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it

slides

> > down " easy " .

> > So, suggestions would be welcome.

> > My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try

to

> > sell on ebay so that she can, " help daddy feel better " . I'm

tearing

> > up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in

the

> > auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a

> > picture of her wearing her artist garb.

> > Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of

> > them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable

if I

> > can find the cash for the surgery itself.

> > Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?!

> > That's my rant for the day. :0)

> >

> > Nate

> >

> > Thanks again Ann

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure about medical schools, but often the same surgeons we go to, the leaders in the field are the ones operating, not the students. The students are watching on special rare cases. It isn't a good idea to have an inexperienced surgeon. My heart goes out to your struggle. I can't imagine fighting this disease w/o any insurance.

Sandy in So Cal....

> > >> > > Nate,> > >> > > First i would find a surgeon near you! If not near you, and you > could> > > afford a plane ticket i would suggest Cleveland Clinic or Dr. > Richter> > on the> > > east coast but he will usually refer people to CC, if thats > closer for> > them.> > > I'm sure someone on here can tell you of some where closer. Any > who.> > One> > > of the hospitals may have a charity grant that you could qualify > for> > since> > > you are the bread winner of the house hold. I'm the bread winner > in my> > > house and i have 3 children and i'm a single parent and even when > i> > wasn't> > > working i still couldn't qualify for medicaid!!!! Go figure, but > they> > would> > > give me food stamps LMAO for what??? So i can choke to death LOL? > You> > may> > > have to do some leg work. I wrote to CC and told them about my> > situation> > > and i had been a patient there before, they are covering any > expenses> > that i> > > could incur for the next 6 months! WOO HOO that was a prayer > answered.> > > Although since my stress has lessened my A isn't as bad now! But i> > will> > > prolly still go for a follow up since it isn't til May anyway. I > would> > > start to do some callin around, i'm sure someone else here could > give> > you> > > better advice then me!!! Anyone out there wanna jump on the wagon > for> > Nate> > > and his family?> > >> > > in Indiana> > >> > > _____> > >> > > From: achalasia > [mailto:achalasia ] On> > Behalf> > > Of walbyenterprises> > > Sent: Monday, March 20, 2006 7:06 PM> > > achalasia > > > Subject: I need some suggestions> > >> > >> > > For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. > She> > > suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully> > > somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.> > >> > > Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England > has> > > socialized medicine and so "insurance" is free so to speak. I live> > > in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very> > > healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot > get> > > any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing> > > condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We> > > do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for > this> > > out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid> > > from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will > not> > > allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I> > > don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take> > > payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay > off> > > the thousands of dollars required for this surgery?> > > I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and> > > the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens> > > room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter > at> > > the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I > don't> > > have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having > to> > > eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it > slides> > > down "easy".> > > So, suggestions would be welcome.> > > My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try > to> > > sell on ebay so that she can, "help daddy feel better". I'm > tearing> > > up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in > the> > > auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a> > > picture of her wearing her artist garb.> > > Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of> > > them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable > if I> > > can find the cash for the surgery itself.> > > Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?!> > > That's my rant for the day. :0)> > >> > > Nate> > >> > > Thanks again Ann> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >

[Guest guest]

> Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver?

Since no one has mentioned one (unless I missed it), here's what

I would suggest. Start by finding out which two or three

hospitals are the best in your city. Then call each of those

hospitals, say you've been diagnosed with achalasia and you need

an esophageal surgeon, and find out who their esophageal surgeons

are. You may need to ask the thoracic surgery department.

A local gastroenterologist should also know of some surgeons.

Then call and ask for Dr. X's assistant or a nurse who works with

Dr. X. Ask how many Heller myotomies Dr. X does per year and

what technique he uses. Leave your phone number and the doctor

might call you in person.

You can also ask each hospital about its financial assistance

program.

Good luck!

in Lancaster, PA

[Guest guest]

Nate:

Here in Illinois, the state sponsors something called a " Comprehensive

Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) " . This is a state insurance program for

persons who are unable to obtain private health insurance and meet

certain criteria. The plan I have is actually a respectable Blue

Cross PPO. Is it possible that there is something similar in Colorado?

It IS costly - but I can lower my cost by accepting a higher

deductible limit. I went on this insurance (self pay) AFTER being

diagnosed with achalasia since I was refused by other insurance

carriers. I believe there was no waiting period. It's been awhile

since I checked but I believe I may be an acceptable candidate for

'regular' insurance once I have the surgery as a myotomy is considered

a 'permanent fix'. Like you, my health has been great,thankfully!

Good luck with this!

Rich

>

> For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. She

> suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully

> somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.

>

> Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England has

> socialized medicine and so " insurance " is free so to speak. I live

> in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very

> healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot get

> any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing

> condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We

> do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for this

> out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid

> from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will not

> allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I

> don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take

> payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay off

> the thousands of dollars required for this surgery?

> I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and

> the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens

> room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter at

> the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I don't

> have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having to

> eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it slides

> down " easy " .

