Committing to a healthy lifestyle does not come without a price. My husband and I spend money on healthy food and our vitamins that come at a cost. When you first start to buy only fresh vegetables, fruits, or what would be natural foods such as grains, seeds and nuts, you can be shocked by the prices. But you are forgoing processed food which in reality can be just as expensive. I have found that we actually eat less food, because the foods that are packed with natural fiber fill you up. The pay off for a healthy body also means less trips to the doctor. So if you want a healthy body the money spent is well worth it.
Our health care system has become expensive. I watched the 60 Minutes program that featured a family that had visited MD Anderson for Cancer care. I understood their frustration with the expense of going there for care. I was surprised at what they paid out of their own pocket to be seen and to have treatment. I know that vulnerable feeling when your loved one has cancer. You will do anything to get someone to help and make the cancer go away. I am not sure what the answer is to lower the price for care or who is to blame. I do know that if you can not afford to go there that my heart is very sad for you.
My husband has been a patient at MD Anderson since 2010. Now that we are thinking clearly, the shock of the whole experience is becoming a memory of the past. We are among the very blessed to have gone there for care and we had good insurance. My husband pays an exorbitant amount in premiums for his insurance which is considered one of the premium plans. Our out of pocket expense since 2010 has tripled. We were told it was due to the high price of his claims. I once requested an itemized statement from MD Anderson be sent to us, and it was shocking to see the cost of everything. I can not imagine paying those prices without insurance. Cancer itself will emotionally drain you let alone seeing the cost of treatment. I thank God everyday for our blessed life and pray for those who are not able to receive the health care they need.
There is also the expenses of travel and temporary lodging when visiting major Cancer Centers that are not in your state. The cost of these extra medical expenses are not covered by insurance and drain your bank account quickly. So I really don't know how we can stop this over inflated cost of medical care. But, we can start living healthy and reduce the need to see doctors. I know for my husband and I living healthy is a high priority for us and having good health insurance. It has meant sacrificing a lot of other material things in life and trips that we would have loved to have taken. The sacrifices have been worth it, because my husband and I are survivors. We are able to wake up to happiness and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
I know that healthy living does not always mean there won't be times when we need medical care, but it does help reduce our chances. Finding doctors to help you with a good medical plan to stay healthy is also important and you taking the initiative to follow their advice is important. It always goes back to you owning up to taking care of yourself. It is what you want from your life and sometimes the sacrifices you have to make along the way. Don't let the health care system own you. Stand up and take charge of your health. It's your life. You can visit the American Cancer Society on line for information and resources to help everyone living with cancer.
God Bless all cancer patients !
Elizabeth:)
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