OT: When it rains, it pours, - UPDATE x 2

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:53 pm

My wife has been having a lot of trouble with her eyes lately. A couple months ago our MD DR said he thought she had a cataract in the right eye. Set her up with an appointment with a specialist. Well, the good news is, it's fixable, the bad news is she has cataracts in both eyes. The right eye is basically blind due to blurriness, the left eye is doing all the work. The cataract in it isn't near as bad.
She has an appointment with the surgeon in Bloomington (well over an hours drive away) Oct 1ST and 13TH.
How we are going to come up with the money is the problem. This surgery is not cheep. We do not have insurance nor any savings. With the economy and elections coming up the pizza industry in this area has dropped off badly.

We're gonna try for a Medical card tomorrow, won't qualify we've already tried. Then the lady at the Eye Clinic says she will try to get some help from Knights of Templar. We are hoping she is successful, we need help. If all goes well my wife will end up with much better vision.

At this point though I'm need to find a place to sell off much of my fountain pen collection. Not eBay though, I'm done with that outfit.
I've also got to sort through and see what else I can turn into cash.
What a pain.

Anyway, just needed to vent a bit.

Thanks for listening.

Joe

reo · Post by **reo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:56 pm

That's tough, good luck on converting your collection to cash. I'm through with eBay too.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:15 pm

One of the gun auction sites added a non gun section some time back, does anyone know which one this is?

Joe

cnjarvis · Post by **cnjarvis** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:25 pm

Sorry to hear that Joe.

I have a guy in my office that collects fountain pens. PM me with info and I'll see if I can make the connection. If he doesn't want them maybe he will know someone.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 5:02 pm

Take some solace in the fact that those of us who make/collect stuff get not only to have our fun phase with it, but it often represents an investment we can recoup when times get rough. Still, it is rough to have to do that.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:15 pm

cnjarvis wrote:Sorry to hear that Joe.

I have a guy in my office that collects fountain pens. PM me with info and I'll see if I can make the connection. If he doesn't want them maybe he will know someone.

cnjarvis,

I have hundreds of them. It will be sometime before I can put together a list of what I'm going to sell. And it would be much easier if you would contact him and see what if anything he's most interested in.
Thanks for the offer, and I'll get back to you when I can.

Joe

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:57 pm

Joe,

Take some time to shop the surgery. Of course, you don't want a back street outfit but some good surgeons will help you out on the fees - especially if done in their office as they don't have to pay a clinic so it's just their labor. My mother worked in that business for many years and it was common practice among some of the finest eye surgeons in this area (although not advertised - for obvious reasons). They basically took each case on its own merits and would heavily discount fees if they felt the need was real.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:05 pm

Joe -

I'm really sorry to hear this. You and your wife will be in my thoughts and prayers.

jfwlb · Post by **jfwlb** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:09 pm

J Miller,

You also might want to check out the VFW. I understand from talking to my Sergeant Major and some new friends from the American Legion last weekend that the VFW(Veterans of Foreign Wars) are very big on the whole eyesight thing.

I don't know if you are a veteran or not, or if that even matters to them, But it can't hurt to check it out.

John

don Tomás · Post by **don Tomás** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:46 pm

Joe,
Check with your local Lion's club. They will put you in contact with folks who may be able to help:

Found on the Web:
About Lions Eye Clinic
Since 1925, 44,772 Lions Clubs in 186 countries have aided the cause of the blind and visually handicapped. Lions International has devoted time and funding for people who are in need of eye care, but lack the funds for such care. These efforts have made Lions International the largest service organization in the world.

If you are approved, the financial interviewer will give you a Lions Application Form. No one is guaranteed funding by the Lions. After the interview process, all cases are reviewed by a committee to determine if funding will be granted.

If you are approved for financial assistance, the Lions will notify you by phone or mail and will contact the optician who will make the glasses for you. If you are approved for surgery, the Lions will notify both you and the eye clinic to schedule your surgery.

