[acgaravalia]

#1019227

Hi all! I just got back from my MD, who is going to personally get me in with an endo as soon as possible. See, in the midst of all the GD diagnosis, diff swallowing, fatigue, etc., I was fired from my job. I live in Illinois, and as you may know, the state is in crisis, and I work for a state-contracted agency. My concern was that i’d lose the health insurance and be "screwed". Gonna get cobra, but its expensive with no job. Anyway, at least today she took the time to tell me about Graves, and showed me all my previous tests and scans. I am just so happy that I have this site, where folks "get it" and know what I am talking about. My whole family is getting educated about GD, and I am feeling a lot better. But I am really scared for the future. I have 2 small children who have no idea that all of this is going on, and when I see them, I want to cry. I sure hope that everyone here is up for listening to my rambling… I can get there quick! Sorry!! But thanks for listening. Alice ” title=”Smile” />

[Jake_George]

#1070232

Alice,

Listening is one of the things we do best. And best of all we understand too. Things will get better. Cobra insurance is expensive, true, but to drop it al together and then not get covered by a new insurance because you would then have a pre-existing condition is a bugger.

So keep it if at all possible. Things will get better as you progress and remember we are only a click away.

[acgaravalia]

#1070233

Thank you, Jake. I really needed to hear from someone today. I appreciate it very much.

[runlacie]

#1070234

Hi Alice, I’m also newly diagnosed and you are right, it is pretty SCAREY. My son is 7 and knows just enough to be a bit nervous about the whole thing, too. Definitely get the cobra if it’s at all possible. I’ve been in a situation where, due to a job change, I didn’t have insurance for 90 days and hadn’t bought the cobra due to the expense and it didn’t turn out well at all. Maybe you can purchase it just for yourself and not for the whole family and it will be a little less? Hang in there, OK?

[Ski]

#1070235

I’m glad you found us! We’ll be here to listen, always. My kids were pretty small when I was first diagnosed (5 and 6), and we got through it ~ you will too. As with everything, give them information that is age-appropriate, and you’ll do just fine. My worst days were before I got the right diagnosis, that was scary for all of us. Once I knew what it was and how I planned to deal with it, it was much simpler. Kids are resilient. They can deal with a LOT. Just make sure you keep them in the loop. Keeping secrets from them is even more frightening than the truth, I guarantee it. Tell them you’re not well, you’re sick right now, but you’ll be treated and eventually you’ll feel much better. Make sure you let them know it’ll be a while. Funny, I still have their drawings on my wall "Get Better Soon Mom." Those papers are over 10 years old. Amazing. You’ll get here too, I promise. ” title=”Wink” />

[Kimberly]

#1070236

Hi Alice – Be sure to check out the Department of Labor website regarding COBRA subsidies. I’m sure there are some exemptions, but employers who lay off workers through the end of this year have to subsidize 65% of the monthly COBRA payment. Then the employers get reimbursed via tax credits.

Assuming that your employer is required to participate, that should take some of the sting out of the monthly payment.

Best of luck!

[cathycnm]

#1070237

Alice – Hope is a huge strength to help us through this. There was a study from Harvard (as I recall) that found optimistic men were more than twice as likely to survive a heart attack. And that is just one of many similar studies linking health and hope – I just am blanking on the others. The only time optimism gets in the way is if we are too hopeful pay attention to things like breast lumps ("I am sure it is nothing).

Use that hope strength everyday in a new way – I think it will take you and your kids far! ” title=”Wink” />

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