As anyone with an illness can testify, it has been rough. I am so very blessed by so many folks willing to help me and keep me going. The treatments while individually were certainly bearable, collectively have been physically challenging. I am told it may take up to a year to recover from the side affects. I have one more test in mid August to see if all of this worked and if I am clear.
The best news is that my doctor doesn't want to see me until next February. That tells me he is relatively confident that all is well and my condition has been corrected.
Emotionally this has left me somewhat in awe and at the same time I am devastated.
I must admit that the illness has been nothing compared to the dealings with the hospital. My doctors have been wonderful, supportive, caring, helpful and overall fantastic. The hospital on the other hand was frustrating, demeaning, unwilling to work with me and turned everything into a battle. Their lack of compassion was only exceeded by their arrogance. The battle with the hospital, and don't think for a moment it isn't a battle, was long tedious and I can see where folks just give up. It is frustrating. They worked at being deceitful, condescending, belligerent, arrogant and uncooperative. What they quoted as being a 75,000 bill ended up being a little over 11,000.00 USD and when I paid it they were almost nasty about it. With the hospital it is a money game. While the medical staff works on the patients (and they do an amazing job of it), the administration is working on the money pit game. They are not concerned with medical care or even patient well being. Its all about the money. This hospital is a public hospital, they get government funding to assist with those who don't have the means to pay for hospitalization. So, when they hit you with the high estimates, and you have the audacity to ask for assistance the first thing they do is label you as indigent. Nice, huh!
My medical staff had great bedside manner and showed considerable care and caring about my well being. The administrative staff could use a lot of customer service training or bedside manner training. They are a bunch of cold blooded, nasty mannered, poorly trained and unwilling to even talk with their customers if they can avoid it. They will do whatever it takes to get you over a barrel and then tell you what a terrible person you are and how they are the saviors of the world. Be advised, don't buy into it for a minute. YOU must be your own advocate and fight for your care and financial health.
I would have been better off if I didn't have insurance at all.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
As with anyone who lives long enough, there are certain issues that will arise even if you have taken the very best care possible.
No matter how hard you have worked, no matter how much you have tried to do the right things and no matter how much you have given. Something will get you in time. Part of the human condition.
Recently I have come to an illness, one I never expected, but that is how it works isn't it. I thought I would be okay and would have the financial resources and insurance to cover this part of my life. I have faithfully bought and paid for my health insurance for the last 40 years with very few claims. In other words, I have been blessed with a very healthy life. That all changed over the past 6 months.
I have been told I am blessed that my disease was caught early and while still small. I have had no signs of any deterioration or degeneration of bodily function so far. (trying to count the little blessings). What that doesn't take into consideration is the QUALITY of life. They can extend the QUANTITY of life but really never consider but actually destroy the quality.
My bills will end up in the 60,000 to 80,000 USD but could max out at 100,000.00 for the procedures I need to have done. My insurance company, being the people they are, will cover 15,000, the rest is all mine. It is unfortunate but true. Since I didn't have to have the procedures done in a hospital but in fact in an outpatient facility they won't cover it(I am sure they worked in the background to make this an outpatient procedure in an effort to cut the insurance cost not because it is good for the patient). If I had to be in the hospital they would have covered it all with the exception of the deductible. It is what they refer to as catastrophic care. I think cancer is pretty catastrophic but what that heck do I know.
If you are insured at work, protect that benefit as best you can. If you pay your own insurance and don't understand the coverage, educate yourself NOW! Do not wait. Know the exact amounts of in patient care, out patient care, How much testing will they cover and what do they consider "customary and reasonable". Ask your agent questions on the limits and then don't believe a word he says, and try to figure it out yourself. Then question them if you have more questions and make changes as needed. Understand that insurance coverage is based on the profit line of the insurance company. If you have a bad policy you may have purchased it during a low profit period, maybe, if the profits are up you can now get a better policy at a lower price. I found this out recently and it was to late for me to change carriers. Under no circumstances expect that the insurance company want to assist you, support you or even talk to you. You will spend more hours on the phone with press 3 for claims, press two for the sound of a flushing toilet, This is their way of avoiding having to talk to the poor souls they deem the great unwashed.
