9 Down and 32 Down

Our newspaper on Sunday includes the New York Times crossword puzzle, and it usually takes me the better part of the week to get most of it completed. Today was the first day I'd worked on it but there were two clues that seemed very timely.

9-Down (5 letters):  Patient's liability.  That was too easy.  COPAY.

I think for all of last year (2012) I paid a total of three medical related copay's. This year?!! Since May my checkbook register is lopsided with checks written to doctor's, clinics, surgical centers, outpatient centers, medical centers, radiologists, various other ____ologists, imaging specialists, hospitals, pharmacies, etc. Ya, I could go on. However, as a cancer patient I know I'm not alone in dealing with the medical costs associated with my disease. I feel very blessed to have insurance and, many years ago, a wise father who encouraged me to set aside money in savings.

On a related side note I got a call from my oncologist's office this week asking if I'd be interested in a program that assists patients for costs associated with one of my chemo drugs. Well, YES! Apparently the only qualifying factor is to earn less than $100,000 a year. No problem! Okay, I didn't dare ask what the cost per treatment was because if they offer a program subsidizing costs you know it ain't a cheap drug.
Maybe instead of counting the number of copay checks I should count total $$$'s. Um. No.

32-Down (5 letters):  "Not a peep!".  With a start letter of 'z' this also was easy.  ZIPIT.

And...that's what I've asked of my immediate family (the only ones to know of my NHL so far), and they have been good about doing this - whether they've liked the request or not. Word will soon get out and their vow of silence will be lifted.

Tomorrow? the Port placement, and another check to a hospital for my copay responsibility: only $300.00 -- and that includes a 25% discount for paying up front.



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