Real life thread

[Jeff Head]

A sadder side of "real life."

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Just recently, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was announced as one of an elite group of six cancer research and treatment centers throughout the world who will participate in an ongoing collaborative effort to fast-track the advancement of cancer treatment development as part of a new GlaxoSmithKline initiative. It is just one in a series of many examples of how MD Anderson is the preeminent cancer research and treatment center in the United States, if not the world.

According to a new report in the Financial Times, new healthcare plans are being nudged by the statutes of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, so that they will exclude in-network coverage for patients to visit top cancer hospitals for advanced therapy — including MD Anderson — when the plans go into full effect next year.

Under the new healthcare plans, a cancer center like MD Anderson will not be included as part of the choices within patients’ covered networks. Instead, visiting MD Anderson for cancer treatment would be “out-of-network,” meaning that very little of the cost would be covered by insurance; most would come out of pocket.

According to the FT report, the shift by insurers to exclude coverage to top treatment centers has everything to do with the new statutes handed down by Obamacare, which seeks to balance costs through what critics see as rationing of care and limiting choices for patients:

“One of the biggest goals of ‘Obamacare’ was to make subsidized healthcare plans that are being sold on the new exchanges as affordable as possible, while also mandating that certain benefits, like maternity care, were covered and that people with pre-existing medical conditions could not be denied access.

Amid these new regulatory restrictions, says Tim Jost, a health policy expert, insurance companies have had to come up with new ways to cut the cost of their products. In this new era, limiting the availability of certain facilities that are seen as too expensive – in part because they may attract the sickest patients or offer the most cutting edge medical care – is seen as the best way to control costs.”

This impacts me personally. I have a rare cancer called Sacral Chordoma. MD Anderson is the world's foremost leader in treating this bone cancer of the spine.

I have known about this action by the Affordable Health Care Act for well over a year and contacted MD Anderson, my Congressional Rep and my US Senator.

This was going to go into effect this calender year (2014), but becuase of the mid-terms, Obama uniltareally (and I might add unconstitutionally) pushed it back a year to 2015 because this and many other provisions of the group mandate (like it did with the individual mandate) are going to directly impact millions of people negatively, and he did not want to further exacerbate and already bad situation for the DNC.

These people who are foisting this on America are a bunch of slovenly, slick tongued, scheisters. I say this not so much because of its impact on me, but more because of the hundreds and hundreds of children I have seen at this institution over the years who have been helped by the unbelievable talented and compassionate people at MD Anderson and other places who now will not be able to get that level of cre.

And it is the intent of these little fascists and progressives to hurt the health care of America...not improve it. Even though they wrap it up in such names as the "Affordable Health Care Act."

So, this year will be my last visit to MD Anderson for care. I will have to use the Idaho facilities who already told me they did not want to try and treat such a rare cancer. I am sure they will do their best now.

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affiars of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him whoi is moghty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

 

[Blackstone]

A sadder side of "real life."

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This impacts me personally. I have a rare cancer called Sacral Chordoma. MD Anderson is the world's foremost leader in treating this bone cancer of the spine.

I have known about this action by the Affordable Health Care Act for well over a year and contacted MD Anderson, my Congressional Rep and my US Senator.

This was going to go into effect this calender year (2014), but becuase of the mid-terms, Obama uniltareally (and I might add unconstitutionally) pushed it back a year to 2015 because this and many other provisions of the group mandate (like it did with the individual mandate) are going to directly impact millions of people negatively, and he did not want to further exacerbate and already bad situation for the DNC.

These people who are foisting this on America are a bunch of slovenly, slick tongued, scheisters. I say this not so much because of its impact on me, but more because of the hundreds and hundreds of children I have seen at this institution over the years who have been helped by the unbelievable talented and compassionate people at MD Anderson and other places who now will not be able to get that level of cre.

And it is the intent of these little fascists and progressives to hurt the health care of America...not improve it. Even though they wrap it up in such names as the "Affordable Health Care Act."

