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I've sat here for quite some time trying to sort out what to say.. or how to say.. something.

2010 has not been a good year for the Adams family.. I recently revealed the whole gruesome story to a friend whilst stumbling over myself in apology for being an even bigger butthole than I usually am and he, being a true friend, has apparently been doing some networking as is evidenced by todays mail.

To the senders of the "anonymous" donations.. thank you from the bottom of our hearts.. but please don't. For the time being we'll put it into our savings account (nothing else in there so it seems a good place) until I sort out what to do with it. My head is going so many ways right now I really just don't know.
If anyone wants to help, just buy something.. we've got stuff.. cars.. guitars .. bike parts and the like that we could sell to help get us over this hurdle.

There was a time when I was a people person.. knew lots of folks, socialized.. trusted and believed in people. That is till some people that I called friends (not a word I use lightly) changed that over the course of just a couple of years and that altered my whole outlook on life.

This site had a lot to do with restoring some of my faith in people and through the rallies, rides and get togethers I've met some really good people.. I found brothers.. sisters.. people I look forward to seeing and feel comfortable around once again, people you feel you could count on.

Unfortunately sometimes life beats you down a bit and after awhile it can get the best of you.. your perspectives change a bit and next thing you know it feels like you against the world.. anger, frustration and a feeling of hopelessness is just not good company.

My rant...
Our daughter was diagnosed with Crohns (sp) disease several years ago but she has managed to keep it mostly under control until earlier this year when she had a flare up. Although she was working 2 jobs at the time to make ends meet, she was uninsured and was shuffled from here to there.. to there again in her quest for some assistance. The meds for the disease are quite expensive and specialists just don't like patients with no money so she went basically untreated and her health began to deteriorate.
Then she lost her second job and her ability to work the hours needed to compensate dwindled till she could no longer make her bills.
Due to some poor career choices on my part, we simply didn't have the means to help her so after months of trying to get her some kind of assistance, she and Di managed an appointment with a specialist. Of course he put her off for 30 days as she was uninsured and broke as all caring physicians do so 27 days later she called us one Sunday and said she thought she needed to go to the hospital.
Now 100 pounds of pale skin and bones her legs swollen from dehydration, we help her to the car and drive her down... 4 hours we sat there waiting... the child could hardly hold her head up. After finally being processed in and examined we were told by her doc that she wouldn't have made it to her appointment.. her protein count was zero.. her iron count dangerously low.. they gave her 4 units of blood over the course of a couple of days to bring her back.
End result, she lost her home she'd fought so hard to keep and is now living with us.. she is much better but still unable to work more than a couple of days a week. Social Security? nope... we're told she has to be out of work for at least a year.

Meanwhile, my job takes a dive. Business slowed down dramatically and as I work on commision , so did the inflow of money.. my 40 to 45 hour weeks evolved into 30to 35 hour weeks. Already on a shoestring.. nothing in savings, Di has some health issues..
Uninsured, (through my work it would cost $175 per week) she develops a growth on her sinuses. After a visit to a specialist it is decided that she will need to get it removed for a biopsy... how much is the procedure? $5000. They tell us it needs to be done soon but won't even schedule an appointment until we come up with 2500. I never would have thought that at 53 years old I couldn't come up with 2500 dollars.. but we couldn't.. just wasn't there.
We applied for assistance but were summarily turned down stating we made too much money...yeah.. I still wonder where they get their #'s from.
So here we are for the last 2 months of basically sleepless nights trying to come up with some kind of plan when Di checks in with the folks confirming the pricing and now it has magically increased to $7600. Seems she made and error when she looked up the code. 7 thousand 600 dollars for outpatient surgery... unfrigginbelievable.

That combined with the property taxes rolling up in the next few months pushes our needed total to somewhere around $9000 by the first of next year. It ain't looking real good when I'm bringing home 500 bucks a week.

Am I mad? oooooh yeah.. I saw a man stand up and say he was going to fix healthcare.. when? I'm drowning in bureaucratic bs here. Our daughter stayed in the hospital for 7 days.. no intensive care.. just a room. Her bill (for the hospital) was upward of 50,000 dollars.. not including some incidentals. That was more than she owed on the home she lost.

