please help me help my mom....

[ashley1978]

Hi everyone... Ok about two years ago my mom was diagnosed with HCV and "late stage" cirrhosis. She was told many different things by many different doctors...things like she cant go on interferon (sp?) because of the cirrhosis, and she cant be treated (transplant) for the cirrhosis because of the HCV...well finally she was referred to the Mayo in AZ  (where she was living) and things started looking better for her treatment wise...BUT as a result of poor choices made way back when... she was arrested, brought back here to WI and made to serve two yrs in prison. Well, they werent treating her liver there in prison but she obviously wasnt able to drink and had routine medical monitoring because of her diabetes...so she was physically FEELING better. Well, a week before she is released they take her out to the specialist for one last checkup and to talk about follow up, she is told that its not the HCV but the cirrhosis that is now really REALLY bad, she is basically told that unless she gets a new liver, she will die.  Well, the transplant isnt going to happen, the woman has no insurance and cant even get IN to a doctor...right now she goes to a free clinic.

Anyhow...this was about a month ago. From prison she moved in with us and things have been "ok"...but for the last few days she has had some EXTREME rightside pain, never really going away but just "there", she has been extremely lethargic, fatigued, sort of feverish (low grade) and shes had the chills...oh and white stools...the stools started last week, the rest of the symptoms started about two - three days ago. Finally today I MADE her go to the ER where she is now. They are waiting for the "liver guy" as she told me last time I called her...shes not filling up with fluid like shes done in the past, but I am REALLY worried about her.

Can anyone shed some light on what might be going on? Are these just things we are to expect? I havent seen much of her since being diagnosed (remember she was incarcerated) and she tends to minimize things so I dont KNOW what to expect...I am SCARED for my mom, she is so young (she just turned 47 last Sept)...I dont know what to do and sitting her waiting is not helping, plus Im afraid that since she doesnt have insurance that she wont get the treatment she needs.

Anyones input would be greatly appreciated, and Im sorry this is so long.


Ashley

[R Glass]

Thanks Jack and Workingdog, it all makes since to me now. I finally figured out how I got HCV. I am a Republican and it must be a conspiracy to get rid of Republicans through HCV. They must have somehow secretly infected me when I registered.

I don’t want to Highjack this thread into a political issue but, who do you think is going to carry the burden of this Fairy Tail “Affordable Health Care for All?” A large percentage of Americans are struggling to make ends meet and cannot take on any more bills. So, who is going to pay for the Affordable Health Care for the people that cannot afford it? The Struggling, Working, Middle Class.  The most ridiculous response I’ve received to this question was, “if it wasn’t for the Iraq War that Bush got us into we could afford it.” My response was “we had 8 years of No Iraq War under and an undisputable great Economy under Clinton. Where was “Affordable Health Care for All” during those 8 years.” Don’t be deceived. Both Parties are making promises; they know cannot be delivered.

[PRINCESS5122]

ask your mom to inquirer about charity care at the hospital she went to the ER for.a social worker can help her and se if she is elgible for state medicade,or charity care,where the hospital picks up her bills.no one can refuse her treatment ever at an ER,and if she has to be transfered,they have to help her.been there with my daughter when she was very sick and on life support.she was just 17.the state paid her bills.i had gotten in a serious financial jam at the time,trust me they have to help....but inquired NOW,and she will have to go to same hospital for lab work if ordered so the charity care pays for it.god bless you for helping your mom...................im a 44 yr old mom of 2.daugter 20 now and son 23,and a grandson 15 months,my daughters baby.your a wonderful daughter !  ill pray for your mom and you...............Kathy

[zellyf]

ashley,

I don't know much about hcv.  I wish you and your mom the best. Cute baby, btw.

Republicans get hepatitis too...and internet...all sufferers welcome, right?  ;)

[working dog]

i really wish you good luck...your post will help us all with an awareness of how messed up our heath system is in the states.....it's just awfull out there..as jack said we have to get the republicans out ! thats a start......billy

[copyman]

sorry you and your mom are going through this. go to this doctors website and have a look at some of the information there. you can even email him with the link on the left side of the homepage. this doctor is an advocate of prisoners with HCV. hope this helps.
best wishes for your mom.
http://www.hepatitisdoctor.com/

[ashley1978]

I am with you 100%! I couldnt have said it better. After dealing with this situation and seeing her have to jump thru hoops just to be stonewalled time and time again is ridiculous! I cant believe in the richest country in the world we have people, sick people at that, who have to go UNINSURED!! It makes me sick!

Our next move is going to be to petition the courts once again to let her go back to AZ for medical reasons as she can get back on ACCESS there...but they denied this once before also, so we just have to keep trying and trying. See, they want you to lay down and take what they give you but I will NOT have my mom who isnt even fifty years old DIE because of the system! No way.


*whew*

end rant...sorry but I HAD to get that out!


Ash

[jacksonpotter]

I didn't know she was still in WI.  The system is ridiculous.  If a state does not have what AZ has I have heard she needs to apply for SSD.  That way she can can get Medicare and you probably have to get an attorney to really push the government.  You have to really get involved and vocal.  There should be no reason that people in this country cant get medical help!!!!!!!!!!!  I hope your Mom and you both vote.  It is that time and it does make a difference.  That difference is Democrat by the way.  Don't vote Republican, that is why this country is in the mess we are in right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ashley1978]

Thanks so much :)

[ashley1978]

They wont let her go back to AZ, she had JUST gotten on ACCESS there and was seen at Mayo, but then she had been arrested and brought back here to serve her time, now shes on four years paper and they will NOT let her go back to AZ as I am her only relative and I am here...it makes NO sense because like her lawyer said, there in AZ she can get treatment and medical asst...here in WI she cant, only if she has dependents or can get on disability (which shes appealing now but that can take a year or more)...my MAIN concern now though is....WHAT is the problem? Are all these things going on with her just normal symptoms of cirrhosis/HCV? I have tons of friends who are HCV pos and they are healthy as horses! My mom is...well, shes pretty bad off...and I just dont know if this is normal or what?

[jacksonpotter]

I live in AZ and have no insurance and no income.  I qualified for ACCESS which is state paid medical insurance.  I have an insurance called APIPA.   I am currently on treatment for Hep C.  I have an eye Doc, a thyroid Doc,  my liver Doc,  my primary.  In the last 4 months it would have cost me about 30,000 dollars were it not for the help of the state of Arizona.  If your Mom is in Arizona she needs to apply for help and start seeing some real Doctors.

[sfwandwow]

just keep praying, u have no ctrl only GOD can heal her and make it better..PRAY PRAY.. he will answer and his will, will be done.. Just give it to GOD..he can handle everything..nothing toless or to small..have a blessed evening..iam praying for ya