So, this year will be my last visit to MD Anderson for care. I will have to use the Idaho facilities who already told me they did not want to try and treat such a rare cancer. I am sure they will do their best now.

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affiars of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him whoi is moghty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

Very sad to hear that Jeff, and I wish you all the best. The Lord has a plan for each one of us, and at times the road is rough and even downright nasty, but he will see us through to the end; we only need to believe, repent, and accept the free gift of salvation. Hang in there my friend, you're in my prayers.

 

[Equation]

A sadder side of "real life."

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This impacts me personally. I have a rare cancer called Sacral Chordoma. MD Anderson is the world's foremost leader in treating this bone cancer of the spine.

I have known about this action by the Affordable Health Care Act for well over a year and contacted MD Anderson, my Congressional Rep and my US Senator.

This was going to go into effect this calender year (2014), but becuase of the mid-terms, Obama uniltareally (and I might add unconstitutionally) pushed it back a year to 2015 because this and many other provisions of the group mandate (like it did with the individual mandate) are going to directly impact millions of people negatively, and he did not want to further exacerbate and already bad situation for the DNC.

These people who are foisting this on America are a bunch of slovenly, slick tongued, scheisters. I say this not so much because of its impact on me, but more because of the hundreds and hundreds of children I have seen at this institution over the years who have been helped by the unbelievable talented and compassionate people at MD Anderson and other places who now will not be able to get that level of cre.

And it is the intent of these little fascists and progressives to hurt the health care of America...not improve it. Even though they wrap it up in such names as the "Affordable Health Care Act."

So, this year will be my last visit to MD Anderson for care. I will have to use the Idaho facilities who already told me they did not want to try and treat such a rare cancer. I am sure they will do their best now.

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affiars of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him whoi is moghty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

I'm sorry to hear this Jeff. Is there any other hospitals that can treat you? Stay strong my friend, don't give up hope yet.

 

[vesicles]

A sadder side of "real life."

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This impacts me personally. I have a rare cancer called Sacral Chordoma. MD Anderson is the world's foremost leader in treating this bone cancer of the spine.

I have known about this action by the Affordable Health Care Act for well over a year and contacted MD Anderson, my Congressional Rep and my US Senator.

This was going to go into effect this calender year (2014), but becuase of the mid-terms, Obama uniltareally (and I might add unconstitutionally) pushed it back a year to 2015 because this and many other provisions of the group mandate (like it did with the individual mandate) are going to directly impact millions of people negatively, and he did not want to further exacerbate and already bad situation for the DNC.

These people who are foisting this on America are a bunch of slovenly, slick tongued, scheisters. I say this not so much because of its impact on me, but more because of the hundreds and hundreds of children I have seen at this institution over the years who have been helped by the unbelievable talented and compassionate people at MD Anderson and other places who now will not be able to get that level of cre.

And it is the intent of these little fascists and progressives to hurt the health care of America...not improve it. Even though they wrap it up in such names as the "Affordable Health Care Act."

So, this year will be my last visit to MD Anderson for care. I will have to use the Idaho facilities who already told me they did not want to try and treat such a rare cancer. I am sure they will do their best now.

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affiars of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him whoi is moghty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

I am sorry to hear this as well. Do you think there might be some kind of experimental programs at MDACC that might be able to continue your treatment? As you mentioned, your condition is a rare one. This means that it could be difficult for them to find volunteers for experimental treatments. So they might be able to cut you some slack... Most of the physicians at the MDACC do clinical research and they might have special programs to include you. You can ask your doctor at the MDACC and see if they have anything like that. Many times, these experimental programs might need "volunteers", which might allow you to skip the whole bureaucratic BS...

 

[Jeff Head]

Thanks guys. I am not really too terribly worried.

As I said, I have strong faith in God and willing put my life in His hands...and will continue on with my life unabated for as long as I can.

I will be discussing the various options with my nuerosurgeon who performed my three surgeries (along with five suergical teams) in 2010. Perhaps they have a program. MD Anderson has invested a lot in my particular case and to date it has been a miraculous success...perhaps they will want to continue in order for it to be beneficial to others in the future.

My particular cancer is like 1 in 3,000,000, so they do not have a huge data base of case studies.

Either way, there's plenty to live for, to be grateful for, and to work for. I intend to do all three. Each day, each week, month and year, since 2010 has been a special gift to me.

 

[vesicles]

Thanks guys. I am not really too terribly worried.

As I said, I have strong faith in God and willing put my life in His hands...and will continue on with my life unabated for as long as I can.

I will be discussing the various options with my nuerosurgeon who performed my three surgeries (along with five suergical teams) in 2010. Perhaps they have a program. MD Anderson has invested a lot in my particular case and to date it has been a miraculous success...perhaps they will want to continue in order for it to be beneficial to others in the future.

My particular cancer is like 1 in 3,000,000, so they do not have a huge data base of case studies.

Either way, there's plenty to live for, to be grateful for, and to work for. I intend to do all three. Each day, each week, month and year, since 2010 has been a special gift to me.

Completely agreed! As someone who has worked with clinicians, I know that one thing they value the most is their patients. As you mentioned, they have invested a lot in you, both professionally and emotionally. They will try their utmost to keep you in the program. The benefit of an institution like the MDACC is that it is a research institution. Their system is very flexible. Even IF there is no existing program, they can actually create one specifically for you. They can write a special grant to continue the experimental treatment. That fact that you respond positively to the treatment boasts nicely to their case. How can you stop a promising protocol in the middle of an on-going treatment? Like you mentioned, the same procedure used on you could be used to benefit many others. Also ask your physician about the CPRIT, Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. It is a dedicated state institution that funds cancer research. They can write a special grant to CPRIT, which will be highly likely to be funded.

 

[bd popeye]

Jeff..this truly saddens me to read this about your health...

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affairs of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him who is mighty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

Amen.

The Bible states..


Psalm 91 King James Version (KJV)

91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Amen.

 

[Jura The idiot]

...

In the end, as I figure it, there is a God in Heaven, and the affiars of man are under His watch. If He wants me home, there is no power on earth that will keep me here. if He wants me to stay, there is no power on earth that can take me. I gladly turn my well being and future over to Him whoi is moghty to save. And will be happy with His decision either way.

Good luck, Jeff! I wanted to write some more, but my fingers are trembling ...

 

[PanAsian]

Hope everything goes as well as possible Jeff.

 

[Air Force Brat]

Hope everything goes as well as possible Jeff.

the real reason we are all here among our true bruda's, blessings to each one of you gentlemen, to those who may not share our faith in our Lord Jesus, yes this is a military forum, but real life happens to each of us, and when it does, you need a real Jesus. I grew up in an Air Force Family, but my Dad was a Christian, each night before bed, he kneeled beside his bed to pray, and I prayed, particularly when he was in Vietnam, that my Daddy would come home safe and in one piece, my God answered that prayer in the affirmative. My Dad hated war, he hated being involved in it, he loved his God, his family, and his country, he also loved flying, and being an airlifter. Most of all, my Dad loved people, all people, he cared about those who were having a tough time, he cared about those who were ill, when he received his adult stem cell transpant down in Texas, at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, he was absolutely devastated when a young airman passed after receiving a bone-marrow transplant, leaving behind a wife and two children. I lost my Dad nearly 12 years ago to multiple myeloma, so you guys are each my brothers, keeping not only my nation safe, but prayerfully yours as well.

I am proud of each of you, and do my very best to listen and read your posts, I admire and wish the very best for each of you, I could never repay the many kindnesses that have been extended to me through my brothers at the Sino-Defense forum, to Jeff in particular at this time, but also to each of you, the Lords richest blessings and watch-care over you and your blessed wives and children. thanks for being here, and thanks for caring. bro bax