At my age, I had hoped to retire in a few more years to enjoy a bit of my life. With the current financial climate and the insurance, or lack thereof, the bills mounting it seems I will be working until I am 90. Now, I am faced with a medical bill that will exceed the mortgage on my now paid for home.
Consider this, if you have no insurance, the state is highly likely to give you extra money for your care (medicade), if you are not a citizen, the government will most likely cover all your health care needs, if you own nothing, the government will cover your health care needs (indigent care).
If you have insurance, know all the nuances of your insurance policy inside and out, consider carefully analyzing your current financial situation, then study the laws on medicade and balance it with what the insurance companies charge and provide. First and foremost remember the insurance company is not there to serve your needs or be your friend. The "like a good neighbor" thing is a lie, they are there to pay out as little as possible in an effort to have a great profit line for the investers. The heck with you, you're possibly a sick person and therefore detrimental to that bottom line. Understand they will pay more money to not pay your bills than they will to pay your bills. (proven government study) If you have insurance, no matter how bad it is, and generally it is bad, the government is not likely to help you. Your best hope, and it may be your only hope are some patient advocacy groups that will fight for your care, pricing and may be able to assist with the excessive medical fees.
Never, ever believe your insurance agent, he is about three steps below a used car salesman or a congressman, well, maybe the congressman is equal. He is going to sell what he has available with little or no concern for what is best for you. He would sell his grandmother if he thought it would help his bottom line. He is working on a commission, he would sell refrigerators to eskimos.
Never us the phrase "How much will this cost?" near your doctor. He/she will get the look that a deer crossing the highway at night gets when they are hit with the headlights of a car. They will then bolt out of the room stating some to the affect of "what do they expect from me". How about truth and honesty.
Meet with the medicade/medicare people and find out if you will qualify if you drop your insurance. You may be better off in the long run. You will most certainly have better health care coverage. Never under estimate the value of public health care. Some states now have funds for those folks without insurance, none for those who have tried to be good citizens and paid those pesky insurance premiums, no assistance for those who fall into the insurance trap. So, in some cases those without insurance have a blessed condition. Some states are now offering state health care insurance, at reasonable prices but you must be without paid health care insurance for six months in many states. If you can survive that or are there right now, check it out. May be your get out of jail card, go past go and collect 200.00.
Write your congressman, if you have nothing else to do, are bored and want to have a good laugh. Your one vote can never begin to compete with the medical lobby, the insurance lobby or even the gun lobby. Yes, you are likely to get a response, if that is what you call it. They will tell you that health care is one of their major concerns and that they are investigating it and considering the possible options. Loosely translated, we are not about to do anything but this line of "we do care and are working for you" should shut you up for a while.
Think about it.
The bottom line is that when you get sick, it is you against them. If you don't have someone working in your favor, you have a rough road ahead of you since they are all well, full of energy and have oversized staff of people to give you the runaround. You on the other hand are just one person, taking on a multi limbed monster designed to confuse, divide and conquer. On top of that you are in no condition to fight, remember you are in the health care system because you are sick, weakened and fighting for your life in some cases.
Anybody got some pocket change? Hey, where is my government bailout?
No matter how hard you have worked, no matter how much you have tried to do the right things and no matter how much you have given. Something will get you in time. Part of the human condition.
Recently I have come to an illness, one I never expected, but that is how it works isn't it. I thought I would be okay and would have the financial resources and insurance to cover this part of my life. I have faithfully bought and paid for my health insurance for the last 40 years with very few claims. In other words, I have been blessed with a very healthy life. That all changed over the past 6 months.
I have been told I am blessed that my disease was caught early and while still small. I have had no signs of any deterioration or degeneration of bodily function so far. (trying to count the little blessings). What that doesn't take into consideration is the QUALITY of life. They can extend the QUANTITY of life but really never consider but actually destroy the quality.
