The 'perks' of MS

I got my Air Miles statement in the mail today and noticed I got 750 Air Miles for my first presciption of Rebif.  That is enough to cover a return flight to Vancouver (from here in northern Alberta).

The way it works is that the customer gets the Air Miles for the full cost of the prescription, regardless of whether you or your insurance pays for it.  So even though I only paid 10% of the cost , I got Air Miles on the full amount (about $1600).  On top of that, once a month, they multiply the amount of Air Miles you get by 10, so instead of getting 75 points, I got 750.  

Pretty soon I will only need to pay $25 per month for my Rebif, once I'm accepted into the provincial MS drug program.  But I'll still get the full Air Miles as if I had to pay for all of it out of pocket.  Nice!

Now don't get me wrong....I would trade good health for free flights in a heartbeat!  But since it is what it is, I might as well get something out of it.  A monthly trip to the balmy West Coast sounds good to me.  Or maybe I'll just forgo the travel for now, and get a big screen plasma TV.

In any event, I thought I'd share this tip with any of you who might also be able to benefit.  BTW, I get my prescription filled by the pharmacy at Safeway.  It's the only pharmacy that has Air Miles where I live.

db1

[Rena705]

I say go for it girl...or you could probably get a flight to not so balmy but friendly Edmonton to see me?  ha ha

Seriously though, if you can gain from having to take the med not only health wise but also air mile wise I say you should take what you can!  You go girl!

Rena

[Nerve_Wrecked]

another perk is pain-free tattoos/piercings, if you're the kind of person who's up for that sort of thing (I am! LOL). The last time I got a tattoo it was because I had a large numb spot on my leg. Initially I was going to get it around the ankle, but since my shin was numb, I moved it up, and got it there.

It's a dragonfly btw! One of my favorite insects!

Glad to see you were thinking when you got your prescription filled! If I ever get a dx that requires $1600 a month in prescriptions, you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be heading to Safeway, and getting them filled on the 10x days! LOL  Balmy WET coast? I was born and raised there, and the rain really gets to ya after a while. I'm GLAD to be out here in Sask, even with the cold weather because at least we have SUNSHINE!!!

Christine
(un-dx)

[Rena705]

I don't think you want to spread that around to people like me that has wanted a tattoo of a Loon on my ankle for years!  I am thinking now that the shin wouldn't be so bad afterall!
However, I was also warned away from it because of the threat of infection and how that could cause a relapse of my MS...hmmm...apparently my doctors don't think my MS is active so maybe I will look into this!

By the way, I agree about the sunshine...we have it here in Alberta as well even if it is minus 50 Celcius with a windchill...but the sun is shining!!!

Rena

[Daysie]

It is so nice to hear a lighthearted conversation about the weather, airmiles and provincial patriotism!
When I first came to Alberta, I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that is was minus 30, but the sun was shining!  LOL
Coming from an African desert where when the sun is out, you are cooking!
Anyway, I am going there in a few months.
Maybe you'll have enough airmiles to join me.  Its only around 200000 roundtrip.

Have a great weekend.
Daysie

[Nerve_Wrecked]

I've had 3 tattoos now, and I think you just need to be cautious about where you get it done to lower (substantially) your risk of infection.

I had a heck of a time with the piercings, but that was partly due to my nickle allergy, I've had NO problems with my tattoos though. Now everytime a spot goes numb my husband asks "time for another tattoo?" lol He makes it sound like I have 50 of them!

I must confess however, I am not part of the "in" crowd on this thread. I am in Saskatchewan, rather than Alberta....sigh. But heck, it's just so darn cheap to live here (we rent a 4 bedroom house on an acre, in the middle of nowhere'sville for $250 a month). I'm rural, it's quiet, it's cheap and I have wildlife in my backyard (literally), coming from Victoria and Vancouver, how could we go wrong?

WOOHOO, yay for the prairies and all the glorious sunshine (even when it's a toothshattering -50 with windchill).

Christine
(un-dx)

[Daysie]

Sorry, didn't mean to exclude you neighbor. OMGosh, that's all you pay?  Maybe we can move there and save money to afford the drugs...
Have a great day.
Daysie

[doublevision1]

Over the years I've lived on both coasts; in 'Upper Canada', and now up north; and for me, even if west is wet, west is best!  (try saying that fast 5 times).  As they say in Victoria in January, at least you don't have to shovel rain.  :)

I have to say, I AM looking forward to the 18 or so hours of daylight per day that we will be seeing in a few short months.  We MS'ers (oh I really hate that) need all the Vitamin D we can get!

db1

[Nerve_Wrecked]

LOL Daysie!!

Maybe eh? You have to be warned that we live 50km from the nearest decent cized city, and 100km from Saskatoon, where all the specialists are, so it's a bit of a jaunt if you need anything major! LOL My husband works in Prince Albert (50km away) so we have the opportunity to get things when needed, since he's in the city 5 days a week. This is my heaven, except I would have 50 or 60 more acres, if I had my way!

We also have no monthly premiums for our healthcare, and the government plan for drug coverage is good. If you're low income then you have a deductable each month (ours is $100 for a family of 4) for your med costs, then you're covered 65%. But there's also specific coverage for things like MS and Cancer that's different. You don't pay over 3% of your income towards meds (I believe, I've only been in the province a year, I'm not diagnosed, and we're lower income, so I really have no clue about that plan! LOL).

Honestly, I have found this to be the most family friendly province I've lived in (lived in BC, Alberta and Sask), which great supports in place for people who need them. And...on top of that....

GO RIDERS!!!!

lol

Christine
(un-dx)

[Nerve_Wrecked]

Maybe it's just the perspective of someone who's spent 29 of 33 years living in Victoria (and 1 year in Vancouver) that rain SUCKS!

Mind you...I don't have to shovel very darn much snow, all my farm neighbours come by in their tractors and shovel it all for me (my driveway and my ENTIRE back yard!). I may have a different view if I actually had to shovel! LOL

I'm so pleased with the slow warming that's been going on, and the temps we've been having. I have high expectations for things to do in the summer (planting my first garden, etc). It'll be interesting to see how much gets done.

I've not been "possible MS" long enough to have paid attention to if my symptoms worsen in the heat, but I know the heat makes me feel gross and exhausted, so I plan on erecting myself one of those mesh tents, and running a fan from my house into it, so my kids can spend the day playing outside...again, if it will actually happen, we'll have to wait and see! At least spring is a good time! LOL

Christine
(un-dx)

[doublevision1]

Gotta love that Tommy Douglas; Saskatchewan boy and the father of universal health care in Canda.

db1

[doublevision1]

CanAda!

[doublevision1]

If you get desperate (from the summer heat) and don't already have AC in your home, you can write off up to $1000 on your income tax for an AC unit with a doctor's prescription.

We don't have central AC, but a unit in the bedroom keeps it nice and cool in order to get some sleep.  Extreme heat has always made me feel gross.  This is my first summer since my MS dx; so we'll see how I'm feeling when it's PLUS 40 celsius.  Seems I'm always complaining, it's either minus 40 or plus 40, blah blah blah.

db1

[Nerve_Wrecked]

LMAO it's a never ending story eh? I did find out this year that you could write off the air conditioner, and last summer my husband promised me one by this summer, so we'll see. Even if it's just up in our bedroom! I'm pretty sure one of the 2 doctors I am currently seeing (both GPs lol) would write me a prescription for one.

I'm also very blessed because both doors and 85% of the windows in this house have screens on or for them, so I can get a good cross breeze going in here!

And Saskatchewan is far windier than Alberta (from what I remember at least), so that wind may work for me in the summer!

Christine
(un-dx)