Ask your wife and kids whether you’re worth the trouble. I suspect they’ll say “yes.”
Done . . .
- Thread starter dbahn
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Ask your wife and kids whether you’re worth the trouble. I suspect they’ll say “yes.”
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
Thanks. I have considered that but if I were going to do that I'd just try to use my own plane with a copilot before I sell it, but it's the ground transportation as part of that trip that actually is more challenging. Do you know if an airport like KBOS waives all fees for Angel flights? It's still considerably more expensive and time consuming when I can get the radiation treatments at our local hospital for about 20 minutes of the day and live in my own home for the entire treatment period.
I already have. They agree it's just not worth it for the clinical trial, especially considering that I'm not eligable for most of them due to a recent biopsy of malignant melanoma. I've been a regular tumor farm with prostate, three separate melanomas, and now glioblastoma over the past 15 years, and most of the trials require at least a two year tumor free period. (That's for integrity of the trial data.)
I don't know for sure about BOS, but I've yet to hear of an FBO charging for an angel flight. Airport landing fees might still apply. We usually fly into reliever airports, although we do use MEM sometimes for St. Jude. I think @NealRomeoGolf went into BOS or somewhere nearby a last year. St. Jude, CTCA, and Mayo all have shuttle service to the airport. Angel Flight East or PALS would have those answers.
I'm not trying to talk you into anything, just thinking about options. I can't imagine facing the diagnosis you've been given, and i totally understand the desire to stay at home.
DoubleD
Pre-takeoff checklist
Very sorry to hear of this diagnosis. As a 78 year old pilot myself, I am always waiting for the "shoe to drop". Not a frequent poster myself, I have always appreciated your insightful views and "Flying the Motorcycle to Alaska".
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3G
Have had a malignancy and lots of benign biopsies and another benign tumor, so as much as one can understand the thought processes, this is why songs like “Live Like You Were Dying” were written.
F*ck cancer and I hope you live like you were dying; don’t let the disease define who you are.
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
I think I'm already ahead on all three.
I'm really pretty calm about this. I hope my loved ones get that and join in on the tranquility.
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3G
I expected as much, you’re a class act.
I went into KBED (Bedford) and they waived nothing. Some places are just jerks. Signature at Mayo has been the best.
Sorry to hear of the diagnosis. It's the same that took my grandfather at age 81. I wish you and family peace and enjoyment for the time you have with them.
Kitch
Pre-takeoff checklist
I highly recommend looking into PALS. Great organization from top to bottom. BOS does waive fees for compassion flights last I knew, but most of the time we fly in and out of BED or OWD. PALS also arranges your ground transportation and hotels if needed.
Kitch
Pre-takeoff checklist
Thats odd I've never been charged anything flying PALS flights out of there, and Jet aviation is always super accommodating.
I used Ross Aviation which I think is now Atlantic? This was 2 years ago. I guess if there is a next time it will be Jet Aviation.
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
Pharmacy Insanity Rant:
As some may know from other posts here, I blame pharmaceutacil companies and their collusion with government, health care insurance companies, advertizers and others for some of the problems in our health care system. Along those lines, I have been put on an anti-seizure medication (lacosamide) for the rest of my life. The first prescription was filled in Pittsburgh where I had spent a week with testing and consultations. I picked it up there and paid about $30 out-of-pocket for a month's supply. I went to refill it yesterday and the co-pay was over $600! After hours of frustrating calls to various agencies, the oncologist in Pittsburgh got involved and I learned that the $600 co-pay only applies if you use your health insurance. It lowers a little bit during the rest of the year as deductibles are met, but it ends up being about $7,000/yr. and resets on January 1st next year. The oncologist told me to go back to the $600 pharmacy and tell them not to bill insurance and we'll pay in cash. Guess what. It's $30 a month if we do that, or $360/yr instead of nearly twenty times that amount if going through Medicare, Mutual of Omaha and Wellcare through my insurance supplement program
Somewhere in the background there is an insane amount of collusion going on that could unnecessarily drain seniors and others of their life savings, in other words someone is manufacturing a critical drug for well under $30 and selling much of it for twenty times that amount to people who use their own insurance, including Medicare. Where is that money now????
