There is no safety net “Golden Umbrella" for people who work for a living that get hit with disabling disasters.
2004 was a great year for me. Well, up until November that is. I’d achieved all my life’s goals before I hit 50. I made a good living, had around $25,000 in the bank, leased to own a new Inferno Red 2004 Sebring convertible, lived in the center penthouse of a building within the Columbus downtown skyline, and I had lots of friends. I had a little business called Jet’sArt Custom Illustrations, and when times got slow, I delivered pizzas part time in the coolest delivery car around — bar none! In the beginning of that year, I decided to forego extra expenses like health insurance and started paying down a $20,000 credit card debt at the beginning of that year by sending Visa $1000 to $1250 a month and MasterCard $600, and did it without it even denting my budget.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments76 - Jet in Columbus
More news: Access Health Columbus sent me a notice saying that somehow a page was missing from my application (they were all stapled together and went back that way) and I'll have to start the application process for financial assistance for my eye surgeries all over again.
Sigh
77 - Jet in Columbus
Elvira & Chantal You didn't even have to tell me that and though your perfect strangers I love you both for it any way.
78 - Jet in Columbus
Chantal, if workman's comp goes through with their threat to cut me off of transportation on wednesday, I may try to talk you into giving me a ride to Ohio State University for eye surgery on the 24th.
79 - Aaman
Hang in there, dude, life is as good as it gets and it could surprise you (positively) - reach into yourself for the phenomenal magnificience you display in your writing and let it blazon forth against your obstacles.
Two thumbs up!:)
80 - Jet in Columbus
Dave #75 Honestly, the only thing that kept me from it was you asking me to send you all that artwork. by the time I was done e-mailing it to you I was too exhausted at 6AM to move and fell asleep in my chair.
Did you get it?
81 - Dave Nalle
Cool, you did send it. I haven't seen it yet. I've got a sick kid and a wife who just pulled an all-nighter at work, so I can't go over to the office where my email lives for fear that the sick kid will wake up the sleeping wife. I'll get over there when the situation here stabilizes.
Dave
82 - Jet in Columbus
Aaman, right now I'm not feeling all that Phenomenal or magnificent. I feel like a fool as a matter of fact.
If I read the e-mail right, I think I only have a one month repreve till June 6th.
My caseworker assured me this morning that they wouldn't cut me off without warning. Small comfort considering that's exactly what they did.
I couldn't drag myself out of the apartment yesterday, so I'm going up to get a replacement social security card today, and cash my WorkComp check.
Biggest problem I've faced over the last 18 months is that I didn't used to be like this. I had the freedom of movement, the freedom of walking into anywhere and buying anything I wanted without even thinking twice about it, to the point of leasing a Sebring convertible on a whim.
I want the old "me" back, but I know that'll never happen so I've got to relearn how to make lemonade out of all the lemons god keeps throwing at me. It's hard too trying to walk all over again with a gimpy leg.
Every time I start feeling like this, I remember the very hurtful and heartless comment Arch Conservative wrote asking if I ever get tired of feeling sorry for myself, and I straighten up a little and try.
But it hasn't been easy, and now I'm getting hit with them damn lemons and it seems to sting a lot more than it used to.
Thanks for caring
Jet
83 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Dave for the encouragement, when I get home today, I'll try to find other scans, they're scattered all over my computer. I think I have one of Little Raven, Chief of the Arapahos somewhere that I did for the Cleveland Chief of Indian affairs somewhere.
I if find any more, I'll send it.
Hope the kid feels better soon Mr. Mom.
84 - chantal stone
Re.#78....no problem, Jet, just let me know. I'm always home on Wednesdays anyway. You can find my email address on my blog, or send me a message thru the yahoo group.
85 - Jet in Columbus
Update: Knight's Kemplar called this evening to confirm my income... or lack of it, and they're sending some papers for me to sign.
They're still insisting that I get a letter of denial from the county for a health card, and so I'll have to try again to find a handicapped space near the Social Security building tommorow.
Sent in the additional papers to Access Columbus Health this afternoon, but they still have the original documents I need to get my social Security card. I called and asked if I could drop by their office but they said no visitors.
I feel a little better, maybe the explosion last night helped let off some building steam.
