I lost my insurance producer license as a result of the delays of the skeevy & unreliable off-the-books plumber who never completed the job.
As a result, I have no income other than social security.
In May 2017, my Medicare supplemental policy lapsed for non-payment of premium.
Now I cannot afford treatment for the diagnosed recurrence of invasive breast cancer & lymphedema.
Other new problems were being evaluated to determine diagnosis of congestive heart failure
&/or DVT &/or eosinophilic fasciitis &/or kidney disease &/or atrial fibrillation?
As I cannot pay the 20% required w/o Medigap policy, I can't afford those diagnostic tests or recommended treatment.
Current prescriptions cannot be refilled without an MD appointment.
- The swelling & thickening of the skin in my calves and ankles make it difficult to climb stairs & some days just walk.
- My lower legs feel like they are on fire from the prolonged swelling & the itching is ....unimaginable.
- Loratadene (claritin) is a 24 hr medication: I found that taking one every 6 hours or so controls some of the itching.
- Bigger shoes are needed to accommodate swollen feet tho some days the bigger shoes don't fit either.
- I cannot bend my knees; the pain is astonishing, the skin has been swollen so long it's breaking down.
- While my legs are in the worst shape, the swelling & itching is also in my arms, shoulders, back, & torso.
- Rib cage on surgical side is beginning to push out...tumor? heart? Don't know.
- My legs don't feel like my legs: they feel like rock slabs. Ice packs, elevating several times per day - doesn't help much.
Conclusion: I'll die an earlier death due to my inability to afford medical care w/o Medicare supplemental coverage.
I find that preferable by far to my current situation as long as my death occurs prior to the time I become homeless as I can no longer work to earn income as a broker.
Click on photo to enlarge
Normal R ankle
R ankle 11 30 17
2017
R knee swollen 05/17; both legs started to swell early July; this is 7/21/17
08 05 17 Right leg
11 11 17 Right Ankle
10 17 17 Right leg
10 17 Left
10 10 Left leg
10 01 17 left
10 01 17 Right leg
09 29 Left
09 29 Right
09 25 Left
09 25 17 Right
08 11 right
08 22 left
torso
Upper right arm
Shoulder
Chest (surgical side)
Right hip/side
Upper left arm
September-October 2016
Leg, Fingernails turn orange, Wrist
Right normal ankle - Sept 6 - 9"
9/7 Left ankle - swollen - 10 1/2"
09 13 16 Left ankle
09 14 16 left ankle
Left ankle - 09 11 16
Morning swelling - 09 17 16
Left ankle 09 13 16
09 27 16 left ankle
L ankle 09 22 16
Right ankle - normal
09 18 16 orange nail
09 18 16 orange nails
09 18 orange nail
09 21 orange nails
9/14 Normal R wrist - veins/artery
9/14 Swollen L wrist No veins/artery
Today's R ankle same as 11/17
Normal R ankle - Pre Five Skies
Even if I could afford medical care, lymphedema is not covered by Medicare (or any other insurance).
Lymphatic drainage therapy is available approx 100miles from my current location for $225/session.
When I experienced lymphedema near the surgical site in 2009, it required 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks,
then 2 sessions per week for another month when I ran out of money.
There are no pills or drugs to deal with this condition.
This is what untreated lymphedema can become:
