Staying Alive Is Not Cheap

Unsurprisingly, drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer are outrageously priced. So imagine my shock when I learned a new medication I needed was equally offensively priced.

Over the last year, I have developed breathing issues and a dry cough. As a result, I received referrals to a cardiologist and a pulmonologist. But, as far as we knew, it wasn't due to the progression of cancer.

Let the testing begin

Each specialist recommended particular tests and scans. I had two breathing tests, a stress test, an echocardiogram, a nuclear stress test, 2 angio CTs, and a lot of blood work.

The pulmonologist prescribed 2 then 3 inhalers to help with my breathing. Finally, the cardiologist put me on high blood pressure medication. Just what I wanted - a longer prescription list.

The medication side effects

The blood pressure medication caused my potassium to drop below typical standard results, so my oncologist put me on potassium pills. If you have yet to have the pleasure, you aren't missing anything.

They are by far the most giant pills I have ever had the displeasure of trying to swallow. Unfortunately, I may have "forgotten" to take them a few times. So then, I switched to a different blood pressure medication.

I used 1 inhaler in the morning and night, 1 just at night, and the other for "emergency" use. They helped for a while, but only a short time.

Band-aids are temporary

The thing about band-aids is that eventually, they come off whether or not you want them to. My breathing issues have become more of a struggle. My chest has a constant cramping/pressure feeling, and I am constantly tired. Was something wrong, or would this become my "new normal?"

When I returned to the pulmonologist, she had me walk around the office while attached to a pulse oximeter. She wanted to observe what happened to my blood oxygen levels when I exerted myself.

Upon starting the second lap, I had to stop; I was beginning to feel dizzy. My blood oxygen levels had dropped to 89 percent. My doctor was visibly concerned.

I was headed back for another angio CT. The last one was fine. So, this scan would also be normal; I wasn't nervous or scared. So much for intuition.

Houston, we have a problem

I was unprepared for the phone call I received when my phone rang a few hours later. I had scattered pulmonary embolisms in the arteries of my left lung. Thankfully, the doctor didn't say to go to the hospital.

Instead, she called in a blood thinner. Although, when I saw how much the medication would be, I regretted not getting a stay at the hospital. There was no generic alternative either.

I am not a fan of starting a new year and being required to reach medical deductibles again. However, the bright side is that filling this blood thinner allows me to meet my deductible for the entire year.

The lesson is this: From now on, I will prepare for situations like this in the future by putting away 10 or 20 dollars a month because staying alive isn't cheap!