Brief Update - 11/6

Dog, so good to hear from you. Been a while since I have seen your name show up here. How are things in the UK? So glad that you are all clear 5years out, good for you.

Bill - got the big check today at 3:30 pm mail. Made a copy of it, largest single check anyone in my entire family has ever gotten, and rushed it into the bank. Not bad really, it was two weeks ago on this day, that the VA sent me the approval letter, and now the check arrives.

Yes, this Vet's day will be a special one for me for sure, and I hope so for all my other Vet brothers here at HW.

Hope you celebrate your service as well. It would be neat (not sure how to organize or pull it off) to have a one time special GFMPH Veterans' Meet. Now that could be interesting. Due to the average age, most of us would either be Viet-Nam or Viet-Nam era vets. Just something to think about. I would even be willing to host it here in SC, since I am about half-way between NYC and Florida.

By mid-week next week, we will be 100% debt free, including our mortgage, a dream come true. I was 8 years into a 30 year VA loan on my current house. I did the calculations, and I will cheat the bank out of over 90,000 dollars in interest they will never get now, lol. Too bad for them.

Today was a horrid day for pay, so that kind of put a damper on my positive feelings about the money arriving. Unfortunately, the money isn't going to either heal me or take away my pain, but it will take away any financial stress or concerns.

David

David - This is a special and long-overdue Veterans Day for you. Congrats and well done for all you had to go through to push this through the V.A. Mortgage-free is great. And going forward, that monthly tax-free check should give you a lot of financial security -- though even that is no substitute for good health.
Jim

Hi David,

I'm so glad the check arrived. You said it well, take health any day over money. We're still paying for our home!! But, thank God for his blessings. My wife is still working and Dec. 3rd, she'll receive her first SS retirement check (this month, she'll be 66, I just turned 63). We're blessed.

Dave

Dave, good news on your wife getting her SS worked out and paying out, big accomplishment. Sure my bank isn't happy about me paying off a mortgage 22 years ahead of time. Figured I am cheating them out of 85-90k in unearned interest. Well, too bad, lol.

81, thanks, And I do feel that way in my heart. This is huge, and will make a life changing event in our life together as a couple. Now my wife knows she can retire early at 62, instead of pushing it to 65, and if anything were to happen to her job (unlikely), we could now get by fine without any income on her end. And just not owing. Never liked debt, so we have avoided much of it. My ex boss was on the phone with me when the check arrived, not sure who was happier, him or me, as he's been through every step of my PC journey from the day I was dx to now.

We photocopied the check to show the kids and others, because to my knowledge, no one in our family ever received such a large sum of money before like that. I watched my banker's eye brows raise up when she saw the amount on the check.

Least the financial side of my life, shouldn't ever be such a huge burden again. And with both Medicare and now VA Health Care, should be set for life as my PC journey continues onward.

Thanks for you words and friendship,

David

for sure, rsm, I will take what I can get, to make any part of my life better. this is a huge one to put to bed

david

msworry, thanks. quite a story about the cash. about 3 ex bosses back, the man dealt with lots of cash in his biz, one day he called me, closed the door, thought I was in deep doodoo, but he wanted me to count a gym bag filled with cash, nothing larger than a 50, lots of 20's and smaller. took me 4 hours to count it, then recount it for him. there was over 380,000 in the bag. which he turned around and purchased a beach condo in florida with it. it was the most cash I had ever had my hands on at the time.

david

David,

I am so happy that one battle is won and the money is in the bank. One worry off your mind.

Regards,
An

An,

Thanks, its one huge load off my mind. Something that's been heavy on my heart since the day I was dx. back in 2008.

David

Good point, and thanks Michael. Yeah, next time any HW brother visits me in SC, lunch is on me, and a drink if you drink.
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UPDATE 11-12-13 @ 1115

As of that date and time today, we were 100% entirely debt free. An unbelievable feeling. Last step was paying off the mortgage of our house in full, 22 years ahead of schedule. Our largest monthly bill this month will be our combined utility bill, which here - is electricity/water/sewer or perhaps my Charter TV bill. Be so weird not to have a mortgage payment or a car payment.

We are starting a serious long term savings project, basically saving the entire VA check each month into a special account. By the time my wife retires in approx. 3 1/2 years, will have another 125k put away, but without any debt, and that doesn't count her 401k account.

