|
|
Published May 02, 2008 11:07 am - It took all of Don Beiswanger’s strength to walk down the hall that led to the chemotherapy room.
But he made that walk every week.
Carol Stark: Money, mortality unsettling combo
It took all of Don Beiswanger’s strength to walk down the hall that led to the chemotherapy room.
But he made that walk every week.
The Carthage man was on his second go-around with cancer. This time it had attacked the spine. Don, 68, knew his time was almost up.
So why did he continue the excruciating chemo course?
Because Don had goals. He wanted to celebrate his 38th wedding anniversary and he knew that chemotherapy might just prolong his life long enough to hold hands with his wife Delores and celebrate their marriage one last time.
Don made it to that anniversary, but lost his fight with cancer just a few short weeks later in August of 2006.
Beginning this year, oncologists will receive training on how to have straight-forward talks with patients about the affordability of chemotherapy — especially in cases like Don’s, where hope no longer exists.
I find that kind of talk particularly upsetting for a variety of reasons. While doctors can’t offer up cures, they know that chemotherapy can extend life and sometimes will put cancer in remission for years.
Or maybe it just buys the patient a little time.
But it sure isn’t cheap.
Now, doctors are going to have to talk with patients whose cancer can’t be cured but who are seeking both the longest possible survival and the best quality of life. And of course it’s going to weigh heavily on the patient, and probably the doctor too, that gaining precious months could mean bankrupting their families.
It also puts doctors even more in the God seat.
I’ve been following recent news reports of the astronomical costs of chemotherapy. On the day I walked through my oncologist’s door, I’m pretty sure I would have walked out if he had prescribed treatment on the budget plan.
I’m lucky. I have insurance. Without it, I might have reconsidered the $30,000-a-month chemo treatments even though they saved my life.
But money is going to play a larger and larger role in how cancer patients are treated. Last week, a report was released indicating that five years of cancer care for America’s elderly cost Medicare $21.1 billion.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
 |
|
LOCAL TRUCK DRIVER
Class A CDL, home nightly, drop/hook, good equipment, 1 year experience, good pay. 620-429-7097. ...>MORE
SERVER
SERVER, must be 18 or over. Apply in person: Pizza By Stout, 2101 Range Line. Ask for Mike or Joy....>MORE
LIFE AND HEALTH AGENTS
National insurance company has immediate position openings for:
k Openers
k Coordinators
k ...>MORE
NOW HIRING KITCHEN HELPER
now looking for kitchen helper, hostess/host, wait staff. Apply in person. Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse. 781-9888....>MORE
CARTHAGE BASED AGRIBUSINESS
Carthage based agribusiness has an inventory control/personnel manager position. In/outside duties. Computer skills, Exc...>MORE
PIZZA COOK
PIZZA COOK. Apply in person: Pizza By Stout, 2101 Range Line. Ask for Mike....>MORE
SUBCONTRACTOR POSITION
subcontractor Position open for Radar Road Technician. Must like to travel and have reliable transportation. Will train ...>MORE
FEMALE DETENTION OFFFICER
GRW Corporation has an immediate opening for female detention officer at the Joplin City Jail. Applications may be picke...>MORE
PAYROLL CLERK
PAYROLL CLERK, Miami business looking for individual with payroll background for full time position. Requirements includ...>MORE
TOUCH OF CLASS
60% commission or booth rental, nail or hair $225. Touch of Class. (417)439-1137....>MORE
See all ads |
|
DAILY DRIVER
daily Driver, 1979 Honda CX500, shaft drive, full windshield, reliable bike, up to 8 mpg. Please call (417)432-3131. ...>MORE
CHEVROLET 1998 BLAZER
CHEVROLET, 1998 Blazer, 4 door, 4x4, 114,000 miles, $3500. 417-434-0344...>MORE
MERCURY, 2000 MOUNTAINEER
V6, optional 4 wheel drive, runs well, looks great, $3300. (417)206-4295. ...>MORE
HONDA 2007 750
honda, 2007 750 Black with red flames, Kuryakyn air cleaner and grips, Cobra pipes, side mount license and taillight. Co...>MORE
PONTIAC, 1992 BONNEVILLE
$600. 170,000 miles. Still runs great. (417)499-3396, leave message. ...>MORE
1996 DODGE INTREPID
Dodge, 1996 Intrepid, 4 door, $1350
cold air, full power, runs good. 437-4424...>MORE
FORD 1996 F-250
ford, 1996 F-250 Super Cab 4x4, long bed, 7.3 diesel, $7150/offer. 627-9008....>MORE
LEXUS, 2001 LX470
78,500 miles, sunroof, 4 wheel drive, air, leather interior, power windows/seats/locks, anti-lock brakes, airbags, Marc ...>MORE
1995 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Chevrolet, 1995 Cavalier, sharp, $2150
4 cylinder, automatic, air. 417-437-4424...>MORE
CHEVROLET 1995 2500
CHEVROLET, 1995 2500, 4X4, V8, automatic, $2900. 417-850-1464....>MORE
See all ads |
|
OWNER FINANCE
owner Finance. 4 br home. Oronogo. BAD CREDIT OPTIONS. 417-499-8845. ...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE
Drive by 2904 N. Forrest Court off N. St. Louis and Zora and view this newly constructed home. 4 BR, 3 BA, 3 car garage,...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE JOPLIN
open HOUSE SUNDAY 3-5 P.M.