As some may know from other posts here, I blame pharmaceutacil companies and their collusion with government, health care insurance companies, advertizers and others for some of the problems in our health care system. Along those lines, I have been put on an anti-seizure medication (lacosamide) for the rest of my life. The first prescription was filled in Pittsburgh where I had spent a week with testing and consultations. I picked it up there and paid about $30 out-of-pocket for a month's supply. I went to refill it yesterday and the co-pay was over $600! After hours of frustrating calls to various agencies, the oncologist in Pittsburgh got involved and I learned that the $600 co-pay only applies if you use your health insurance. It lowers a little bit during the rest of the year as deductibles are met, but it ends up being about $7,000/yr. and resets on January 1st next year. The oncologist told me to go back to the $600 pharmacy and tell them not to bill insurance and we'll pay in cash. Guess what. It's $30 a month if we do that, or $360/yr instead of nearly twenty times that amount if going through Medicare, Mutual of Omaha and Wellcare through my insurance supplement program
Somewhere in the background there is an insane amount of collusion going on that could unnecessarily drain seniors and others of their life savings, in other words someone is manufacturing a critical drug for well under $30 and selling much of it for twenty times that amount to people who use their own insurance, including Medicare. Where is that money now????
danhagan
En-Route
We have the same BS here with Flomax. Normal prescription is for prostate issues. Urologist uses it to relax genito-urinary tissue to help pass a kidney stone easier-faster. The pharmacist will ALWAYS tell the females that their insurance won't cover ... they leave in tears ... we send them back as the private pay rate is about $6 which the pharmacists NEVER tell the female patient at the counter
This won't make you feel better. Only worse. My son was just diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that will require $7,000 shots every month for the rest of his life. He is 14. Insurance will take care of most of it after the deductible (which is $6000 - yay!). Then you get the "prescription card" from the manufacturer and you pay no co-pay for the rest of the year. I don't get it. Just lower the price.
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
Yikes. That's ridiculous, and my condolences for you and your son. Hopefully their patent will expire and the drug cost will drop down to something like the cost of a loaf of bread.
The drug patent process is just a giant casino for the manufacturers, but the consumer pays the winners.
Holy smoke! What is he on? I also have an autoimmune disease and take an immunosuppressant. It’s roughly $25 a month.
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
That brings up another flaw, in my opinion. The prescriber doesn't know the cost. He/she wants to presribe whatever is "best" for the patient, which is often the most ridiculous price wise. They (which includes me when I was writing prescriptions) are too busy taking care of patients to go through the tedious process of sorting through the maze of payment options for every drug they prescribe, and it's an equally burdensome and often obscure process for the patient. The "best" drug may offer a small percentage advantage over the control to be determined to be "safe and effective" to be approved by the FDA, and the consumer may figure that there's really no other option.
I was close to deciding "fruck it", I'll just die a little earlier than I planned for - until the oncologist at UPMC did the homework and found that I could avoid paying $6000 or $7000 per year for a drug that I had already initially purchased for $30 a month and could continue at that price indefintely. TV advetizing gives a huge advantage to the drug manufacturer in this process, which I consider basically a scam on the American public.
Gilbert Buettner
Line Up and Wait
Same here.
Zeldman
Touchdown! Greaser!
Glad to hear you are going to fight this cancer. A friends wife is a 2 time cancer survivor. The first time (pancreatic) the doc prescribed a once a month shot (among other things) that cost approximately $23,000 per shot. Their insurance said no way. He got a lawyer to send the insurance company a letter. The insurance company decided to pay.
20 years to the day she was diagnosed with the first cancer, she was diagnosed for the second time. Different cancer affecting her brain. Again, their insurance company said no way. A quick letter from a lawyer seemed to change their mind and they paid.
Insurance is a game. The insurance company wants you to pay them monthly for years, but they don't want to pay out.
I thought I wanted to be your insurance man, and was licensed (long expired) Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property and Casualty, but the insurance company that wanted me to start an agency (farmers) changed my mind.
Insurance (health, life for the most part) sales was my first career. Dirtiest industry I know and I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole again. @dbahn I don't think we ever had the pleasure to meet or even interact/communicate directly on here but I do remember some of your valuable posts and I looked at the pictures of one of your Alaska trips which I very much liked. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best. Although you don't think you'll be one of the miracles, I absolutely hope you're wrong about that and then we can all rub it in your face ;-)
Huckster79
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Hell, I plan to maximize death itself. Vermont has a liberal "death with dignity" policy, which I will use, and my advance directive includes my request to fire my ashes from one of the bronze cannons I made years ago. My daughter's not wild about that, but my wife is on board and I think my daughter will come around.
I made the bore size to be able to shoot golf balls, which happen to be the same size as a one pound lead ball.
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I just want to commend you for the class act way of facing this you are sharing. I think it's great you are openly sharing your decision to take advantage of the "Dying with Dignity" laws of your state. Such a thing is a deep and personal decision, but sharing it without apology is a great gift to all who read it, to help work towards a culture where folks can make that decision feeling less pressure/shame in doing so. Sharing it so openly is a step in that direction and a contribution to humanity by simply sharing it in such a way.
I wish you the best with what time you have on your ride of life, I'm encouraged as a brother human being by the way you are facing it and sharing it, and by doing so you could be planting the seeds in any of us that read what you share if/when we may be faced with the same or similar, which statistically speaking some of us will face a similar road, to face it with he dignity, calmness, and clarity you have shown.
Your Brother Human and Pilot,
Ray
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
Thanks.
My logic for openly sharing is simple. Avoid dealing with a group of friends where some know exactly what's going on and some others know bits and pieces and even some others know nothing at all.