Now, if only this financial gain/freedom made me feel physically better, and unfortunately, it doesn't help a bit. Today, I was totally in severe pain as I was making my rounds to the different banks. But not complaining, that's the physical side - and money is never going to help that part.

David

Thank you, Barbara, you are such a dear friend, and truly my "pain buddy". I think we understand each other's suffering pretty well. And you know that I am always concerned for you in your dire condition.

I have had your number in my wallet for weeks, but I also knew it would hard to reach you with all your ongoing radiation and other appointments. I told you in advance, that I can be most difficult to reach my phone, I apologize for that, but one of my unique quirks. We will talk soon, you can count on that.

You are right about the walker. Was talking to my wife just this evening, and she agrees that I really need it for any extended walking outside of the house, or if we go shopping, etc. Just this evening alone, my left hip gave out at least 4-5 times, in the house.

Today at PT, I almost collapsed 3 times, the 3rd time, my therapist just barely managed to grab my right shoulder right before I hit the deck. She said they are just about to require me to have one, in order to continue in the oncology rehab program. She believes its more evidence of even more serious nerve damage, which continues to spread in my body.

The left hip and left knee tend to give out without warning together. The right hip, my weak side, however, only gives out on rare occasion. Again, there's no pain associated with these events, I just loose all sensation and feel for a second or two, and simply can't support the weight on that side.

A broken hip would set me back immensely, that is what they are afraid of at PT. I promised her, on my list with my oncologist visit next week, I will bring up the subject to him and see if he will write me a prescription for one. I am certain he will, and Medicare will pay for at least 80%. I want one with a built in folding seat if I get too tired, and wheels on one end. If you have a good suggestion or model, please let me know.

The money is great, can't lie about that, we have achieved the zero debt part of the deal, and that is a huge relief in itself. But, it hasn't changed a thing about what I go through every day, or hasn't lessened an ounce of pain, but I didn't expect it to. Money is money, pain is pain.

I pray and trust you are getting through the radiation ok, and look forward to getting caught up with you again.

Take care my friend, and wish I could give you a gentle hug in return,

David

smo,

good point. I plan to enroll at the VA Clinic in Greenville this Monday. I see my Oncologist Wednesday. So between both of them, hope to see if I can arrange the walker. If I have to, could pay for one myself. I understand under my Medicare, they will pay for 80% of one (durable goods), and with the VA, not versed enough at this point to know - but perhaps it would be free.

thanks for bringing that angle up, I may have forgotten.

david

thank you, smo1, for all the great info. appreciate it.

glad your husband was able to get on board with the VA as well.

in end, the reason for an almost 4 year wait, was because the navy back in the early 70s didn't keep the greatest of records, then some major record centers were burned up in a fire years back, etc.

my copies of records and events were more accurate and preserved then a lot of the records the VA was claiming about me. even at the end, in their decision letter, they still had major dates wrong, but since they approved, it no longer matters to me.

they still claim I was in the Navy in 1969, when I was still a jr. in high school. also, they failed to know about several of my duty stations. and in my particular flying squadron, when they substituted enlisted men crew members, they never recorded who went in their place, as they should have. good thing there wasn't a fatal accident, because they would have never known who was killed or not killed. but that's all behind me now.

thanks again,

david

Thanks, and hugs back, Aimzee, was hoping to hear from my dear friend.

Hope and trust Ron is at least holding his own, if not better.

Yes, we already got a major 3rd cruise pre-paid for next year for starters.

Plan to have a walker before the week is out, if I don't feel like waiting for Medicare or VA to pay for one, I will buy it out of pocket, I am having far too many near misses.

Unfortunately, no relief on the pain front, its any every day, 24/7 things, the only difference is in what degree of pain I am in at a given moment. Today, went to church for 1 1/2 hours, we are in a temporary location while they are rebuilding the church, and the pews have no padding - seat or back, and that's all it took to trigger off some horrific back aches and hip aches. Sitting here waiting for some pain meds to kick in, but always takes about an hour, nearly white with pain, the kind that puts me in near panic at times.

So much I need to talk to with my oncologist this week, appointment is Wednesday morning, cant come soon enough.

Give my best to Ron,

David