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Author Topic: May we ask how Mike is doing?  (Read 21498 times)

alain

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #20 on: October 20, 2012, 04:38:17 am »

At the risk of repetition, I should add that Michael is enormously boosted and grateful for the shows of support that he has received from many readers of this site. Each one means a lot to him.
nice to hear
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michael

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #21 on: October 20, 2012, 09:33:55 am »

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and concerns. I'll be finished chemo in less than a month.

It's taking a toll on my strength, but I know that by late November I'll be able to start regaining it.

I've received a number of emails from the US asking if I have sufficient medical insurance. The answer is that in Canada we have a single payer system ( as it's called in the US). Health care for everyone is the same as education though high school, which no one has argued about for about 100 years. It's simply paid for out off our taxes.  

I've had countless CT scans, Bone Scans and MRIs. I've had two major surgeries, one of them at least some 8 hours followed by 13 days of hospitalization, and now some months of regular chemo. Oh, yes, regular home visiting nurses when I was first home from hospital, all drugs included, 24 hour hotline to specialist nurses if there were questions.

My total cost? Zero. Pre-existing condition exemption? Not in our vocabulary. Co-pay? Not in our vocabulary.

Universal health care, for every resident of the country, available freely to all. Just as in most advanced industrialized countries around the world for the past 50 years plus.

Why am I preaching here. Because for the first time my life was in the hands of the system, and I do mean  "life". Delays? I went from detection of a T3 bladder cancer with node involvement to surgery in less than 10 days. Change Doctors? Any time one likes, and I've done it before.

Does the Canadian system work? Yes. Is it perfect. No? Nothing ever is. But contrary to the misinformation that we hear daily on US TV it works well enough, and none of us would trade it for what we see across the border.

If some see this as a political encroachment on an inappropriate forum, so be it. But if you're considering the slow development of modern health care administration in the US as the topic comes up, talk to friends across the border to see what their first-hand experiences have been. Some will undoubtedly not be a simple as mine, but I'll bet that not a one of them would trade it for what exists currently in the US at the moment, even including Obamacare. Obamacare is simply a band-aid on a sick system that needs major surgery.

Michael
« Last Edit: October 20, 2012, 09:41:24 am by michael »
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Christopher Sanderson

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #22 on: October 24, 2012, 06:55:19 pm »

Since this topic generated some debate about national Health Care systems, I have split it off and moved the resulting posts to the Coffee Corner

Schewe

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2012, 03:13:26 am »

Just to be clear, I'm very happy that Mike has posted information (regardless of the content) about his status...Mike, we're all rooting for you bud! Keep us posted as it suits you.

Thanks...
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Lloyd Mayeda

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2012, 05:52:32 am »

Just to be clear, I'm very happy that Mike has posted information (regardless of the content) about his status...Mike, we're all rooting for you bud! Keep us posted as it suits you.

Thanks...

A big +1 to what Jeff said!  Thanks also to Chris for keeping us in the loop.
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michael

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #25 on: October 26, 2012, 09:15:39 am »

Just a few more weeks of chemo left. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Lots of fatigue, but it'll pass eventually.

Thanks all for your concerns.

Michael
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Sheldon N

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #26 on: October 26, 2012, 11:38:56 am »

Thank you for the update Michael. Glad to hear that things are heading in a positive direction.
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Sheldon Nalos
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sdwilsonsct

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #27 on: October 26, 2012, 12:42:47 pm »

Hi Michael,

Your description of the treatments makes the seriousness and discomfort of your condition much more concrete. I am amazed and delighted by your positive attitude, and your continued shooting, writing, reviewing, etc. Inspirational.

Thank you very much for this site. The tutorials and forum have been enormously helpful.

Best wishes,

Scott

ErikKaffehr

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #28 on: October 26, 2012, 04:01:04 pm »

+1

Erik

Hi Michael,

Your description of the treatments makes the seriousness and discomfort of your condition much more concrete. I am amazed and delighted by your positive attitude, and your continued shooting, writing, reviewing, etc. Inspirational.

Thank you very much for this site. The tutorials and forum have been enormously helpful.

Best wishes,

Scott
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Erik Kaffehr
 

Mike Normandeau

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #29 on: October 26, 2012, 06:28:40 pm »

+2
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Philip Weber

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #30 on: October 27, 2012, 04:57:05 pm »

Dear Michael - Try to "see the process from the end." Rather than "I will be well" make it "I AM well!"

My best to you...
Phil
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David Hufford

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #31 on: October 28, 2012, 02:05:44 am »

It's good to hear that things are progressing.  I wish Michael all the best.
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ErikKaffehr

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #32 on: October 28, 2012, 09:37:27 am »

Hi Michael,

Thanks for sharing. Lots of people caring about you here on LuLa forums.

Best regards
Erik

Just a few more weeks of chemo left. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Lots of fatigue, but it'll pass eventually.

Thanks all for your concerns.

Michael

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Erik Kaffehr
 

mvsoske

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #33 on: October 28, 2012, 06:44:00 pm »

Hi Michael,

Thanks for sharing. Lots of people caring about you here on LuLa forums.

Best regards
Erik


+1. Your passion has had a significant impact on many of us.

Mark

SJ.Butel

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Re: May we ask how Mike is doing?
« Reply #34 on: November 11, 2012, 11:11:17 pm »

Hope things are going well Micheal.  Its funny how much effect someone can have on your life in this day and age when you don't actually know them in person,
Wishing you all the best towards a speedy recovery.
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