It is an international organization which includes us here in the USA. Can't hurt to check. Not a handout, just a helping hand...
Tom

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:49 pm

Joe,
I know a few lions, let me know how that goes; nothing greases the wheels like a phone call from a fellow lion.

kirkwood · Post by **kirkwood** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:51 pm

Sell some guns.

don Tomás · Post by **don Tomás** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:54 pm

mescalero1 wrote:Joe,
I know a few lions, let me know how that goes; nothing greases the wheels like a phone call from a fellow lion.

+1 Maybe get mescalero1 hitting 'em high and me hitting 'em low...

Tom

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 9:57 pm

Plus 1 on the lions. My ex father in law was a audiotologist and last I knew was fitting up people free in washington state for the lions.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:00 pm

Don't ask me why I never joined, guess I am in the Groucho Marx school of thought

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:26 pm

Joe,

I'm not a Templar, but if they need a recommendation from a Mason, let me know, I'll be glad to help any way I can.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:33 pm

I can raise the ante two more masons

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:58 am

Another Mason.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:11 am

Comal Forge,
The surgery for my wife is already set up and scheduled. We'd love to be able to shop around for it, but we can't.

jfwlb,
Not a vet, father was. It's a lead to think on.

don Tomas, mescalero 1, bogus bill,
Will check with them. Do any of you have any suggestions of "who" to contact in this area.

kirkwood,
No.
That is a very last resort. I still haven't been able to replace all the guns I sold during the last "emergency".

Doc Hudson, mescalero 1, Tycer,
Thanks we'll see what happens.

After my wife gets the surgery, she'll need new glasses, so we'll have to work on that too.
My last visual prescription was done back in, oh geeze, 99 or 00. Ouch, no wonder I can't see.

Joe

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:54 am

Joe, don't hesitate to PM me for a bag of groceries or a tank of gas......sorry, that's about all I can offer at this time

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 1:01 pm

BlaineG wrote:Joe, don't hesitate to PM me for a bag of groceries or a tank of gas......sorry, that's about all I can offer at this time

Blaine,
Thank you for the offer. I really do appreciate it. I will keep it mind and get back to you if we need it.

Thanks again.
Joe

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:11 pm

Doc Hudson, mescalero 1, Tycer,

Well, we have some more information. The surgery will run between $8,000 to 10,000 for both eyes. No way in the world we got anything close to that.

So now wife has to apply to the state DHS for a medical card which we will no doubt be denied. After it's denied we have to send that denial letter and lots of forms into the Knights of Templar. So that's where we are at.

The surgery is on hold until finances can be arranged. So as soon as we get the denial and send it the forums, hopefully you guys can put in a good word for us.

Joe

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:27 pm

OK, let me know, and I'll make a phone call; at least we will get it rolling in the right direction

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:19 pm

J Miller wrote:After my wife gets the surgery, she'll need new glasses, so we'll have to work on that too.
My last visual prescription was done back in, oh geeze, 99 or 00. Ouch, no wonder I can't see.

Joe

Something sounds weird here - they should be able to make her close to 20/20. I had cataract surgery when I was 42 and am about to turn 50 in the next couple months. The surgeon took my eyesight from a minus 15 (which is about blind without correction) to 20/30 in one eye and 20/50 in the other. After the surgery, for the first time in my life, I could drive and read without glasses (and still can). Any opthamologist worth his/her salt should be able to put your wife's eyesight close to normal. It may not be 20/20 but it should be only a gnat's eyelash away.

(And just because it's already scheduled, doesn't mean you have to use that doctor. I'm surprised they were so callous as to say, "It's 8-10 grand, take it or leave it...") I hope they realize you don't have insurance.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:36 pm

Joe,

Is there a chance to do one eye at a time? what would one eye be now, one later be? around here, the surgeries are going for about 2000 an eye. I might could help wih $

pm me
Mike

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:22 pm

Comal Forge wrote:
J Miller wrote:After my wife gets the surgery, she'll need new glasses, so we'll have to work on that too.
My last visual prescription was done back in, oh geeze, 99 or 00. Ouch, no wonder I can't see.

