I live like a 90 year old in a 24 year old's body - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bibtin Tex · 07-13-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Alyssa Olsen calls it her death sentence.

Olsen is fighting for her life and her insurance company, which has denied her requests for a transplant.
"I'm dying," she said.
Olsen is just 24 and a newlywed. She suffers from a severe immune deficiency that lead to diabetes, Crohn's disease, and an underactive thyroid. She coughs constantly and tires easily.
"So I look for elevators in every building that I'm in, and map the quickest way out of places, park as close as I can," she said.
Olsen's heart beats twice as fast as a normal rate. Her lungs operate at half their capacity.
"So I live like a 90 year old in a 24 year old's body," she said.
Since childhood, Olsen has been hospitalized more times than she can count. She worried she'd never find a husband who'd stay with her in sickness and health. But then she found Kyle.
"It breaks my heart. I feel so helpless," said Kyle Olsen.
Alyssa Olsen's immunologist claims a bone marrow transplant offers her only hope for survival, but her insurance carrier has denied coverage twice.
"My doctor has said I have two to three years if I don't get this transplant, because of the complications I'm experiencing," she said.
Without insurance coverage, the transplant would cost at least $250,000. With her job at a nonprofit group and his job as a police officer, the couple simply can't afford it.
The Olsens are appealing Regence Blue Shield for a third time but admit after two rejections, they hold little hope.
"They say people with my disease are not commonly transplanted, (there) isn't enough evidence to support that it's going to work for me," she said.
So the two turned to KOMO News for help.
KOMO News posed the question to Dr. Joseph Gifford, the senior medical director for Regence Blue Shield, who says third appeals are often accepted.
"The third level of appeal goes outside the insurance company to a third party that has no connection other than a small fee, no other connection to the insurance company," he said. "And that decision is made by experts."
Alyssa Olsen doesn't want a transplant, but fears it's her last chance at life. "I need a new immune system and this is how it has to come about," she said.

ISSAQUAH, Wash. -- Alyssa Olsen calls it her death sentence.

Donations: http://foralyssa.wordpress.com/about/

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-13-2009, 01:44 PM

That sounds like the title of a TLC show.

I wanna be like Miikka · 07-13-2009, 01:47 PM

Sad stuff, hopefully they find the funds or coverage to get this procedure done. God I'm not sure how much I'm going to enjoy practicing in the States.

habernac · 07-13-2009, 01:47 PM

If the choice is death or $250,000, I'd be looking to take out a second mortgage or something. What's a little debt if you can continue breathing?

Locke · 07-13-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

If the choice is death or $250,000, I'd be looking to take out a second mortgage or something. What's a little debt if you can continue breathing?

Banks tend to frown upon approving massive loans that may never be repaid due to expected and highly predictable mortality rates. Its even mentioned in the article, theres no guarantee that it'll work, its just the best, most likely option.

No one would insure a loan of that size to a terminally ill person either and if its a second mortgage or something they'll never recoup the loss.

habernac · 07-13-2009, 01:52 PM

then the hubby's on the hook for it

Table 5 · 07-13-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I wanna be like Miikka

God I'm not sure how much I'm going to enjoy practicing in the States.

Start saving up for the 100k+ you'll be paying in insurance coverage!

I wanna be like Miikka · 07-13-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

Start saving up for the 100k+ you'll be paying in insurance coverage!

You don't need insurance if you don't make mistakes...

Hopefully the higher salary will somewhat offset that amount, if not then to Canada it is!

Agamemnon · 07-13-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by habernac

then the hubby's on the hook for it

I doubt he'd qualify... can you get a 250k unsecured LOC right now on top of your 'normal life'? I sure can't...

Hemi-Cuda · 07-13-2009, 05:04 PM

ah yes, the US and their "Best medical system in the world" as Republicans like to put it. where every human life has a dollar figure attached to it

Ice · 07-13-2009, 05:22 PM

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Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

ah yes, the US and their "Best medical system in the world" as Republicans like to put it. where every human life has a dollar figure attached to it

I'm a Republican and I don't think our system is the best at all. Just because most Republicans are against socialized healthcare doesn't mean we don't see a great need for insurance reform.

Kipper is King · 07-13-2009, 05:47 PM

Someone I know has a condition where her heart beats much faster than the normal rate. She doesn't exercise at all (been told not to). I can't imagine what the long-term prognosis is for her, but I fear it's not good.

driveway · 07-13-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice

I'm a Republican and I don't think our system is the best at all. Just because most Republicans are against socialized healthcare doesn't mean we don't see a great need for insurance reform.

The issue being that only government intervention and regulation can effect insurance reform. So then it becomes a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't issue for your average small-government conservative: Which approach will result in the most efficient, least expensive health-care system; a "socialized" single-payer government-run system, or a "privatized" multiple-provider system with heavy regulation and oversight?

When it comes to healthcare, you can't have your cake and eat it too.