My bills will end up in the 60,000 to 80,000 USD but could max out at 100,000.00 for the procedures I need to have done. My insurance company, being the people they are, will cover 15,000, the rest is all mine. It is unfortunate but true. Since I didn't have to have the procedures done in a hospital but in fact in an outpatient facility they won't cover it(I am sure they worked in the background to make this an outpatient procedure in an effort to cut the insurance cost not because it is good for the patient). If I had to be in the hospital they would have covered it all with the exception of the deductible. It is what they refer to as catastrophic care. I think cancer is pretty catastrophic but what that heck do I know.
If you are insured at work, protect that benefit as best you can. If you pay your own insurance and don't understand the coverage, educate yourself NOW! Do not wait. Know the exact amounts of in patient care, out patient care, How much testing will they cover and what do they consider "customary and reasonable". Ask your agent questions on the limits and then don't believe a word he says, and try to figure it out yourself. Then question them if you have more questions and make changes as needed. Understand that insurance coverage is based on the profit line of the insurance company. If you have a bad policy you may have purchased it during a low profit period, maybe, if the profits are up you can now get a better policy at a lower price. I found this out recently and it was to late for me to change carriers. Under no circumstances expect that the insurance company want to assist you, support you or even talk to you. You will spend more hours on the phone with press 3 for claims, press two for the sound of a flushing toilet, This is their way of avoiding having to talk to the poor souls they deem the great unwashed.
At my age, I had hoped to retire in a few more years to enjoy a bit of my life. With the current financial climate and the insurance, or lack thereof, the bills mounting it seems I will be working until I am 90. Now, I am faced with a medical bill that will exceed the mortgage on my now paid for home.
Consider this, if you have no insurance, the state is highly likely to give you extra money for your care (medicade), if you are not a citizen, the government will most likely cover all your health care needs, if you own nothing, the government will cover your health care needs (indigent care).
If you have insurance, know all the nuances of your insurance policy inside and out, consider carefully analyzing your current financial situation, then study the laws on medicade and balance it with what the insurance companies charge and provide. First and foremost remember the insurance company is not there to serve your needs or be your friend. The "like a good neighbor" thing is a lie, they are there to pay out as little as possible in an effort to have a great profit line for the investers. The heck with you, you're possibly a sick person and therefore detrimental to that bottom line. Understand they will pay more money to not pay your bills than they will to pay your bills. (proven government study) If you have insurance, no matter how bad it is, and generally it is bad, the government is not likely to help you. Your best hope, and it may be your only hope are some patient advocacy groups that will fight for your care, pricing and may be able to assist with the excessive medical fees.
Never, ever believe your insurance agent, he is about three steps below a used car salesman or a congressman, well, maybe the congressman is equal. He is going to sell what he has available with little or no concern for what is best for you. He would sell his grandmother if he thought it would help his bottom line. He is working on a commission, he would sell refrigerators to eskimos.
Never us the phrase "How much will this cost?" near your doctor. He/she will get the look that a deer crossing the highway at night gets when they are hit with the headlights of a car. They will then bolt out of the room stating some to the affect of "what do they expect from me". How about truth and honesty.
Meet with the medicade/medicare people and find out if you will qualify if you drop your insurance. You may be better off in the long run. You will most certainly have better health care coverage. Never under estimate the value of public health care. Some states now have funds for those folks without insurance, none for those who have tried to be good citizens and paid those pesky insurance premiums, no assistance for those who fall into the insurance trap. So, in some cases those without insurance have a blessed condition. Some states are now offering state health care insurance, at reasonable prices but you must be without paid health care insurance for six months in many states. If you can survive that or are there right now, check it out. May be your get out of jail card, go past go and collect 200.00.
Write your congressman, if you have nothing else to do, are bored and want to have a good laugh. Your one vote can never begin to compete with the medical lobby, the insurance lobby or even the gun lobby. Yes, you are likely to get a response, if that is what you call it. They will tell you that health care is one of their major concerns and that they are investigating it and considering the possible options. Loosely translated, we are not about to do anything but this line of "we do care and are working for you" should shut you up for a while.