My logic for openly sharing is simple. Avoid dealing with a group of friends where some know exactly what's going on and some others know bits and pieces and even some others know nothing at all.
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Piperonca
BillTIZ
Final Approach
I did that for a flight school owner. We used his T-41B that he kept on the schools roster and rented it out. We took it from the Southwest to Maine and back, and to Alaska and back.
I was referred to as "his seeing eye pilot". Yes, I had "skin in the game", he was responsible for the cost of the airplane, I put fuel in it. We each took care of our own meals and lodging. I did return solo on the Alaska trip, as he had to return via commercial airline for a family emergency.
Do take care.
3393RP
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I must say you have displayed exceptional fortitude in sharing the diagnosis with us.
My prayers will be with you and your loved ones as you navigate this difficult road. I will also be sending you courage and energy through mechanisms I wholly believe in, the power of hearts and minds to make their presence known to those who must bear the weight of challenges that seem unsurmountable.
Dave, I applaud your choice of facing the difficult future with logic and courage. Sharing, so all your friends can know where you are in life is a powerful choice, as I believe in the existence of external strength.
I am a bit older than you, and quit renewing my medical in 2012, but have flown with friends and instructors since then. I sold my share of the plane in 2015, as the plane needed more hours per year to stay healthy, and I did not need to be a partner to share costs with another partner. Last flew Dec. 2022.
Your attitude reminds me of my Brother in laws, both decided to live until they had no quality of life, then quietly let go with family around them.
Best wishes for success in the days ahead.
I am a bit older than you, and quit renewing my medical in 2012, but have flown with friends and instructors since then. I sold my share of the plane in 2015, as the plane needed more hours per year to stay healthy, and I did not need to be a partner to share costs with another partner. Last flew Dec. 2022.
Your attitude reminds me of my Brother in laws, both decided to live until they had no quality of life, then quietly let go with family around them.
Best wishes for success in the days ahead.
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
Funny story. On another forum a friend asked if I had applied for the Master Pilot Award, which represents flying for 50 years. I looked back at my logs and I'm a few months short, although I'm pretty sure if I log PIC next month I would qualify for that distinction.
I dug out my first log book and here's what I found:
My first solo flight was July 7th, 1974, and from first lesson to private pilot was just over six weeks. I left BTV for my check ride in Newport Vermont with 34.7 hours and got the required 35 hours (Part 141) by flying to the check ride in Newport. I remember my total cost was somewhere around $900, but that included some aerobatics and a check out in a 172 instead of the 150 I did the rest of the training in.
Those were the days . . .
(Somewhat ironically, I'll finish my radiation treatment a few days short of the 50th anniversary of my check ride and tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of my first solo flight.)
I dug out my first log book and here's what I found:
My first solo flight was July 7th, 1974, and from first lesson to private pilot was just over six weeks. I left BTV for my check ride in Newport Vermont with 34.7 hours and got the required 35 hours (Part 141) by flying to the check ride in Newport. I remember my total cost was somewhere around $900, but that included some aerobatics and a check out in a 172 instead of the 150 I did the rest of the training in.
Those were the days . . .
(Somewhat ironically, I'll finish my radiation treatment a few days short of the 50th anniversary of my check ride and tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of my first solo flight.)
Lindberg
Final Approach
That's a flaw with the prescriber, not the system. When my doc writes me a new script, he pulls out up in the computer to see what my coat will be. Then he pulls up the GoodRX, which shows the cost at various pharmacies without using insurance, then he offers to send it to the cheapest one. Now, I've got a kickass boutique doc, but I'd rather give my money to someone working for me rather than against me.
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SoonerAviator
Sounds like you have a final aviation goal to achieve!
I don't have drug insurance, and I presented a GoodRX coupon for one of my prescriptions to the nearest Safeway pharmacy, but it turned out that their price was slightly lower without the coupon (and quite reasonable). I am using Amazon's pharmacy for another prescription, and it appears that their prices for Amazon Prime members are similarly reasonable. (I don't yet have enough experience with either of them to say whether this is typical.)
dbahn
Pattern Altitude
The smart patient and the smart doctor will read the link that Piperonca posted above and realize that pharmacy benefit managers are making millions by keeping people from paying out of pocket for drugs that are horribly inflated in cost through third party handlers but are relatively inexpensive to distribute if purchased outright without insurance copays.
Read how Martin Shkreli was caught in one of these scams and jailed for raising drug prices by 5,000%
Dave Anderson
Line Up and Wait
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SkyDreams
Got to hand it to your attitude all this and what an amazing run! God Bless and prayers for your health!
Lindberg
Final Approach
I'm not surprised by any of that. You can also go on the GoodRX app and it will show you the price at various pharmacies. Around here, which pharmacy is cheapest varies by drug. I still usually use my insurance because we always meet the deductible, so I'm only paying the copay until we got out of pocket max.
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3G