I'm sorry ! was that a political rant?.. bad Chy!

Bottom line... send your thoughts, love and support to Di.. she needs it now. Keep your bucks cause unless you just hit the lottery, we're sure you have your own problems to deal with.

Faith semi-restored...

Chy and Di, so sorry to hear that, I have ulcerative colitis (a really close relative of Crohn's) so I can understand the frustration. Maybe some help here: ccfa , I don't know.

Prayers and blessing for you all.

I'm sorry about how things are going lately, Chy. You are a good man and you're in mine and a lot of others thoughts.
Crohns disease is tough even when treated and untreated is down right wrong. It sucks the medical 'professionals' tossed her around for so long and it became so dangerous. I wish you nothing but better luck, man.

Chi, sorry about the bad news and struggles of late, There definitely is too much wrong with the system and it just keeps getting worse. Our thoughts and prayers out to Di and your daughter for better health and hopefully for some one deserving to win the lottery.


mike

Best of Luck to you Chy. The healthcare situation sucks, I recently changed jobs and have to pay $2700 per month for COBRA. I know that's nothing compared to what you're going through, I can only imagine. You and I are in the same trade, and times are tough here as well, those 40+ hr weeks are getting harder and harder to come by. Keep your head up, Bro. Things will get better sooner or later.

Chy, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Praying for you guys!!

It took some guts to write this post which in turn shows you've got 'true grit.' This alone can lead to solutions and desired outcomes. Meanwhile things are very tough... I can only imagine what it feels like to be in your shoes. I trust things will change for the better and when they do, you will only be stronger. My thoughts, hopes and prayers go out to you, Di and family though this difficult time. Hang in there buddy... you're not alone.

And there was I thinking the Australian Health System had it's flaws.

I have just had part of my index finger amputated, Total hospital cost NIL. How they come up with those costs at your hospital system beggars belief.

My thoughts and blessings go out to you and your family.

Keep your chin up Chy and look to the future.

I can understand the frustration, and am sure many of us on this board are only one paycheck and problem away from you. We haven't met, but I feel I know you thru others here, and wish you the best!

Best wished for your family,
Tom.

Our hopes and prayers are with you during your trials.....
Chy , like you , I have aquired a cynical view of people through experience....i.e. Sam Clemmons quote when asked about his fellow man ,"people are no d#@* good" ... and as a rule of thumb.....but there are good folks out there... hang in there brother , as my grandmother always told me, keep digging , with that much H.S. there has to be a pony in there some where......

Really sucks hard, I would help if I could but with Wendy's health issues and the problems with my kids too I'm in about the same financial boat as you. At least we have medicare for Wendy but that doesn't pay it all and quite a few specialists don't take it. My best wishes man! Good Luck.

The only support I can offer is my thoughts and hopes

Makes me glad we've got the NHS, even with its flaws

Brutal, thats all I can say. I work in healthcare and can't tell you how f'd up it is. I work in an ER and on the streets as a paramedic. The dirtbags that have full coverage(medicare, medicaid) are unbelievable. Then people who actually need it can't get it. The system is for sure broke, what the answer is I don't know. Good luck to you and for sure keep motoring on, you'll get there sooner or later.

Sorry to hear about your family's predicament. I work in a hospital and its so frustrating to see the people who work hard to barely scrape by get kicked to the curb while the "under priveleged" get the royal treatment.

Glad you posted about you're problems, Bro, you need to get it off your chest and all your friends here are willing to listen and commiserate. My wife has ton's of medical problems, but we still qualify for our state's lowest, bottom of the barrel healthcare. Long lines, appointments far apart, and the rest. Still, it's better than nothing. We have a few aquaintences (scumbucket druggies) that haven't worked a day in their lives, and get full health coverage.
My family will definatly pray for your's, (especially your daughter), and I hope the wheel of fortune turns back your way.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you Chy. It is sad when good people can't catch a break. Things usually find a way of working out, I just hope that things work out for you and your family. Good luck Chy.