Think about it.
The bottom line is that when you get sick, it is you against them. If you don't have someone working in your favor, you have a rough road ahead of you since they are all well, full of energy and have oversized staff of people to give you the runaround. You on the other hand are just one person, taking on a multi limbed monster designed to confuse, divide and conquer. On top of that you are in no condition to fight, remember you are in the health care system because you are sick, weakened and fighting for your life in some cases.
Anybody got some pocket change? Hey, where is my government bailout?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Whew!
It has been a hectic few weeks. Lots of travel and lots of shows and what seems to be a non stop parade of people.
Having a great time and seem to be doing well. Last road trip was 12.5 hours from Lewisburg WV to West Springfield MA. About 700 hundred miles.
Have a nasty cold but overall doing well.
Having a great time and seem to be doing well. Last road trip was 12.5 hours from Lewisburg WV to West Springfield MA. About 700 hundred miles.
Have a nasty cold but overall doing well.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Traveling around has been a wonderful experience. Working to bring in a living as well has its merits.
As with all things in life, it has had its ups and its downs. Hopefully the ups are better than the downs overall. Time will certainly tell over time.
This has been my summer with a few health issues. Nothing to serious but things to get my attention.
On the other side of the coin, I have been offered a show this winter at the Katharine Butler Gallery. I have been on a every other year schedule and to be offered a show two years in a row has me quite excited. I do need to order a few supplies.
And life goes on as usual.
As with all things in life, it has had its ups and its downs. Hopefully the ups are better than the downs overall. Time will certainly tell over time.
This has been my summer with a few health issues. Nothing to serious but things to get my attention.
On the other side of the coin, I have been offered a show this winter at the Katharine Butler Gallery. I have been on a every other year schedule and to be offered a show two years in a row has me quite excited. I do need to order a few supplies.
And life goes on as usual.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The summer tour is going well.
I was asked to jury a plein air show for a major agricultural event. The artists had 6 hours to do a painting no larger than 16X20 inches in any medium.
The best part is that I got to meet a local artist from the Delaware Tech School and also three local artists of interest.
My little summer project has been this. It is good for yet another week but then it goes away.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Busy times...
Been overwhelmed the past few weeks with an effort to rebuild my inventory. Sales for me this year have been good and it is much appreciated.
Been busy making videos of the one of the processes I use now and again. Acrylic transfers, which can be fun, can also be illusive to some. In a series of four videos I have tried to make the process simple and easy to understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeeScv8f6yQ Acrylic Transfer part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTxfYS8pFSc Acrylic Transfer part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDUO8Z3aSV4 Acrylic Transfer part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qvYscOlUYs Acrylic Transfer final
And yet another on acrylics + rubbing alcohol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUgNm5VVQMU Acrylics and Alcohol don't mix....or do they! (experimental)
Been busy making videos of the one of the processes I use now and again. Acrylic transfers, which can be fun, can also be illusive to some. In a series of four videos I have tried to make the process simple and easy to understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeeScv8f6yQ Acrylic Transfer part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTxfYS8pFSc Acrylic Transfer part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDUO8Z3aSV4 Acrylic Transfer part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qvYscOlUYs Acrylic Transfer final
And yet another on acrylics + rubbing alcohol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUgNm5VVQMU Acrylics and Alcohol don't mix....or do they! (experimental)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
busy times
Have been in the studio working. I have almost caught up with the sales from earlier. Sold several more works and am feeling rather thrilled with this direction. Now to spread that blessing around a bit.
The above are the two newest works.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
on going.
Since my spring show I have been busy creating new works and framing. It has been a real challenge. I still have more work to get done but I have slowed a bit.
Yesterday I decided, after receiving an artists trading card, that I had best create some. So, after 7 cards done with envelopes in one day I think it a good start.
Now, what the heck do I do with them?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Meditation Garden 61
8X8" on artboard (12X12" framed)
Acrylic, red coral, leaf skeleton, acrylic sheeting, obsidian, glass beads and acrylic casting. For the first time I am using Matisse liquid pencil. It is a delight to work with and a charm for making magic with the images. This is a great deal of fun but I am off on number 62 now and using some of the new Golden experimental gels.