Being a son of a military man, I was never allowed to cry, and still can't to this day.
I wish I could, it'd be a welcome release.
So... I got out of what my opponent thought was a checkmate, but my king's still in trouble. Thanks god I'm a queen! ha ha
Boy am I going to have fun with my shrink tomorrow!
86 - Jet in Columbus
Chantal, Thank you so much. I'll keep you in mind, but I don't know how long the surgery will last and it's not fair to ask you to hand around there for hours.
I love your kind Christian heart, and I'll let you know...
87 - Jet in Columbus
Chapter 86 If I'm to believe in the concept of Kharma, sooner or later I'm boing to win the lottery, or find an abandonded briefcase with a million buck in it...
If I can hold out that long. I just got home from my doctor and though I never leave the apartment, some how I've got an infection in both eyes similar to Pink Eye. All this time I thought the itchiness and inflamation was just lingering after effects of the laser surgery, but I woke this morning to discover my eyelids practically glued together with dried matter and wanting to claw my eyes out as if they'd gotten soap in them from the shower.
He prescribed Vigamox (Moxiflosacin hydrocloridepohtalmic solution) $85 for that, and $75 for the doctor visit.
I'm also now on 20 og Benicar because for some reason???? I have high blood pressure.
88 - Jet in Columbus
If you think Dave Nalle looks evil, should see me! The whites of my eyes are completely red!
89 - Jet in Columbus
DEAR GOD! I just found something to agree with Bush about! Immagrants should not be allowed to become citizens without first learning ENGLIS well enough to converse in it.
Could I, oh my good, I'm i'm starting to lean toward the right.
Oh this is terrible!
90 - Dave Nalle
Having had pink eye I can tell you that almost nothing feels better than the first moments after your eyes start to clear up.
And that red eye special effect worked damned well for Christopher Lee all through the 60s and 70s, though they did his with dye.
Dave
91 - Jet in Columbus
Yes, but how much longer can I keep doing Dean Martin impressions?
Seriously, I'm having one hell of a time keeping myself from clawing my eyeballs out with my fingernails. the stuff they sold me runs $85!!!
My doctor told me to stop rubbing my eyes, but it's near impossible and I don't have a friend that's into bondage to help me...
92 - Jet in Columbus
Dave: "And that red eye special effect worked damned well for Christopher Lee all through the 60s and 70s, though they did his with dye"
And and I'd get sued by Ed McMahon for stealing his schtick!
93 - Jet in Columbus
This isn't meant as a self-pity party, thoough at first glance I supposed it does look that way. I think I'm just concentrating on chronicling all this in order to distract myself.
Woke up this morning and my eyes were glued shut even more than before. The bitch of it is that as the puss or whatever it is dries it breaks up into tiny flakes in my eyelashes and gets up under my eye lids.
That and the fact that my eyes hurn like they have soap in them, and have for the last 4-5 days is getting more and more unbearable.
A look in the mirror is alarming and ghastly as the whites of my eyes have turned completely red.
I don't know if the prescription eyedrops are working or not.
I've been getting pleasure from writing articles here, and trying to keep in a lighthearted positive vein, but frankly I don't know how much longer I can keep up the facade.
On top of it all, now I can't have friends over or drive me anywhere because pinkeye is very contageous. My sister Betsy in Oregon says I have to sanitize everything or suffer repeated infections.
94 - Jet in Columbus
Chapter 94. No doctor will see me because of how contagious pink eye is, I have to put off the urgent laser surgery to save my eyesight because I'd infect the lab. I can't go out to get any new medications because I can't see to drive.
I've been told not to go out of my apartment, and with very limited eyesight and limited mobility I've got to find a way to disinfect my apartment without killing my cat or all my fish in my remaining 80 gal. tank. Unless I get rid of the virus germs, I'll keep perpetually re infecting myself and this has been going on since Thursday.
at least I have my computer to keep me company.
Near blind
forcibly alone
People who want to help me can't without becoming infected so no shrink appointment this Wednesday.
I'm edging ever closer to my balcony...
95 - Jet in Columbus
New Chapter-Hospital runaround: I got a card from Access Health Columbus today! It's only good at Grant Hospital, and my laser treatments are at Ohio State.