Chy, I don't tend to read the lounge posts much but having read what's going on with you and your family, all I can say is, it gives me a heavy heart and makes me want to help you in some way.

Then I read you have sold your bike for all the obvious reasons but it just makes me feel worse.

I know under the circumstances this is a good thing for you and I certainly don't want to harp on about this one but please don't be too proud to not accept even small tokens of support if need be.

Our families are everything to us so just remember there are people who would be happy to offer their own level of support.

Just something to keep there in the back of your mind.

staffo

FRIEND...a word i dont use often acquantence(sp) is a word i use more often, that to me describes someone that i know and am friendly with but not someone i look at as true friend. to me a friend is someone you look at as if they were family as in the brotherhood of man, a friend to me is someone that, say i were in a war and was wounded and laying out there not able to get myself back to saftey, would come out and get me and carry me back. a friend to me is someone that will help me and be on my side no matter how wrong i am, of course he will try to make me see i am wrong but he is standing toe to toe with me and possibly end up in jail with me. a friend to me, will let me in when the weather is bad or good and will cloth me and feed me in times of need. much like family!!! when i think of Chy and Di even though i dont see them as much as i would like to, i think FRIEND!!!! When my friend needs a shirt, i will cloth him, when my friend is hungry, i will feed him, when my friend is in trouble i will stand toe to toe with him and never waver or expect a return, only that my friend is safe is what is important. Friends are not around every corner acqaintence's are, and when you find a true friend you hold on tight cuz it is a rare thing. i will always charish my brotherhood with my friend Chy!!! I WISH NOTHING LESS THAN LOTS OF LOVE, PEACE AND HAPPINESS for the Adams family and may this time pass and better times begin , now lets get back to

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now lets get back to

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Indeed! exactly what I had planned for the early morning hours but big time rain and thunder boomers through the night and most of the day changed those plans. S'pose I could use a day off to veg and nap in the chair anyway.

Chy.I dont know you as I know very few of the people on this forum.I forget how good I have it at times with good health for myself and my family.I think about how people are tried with these situations that seem to have no good answer.I pray for relief for those who struggle and I am always amazed at those who deal with these things,I am amazed and humbled by the strength it takes to go through times like you are dealing with.May your daughter and Di as well as yourself continue to have the strength and awesome attitude to do what is needed and to overcome.The gov will not be there for us,with the grace of God may we as humans be there for each other.

I love this country...But that is the exact thing that pisses me off beyond belief....A working family put in that position...Makes me want to vomit...honest to god
So sorry to hear about your situation man...muttle through it best you can, things have a way of working out.
Wish I had it...it would be yours

I agree Dave it makes me so mad that an illegal can get help but a person working to support themselves and family can't. If had the means I would help too but I barely make my own expenses.My school taxes are due and they rape us here.

Being from a different country I'm very 126.html to denigrate the policies that appear almost inhumane from another.

From a medical viewpoint though it simply does not sound logical to not in the first instance look after your own citizens first before anyone else.

Yes the world can be harsh and appear devoid of empathy and compassion for our fellow man but financial resources are not inexhaustible which then requires governments to look at their priorities.

I would have thought from a possibly ignorant and simplistic viewpoint a country would firstly ensure those who have already contributed to it's prosperity via taxes etc would be at the top of that priority list.

I'll leave it at that.

I totally agree with this summation but this of course doesn't prevent a bloke who hasn't personally met another, not want to assist in some way to perhaps help alleviate some of pain currently being experienced.

It also doesn't help Chy who all of a sudden finds himself in the situation he does now. I also understand his reluctance to a accept "handouts". I was thinking about this the other day though and thought, what if a certain amount of revenue could be gained indirectly where members who wanted to help could with very little direct costs to themselves?

For instance, during the course of the last few years of improving my bike I've found I now have all these parts just clogging up my garage. Will I ever be using them again? Probably not. Might there be other members out there who may just happen to need that part. Quite possibly, but it's sitting in my garage collecting dust???

