The countdown to find insurance loomed. I was uninsured and unemployed with meager savings and getting desperate about my health care. Luckily, my boyfriend's mom brought home some paper work one day from Virginia Mason, the hospital she works at. The form was for the hospital's charity care program, assistance with medical procedures for low income folks. I applied, sent in tax forms, bank statements and sworn letters and began the wait.
In the meantime, I decided to make an appointment with the Ear Nose and Throat specialist at the hospital just in case I got coverage. Literally, the day before my appointment I heard back from Virginia Mason with the amazing news that 100% of my medical bills would be covered! I actually shed tears of relief and happiness. What a world we live in where people struggling with their health (enough stress on its own) have to obsess about how they will pay their bills, this isn't healthy or fair. I am very lucky and hope that I can help educate other low income people out there. If you are uninsured and do not qualify for medicaid, look into charity funds at hospitals, you just might be surprised!
The following day, I met with the ENT specialist who was concerned about my health and antibiotic intake....needless to say, my tonsillectomy was scheduled for a month later.
Cue the panic.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
My story, Part III
At this point in my story, it's mid -January and I'm just recovering from another throat infection and another (6 week) dose of antibiotics. I have been ill and in pain for the good part of two months and I begin to feel the effects. I'm exhausted day in and day out to the point where going to the store becomes a feat of strength. My legs ache, I feel continuously on the verge of illness, I have light headaches, the circles beneath my eyes grow, my skin gets paler and I feel as though it is a daily struggle just to exist due to my fatigue. I'm typically a fairly active person who gets antsy and restless with too much downtime so this was a new feeling. I haven't worked out since my last run in November and less of my clothes start fitting as my body begins to expand and soften.
I consult my doctor and he informs me it is the effects of long term antibiotics combined with fighting off a low grade infection. Lovely. I begin to take a multivitamin, B-Complex and Vitamin D to try to build my strength. I play around with diet, cutting out dairy, gluten, sugar and caffeine in the hopes of seeing some improvement. Nothing.
After a month at my mom's, I couldn't put life on hold anymore and so I moved up to Seattle with my boyfriend and tried to start living again. It was difficult and I wasn't that successful. In early February, I finished my last dose of antibiotics and within 5 days, my throat infection was back in full force. Once again, I couldn't open my mouth more than the width of one finger and even speaking was a struggle. Enough was enough. I knew that if I didn't see a specialist my health would continue to deteriorate. And so, as I tried to figure out health care, my doctor called in one last round of antibiotics...I had two more weeks.
Up next: How I was able to see a specialist without a job or health insurance.
I consult my doctor and he informs me it is the effects of long term antibiotics combined with fighting off a low grade infection. Lovely. I begin to take a multivitamin, B-Complex and Vitamin D to try to build my strength. I play around with diet, cutting out dairy, gluten, sugar and caffeine in the hopes of seeing some improvement. Nothing.
After a month at my mom's, I couldn't put life on hold anymore and so I moved up to Seattle with my boyfriend and tried to start living again. It was difficult and I wasn't that successful. In early February, I finished my last dose of antibiotics and within 5 days, my throat infection was back in full force. Once again, I couldn't open my mouth more than the width of one finger and even speaking was a struggle. Enough was enough. I knew that if I didn't see a specialist my health would continue to deteriorate. And so, as I tried to figure out health care, my doctor called in one last round of antibiotics...I had two more weeks.
Up next: How I was able to see a specialist without a job or health insurance.
My story, Part II
So at this point it's still November and I'm frail and weak but feeling much better following the Plague. Luckily, I'm healthy enough to board the plane to NYC to spend several weeks with my sister as she awaits giving birth to her first son. About 5 days into my trip, the fatigue and fever kick in again. I feel progressively worse and soon my throat starts aching in that same spot. Now, not only worried about myself but the health of my sister, I get a next day appointment with my old doctor. He puts me on another 10 day round of antibiotics and gives me a huge uninsured/unemployed discount for which I am forever grateful. Two days pass and I'm feeing good again.
My sister goes into labor a week later! After 32 hours and a cesarean, my perfect little nephew was born.
Maybe it was the lack of sleep but a couple of days later I wake up coughing so hard that I can barely catch my breath. My voice is gone and what seems to be a head and chest cold have settled into my body. Luckily, my plane left the next day so I did not infect the new baby. My boyfriend picked me up at LAX and I was a hacking hot mess. We proceed to drive up to Big Bear Mountain where we stayed out late drinking and partying with friends.