I've been trying to get a doctor at OSU to call me to see about my painful eye infections since last Friday, though I've been leaving daily messages. A lady called me from OSU to remind me of my appointment tomorrow morning, and couldn't figure out why no one's called, other than some convention which apparently took the whole opthomology lab.
I voiced concern about being infectious, and she said to come in tomorrow anyway.
I still don't know how contageous I am to others, so I can't take you up on your kind offer Chantal, nor do I know if I can go to my shrink's two blocks over tomorrow either.
Why can't the medical beaurocracy make things easy for patients to get help.. or would that make too much sense?
96 - Jet in Columbus
Conjunctivitis, apparently I have the most vicious form of it in my eyes, and it's not clearing up after a week and a half. I've been told not to have contact with anyone, wash my hands constantly and most difficult of all, don't rub my aching eyes.
Apparently the condition is so severe, I have to go back day after tomorrow, whether I can afford it or not.
Access Health Columbus is now giving Ohio State the runaround, because apparently the card is only good at Grant Hospital, but I've already had treatments at Ohio State, and they may not cover it. Everytime I or Ohio State tries to call we get their voicemail.
I'm going to have to go empty my savings accont down to $500 because they notified me I have to provide a statement of my assets before they'll pay any bills. Next month's rent is due anyway.
Ohio State is now doing a medical balancing act, they can's work on saving my vision, until the Conjunctivitis clears up.
They also say that the diabetes is causing me to be more prone to infections, and the infections are raising my blood sugars, which is causing more infections.
They say I'll have to start injecting myself with a new experimental diabetes drug to try to control it before I lose my vision, this means more doctor visits and bills, not to mention the costs of the medications.
An the wheels keep goin' round and round...
97 - chantal stone
sorry to hear about your eyes, Jet....
keep us informed though...
98 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Jet,
I read through you article and comments to remind myself just how bad off it can be. Unlike you, I was not attacked by thugs. I'm in a hole similar to you financially - with the difference that I have no credit card to work with and must buy food for my wife, who is a diabetic. She fell off a chair last Sunday - a workday here - and our financial siuation went from critically desperate to wildly desperate. But I'll wrote my own article...
99 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Chantal, that's why I couldn't take you up on your sweet offer to drive me, for fear of infecting you.
Love...
100 - Jet in Columbus
Ruvy, I'd really like your views regarding Jews and the "end of days" as expressed in the comments on my other string regarding Bush and Science.
Tell your wife I'll pray for her as I know her ordeal first hand.
Thank you my friend
101 - Jet in Columbus
Just got home, had to be rushed to my doctor's after not "feeling quite right". My whole system is shut down and the glucotrol tablets for blood sugar have stopped working, so I now have to start injecting insolin even though it's type 2 diabetes.
God will this ever end?
102 - Jet in Columbus
Something positive. I spent the afternoon watching a DVD on a drug called Lantus, which is used for diabetes control. I've always hated the thought of having to inject myself but after practice it's no where near as bad as I thought it'd be.
I thought sticking myself to get blood to test my sugar level would be hell, but it's not hard, and the pain lasts a spit second.
The "pen" I use to inject myself has a needle that's very tiny in diameter and only about 5/8 of an inch long. I barely feel it going in and the only fear I have is of breaking it off in my arm.
So far my doctor's given me two vials of it for free, and I'm trying some places to try to get it at a discount (expensive stuff)
I tested my sugar this morning and it was 313!!!!
I injected myself for the first time about an hour ago, and I'll see how this goes.
I have another eye appointment tomorrow they can't do laser surgery until the infections clear up.
103 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
313!!! I guess your blood sugar meds were NOT working. When my wife first found out she had diabetes (also typoe 2), her blood sugar was 307. But she checks it on a nearly daily basis now, and when it is 120, it's high...
104 - Jet in Columbus
Ruvy 103, yep. The Glucotrol tablets kept it between 80 and 110, until an infection set in in my foot about six months ago. it's been climbing ever since.
The way it was explained to me is that higher suger makes you more suseptible to infection, infection raises you blood sugar which...