This is another in the meditation garden series.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
After a great show during February and March I am settling back into the routine of the studio. Most recent image is above. I have been adding more and more semiprecious stones to my work and a greater understanding of the symbology of these stones. Simple understandings. The delight of the symbols is in the spiritual nature of their meaning.
With a bit less pressure I am cleaning, rearranging and refining the workspace called my studio. Over the years one acquires many things, things in art that at some point have importance but over time become somehow less important. So, I am weeding through this stuff and trying to gain back precious inches. Always a challenge but always worth the effort.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Meditation Garden #52 8X8" framed
This is a bit of a departure as I am using a marouflaged linen background for the first time. I am somewhat surprised and delighted to find it actually feels fairly good.
This has a real pearl, a iching coin, Turkish Marbled Paper, a jade stone, glass beads and acrylic on artboard.
Friday, March 14, 2008
post show
The show at the Katharine Butler Gallery was a delight. Ronn Mattia and Ruth Hook Colby showed some remarkable work and mine seemed to compliment theirs nicely.
Sales were brisk and welcome. After chatting with the gallery director recently, he feels that a total of 18 pieces of my work were sold during the month. There were some sales on Ronns and Ruths part but I didn't want to pry into that. I can only hope we all did well.
18 works sold means my inventory is diminished considerably so I will be spending the next few months building back the stock. YIPPEE! Isn't that what we all wish for anyway.
The above is Meditation Garden #49. 12X12" framed. A bit more experimental than some but I think worth the effort.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Last night was a special gallery walk and it was very successful. While we were waiting we gathered up and had a quick photo done. This is most of the artists at the gallery. We actually had a chance to chat and talk to each other, something that rarely happens during a regular art walk. What a treat.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The self portrait is done and it has a very contemporary feel to it. The colors are fun and energetic according to those who have seen it so far. I won't reveal it until the challenge has been revealed. Sorry.
I have about completed Meditation Garden #48. It is a 10X10" canvas and I hope to sign it and photograph it later today. The acrylic is still drying and there are a few milky spots that I want gone before I decide to photograph this piece. In the newer works I seem to be investigating the sense of space on the 2 dimensional plane and seeing how far i can push that affect. Never easy and always challenging. MG43 and MG47 were the beginning of this investigation. Color is an important part of this experimentation.
I have about completed Meditation Garden #48. It is a 10X10" canvas and I hope to sign it and photograph it later today. The acrylic is still drying and there are a few milky spots that I want gone before I decide to photograph this piece. In the newer works I seem to be investigating the sense of space on the 2 dimensional plane and seeing how far i can push that affect. Never easy and always challenging. MG43 and MG47 were the beginning of this investigation. Color is an important part of this experimentation.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
another opening image
Lynn is a dear friend of 10 years or so. She has been my yoga teacher but more important a friend. She and her new beau showed up at the gallery opening. I was thrilled and delighted. She is quite dear to my heart.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I have made a conscious decision to take a bit of time off from work. I have been working hard for several years now and feel depleted and exhausted. At the moment I am working on a self portrait. I am not, nor have I ever been a portrait painter. I have a need to torture myself now and again and do one just to see what can be done from a contemporary painter who does little with the figure in any form. It is a major challenge and I do tend to approach it in my very own manner. Right, wrong or indifferent. In the meantime I am constructing power point presentations for my class at the Rinlging College which requires a great deal of reading and computer time. 10 weeks really isn't enough time it seems. So, thanks for reading and I will be dropping in every few days with an update.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Ruth Hook Colby and I
Ruth is showing her works with mine. She is an incredible artist of great merit and I have enjoyed showing with her. She also has a wicked sense of humor that is appreciated by all. I would work with Ruth again, any time, any where on any event.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Gallery Walk
Last night was opening reception/gallery walk at Towles Court. We had maybe 500 to 600 people come through the gallery.
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