Probably not the best decision. On the drive back to Lake Havasu and the following days, my cough is so bad that my ribs hurt and I can't sleep more than a couple of hours. Back to the tribal hospital.
They put me on a breathing treatment immediately. Write me a prescription for another round of antibiotics and give me an inhaler to get me through the next few days. Finally, I start to feel good again!
At this point, it was time to head north so my boyfriend and I pack up and drive to Oregon just after Christmas. We celebrate New Years with friends on the Oregon Coast and I'm feeling great....for 4 more days....and then my throat closes up again.
My throat swells so much that my tonsils were almost touching and the pain so intense that I can barely swallow and start to gasp for breath. What a joy. Luckily, I was at my mom's house at this time so I popped into the local indian clinic where, before examining me or taking my medical history, asks if I'm a drug dealer and suggests an immediate HIV test. Unprofessional (and reported!). Racist. Anxiety inducing.
Now, I know I don't have HIV, I've been tested, monogamous, etc... However, when a doctor says those three letters in relation to you, it tends to lead to a freak out.
Fed up with this close minded doctor, I get an appointment with my old doctor from high school about an hour away who is one of the most kind people I know. He immediately diagnosis me with a Perintonsillar Abscess and (knowing I can't afford surgery) puts me on 6 weeks of antibiotics to try to kill the infection. Six weeks. So for those keeping tally this will total around 10 weeks of antibiotics. Not good for one's health.
Of course, after a week or so on the meds I start to feel well enough to hit the road again and move up to Seattle to get back to real life, but something feels off....
My sister goes into labor a week later! After 32 hours and a cesarean, my perfect little nephew was born.
Maybe it was the lack of sleep but a couple of days later I wake up coughing so hard that I can barely catch my breath. My voice is gone and what seems to be a head and chest cold have settled into my body. Luckily, my plane left the next day so I did not infect the new baby. My boyfriend picked me up at LAX and I was a hacking hot mess. We proceed to drive up to Big Bear Mountain where we stayed out late drinking and partying with friends.
Probably not the best decision. On the drive back to Lake Havasu and the following days, my cough is so bad that my ribs hurt and I can't sleep more than a couple of hours. Back to the tribal hospital.
They put me on a breathing treatment immediately. Write me a prescription for another round of antibiotics and give me an inhaler to get me through the next few days. Finally, I start to feel good again!
At this point, it was time to head north so my boyfriend and I pack up and drive to Oregon just after Christmas. We celebrate New Years with friends on the Oregon Coast and I'm feeling great....for 4 more days....and then my throat closes up again.
My throat swells so much that my tonsils were almost touching and the pain so intense that I can barely swallow and start to gasp for breath. What a joy. Luckily, I was at my mom's house at this time so I popped into the local indian clinic where, before examining me or taking my medical history, asks if I'm a drug dealer and suggests an immediate HIV test. Unprofessional (and reported!). Racist. Anxiety inducing.
Now, I know I don't have HIV, I've been tested, monogamous, etc... However, when a doctor says those three letters in relation to you, it tends to lead to a freak out.
Fed up with this close minded doctor, I get an appointment with my old doctor from high school about an hour away who is one of the most kind people I know. He immediately diagnosis me with a Perintonsillar Abscess and (knowing I can't afford surgery) puts me on 6 weeks of antibiotics to try to kill the infection. Six weeks. So for those keeping tally this will total around 10 weeks of antibiotics. Not good for one's health.
Of course, after a week or so on the meds I start to feel well enough to hit the road again and move up to Seattle to get back to real life, but something feels off....
Friday, April 6, 2012
My Story
(Warning, this is a detailed description of my illness that might gross some people out.)
In November of 2011, I had just quit my job, packed up my apartment and moved out of Portland, OR with the goal of traveling for a month or two within the US and then heading to India for a few months. My first stop was Lake Havasu, AZ. My boyfriend and I were lucky to be able to spend several weeks at his parents' empty vacation home. We lounged by the pool, went on motorcycle rides, explored the dessert and I continued being active. A few weeks in, I found Sara Park, an amazing trail that went through canyons, hills and ended at the lake. One day, feeling inspired, I decided to jog the trail.