This is why my eyes are going, but the doctors assure me it might have been caught just barely in time. I have another appointment tomorrow morning at 8AM.
I guess it'll take a little while for this new drug to start working, so all I can do is hope.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and concern
Blessings
Jet
105 - Jet in Columbus
Chapter 105-The massive infections in my eyes aren't clearing up. Ohio State Univ. eye clinic tells me that they don't expect it to clear in less than a couple of weeks they're going to have to try to do laser surgery anyway before my left eye is beyond repair.
Meanwhile Access Health columbus is still fumbling around with my bills because I'd already started treatment at OSU before they authorized it for Grant Hospital.
Found out the supply of disposable needles they gave me for the insolin don't fit the dispenser, so I'll be gone most of the day trying to find the right ones.
It gets difficult to see the monitor screen sometimes to the point of not being able to make out the cards playing solitaire, or I get headaches if I stare too long, so I'll try to post when I can.
Thanks to all for caring...
Cue organ music...
106 - Jet in Columbus
Just to sr, I posted a photo of my memorial day balcony on my site, just click my URL
Just injected 35 units of Lantus. I can't get my sugar geow 250 even with the combination of Glucotrol and Insulin. Called OSU and they said it's the infection in my eyes that's causing the high sugars. If figures that with the holiday my doctor's office is closed till Tuesday.
I gotta go out and tie the flag down, it's beating the hell out of my hanging plants...
107 - Jet in Columbus
GREAT NEWS! From 9 this morning to 2:30PM my blood sugar finally dropped from 208 to 187!!! The Lantus Insolin has finally kicked in!
108 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
GREAT NEWS! From 9 this morning to 2:30PM my blood sugar finally dropped from 280 to 127!!! The Lantus Insolin has finally kicked in!
That is progress! Hopefully you can find a decent supply of disposable needles...
Shavua Tov - Have a good week!
109 - Jet in Columbus
I don't know if it was b'ezrát haShém, but when I went to the pharmacy, a lady I used to deliver pizzas to gave me a box of 100 for free to tell me how much she missed me.
110 - Jet in Columbus
My Presbyterian minister would be so proud of me... by the way I've got a new astronomy news article coming soon
111 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Jet, one of the things you learn is that it is all "b'ezrát haShém" (with the help of G-d). When you are in trouble, you really notice these things.
You're still able to see well enough to type and communicate...
112 - Jet in Columbus
Yes for brief periods of time. The new article on Jupiters new red spot Junior tall all day to write because of the headaches involved in looking at the screen.
We're going to try the 2nd laser surgery next thursday whether the eye infection clears up or not.
Thank you for your concern my friend
Blessings
113 - Dave Nalle
Are you writing about Jupiter's red spot because it resembles your eyes?
Congrats on the blood sugar, though. If I recall correctly that's well within the normal range.
Dave
114 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Dave, Actually normal's between 80-105 but I'll settle for it.
Thanks for the giggle too my friend...
115 - Jet in Columbus
Memorial Day: I went out to make sure the flag was secure on my balcony (Click my URL) and thought for a moment I was in the Twilight Zone until I remembered Columbus shuts down today. Empty streets and quiet office buildings in the Capital of Ohio can be quite disquieting.
I thought about my recently passed Father. After opening some of my back mail this morning, I found that I've inhereted his old computer, his old stereo, and some books. Apparently the bulk of his estate will go to his church and grandchildren after it's all sold off and the lawyers take their cut.
Time to go looking through the yellow pages for easily robbable banks?
116 - Jet in Columbus
A memorial day tribute to my father... and a silent comment on society that I have to blank out his last name...
Joseph V. ********, "Cow-boy Joe," 80, of Moon Township, PA formerly of St. Clairsville, Ohio, passed away on Apr. 17, 2006 at Aspinwall VA Hospital.
He was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on March 19, 1926, to the late Joseph Henry and Bessie ********.
Mr. ******** retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sgt with the 758 Tactical Airlift Sq., 911th Tactical Airlift Group, logging close to 15,000 hours of flying time.
He was both a flight engineer and aircraft mechanic working on B-24 Liberator Bomber, C-119 C-130 A, C-46, C-124, and C123K aircrafts.
