On the other hand…

Last updated on: December 31, 2014 at 3:45 pm by Mark Shea

On the other hand… 2014-12-31T15:45:35-07:00 Mark Shea

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m afraid I’m not among those who agree that our health care system is working juuuuust great and needs no fixing at all. Case in point, this brave and desperate letter from a friend whose husband has been stricken with a debilitating neural disease:

I hope this note finds you well and that spring has turned the corner in your world! Winter hasn’t retired here. We had 12 inches of snow on our back deck yesterday. It’s all the way down to 5 inches now! But warm days are forecast for about the next 4 days, before Winter has another go at us. Snow is possible again by Wednesday, but that doesn’t seem to bother the crocuses and tulips!

It’s been a while since our last update, so I wanted to share what’s been going on. Jerry continues to impress me with his courage! He struggles with headaches and other pains, and it’s a bit harder for him to get around now. Another neurologist is attempting to treat the headaches, but so far the medicines have made things worse instead of better. Jerry rarely complains, except of loneliness. He spends most of his days at home alone. The list of doctors he sees is growing. In spite of the challenges, Jerry maintains a will to be productive and positive, but I can see the day to day stress is wearing on him!

Another huge challenge for us is that I will be losing my job around the end of this month due to downsizing. This is scary for anybody, especially these days, but the scariest part will be losing my health insurance when Jerry is so sick! I will have severance pay for about 2 months, which gives me a chance to explore my options. I am considering going back to school in order to position myself for a better job, but am not sure that’s the best idea due to the lack of insurance. Jerry is covered by Medicaid, and it’s a long shot that we can replace the specialists he’s seeing now with doctors that accept Medicaid. I’m quite concerned about the transition because although they give you a fairly long list of doctors who accept Medicaid, very few are taking new patients, and there are not many specialists on the lists. This will be a huge challenge for us! Jerry’s condition is extremely rare and requires considerable expertise to treat effectively. COBRA is amazingly expensive! Although, since the government is currently subsidizing it, I may be able to manage it for the couple of months during which I’ll have the severance pay.

Grayce is finishing up 5th grade. She has an outstanding singing voice and stole the show at her school’s talent show! Rachel is applying for grad school in Seattle. We should know if she is accepted by the middle of April. She wants us to move back with her, the prospect of which holds huge obstacles and promises at the same time. I am very concerned about relocating Jerry when he’s so sick. The stress of moving, settling in, and changing doctors seems daunting not only for him, but also for me. The hope comes in the opportunity to reconnect with friends and to be closer to family.

We have monumental challenges to face and huge decisions to make! Please pray for us and feel free to share encouragement, wisdom and any resources you might know of!

It’s just wrong that these people have almost nowhere to turn. Your prayers for them would be deeply appreciated. They don’t know what to do and I haven’t the slightest idea what to say to them.

And, by the way, if you feel even the slightest inclination to use my combox to somehow pile on and find fault with them, please know that I will regard that as an invitation to kick you off my blog. The divine command is to help the sick, not bash them.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

March 22, 2010

Nietzsche's Superman...

Next Post

March 22, 2010 I *think* what Tom Kreitzberg is trying to say...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 September 2006 June 2006 July 2005 April 2005 May 2002 April 2002 0000

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz