I know I'm not on here often, but I thought I'd fill you guys in.
At the end of 2020, I got COVID. Covid pneumonia in both lungs. Did a night in ER, a week in the hospital, and was on oxygen for four months. Nearly died. The doctor told me when he released me, that if I would have waited one more day to go to the hospital, I may not have made it.
Went back to work, and had a hard time keeping up. Just didn't have the same stamina. Never heard the end of it, as, like most places, the employers just don't care. I had had enough, and walked out of my job of nearly 21 years. Got another job, that was a short assignment, and only lasted 3 months.
Was looking for new employment, as I needed the funds, and especially some insurance. Scary being 59 and not having insurance, especially since I nearly died of COVID.
About a month ago, I contracted Influenza A. Was so sick and nauseous, of course, with a fever. Got rid of the fever, and started feeling a bit better, but something wasn't quite right. Had the wife take me to ER, to find out I have pneumonia in the bottom of both lungs. Spent 4 days in the hospital with no insurance. Was diagnosed with COPD. My week stay with covid cost $37,000, of which the insurance company paid $30,000. I'm still paying off the remaining $7,000. My wife filed an application to reduce the cost, and luckily, they're going to knock off 75% of my 4 day stay. Very grateful, but it will still leave thousands to pay, in addition to what I already owe. I'm not a rich man, and for the last few months, I've been living off what little savings I have.
After I got home from the hospital, I was feeling much better after only a few days. Decided to go to bed for the first time in about 4 weeks. I felt more comfortable sleeping while sick in my recliner. Woke up about 4 am, having a coughing fit. Lasted for a few hours, then subsided. A day after that, I was having a little pain in my right lung. Thought it was just hurting from all the coughing. After the next few days, it got worse.
Couldn't bare the pain anymore, so the wife took me back to the ER. After doing x-rays, and CT scans, it was determined that I have a blood clot in my right lung. That's what was causing the pain and coughing. They kept me overnight, and put me on blood thinners. So, that's another night of bills from the hospital added to the previous.
The blood thinners cost $650 per month, with no insurance. Luckily, the hospital gave me a one time coupon for a months worth of the medicine for free, so one less thing to worry about. On the bright side, my wife called the manufacturer of the meds in question, and it looks like we'll be able to qualify to get them free, direct from them, for at least 6 months.
After being very healthy for years, COVID has really messed me up. I have side effects from it. The doctors believe the blood cot is a result of having covid. They have no real way of proving that, but many people that got sick from it, are forming clots.
Anyways, thanks for listening. Hoping my health improves.
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