He had flown all over the world from Southeast Asia to Africa to South America, spanning 42 years and three wars, and receiving numerous service awards including Air Force Commendation Medal and Unit Citation Award. During his tours of duty, he used his musical talents to entertain his fellow troups playing guitar, banjo and harmonica and singing, lifting their spirits in a war-torn era and received an award for his efforts in entertainment. During his military service as a young man, he won the WWVA talent search contest after winning the most votes for his country songs that he sang and played on the WWVA radio station.
After his retirement, he continued a lifelong commitment to public service through the American Cancer Society, receiving the Certificate of Merit for his involvement in the Road to Recovery Program for service in helping to save lives from cancer.
He also helped many Boy Scouts earn their merit badges by involving them in veterans charities, as well as being Judge of Elections for Moon Township.
He was past commander for five years of American Legion Post 4 in Sewickley and a lifetime member of VFW Post 402.
He helped to raise money for the WWII Fame Memorial and the Angel Memorial, Fame, in the Sewickley Ceme-tery.
His main dedication in his retirement was to the Disabled Veterans. He spoke at local elementary schools with the Adopt-A-Vet Pro-gram.
His favorite pastime was singing Karaoke. In the past, he had enjoyed bowling with Sharon Church and the 911th. Older veterans will remember him riding his vintage Indian motorcycle to work.
He also was a previous member of the Republican National Committee, lifetime member of the NRA and American Motorcycle Asso-ciation.
Each Memorial Day, he could be seen pointing out graves of veterans for the Boy Scouts' flag placement decorating. He also let them share in the Salute Old Glory, a special flag-burning ceremony, for tattered and torn American flags in Sewickley's War Memorial Park.
He is survived by his former wife and lifelong friend, Nellie of Hopewell; five children: Charlene of Lebanon, Ore.; Jet of Columbus, Ohio; Ava of Hopewell; Betsy Cascadia, Ore.; Elvis (US Navy Retiree) of Marysville, Wash.; one sister, Edith of Craigsville, W.Va.
He also is survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Fess.
The family suggests memorials to Sewickley American Legion Post 4, VFW Post 402, or a veteran's charity of your choice.
Burial was in Sewickley Cemetery with full military honors.
117 - Jet in Columbus
Incredibly great news that's sure to lower my blood preasure! Access Health Columbus has come through on my eye surgeries, and if I understand it, each visit will cost $5!!!!
It also turns out that since diabetes is effecting my eyesight, I'll be able to get needles, test strips and insolin at the same $5 deductible!
Finally something's going right.
My next laser surgery to save my eyesight is this thursday. I still only have a 50/50 chance, but there's hope. The eye infection is starting to clear up, but I still have eyelids glued together every morning with the dried flakes getting under my eyelids, but this news has brightened my outlook immesureably.
Thank all of you for your prayers...
About the only downside seems to be I have to give up my personal physician who's been very good to me, giving me medical samples of stuff to sustain me, and caring that kept me sane.
118 - Dave Nalle
Sounds very promising, Jet. What brought them around?
Dave
119 - Jet in Columbus
Dave, it was persistant calling and leaving messages on Acess' voice-mail. I was concerned that because according to them my "home" hospital is now Grant Medical, so would they cover the bills from Ohio State, and every time I went to an OSU appointment, they'd ask me about it because they only got voicemails too.
So I just kept leaving message after message. Believe it or not, they answered because of another question I'd asked. I ran out of blood sugar test strips yesterday and needed to know what pharmacies would honor my card... Turns out the only place I can get specific branded supplies is a grocery chain up here called Krogers. I've gon through an entire vial of Lantus Insulin which it turns out is frighteningly expensive, unless I drove to Canada where it's only about $57. Unfortunately their coverage doesn't cover my getting it by mail. This Canada thing and prescription drugs sucks. I
d spend more going there than I'd save.
They also confirmed that I have to get a new personal doctor too, within 30 days of their approval or risk losing their help, and I'd hate to leave my own personal doctor.
Apparently each item will run $5 be it a prescription or doctor's visit. They're some kind of charity.
I have to list the help with Social Security, and they may deduct the financial help I'm getting from Access from my checks, which means I'll get nothing for SS. I don't know whether to mention it to them and lose, or risk not mentioning it to them risk getting caught.