3322 Willow Lane, Joplin. 3 br, 2.5 ba, 1800 sq ft, 2 car, great neighborhood central to...>MORE
OPEN HOUSE JULY 20TH
OPEN HOUSE, JULY 20TH, 2-4 P.M. Just reduced, $159,000, 3 BR, 2 BA, cedar porch, deck, garage, tray ceiling, Seneca Scho...>MORE
OPEN SUNDAY 2 P.M.-4 P.M.
OPEN SUNDAY 2 P.M.-4 P.M., BY OWNER 219 N. JACKSON. Remodeled 4 BR, 2 BA, 2 Story, large living, formal dining, laminate...>MORE
SPACIOUS 2 STORY HOME
Spacious 2 story home with lovely staircase. 4 BR, 2 Ba, dining room, utility, hardwood floors, large shaded deck, 2 car...>MORE
1 STORY, CARTHAGE
for sale or lease purchase: great neighborhood in Carthage, 4000 sq. ft., 1 story, $255,900. (417)359-5649....>MORE
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-5 P.M.
open HOUSE SUNDAY 2-5 p.m. New construction, 1950 sq. ft. 3 br, 2 ba, hardwoods, ceramic tile, Cedar Ridge, 4715 West. 2...>MORE
CAN'T GET A HOME LOAN?
can’t get a home loan? Owner finance, new 3 br patio homes and duplexes in Carl Junction for $785/month. 417-499-8845. ...>MORE
503 N. JACKSON
503 N. Jackson, Joplin. Renovated 3 br, 1 ba, 1400 sq. ft., central heat/air, basement, garage, $65,000. 417-781-4600. O...>MORE
See all ads |
|
LABRADOR PUPPIES
AKC, all colors, both parents hunt, on site. $200. 417-850-4392. ...>MORE
2 BROTHERS CYCLE
2 Brothers Cycle, 1108 W. 4th Street, Joplin MO. Sale on riding gear, T-shirts, leather jackets, textile jackets, tires...>MORE
MINIATURE SCHNAUZER PUPPIES
Registered, shots, ears cropped. (620)783-2452, (417)439-4280....>MORE
SLEEPER SOFA
sleeper Sofa, nice, queen, $150. Plaid green/burgandy. 358-8172; 310-0849. ...>MORE
TOY POODLE
Male pup, $75. 417-439-8960....>MORE
BOXER PUPPIES
boxer puppies for sale. AKC. Fawns and whites, $300. Ready to go. Please call (417)389-6766. ...>MORE
5 STRING FENDER BANJO
5 STRING Fender banjo with case and extras, $600 or best offer. Call anytime, leave message. (417)434-0225. ...>MORE
MISSOURI CONCEALED CARRY TRAINING
Missouri Concealed Carry Training, NRA Certified Instructor. Private range. Next class Saturday July 26th. Class size l...>MORE
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
rhodesian Ridgeback, known as African Lion Hound, AKC pups, (620)496-6048. ...>MORE
PIE COOLER
And 1 double glass door cooler. $100 each. You haul. (417)782-3115. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