Joe
Something sounds weird here - they should be able to make her close to 20/20. I had cataract surgery when I was 42 and am about to turn 50 in the next couple months. The surgeon took my eyesight from a minus 15 (which is about blind without correction) to 20/30 in one eye and 20/50 in the other. After the surgery, for the first time in my life, I could drive and read without glasses (and still can). Any opthamologist worth his/her salt should be able to put your wife's eyesight close to normal. It may not be 20/20 but it should be only a gnat's eyelash away.

(And just because it's already scheduled, doesn't mean you have to use that doctor. I'm surprised they were so callous as to say, "It's 8-10 grand, take it or leave it...") I hope they realize you don't have insurance.

Comal Forge,
Many things were said, and many things were left unsaid. Their comment about the glasses was that after the removal of the cataract and the insertion of the new lens my wife would need reading glasses. From what we understand the rest of her vision would be much better.
You are right, some things were not made clear to us. We need to do some research.

As for using their doctor: We have looked into the various hospitals in Springfield, and so far none have had eye surgeons there.
We were referred to the specialist by our primary care MD Clinic. It is a reduced cost clinic for those without insurance.
Due to no insurance and no cash we are very limited to the Drs available.

Mike,
Yes, that was the initial plan. The bad right eye first then two weeks later the left eye. We have not gotten a specific dollar quote yet. My wife was playing phone tag with the counsler at the Eye Clinic today and so far the only costs she has been given is the $4K to $5K per eye figure.

I agree, we need to take a step back and do some look seeing.

Will PM you after I've discussed things more with my wife.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 10:30 pm

Joe, if there is any way you can swing it, hie thee over to Indianapolis and see Dr. Price at Price Vision Group. http://pricevisiongroup.com/

It was with his assistance that I got the specialty LASIK I needed. Dr Price specializes in and has largely developed much of the Inter-ocular lens (IOL) implant technology that it sounds like your wife needs.

I would also look into "Care Credit", a GE Finance product that provides 18 months of ZERO interest financing for medical charges (even works on the vet bills...) I think there is a link on Dr. Price's Website.

If you were closer to Chicago, I would recommend Dr. Eppstein at Chicago Cornea (the Dr who did my surgery). Dr Price & Dr Eppstein collaborated on my "special case", so I trust either implicitly. But being where you are, you are much closer to Indy. Give PVC a call.

Oh, on the "still needing reading glasses" issue... that's just age. There ain't nobody who can do anything about that except to make one eye a reader and the other a driver. (Monovision LASIK/IOL) Even I will be getting a set of "reading adjusted" glasses sooner than later... and I'm an "exceptional success"...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 11:29 am

Well, wifie went to the DHS to reapply for the medical card and as we expected she makes too much. $200 too much to qualify. She got hold of a supervisor and he actually took the time to explain some things. We have a letter of denial coming in a couple days which will go to the Knights of Templar with their application.

I'll let you guys that offered phone call assistance know where the papers are going to.

OI,
Wifie read your post and is thinkin on it.

Thanks guys.

Joe

MikeS. · Post by **MikeS.** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:36 pm

Doc Hudson wrote:Joe,

I'm not a Templar, but if they need a recommendation from a Mason, let me know, I'll be glad to help any way I can.

Joe, sorry to hear about your wife and her eye problems. Like Doc Hudson said, if they need to hear from a Mason, I'll help anyway I can.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:47 pm

Joe,

At those prices (if correct) and if you have to borrow the money (as previously suggested) you might be better off traveling to a doctor elsewhere. Prices might be regional (it happens) and that seems awfully expensive. Mom's wasn't anywhere near that.

