3 ms·
In response to Lane -- Pancreatic cancer is the worst. It is incurable in 2018! I was very lucky that it was found before it spread. It was removed in a six
by geofffox 8y ago
In response to Lane -- Pancreatic cancer is the worst. It is incurable in 2018! I was very lucky that it was found before it spread.
It was removed in a six hour, two surgeon operation called a Whipple. It was pioneered in the 1930s. Back then they lost about 1/3 on the table. Only about 1/3 of pancreatic patients can receive a Whipple and only about a third of those have my result. Only 9% live beyond five years.
The Whipple is considered the most difficult operation a surgeon can perform. The docs who do this are hospital all-stars.
On day one I told my doctors (with cancer you get an army of doctors) I wanted to aggressively go at it.
I had a catheter port inserted in my chest for IVs (like chemo or with my CTscans). It's been used over thirty times. When I take a blood test it's commonly a dozen vials or more.
My treatment ended around a year and a half ago. I am certifiably cancer free, though my body knows how to make pancreatic cancer and could do it again.
I am missing a few internal parts. Whipple surgery reconnects some parts of the digestive system differently than original factory specs. With half a pancreas I shoot insulin 4-5 times a day (no big deal). My right pinkie will be tapped for blood drops around 1,500 times this year.
I am the luckiest person you will meet today. And, it's a kickass diet. I lost 35 pounds.
Because I am old I am on Medicare. I subscribe to a Medicare Advantage program, which means I limit myself to an HMO's doctors in return for paying less for services. I would think my medical care had to cost over $500,000. I paid ZERO. I do pay for some drugs -- thousands a year -- but my army of doctors were paid by the government.
People shouldn't go broke or need GoFundMe because they get sick. The US needs Medicare for all. Insurance just means we all share the risk for the few that need it.
- cockatoo2 8y agoThe republicunts don't believe in healthcare for sick people.
- geofffox 8y agoThe fact that we need GoFundMe campaigns for people who get sick or that veterans beg for charity through Wounded Warriors upsets me to no end. A modern, successful democracy should take care of its people.
- samstave 8y ago>* modern, successful democracy should take care of its people.* Good thing we live in an oligarchy then, otherwise, we would be upset.
- kevin_thibedeau 8y agoWounded Warriors and DAV are not about veterans begging for money. They are parasites stretching the definition of a charity to its limit to rake in as much money for the admin staff as possible (60% overhead). Please don't donate to these crooks.
- sizzle 8y agoDid not know this, can you share some more info to expose how they are crooks?
- MAGZine 8y agothis is simply not true. give.org provides charity information. WV spends just 4% on administrative costs... https://www.give.org/charity-reviews/national/veterans-and-military/wounded-warrior-project-in-jacksonville-fl-3806 https://www.give.org/charity-reviews/national/veterans-and-m...
- gamblor956 8y agoNow they do, as a result of significant negative media coverage from a few years ago when their administrative costs reached as much as 90% of their total donation revenue.
- aaronharnly 8y ago“Crooks” might be more than supported by this, but they do seem to have grown into a group existing for the well-being of staff as much or more than their intended recipients. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-investigates-wounded-warrior-project-spending/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cbs-news-investigates-wounded-w...
- sctb 8y agoWe've banned this account.