Lee Ann’s Story
It was the third week that my ankles had been swollen consistently. That Wednesday, May 16, 2012 my mother and husband convinced me that an ER trip was necessary. The swelling had come and gone over the past 3 months. As a 41 year old mother of two teenagers, an asthmatic and someone who was overweight, I chalked the swelling up to being heavy. The shortness of breath had been there for years and again, I chalked that up to being heavy. Then I started to notice chest pain with the swelling and shortness of breath. That was when I realized that this might be a little more serious than I thought.
At the ER, the initial thought was that I had had a heart attack. Then blood clots then eventually, the final diagnosis… Pulmonary Hypertension. The language was not new to me or my family as my niece was born two short years ago with PH.
After a whirl of tests and a week-long hospital stay, I was discharged with little knowledge other than what I had learned from my niece. A Cardiac Cath was done and with this I was introduced to my now Pulmonary Doctor whom I love. Now the diagnosis was worse. Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease.
I was told that after 5 years I would have a 50% chance of living without a double lung transplant. My world just stopped. Here we were a family of four making good money and living a great life. I had to quit my job and file for Social Security Disability. I had to deliver the news to my husband and boys that I was going to die.
Here it is four months later; I have had an open lung biopsy and have been taking medications that make my symptoms worse. The money situation is so bad, we’re making enough barely struggle by, but not enough to live. I was approved for disability but have a $5000 out of pocket deductible with my husband’s insurance. Not to mention copays and script costs. Disability wont start until December 26, 2012 and Medicare wont start until May 2014.
Stress is bad, I find myself crying all the time. I try to put on a happy face but it is so hard to ask for help, watch my husband come home tired from work and do housework and cook because I cannot.
Everyone keeps saying it will be ok, my question is ok for who? I have not yet learned to deal with my illness and pray that soon I will see that I can survive.
Thank you Caring Voice Coalition for all you do everyday.
Caring Voice Coalition
Caring Voice Coalition is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with chronic illnesses. Our organization continues to accomplish its mission by offering outreach services that provide financial, emotional and educational support.
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