We've got you in our prayers.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:23 am

Doc Hudson, mescalero 1, Tycer, MikeS., and others who have offered to intercede for us;

We got the letter of denial of benefits from the state, and all the applications for financial assistance have been sent to the Knights Templar.
Those of you who offered to make phone calls here is the information:

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR EYE FOUNDATION, INC.
1000 East State Parkway, Suite I
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone (847) 490-3838

Her name is: Gene Elaine Miller ( The "Gene" part is here fathers fault - he couldn't spell Jean. )

The documents state that my wife has to be interviewed and the forms certified by Knight Templar and that hasn't happened yet.
She was checked again yesterday by our current MD and he seems to be worried about the cataracts and her blood pressure at this point. He's pushing us to get the surgery done as soon as possible.

Thanks again, Joe

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:44 am

mescalero1 wrote:OK, let me know, and I'll make a phone call; at least we will get it rolling in the right direction

Same here, I will be glad to call in or write a recommendation. Just PM me the contact info and what might be needed. The PM is to make sure I don't miss your post in the welter of other threads.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:18 pm

Just spoke to Joe,by email.
Now is the time for the phone calls to commence.

MistWolf · Post by **MistWolf** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:46 pm

Maybe we can do a "Pay it Forward" sale to help out?

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:18 pm

MistWolf wrote:Maybe we can do a "Pay it Forward" sale to help out?

You may indeed. Let me know via PM when you post and I'll make it a sticky.

Doc Hudson · Post by **Doc Hudson** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:21 pm

I just got off the phone with the Templar Eye Foundation, and sent Joe a PM.

Let the Templars know that that Joe and Gene are really good folks in need of help, and that Masons across the country would appreciate all the Templars can do for Gene.

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:30 pm

Cool, I have to wait untill tonight, but we will turn up the heat!

MistWolf · Post by **MistWolf** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 2:27 pm

What's the latest on this situation? Help still needed?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:12 pm

There was a cross up in the paper work. It seems the eye clinic was not supposed to have the paperwork my wife filled out. She was supposed to take it or send it to the person who makes the decision.
She picked up the paperwork from the clinic today and has made contact with the person who will interview her.
Her interview is this Friday at 10:00Am. We'll know then because all her financial papers need is this guys signature and then she gets the surgery.

I can't read my wife's notes so I can't give out his name. I'll see if she can translate it when she gets home.

Joe

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 11:06 pm

Joe -

Thanks for keeping us posted. Prayers continue!

papasan · Post by **papasan** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:08 am

Keep us updated please.
Idea...Any way to donate $$ through
the forum to help out? I would be
happy to contribute. A money order for $50.00. Just say when and where.

papasan

kirkwood · Post by **kirkwood** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:23 am

Something is really, really wrong with the price you were quoted if in fact this is only cataract surgery with a basic IOL implant. The price you were quoted is 2 to 3 times the average cost. Half the surgeons out there will be able to do it for less than the average.

Since you are apparently paying completely out of pocket, you are free to go anywhere to have the surgery done. I would contact a university or a hospital with a residency training program if you want a good price. You probably will get a quote of around $1200 to $2000 per eye and it will most likely be outpatient surgery, so no overnight hospital expenses.

I also don't see why you would refuse to sell a few guns for your wife's benefit. Half those guns belong to her anyway unless you have some kind of marriage contract that states otherwise.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:38 am

kirkwood wrote:Something is really, really wrong with the price you were quoted if in fact this is only cataract surgery with a basic IOL implant. The price you were quoted is 2 to 3 times the average cost. Half the surgeons out there will be able to do it for less than the average.

Since you are apparently paying completely out of pocket, you are free to go anywhere to have the surgery done. I would contact a university or a hospital with a residency training program if you want a good price. You probably will get a quote of around $1200 to $2000 per eye and it will most likely be outpatient surgery, so no overnight hospital expenses.