No help for the common man who wants to be honest. I think I'd be better off living under a bridge!
Any way, it takes a lot off my mind for sure. I guess the next step is to file bankruptcy. People are sending me forms wanting me to list my assets and the best time to visit. I've got an antique piano that was handed down to me by family that I'll never give up.
Unfortunately too, I live in a penthouse, and drive a fancy car (which fortunately it turns out, I lease so it's not an asset). It sucks that I may have to sell off everything of any personal value to me, before I can get any kind of financial help.
120 - Jet in Columbus
Eyes Update: The infection in both eyes had gone down enough today that they felt safe enough to do more laser surgery, this time on my "good" left eye, so I'm typing one-eyed again.
A small blotch had formed in the center of my vision in my left eye so that if I stared at a 4 character eye test, the last two characters would disappear. It was the result of the leakage, which we were supposed to take care last week, but couldn't. As before I lost count of the laser bursts after about 30, and the proceedure took over three hours and two different professors... "Have Dr? look at this and tell me what he thinks!....Hmmm have Prof? look at this and tell me what she thinks...
When we were done, they told me that the damage in my other eye was so extensive that we'll be forced to give up the two week lag time to let my eyes recover and they want me back the first of next week for more.
They're talking about so much swelling that my retina could become detached permanently blinding me in my right eye, or scar tissue from the blood vessles being so extensive that it'd become irrepairable.
Listen, I'll get on line as much as I can, but it'll only be for brief times so Don't Worry.
Right now it feels like I have a thumbtack stuck in the center of my left eye where all the surgery was done but I don't dare rub it.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
121 - Man
I have skimmed your unbelievvable story and
(having minor aging problems at my age of 53 )
I can tell you to never give up on the human body's power of healing. Learn About Nutrients
beause these substances can get the body to heal beyond anything that you think possible. (check for drug interactions).
For example :
Coenzyme Q10 dramatically increases immune system activity and is a heart medication in Japan.
Oil of oregano kills funguses, and many infections and if used along with antibiotics,
it will aid the antibiotic's effectiveness.
Grape seed extract is a strong anitoxant (read about what that is) and a great natural blood thinner ( be careful if you have surgery , a lorge dose will create a bleeding internally so be careful with that one)
L-Glutathione has cured liver cancer in animals.
L-Carnocine spray has cured caterats and the pill has many amayzing benefits and NO ill or side effets on the body. Great for a healing body ( it helps muscles in every way !!!!!!!!!!! )
I hope that this info will point you in a good dirretion. My sense is that helping ourselves is a beautiful and loving thing but as the mdeical ommunity discorages it at every point, we loose any desire to help ourselves. We must educate ourselves and then decide what makes sense not be dictated to be a mindless patient (and be a cash cow).
122 - Jet in Columbus
The final visit to Dr. Philbin about my foot was this morning. He can't do any more for me and gave the bad news that instead of wearing the leg brace till the end of the year, I'll be wearing it the rest of my life.
Now that he's done, they're working on trying to take me off unemployment despite the fact that I still need a knee replacement, which they claim shouldn't be done for a few years.
I just looked up the Cymbalta they've got me on.
some scary stuff.
123 - Jet in Columbus
Okay man#121 so where to I find this stuff at an affordable price?
124 - Jet in Columbus
It's 5AM, I can't sleep because my eyes ache like there's thumbtacks stuck in the middle of both of them from the aftereffects of laser surgery and the numbing drops aren't working.
I've written three new articles in 6 hours, a record for me. I know if I rub at them I'll only do more damage, but it's so hard not to.
I guess I'm scared that tomorrow morning I'll wake up and not be able to see. (I know, it's the depression talking) so I've become afraid of sleeping.
I've got maybe 2 or 3 more that I'm trying to generate before I go in for more surgery on their urgent accellerated schedule next week, this time on both eyes at the same time.
I won't be able to drive afterward, so I guess I'll have to use my loose change for a cab, but I hate not tipping.
125 - Dave Nalle
Sorry for the suffering and sleeplessness. At least it sounds like the doctors are working like hell to get your eyes back on track.
Dave