[Injecto]

I sat down today and decided to calculate how much I spend on diabetic supplies needed to keep me alive. I broked down all costs into price per units (ie. Lancets are 200/box, at $16.07/box which makes them .08cents each). Then I added up how much/many I use in a month. I included Lancets, Insulin, Infusion sets, Resevoirs, and Test Strips. So, at the end of the day (or month in this case) it costs me $536.25 Canadian dollars to sustain my life. If I amortize the cost of the pump over it's 4 year warranty then I'm at a whopping $669.57/month. And that's not including other things like food/glucose pills/alcohol swabs/batteries etc....all of which I need to.
If (and it's a BIG if) costs were to stay the same and as some of you say I MIGHT live to see 70 years of age (I'm going to be 32 soon), AND if costs don't change, AND my needs do not increase, and no inflation, it will cost $244,530 to keep me alive until 70. And that's not yet amortizing the pump. That would cost then $305,064.

So, the question is am I really worth that kind of money? Is it really worth spending all that money on keeping a person alive? I'm not upset at the moment or anything, I'm just working these things out in my head and figuring what's it all for?

[valc3]

You are worth it. Your life is more precious than money.

[KritterMom]

Of course you're worth it! It's what we HAVE to do to stay alive. I just feel very, very fortunate to have decent insurance. I really do feel bad for those without insurance. It's expensive, but a necessary expense. What would your family do without you? Thats what I have to ask myself sometimes. You are worth every penny of it Injecto!

[HollyB]

Daunting, though, isn't it? On the other hand, people spend 300,000 on a house all the time. You must be worth at least as much as a house.

[xMenace]

You might want to factor in a bit of inflation.

[andypoo]

The way I figure it,is that we are all worth much more than that,we're priceless. The stuff we all have to do to stay alive is incredible,really. I feel sorry for those that don't have insurance ,it is highway robbery what they endure,it's a crime,what happens to them. But Injecto,absolutely without a shaow of a doubt you are truly worth much,much more,believe it!

[xMenace]

Originally Posted by Injecto

... I'm just working these things out in my head and figuring what's it all for?

I came to terms with this sort of question watching my daughter enter the world. And the nice scholarship letter that came tonight reinforces it nicely. :smartass:

[nneighbour]

Are you on Trillium? It's a program from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It doesn't cover everything, but it certainly does cut the cost of most drugs/testing supplies. I was paying at least $300/month on drugs, and now my average cost is $85/quarter. For some reason they like to keep this program a secret, but it's open to anyone with high drug costs and an OHIP card. http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/s...ium_bookE_.pdf

[cheryl]

Wow you were in deep thought, but I get what you are saying, we have to pay to keep us alive and people who are healthy just have to eat and do the norm we have to go this extra mile, fair no, but worth it yes, all our lives are very precious.

Cheryl

[sydneya]

I must agree with everyone else. You and all of us are worth every bit as much as you spend on medicine and supplies. In fact, much more. Keep spending. You are priceless. Who knows? Maybe you'll be instrumental in finding a cure for diabetes, or becoming President, or raising a child. There is something important that you will do for that $$$$ you spend.

[Funnygrl]

I've done this before, and it's truly sad when I throw in the cost of my diabetes supplies, my asthma meds, and my reflux meds. If I add in acne stuff it's even worse.

[mg_2204]

Originally Posted by Injecto

So, the question is am I really worth that kind of money?

My answer will be simple : YES! x 100000

[gettingby]

Injecto, you and the rest of us are definitely worth it.
I got into one of these figuring things out moods and sat down to figure up how many insulin injections I've taken. Made my head hurt. LOL.

[ladytaz]

Yep, you're definitely worth it!! I feel ya tho! I haven't any insurance, and am having a difficult time financially right now ... my monthy costs are anywhere between $300 and $400 a month -depending upon what kind of 'deal' I can get on test strips, as that is my greatest expenditure. That doesn't count doc visits and lab tests ... those aren't every month tho, thankfully!!.

[soso]

Injecto
I often sit figuring out how much it's all costing (self employed no drug plan) with 2 diabetics in the house...and having a little mither about how we will afford it after we retire....DH just laughs and sez, well, what about all the food you are going to have to buy for the rest of your life too.....
In Ontario, does the Province kick in for your pump, or do you have to just stump up for it yourself? I rang (so called) 'Fair Pharmacare' here in BC which I think looks like the equivilent to the Trillium program and they do not cover pumps, period.. and only cover the sets and tubing and no other requirements for the pump... Also the way it works for us is that we pay all our drug costs and after we pass a set limit for the year (which they base on income not what drugs you actually use) they kick in 70% and then after another set amount they pay it all...but it all starts over every Jan 1st..the other wrinkle is that a lot of drugs are not covered and they are the expensive ones usually..For example my Insulin is only partly covered and when the endo wanted me to try Actos or Avandia it was out of the question anyway cos it's $5 per dose and not covered...Our pharmacare kicked in mid way through December last year, but thanks to my lovely doc I was able to at least score a bunch of test strips and needles at a lower price....
ss