Look, it's just a thought and I realise most of us are leading busy lives etc but just think about putting yourself in Chy's shoes and just how even an hour of sorting, packing and sending could not only help a buyer find what they're after at a good price, the cumulative effect actually may even lighten the emotional load being felt by one of our own members.

Just a thought but of course, now we're getting back to that friend word to help organise and facilitate some considersble distance over the waves from where I reside.

Wow, and I was just out in the truck here at work at 3 in the morning feeling sorry for myself, as I have over 14 years with a company that took 7 years seniority from me, and forced me to go to 3rd shiftwhile our $90 per month Union laughed about it...But at least I have a job. (Airtran SUX) My troubles pale in comparison, and we will add your family to the prayer list at the Church. Love, Mark and Kimmy.

Hi All, Well I had my surgery last Thursday, September 16th, an Excision of Septal Mass, a growth in the right nostril. Though no word yet, she seems confident it is benign. It was as an outpatient procedure and I go back to my Doctor in a couple of days, this Wednesday for a check up.
My Doctor actually called me that night after my surgery to check on me! she even left me her home phone number, I told her that I had never had a Doctor to call me to follow up before, usually it is a nurse or receptionist. It was my Doctor's office also that arranged with the hospital so that we could receive the 40% off if we paid upfront, as it was at the Hospital they were pricing the wrong surgery for more than twice the amount.

Words cannot express the gratitude and thanks that I do want to extend to everyone that made this surgery possible. Without True Friends like you, Chy and I would still be trying to figure out a way to make it possible.

Many of you that know me do know the circumstances that I up until recently for Five years had been a caregiver for a good friend a little old lady that is 101 years old, she has been on Hospice for over 4 years. We did not think that she would actually live this long, she seemed to be at death's door for some time but she is still living and her family is still trying to keep her at home.
So needless to say my job with her did not pay much nor did I have Health insurance or benefits with her. I did want to see this through and did miss out on a lot of rides with Chy.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I do want to make up some of the lost time with Chy, enjoying our time together and look forward to many rides with him and with our friends and fellow riders. Life is good!

As FrankW states we think that our health system sucks here in Queensland but after hearing what happens in the states maybe we are not so bad off. I also had my hours reduced and then was laid off six weeks ago. At 60plus its a hard road to get further employment as I guess it would be there.
Hope that life improves for you and your family Chy.
Take care

MY grandfather had a similar mass removed, his also benign. I hope they didn't have to peel back the roof of your mouth to get at it like they did his. He couldn't talk or eat anything or even suck through a straw because the roof would fall and cause all kinds of problems. Hope you heal up fast.

Hows this? Im considering quitting my job at the airline, selling (or renting) the house, enrolling me and Kimmy into truck driving school, and seeing the country...what do ya'll think? Im not gettin any younger!!!

Chy, I hope things are getting better for you and your family. Mark, my advice is to hold on to your job for now and attend tractor trailer driving school on the side. First rule of wing walking: don't let go of something till you have a firm hold on something else.

May you heal fast and well Di. The Adams deserve only the best!!

Di, The news of your surgery is the best news I have heard of in quite a while!

I went for my follow up visit today, I had a great check up.
The growth was benign, turned out to be just as my Doctor had thought it might be, Pyogenic granuloma, she suggested that I look it up on the internet, it is more common than I realized. I go back to her in three weeks for another follow up visit. The receptionist wanted to schedule me for October 13th, I asked if we could do the day before since my sister Deb from Michigan will be arriving on the 13th!! She' making the trip down for a High School Reunion that Chy and I plan to attend with her. Deb does plan to stay 10 days with us!!
I'm hoping that my Doctor will like the Cinnamon Buns that Angie and I baked and shared with her. These Cinnamon Buns are made from the Yeast Roll recipe from the World Famous Smith House Restaurant located in Dahlonega. We also shared them as a cover dish at our Adams Family Reunion that we attended last Saturday, they were a huge hit and several people asked for the recipe, I'm working on posting the recipe on my Facebook page.
Keep smiling everyone!

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Keep smiling everyone!

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You too Di... you too!!!