Obamacare will likely help save my life.

[toddwv]

Almost 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. A big shocker since I lived a relatively active life. However, I ended up in the emergency room and they told me I had a 5-10% ejection fraction. They placed an ICD (defib/pacemaker) within 3 days of me being in the hospital. I was sent home with a rather morbid prognosis... the doctors told my family that I would be lucky to live two months.

I ended up lasting over 9 1/2 years before I once again started going downhill. I was admitted to the local hospital and transported to a regional hospital that provides more advanced care such as LVADs and transplants. I was there for about 12 days. They started the testing but couldn't continue because, though I had Medicare, I needed full coverate ie a supplemental plan. I was released and their patient support helped me and my family get the necessary paperwork completed.

I was recently approved for a Medicaid supplement, and now the ball is rolling again. I'm not completely sure that I would have qualified if Medicaid hadn't been expanded in my state because, due to SSD, I've topped the cutoff a few years before.

So, when I wake up tomorrow (actually today), I will be traveling to the regional hospital where I will be admitted for fast-tracked LVAD (left ventricular assist device) placement. During the operation, my sternum will be cut, my ribs cracked, and a hole will be punched in my left ventricle and aorta and they will be connected with a pumping device that is controlled and powered externally.

I would like to thank President Obama, the Democratic Party members who fought the good fight, and the people that supported them. The ACA isn't perfect but anyone who denies its positive effects will eventually find themselves standing on the wrong side of history.

Here's an IAMA I did on Reddit last year, if anyone is interested.
http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1ae1hz/iama_man_who_was_given_2_months_to_live_when_he/

There's a little more information available there...

See everyone in 6 weeks to 2 months!

Todd

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Good luck and take care, my dear toddwv!

You've really been through it.

See you on the flip side!

I thought you should have a heart, so I gave you one. Enjoy!

[VanillaRhapsody]

2. but but but....

Obama sucks! Haven't you heard? And so does Hill ary Clinton....and every other Democrat at this point. They ONLY like Bernie Sanders....and he is not one!

But THEY are the real Democrats...


And I am glad you are getting the help you need....as they say...

"Thanks Obama..."

[lpbk2713]

3. Wishing you all the best.

[elleng]

4. Excellent!

You deserve a new heart, and you've got one!!!

[mopinko]

5. i would like to that obamacare for my divorce.

i am free to start my life over without being chained to the husband w the job and the insurance.
it will give similar freedom to many people "married" to employer based healthcare.

[Cha]

6. I'm so happy for you, Todd! I'm really glad you're able to hang in there for all

these rough going procedures provided .. due to Medicaid Expansion.

Too many like to whine about how bad Obamacare is.. but there are so many many stories like yours that it's impossible to take them seriously.

Your strength is amazing~

[Arugula Latte]

7. Sending you best wishes for a good outcome and speedy recovery!

[MADem]

8. You are so brave!

A friend of mine had a similar problem, and did what you are doing. It went pretty well for him--not without a setback or two (apparently he needed some adjustment after the fact but that was handled without too much fuss) and though the recovery process is no picnic, he's ON THE MEND. Once this snow melts, there will be no stopping him!

He said that a BIG piece of the recovery process is attention to psychological issues. Apparently depression is common after these operations, they go together like toast and jam, and it is important to be alert for that and head it off at the pass. I see from your AMA (great exchange, that--well done) that you're well aware of this aspect already, so I'm guessing you're prepared for that sort of thing.

[murielm99]

9. I don't know if you will see this, but good luck.

I am looking forward to your return here. Please keep us updated!

[Ramses]

10. Glad to hear the good news

When you get a chance, can you tell us how the ACA helped you? Did you not have insurance before?

[pugetres]

11. I hope your recovery is uneventful.

Best wishes, Todd!

[busterbrown]

12. Thanks for Posting..

I hope any of us on DU who have hopeful stories concerning the ACA continue to post their gratitude..


Thanks Again Toddwv..and most of all wishing you all the best

[Hekate]

13. Good health to you, Todd! I hope you've sent this letter to President Obama himself; I'm sure he....

...could use a bit of good news himself.

By the way, my dad lived a long time with congestive heart failure. He had a valve replacement (the bad valve was the one that gets damaged when a kid gets rheumatic fever) and that helped a whole lot. I don't know when he got the diagnosis of congestive heart failure, but my mom took that to mean he was going to die at any moment. He had a good medical plan with Kaiser, thanks to his union job, and he lasted about 15 or 18 years, finally passing away of pneumonia at 78.

From my layman's perspective, it looks to me as though it is a manageable disease if --IF -- you have good medical care, such as you are now receiving. And a bit of luck -- I never discount that.

Best wishes, and God bless. I hope you get all these messages when you return to us.

[lebkuchen]

14. All the best

[joshcryer]

15. My best wishes to you, toddwv!

[pablo_marmol]

16. Best wishes buddy.

Sounds like you'll be dealing with a fairly lengthy recovery.....but it beats the alternative.

[pnwmom]

17. Good luck, Todd! I'm so glad you're getting the treatment you need! n/t

[IronLionZion]

18. That's fantastic news! Glad its working out

The number of DUers still on the wrong side of history should be less and less each day, I hope.

[bigwillq]

19. All the best.

[Cha]

20. Kick

[Autumn]

21. Best of luck to you. See you soon and a speedy recovery.

[great white snark]

22. Good health and best wishes.

[eridani]

23. Very happy for you--and a speedy recovery

Note to everyone else--this story clearly illustrates why cardiovascular fitness does NOT = cardiovascular health.

[daredtowork]

24. I was also an epic beneficiary of Obamacare

1) I have a condition that is similar to macular degeneration in both eyes, and neuro-degenerative disease as well. I had "low vision" and a lot of distortions already when I had a major hemorrhage *right after I got on Medi-Cal because of the ACA*. I had been trying to get a retinal specialist for years, to no avail. Those guys are highly paid, and they don't tend to partake in regular low income health programs. After the hemorrhage, I was legally blind: I couldn't read or see to cross the street. But because I had *just* gotten Medi-Cal, I was finally able to see a retinal specialist, and I was able to get the treatments I needed to restore my eyesight. Whew.

2) I was also extremely mobility disabled before the ACA kicked in. This one frustrates me even more than the eyesight, because I see it as an unnecessary outcome of problems that could have been addressed. Instead, because I didn't have access to proper medical care for years, I fell into poverty and became a burden on the taxpayers. I was also headed for SSI, so I was potentially going to be a burden for the rest of my life.

Now the ACA is giving me more hope. Because I finally got referrals to the right specialists and coverage for prescriptions, my mobility improved a lot - and it continues to improve. Last summer I was almost feeling normal, but then I got thrown off of Medi-Cal for a month (see my sig) and that messed me up. But I know what's possible now. Instead of just giving up on life, I'm putting in the effort and looking for work.

What this country really needs, though, is universal health care. No strings attached. Everyone needs health care: we just need to admit this and shake on it. I think we should stop talking about Bronze and Silver and whatever plans, too - that just makes people feel like some lives are worth less than others. Human lives are what is at stake when it comes to health care. Everyone should get the same treatment.

[daredtowork]

25. I should have wished you good luck on your procedure as well! :D nt

[Thinkingabout]

26. I am happy the ACA has removed lifetime cap on medical care.

Last year my medical costs was $110,000. It would not take many years to go over the $1m life time limit. This I am very thankful. BTW, I do not have major problems such as heart conditions or cancer. By 2020 there will be the last year for seniors to fall into the donut hole on prescriptions. The full cost of prescriptions is applied to the donut hole and not the amount paid for prescriptions. The donut hole was established by Bush, poor seniors does not have a chance in hell. All over the world except for the US prescriptions cost is very small compared to the amount we pay in the US, same drug is much cheaper elsewhere. The GOP believes in capitalism except in the drug field.

[Liberal_in_LA]

27. best wishes

[Laffy Kat]

28. Wow. Great post and positive thoughts your way.

Wishing you a speedy rehabilitation. You're going to feel so much better soon!

[SidDithers]

29. "Fuck you, Mr. President, you piece of shit used-car salesman. From my heart and soul, fuck you."

All the best for a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery.



Sid

[drray23]

30. good luck. I wish you a speedy post operative recovery. nt.