I also don't see why you would refuse to sell a few guns for your wife's benefit. Half those guns belong to her anyway unless you have some kind of marriage contract that states otherwise.

I believe I have stated the whys and wherefores of the hospital situation somewhere in this three page thread. I don't feel like rereading it. We have checked with all three of the hospitals in this area. None of them offer this kind of surgery.
As for price shopping we are not paying out of pocket, we are in line for help from an outside source. And we are more concerned about getting the best doctors than the best price. So our options are a bit limited.

As for selling the guns, my wife AND I both say: "NO". In years past we've sold guns to pay for bills and still many years later have not been able to replace them. Also considering this upcoming election I feel it is totally stupid to sell guns you might not be able to get in three months. Money IS a big problem. We don't have enough. Any guns we get are hard fought for, and so we just keep them. For US, selling our guns is NOT and option.

Joe

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:43 am

papasan wrote:Keep us updated please.
Idea...Any way to donate $$ through
the forum to help out? I would be
happy to contribute. A money order for $50.00. Just say when and where.

papasan

papasan,

There have been two or three offers for financial help. Even a mention of a "pay it forward" deal to help. So far I have not commented or accepted because I have no idea of what types of expenses we will have to pay out of our pockets. After tomorrow I hope to have a better idea of what we are going to need. Then I may take you and the others up on the offer.

Joe

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 10:58 am

Joe, please look at/contact Dr. Price at Price Vision Group in Indy. Dr. Price is one of the developers of the IOL...

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 1:59 pm

Old Ironsights wrote:Joe, please look at/contact Dr. Price at Price Vision Group in Indy. Dr. Price is one of the developers of the IOL...

OI,

I will give my wife this info and have her mention it to the man that interviews her. I do not know if the Knights Templar are locked into the hospital we have been referred to, or how this might affect their help.
I seem to be lacking in knowledge here.

Joe

Mokwaw · Post by **Mokwaw** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:28 pm

Hi Joe, I don't know if you are a member of a church or not, or even a regular attendee. But if you are contact the Deacons about some help from the benevolence fund. I think most churches have these funds for helping those in finacial need.

Rich

papasan · Post by **papasan** » Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:42 am

J Miller wrote:
papasan wrote:Keep us updated please.
Idea...Any way to donate $$ through
the forum to help out? I would be
happy to contribute. A money order for $50.00. Just say when and where.

papasan
papasan,

There have been two or three offers for financial help. Even a mention of a "pay it forward" deal to help. So far I have not commented or accepted because I have no idea of what types of expenses we will have to pay out of our pockets. After tomorrow I hope to have a better idea of what we are going to need. Then I may take you and the others up on the offer.

Joe

Joe...Hope things work out. Really
torques a guy when you think both
these Presidental candidates have these "Health plans" Every one before them had one too, and there are still
40+ million Americans with out health
insurance.And a year from now the
politicians will still be haggling
over it no doubt.

Small as it is, my offer still stands
if it would help in some way.

papasan

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:28 am

UPDATE;

My wife had an appointment with the Knights Templar rep yesterday. She asked about the costs and the eye clinic during her interview and he said that they will cover all the costs. So her surgery and glasses are going to be covered. We still have some questions but for the most part it looks like we will just need to cover gas to and from Bloomington.
He also said that the Gailey Eye Clinic was one of the best. So it looks like we are going to use them. We need to stay close to home because we have no body to house sit if we leave for an overnight trip. To much to loose by leaving the house unattended.
He also signed documents that will get me a complete eye exam and anything needed. So it looks as if we get some help in the vision department.
We aren't out of the woods yet. My wife will loose two days work minimum with each eye, with tips and hourly wages it will be a substantial shortage.

Thank you for all the suggestions, prayers and offers of help. We do appreciate them. Also thanks to those of you who made phone calls. We believe they did help.

Joe and Elaine

mescalero1 · Post by **mescalero1** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 2:26 pm