Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Yay for Remicade!

I'm excited about today – for the first time since May I'll be getting a treatment for my Crohn's disease. Oh, and I can't wait. I haven't been feeling good at all. Low grade fevers, constant headaches, stiff joints, bumps all over my legs (erythema nodosum) and no energy.

Up until I moved to Alberta in July, I was getting a treatment called Remicade every two months at the Huntsville, Ontario, hospital. I'd go to the chemotherapy clinic and they'd hook me up to an IV and give me this ultra expensive drug (about $7,000 every two months).

Remicade has literally changed my life. My doctor wanted to take out my colon until we tried this. And while I was on the drug, I had no Crohn's symptoms. I carried on like a healthy person! It was wonderful.

Moving meant losing my doctor, my job and my health insurance – the latter was a huge deal. Getting any insurance company to cover that humongous bill is like pulling teeth without anesthetic. I have had to jump through a myriad of hoops in order to get coverage from Dave's new insurance company. Not only that, I had to find an internist, as well as a family doctor. And the paperwork! My gawd, the paperwork and the phone calls and the e-mails have been overwhelming. Meanwhile, I've been getting sicker and sicker.

Oh well. Not anymore. Today I go to the Cold Lake Hospital for my first treatment in a long time. I'm so excited! Wish me luck!

27 comments:

  1. Best of luck!!! It sucks to have to fight an administration just to be healthy! I have several cousins with Crohns, so I know what a nightmare it can be. Glad you're feeling better.

    And is that your new book on your side bar? I will have to check that out!

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! And, oh yes... that might just be my new book... ahem.. maybe... ahem, ahem... LOL!!!

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  2. I wish you lots of luck. Gosh, whenever I look at my own life predicament I see someone else who has a situation that sounds worse. You've got a great positive attitude about all this and that's an important part of getting through this sort of thing.

    Thanks for the comment you left at my blog today. The great thing about this blogging enterprise is the encouragement we can give to each other. You've brightened my day with your attitude in both your post and the comment you've left.

    Blogging can certainly fill voids and soften the harsh edges of life.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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    1. Yes to everything you said, Lee. Blogging certainly can fill voids and make life better. Hugs to you, my friend, across the miles.

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  3. I'm so glad you've found something that helps.

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  4. My husband has Crohn's and has been on the Remicade treatment for 6 years now. He feels great with it. And we can tell when his next round is coming up, he gets all cranky and can't eat some of his normal foods. Glad you are back to it. Good luck and hope you start feeling better and soon!

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    1. I'm so glad Remicade is working for your hubby. It's a tough go - hugs and best wishes to you both.

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  5. Glad you'll finally be getting the shot again! Crappy insurance companies. They're the real reason medical stuff costs so much.

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  6. I am so happy for you. I bet you could sail your boat in your birthday suit when you leave the place. Feeling good is such a blessing and will sit well on you.

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    1. And I DO feel better today! Birthday suit??? LOL!!!! Geez, Jo, I wouldn't wanna freak anybody out!

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  7. I am beyond happy for you. Hiss and spit at the hoops you need to jump through to feel half decent (human even), but yay that relief is on its way. Long may it continue.

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  8. I hope this works out so well for you! Feeling sick much of the time is no fun at all. I could tell you about it, but you already know.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  9. I didn't know you had Crohn's! I hope you start to feel better soon! Glad that you were able to navigate the red tape that is insurance and the medical profession. It's a real pain.

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    1. Ermagherd... red tape, eh? It's worse than the stupid disease!

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  10. I didn't know you have Crohn's ! Oh I am soo happy for you I hope it does the trick for you . An old friend of mine has Crohn's she was diagnosed in the early 90,s with it after going through a scary illness for years and then surgery for it ! Back then it was one way and one way only to deal with Crohn's and that was colon removal and even now she still gets sick on and off . I am glad you are able to have the treatment you are having !

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    1. It really is a livesaver - I recommend it to everyone I know who has Crohn's!

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  11. Chron's can be so tough. I am so glad you've been able to get treatment again...

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  12. I hope all went well!! Sending you healing love!! xoxo

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  13. I'm glad you were finally able to take care of everything and get your treatment. My brother has Crohn's and gets Remicade every two months. It's changed his life and I know how miserable he can be without it. Hope you're feeling great!

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How's it going, eh? It's SO good to hear from you. Tell me every darn thing...