> So, suggestions would be welcome.

> My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try to

> sell on ebay so that she can, " help daddy feel better " . I'm tearing

> up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in the

> auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a

> picture of her wearing her artist garb.

> Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of

> them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if I

> can find the cash for the surgery itself.

> Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?!

> That's my rant for the day. :0)

>

> Nate

>

> Thanks again Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Nate, Reading your email is killing me. I am from Aust so l am not that aware of your health system, but you may have been told this but do you guys have public hospitals were you don't pay. What is going on with the health system, it makes me sick. Going through A myself but also being a mum myself your story made me well up. I am so sorrry you are going through this, l wish l had the answers for you. Other than move to Aust...Don't be fooled though we have crazy waiting lists but if you were critical l sure you could go to an emergency department and be treated. I am so sorry, l wish there was more l could do to help, but you are in my thoughts and all the others that are in similar situations. Life is not always fair but be strong and you will find a way. Take care Juls from Ozwalbyenterprises <walbyenterprises@...> wrote: For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England. She suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England has socialized medicine and so "insurance" is free so to speak. I live in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot get any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself. We do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for this out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit

will not allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay off the thousands of dollars required for this surgery? I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter at the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I don't have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having to eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it slides down "easy".So, suggestions would be welcome.My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try to sell on ebay so that she can, "help daddy feel better". I'm tearing up just typing that last sentence. I'm not

sure if I can put in the auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a picture of her wearing her artist garb.Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if I can find the cash for the surgery itself.Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?! That's my rant for the day. :0)NateThanks again Ann

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for your concern, but, the last thing I wanted was for MY A.

to cause other people pain. I do truly appreciate it though.

We don't really have public hospitals. If you want anything to do

with health care you have to pay.

We thought my daughter had appendicitis this past Saturday so we had

to rush her to the emergency room. We told them that we didn't have

insurance so they sent in the financial advisor who told us that kids

under 5 in Colorado almost always qualify for the state Medicaid. We

told her we were denied so she is trying to get Isabella qualified at

least. Anyway, on the way out you have to go through the discharge

area. She said since we didn't have insurance we qualified for the

hospitals price reduction program so our bill was $166.00 I said is

that for the whole day? because we were there for 7 hours and did

multiple tests. She said no that's just for walking into the

emergency room. I can't wait to see the rest of the bill at

the " discounted " rate.

I don't know about moving to Aust. I may get my A. taken care of,

but, I watch the Croc Hunter. I know what kind of things you guys

have going on down there. I'd probably get eaten by a croc or bitten

by something hugely poisonous in my wheelchair on my way out the

hospital door. :0)

Nate

> For the past couple days I've been emailing with Ann in England.

She

> suggested I put out a post on the following topic. Hopefully

> somebody can give me some ideas. Thanks to Ann.

>

> Awhile back Ann asked me about insurance. She living in England

has

> socialized medicine and so " insurance " is free so to speak. I live

> in Colorado and insurance is very much not free. I've been very

> healthy up until A. So we had no health insurance. Now I cannot

get

> any becuase I've been diagnosed and they call it a pre-existing

> condition. My wife is a stay at home mom and I work for myself.

We

> do ok money-wise, but, not to the point of being able to pay for

this

> out of my pocket. We make enough money to not qualify for Medicaid

> from the state, but, not enough to pay for this. My credit will

not

> allow me to get a loan or anything like that to pay for this. I

> don't know of any specialists who are in demand that will take

> payments. And even if they did how long would it take me to pay

off

> the thousands of dollars required for this surgery?

> I'm sick of not eating. I'm sick of daring to go to out to eat and

> the first place you look when you walk in the door is for the mens

> room. I'm sick of not being able to talk to my wife and daughter

at

> the dinner table because I'm trying to choke down the food so I

don't

> have to make yet another run to the bathroom. I'm sick of having

to

> eat only foods with a sauce or with tons of grease so that it

slides

> down " easy " .

> So, suggestions would be welcome.

> My 2 yr old daughter is now painting water colors that we can try

to

> sell on ebay so that she can, " help daddy feel better " . I'm

tearing

> up just typing that last sentence. I'm not sure if I can put in

the

> auction on this forum. Can I? It's very cute though. We put in a

> picture of her wearing her artist garb.

> Also, does anyone know of a good doc. in Denver? It seems alot of

> them are on the east coast. Of course, a plane ticket is doable if

I

> can find the cash for the surgery itself.

> Anyway, there's my rant for the week. Ahh, who am I kidding?!

> That's my rant for the day. :0)

>

> Nate

>

> Thanks again Ann

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all

Hey, I'm set up to have a table at our local Health Fair to talk

about WLS. Now I need suggestions for what to say on a poster or

banner to get people's attention. I hope to get some great ideas

from you all!!! I'm planning on some before and after pix and I do

have info on lapbanding to hand out. I'm thinking of embroidering a

shirt with Jenni's saying on the back and front if I get the time to

do it and then wear it. Other ideas?????

Thanks,

Penny in Colorado