One Year To Live: Part 2

I had spent two weeks laying on the couch in complete turmoil until the Oprah Show.

Through the show I got in contact with Karen Duffy. We had a conversation on the phone where she gave me contact information for a doctor. I was led to a doctor at the University of California, his name is Dr. Om Sharma.

The next day I contacted his office and made an appointment for the following Thursday. I was now planning my trip to California, all I needed was a referral from my family physician. When I got to her office she was more than willing to give me a referral, but asked me how I was going to pay for it, to which I replied, ”Medicare will pay for it”. She just giggled and said, “Not a chance”.

This is where my fight really began. I called Medicare, the Department of Health, The Minister of Health at the time and eventually the Premier. I had doors slammed in my face at every corner.

I had to postpone my trip to figure out how to come up with the money needed. I was told by the office of Dr. Sharma that the cost for the initial visit and testing could be up to $50,000.

I don’t know why, but nothing ever seemed out of my reach. If there was someone or something in this world that could help me, I would find it. I eventually knew that government money was not going to be an option. We spent all of our savings, refinanced our home and my husband worked constantly to pay for my medical expenses.

I spent many weeks in Los Angeles, having tests done, seeing doctors, and taking experimental medications. The life expectancy of Cardiac Sarcoidosis is five years. In January 2017, it had been 20 years for me.