I keep reading and hearing about the big $400 million lottery jackpot. I thought for a minute about what I’d do if I won (unlikely, since I didn’t buy a ticket) and I was surprised by what came to mind.
I used to dream about winning. I figured I’d quit my job, buy a house, travel with friends, get a couple of dogs, and support
charities. Those were the first things that came to mind. Those are all still on my mind, but now something else comes to me first: doing all the health stuff I feel I can’t afford to do right now.
Money doesn’t solve everything, but it sure could help! I wrote about this 2 years ago but life was so different then. And back then, I didn’t know what was causing my health problems. If I had that money now, I’d immediate see the doctors who don’t take insurance, run all the lab tests that the insurance companies don’t want to cover but that I know I need, and take the extra supplements I’ve been avoiding. That’s already thousands of dollars every year. Then I’d go back to physical therapy and start getting therapeutic massage every week. I would pay to see a doctor for a medical marijuana prescription and buy a high-end vaporizer to help with the chronic pain. I would get a dog, which would do wonders for my emotional health (and I could then afford a dog walker for the days I needed someone, which would be most days.) I could get a home with central air conditioning so I wouldn’t feel as horrible all summer long. Of course, I wouldn’t have the stress of worrying about my future finances, and that would really help with my cortisol levels. I would update both my eyeglasses and my orthodics more often. And of course there’d be things like buying only organic produce.
This flashed before my eyes in an instant, and then it was gone. I didn’t win the lottery. I need to save the money I have in case my benefits are pulled away, which could easily happen any time. And I don’t have enough money to make all of that happen anyway.
It’s sad but true: good health costs money. I’m lucky to be doing as well as I am, to be honest. I’m thankful for a safe home, good health insurance, and a supportive family. But $400 million might not be so bad to add to that.
Chronic Rants 
When you go back in time it’s easy to know what you should have done. If only I had seen a rheumatologist sooner ( or for today-if only I had not eaten a giant chocolate croissant. It was supposed to be my consolation prize)
I hope things will got better for you. Of course even $10 million might be a big help.
What a luxury weekly physio and massage would be
Going back in time would help, but winning the lottery is just slightly more realistic at this point 🙂
Generally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post.
So true my dear! I suppose I’m a bit “luckier” in that my health care is covered by OHIP…but I can’t say the care is better or more effective. I’m still waiting until February for a “pre-admissions appointment” with my specialist, then I go on a wait list for surgery and I’m not a priority because I don’t have cancer.
If I won the lottery, I’d probably go the the US for surgeries because I could pick the day. I wouldn’t have to wait in line (I don’t think, anyway. I’m gathering this knowledge from my husbands aunt, who booked a surgery in the states for her knee and had it done a week later opposed to waiting over a year for a surgery).
It sounds like you have the same situation I do: access to care, but money would give you much better access. As for the U.S., how long you wait depends on so many things, and of course only if you can pay for it, meaning you either have insurance that covers it or you have cash. It sounds like your aunt not only could pay, but as in an area where there was availability. While our waits here aren’t as long as yours, you still have to wait if your doctor is booked up. Good luck with your surgery process!!
I kind of blogged about that whole waiting in line thing here, by the way:
http://thefeveredpen.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/precedence/