Insurance

One thing lupus has taught me is not to take your health for granted.

Less than a year ago I thought I was healthy and hardly ever went to the doctor.  When I started my new job in December and had to enroll for medical benefits, I declined coverage (I was covered under my husband's plan).  I had been considering getting a life insurance policy but kept putting it off because I didn't really have a need for it (no dependents, no house, etc.).

On January 1, 2011, that all changed.  I think the universe was playing some cruel joke on me in that I got sick on the day that my additional medical coverage would have started.   January 1st is the day I got sick with what I consider my first flare and what eventually led to my lupus diagnosis.

From there, everything changed.  Doctors and laboratory tests became a weekly occurrence, and I silently cursed myself for mistakingly thinking I was so healthy that I didn't need the additional medical insurance.  I was now branded with the dreaded "pre-existing condition"designation.  A couple months later, I applied for life insurance and was told that I do not qualify.  Luckily, I had applied for my company's group life plan last year, so I have a little bit of coverage.

I am now going through open-enrollment at work for the next calendar year.  I've signed up for my company's medical benefits so that I'll have dual coverage.  I've been tracking my out-of-pocket medical costs this year, and if next year is similar to this year, I'll come out about even.  If something should happen that lands me in the hospital or if my health starts to deteriorate, I'll feel better knowing I have that additional coverage in place.

There are other things like long-term disability insurance that I looked into increasing the coverage on, but after looking into it, I realized that my pre-existing condition prevents me from increasing coverage.  Luckily I was enrolled in the basic company policy in December before I was diagnosed, so I still get some coverage.

I guess the lesson here really is that these things can happen to anyone and that very rarely do you expect it.  Do what you can to prepare for these situations.  Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.


- a little lupie -

Sunsick

Headache.  Nausea.  Fatigue.  All after half a day in the sun.  Coincidence?  Punishment?  I'm not sure...maybe I am more photosensitive than I thought.

My workplace does a lot of community service events, which I like, but they usually always involve physical, outdoor activities.  Most people like them because it let's them get out of the office, and they usually follow up by doing something "fun" like going on a hike.

As a lupie, this doesn't quite work for me, but I go along with it because it is somewhat expected for me to participate and I don't want to make things difficult.  In this particular instance, the group I was with was not the folks I usually work with in my department (who know about my condition).  It was a cross-functional group of folks across the organization who I don't know very well.  I didn't want to bring up my condition because you never know what kind of prejudices people have, and it could be very likely that I might want to apply for a position in their department in the future.  At the same time, I was feeling weak and sick trying to do yard work in the hot sun and didn't want to look like a lazy slacker.  I tried to take it easy for as long as I could, but eventually had to go for a long water break.  I was somewhat relieved when it started raining, sending everyone to head for shelter...at least for a while.  I took on easy jobs where I could -- raking, pulling weeds, etc., but I think I probably ended up looking like a slacker.

After lunch, most of the folks went on a hike, but I declined and went home early.  The hike was optional, and I wasn't the only one who didn't participate, so I didn't feel as guilty.

I got home, took a shower, and took a long nap.  I woke up to a pounding headache, took some Alieve, then went back to sleep.  It's now the morning after, and I feel a lot better.  Not sure what I should do next time we have another outdoor activity...

- a little lupie -

A Hit of the 'Crit

I have been feeling pretty drained for the past week or so.  Even after a full night's sleep, I wake up feeling tired, and I drag throughout the day.  I've found myself being more aware of rationing out my spoons for the day.

When I went to see Hemey today, I knew my blood count would be low, and it was.  My hemoglobin was at 9.3, so Hemey asked me again if I wanted to try the Procrit.  I have been thinking about it the past couple weeks, and the thought of actually feeling "normal" and having energy has been quite alluring.  I decided to give it a try.  I had to sign the consent form since Procrit is a black box drug then got a quick, painless shot in the arm.  Procrit is a Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) which stimulates the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.  I'll need to get weekly shots, and it may be a month before I start to feel the results.  I'm a little bummed because I was hoping for a quick-fix that I'd feel instantly like I did with Prednisone.  I see Hemey again in three weeks, so we'll see if the Procrit starts to work for me...

- a little lupie -