Money Money Money

Must be funny , in a PHARMAC world.....Apologies to both Abba and anyone not in New Zealand, allow me to explain. Pharmac are the government authority that licenses and approves drugs for use in NZ, and regulate the supply and dispensing of prescription drugs here. Now as you may be aware, after a  an organ transplant we have to take daily doses of anti rejection drugs, so that the body's natural defences don't attack the new organ, though why mine would have any energy to attack is anyone's guess, as I am normally so placid.....
So as you saw before I have to take a huge combination of tablets, namely 10 differing pills at breakfast, 5 at 10am, another 5 at dinner and then finally 7 at 10pm, as well as copious amounts of painkillers whilst the invasive surgery heals, which could be for another 2 months. Its a wonder I have any appetite at all...
Now the point of todays mad ramble is the surprising cost of the drugs....

Attached is a photo of the Prescription receipt, and just look at the Tacrolimus 5mgCapsules...$1556.46!! and that is for 1 month, so over a year that currently equals $18,672. So multiply that up by a supposed life expectancy of the transplant of 25 years, that comes to $466,800, just for that 1 drug!!!
Add on the other rejection drug, which over the life of the transplant is $52,050, making a total of $518,850! Wow, that sure is a lot of taxpayers money, I do feel slightly guilty as this is exactly what immigration feared in their initial assessment of my residency application in 2005. Thank goodness I got residency before the kidney kicked off and decided to go on strike. Nasty despicable little organ, I am well pleased to be shot of it.
On the other hand I could have bought a new Porsche with all that money.....
As Abba once said Mamma Mia!, I feel As Good as New, and the winner does indeed take it all

Pill-harmonic

Hello dear chums around the globe, time for an update I think.
First I would like to offer up a huge thanks to all the medical staff who have been instrumental in our joint venture recently. The care and attention has been fantastic, and all done with a friendly warm smile.

Now safely ensconced back home in an easychair, with the TV remote, a blanket, and a remote control tea making facility(called a partner). Seem to be overdosing on MasterChef, which is unfortunate when you have chronic heartburn as I seem to have. This is caused by both the operation, having a plastic tube inserted down my throat during the procedure, and also by the combination of various drugs and remedies I have been prescribed.
So every day now for the next 2 months I have to go back to hospital have a blood test so the transplant team can assess my recovery on a day to day basis. So we arrive at 8am, have a blood test, and then wait for the doctor to see me. This can take up to 2 hours, as there is a queue of
patients, but we are usually back home by 10.30-11am. Then I settle down with the remote, or a magazine, and embed myself in the tasks of the day, reading, and changing channel! This aids recuperation, as does a nanna nap! Lunch leisurely appears later, with cups of tea galore.

The hospital then ring to give their reaction to the mornings blood results, and tell you what medications need to be amended. Yesterday my phosphates were a bit low (0.3) against normal of 0.75, so we increased the relevant medicine, and today another dose was adjusted, and so on.....

 

This is about 1 weeks worth of anti rejection drugs, painkillers, antacids, and laxatives!

So I have happily disposed of all my insulin, dialysis drugs, calcium tablets and supplements, to be replaced with a new drug regime and a new diet! I did nibble a Jaffa earlier this week.........

Journeying along so far so good

After the surprise call at 6pm Saturday evening, we have moved a long a bit since then. The op went ahead on Sunday morning at 8.30am and I was all ready and prepped to go in theatre by 8am. Afte a 5 hour operation i was sent to the DCCM recovery unit to ....recover. I was whisked away to intensive care by tea time and all the signs were looking good. The first day went ok with plenty of doctors surgeons and nurses having a quick peek, and I felt more publicissed that the recent wedding by Wills and Kate. All my carers have been fantastic and both in the Intensive Care ward and in the transplant ward 71,and they are pleased and impressed with my progress to date. Enormoud hugs to Glenn and the pets who have all done their bit. Bluebell has maintained a stance at the top of the stairs waiting for me to return, whilst Biggles is searching for me. The fickle cats are less stressed as they have been fed. Thanks to friends and family for the mrssages of support and isnt facebbok great! Hope to be home next tuesday for 2 months of rest and recouperation, and some major lifestyle changes?Cant wait gonna be good, so thank you to the family of the donor who at what is a hard time for them, allowed all of us hopefully to benefit. Go and grab your donor sign up cards NOW!

We're nearly there, tickets please.....

Wow, that was so quick and the call came out of the blue last night whilst in the South of Auckland looking at a renovation project. Transplant available , be at hospital in 2 hours time, if i still wanted one!!! I was of course there in under an hour. After a short night sleep, have been awoken for the pre op meds and all looks good to go. If all goes well I will be meeting with my new kidney at about 8.30 am. So very excited and glad of the ongoing love and support from my family, especially my partner, Big G. Oh well next stop hopefully the post op treatment ward and a few days recovery. Blog entries may be more sporadic..... Now where is the catering manager, i must order some chocolates to celebrate. I hope we dont become derailed along the way.
Next stop Transplant Central, change here for a better life with connections to Longer Life Expectancy.