I headed out on a beautiful fall day. The sun was bright but the temperature was just perfect. I am not a "natural" runner and often struggle, but this run felt smooth and wonderful. I was covered in sweat and felt like I could keep going and going. You know those moments where you feel strong, fit and healthy both inside and out? This was one of them.
Cut to 24 hours later and I felt as though I had been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. The sickness came on quick and fast, one moment I was drinking my coffee, feeling good and oblivious about what was to come. The next, my throat pain became excruciating, my tonsils swelled, a high fever kicked in, body aches, head ache, chills, nausea and the inability to swallow even my saliva. Now, I have been sick A LOT in my lifetime. I was not blessed with the strongest immune systems. I have had horrendous flus, bronchitis and strep throat but never have I felt so horrible. At the risk of sounding dramatic, there were moments when I would close my eyes and feel as though I had to stay open them quickly or I'd slip away into a coma.
Of course, I was uninsured (still am) at the time and had to maintain my savings for several months; therefore making an ER visit highly stressful. Thankfully, I remembered I was in native land and knew their had to be a tribal hospital nearby. I finally found Parker Indian Hospital about 40min south of the town. Being Native American, I can receive free health care at tribal hospitals and clinics. My boyfriend packed me in the truck and we headed out. I was seen quickly by the doctor and was immediately given a shot of penicillin. They quickly announced a positive strep test with the doctor adding it was the worst case he had ever seen. I was given another round of antibiotics and sent on my way.
Four more days of hell continued with just the slightest amount of improvement.
(TMI Alert)
However, with the end of my fever came an even sorer throat. On closer inspection, I could see that in the spot with the most pain was a swollen red boil-like blister complete with draining pus.
Back to the ER. This time, diagnosed with an abscess. Sent home with another, more intense antibiotic (also used for Malaria, yikes). Thankfully, a week went by and I started to recover and was finally pain free. I was myself again, just weaker and paler.
....To Be Continued
In November of 2011, I had just quit my job, packed up my apartment and moved out of Portland, OR with the goal of traveling for a month or two within the US and then heading to India for a few months. My first stop was Lake Havasu, AZ. My boyfriend and I were lucky to be able to spend several weeks at his parents' empty vacation home. We lounged by the pool, went on motorcycle rides, explored the dessert and I continued being active. A few weeks in, I found Sara Park, an amazing trail that went through canyons, hills and ended at the lake. One day, feeling inspired, I decided to jog the trail.
I headed out on a beautiful fall day. The sun was bright but the temperature was just perfect. I am not a "natural" runner and often struggle, but this run felt smooth and wonderful. I was covered in sweat and felt like I could keep going and going. You know those moments where you feel strong, fit and healthy both inside and out? This was one of them.
 |
| Same trail, different day |
Cut to 24 hours later and I felt as though I had been hit over the head with a sledge hammer. The sickness came on quick and fast, one moment I was drinking my coffee, feeling good and oblivious about what was to come. The next, my throat pain became excruciating, my tonsils swelled, a high fever kicked in, body aches, head ache, chills, nausea and the inability to swallow even my saliva. Now, I have been sick A LOT in my lifetime. I was not blessed with the strongest immune systems. I have had horrendous flus, bronchitis and strep throat but never have I felt so horrible. At the risk of sounding dramatic, there were moments when I would close my eyes and feel as though I had to stay open them quickly or I'd slip away into a coma.
Of course, I was uninsured (still am) at the time and had to maintain my savings for several months; therefore making an ER visit highly stressful. Thankfully, I remembered I was in native land and knew their had to be a tribal hospital nearby. I finally found Parker Indian Hospital about 40min south of the town. Being Native American, I can receive free health care at tribal hospitals and clinics. My boyfriend packed me in the truck and we headed out. I was seen quickly by the doctor and was immediately given a shot of penicillin. They quickly announced a positive strep test with the doctor adding it was the worst case he had ever seen. I was given another round of antibiotics and sent on my way.
Four more days of hell continued with just the slightest amount of improvement.
(TMI Alert)
However, with the end of my fever came an even sorer throat. On closer inspection, I could see that in the spot with the most pain was a swollen red boil-like blister complete with draining pus.
Back to the ER. This time, diagnosed with an abscess. Sent home with another, more intense antibiotic (also used for Malaria, yikes). Thankfully, a week went by and I started to recover and was finally pain free. I was myself again, just weaker and paler.
....To Be Continued
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