Cost of Diabetes

(NaBloPoMo Day 16)
While I sit and debate whether or not I have the money to send my almost 4 year old to pre-school for $300 per month, I am also thinking about our monthly Diabetes expenses.

We can easily spend $300 out of pocket each month for all of the supplies we need to keep The Superhero alive.

And we spend $40 every 3 months to go see our Endo.

That is about $3700 per year OUT OF POCKET.

Once The Superhero has lived with Diabetes for 50 years, we/he will have spent well over $188,000 OUT OF POCKET.

And it is very likely, it will be MUCH higher, since costs are sure to go up.

This includes his insulin (which is about to go up to $60 per month), test strips ($25 per month), blood ketone test strips ($60 per month, we do not fill it every month though), lancets ($35 per month, not filled every month), Pump sites and cartridges ($50 for 3 months), and Dexcom sensors ($65 per month), Glucagon (filled about 1x per year, $35).

I did THIS post back in March, with one trip to the pharmacy and the cost associated with it.

My blog friend Heather @ Sweet to the Soul recently posted about their costs as well.

Lora posted about it during Invisible Illness Week.

And Laura posted about The Cost of it All.

And I just got our insurance info for next year. I will be paying about $150 more per month and will be paying more for each doctor visit ($30 instead of $20, and still $40 for specialists) and each ER visit (now $200 each trip).

I hate putting a price on my son's life.

A price on the choices we make for his care.

I would NOT do without any of these things.

So, I sit and think about what else can be cut from our daily/weekly/yearly expenses.

This is probably the part I hate about Diabetes the most. I don't EVER want The Superhero to know how much the cost of Diabetes bothers me.

I want him to have the healthiest life I can give him, and so, I will continue choosing the latest and best care for him. And he WILL continue to go to pre-school. I will NOT let Diabetes and the cost associated with it affect him this way.

And will figure out how to pay for it along the way.

*I* can eat ramen noodles 3 meals a day, right? (I would not do this, but you get the point)

And THIS face, is worth it all...

(The Superhero on his 2 year Diaversary)

Diabetes Fact #16:The out of pocket cost of managing T1 Diabetes is EXPENSIVE.

Diabetes Fact #15: Having Type 1 and getting an illness (especially a tummy bug) CAN be dangerous.

Diabetes Fact #14: Without insulin, a person with T1 Diabetes would DIE within ONE week.

Diabetes Fact #13: Type 1 Diabetes usually strikes children, adolescents, and young adults, but it CAN be diagnosed in adults as well.

Diabetes Fact #12: It is important for families of Diabetic children or the people with Diabetes themselves to genuinely try to understand what we go through, to learn about Diabetes along with us, and to support us through encouraging comments.

Diabetes Fact #11: Diabetes is ALL consuming. It is NOT our life, but it is a HUGE part of it.

Diabetes Fact #10: Parents of children with Diabetes HATE when people say "I could NEVER do it!" when referring to the management of their kid's disease. In reality, YOU could, and WOULD do it if you HAD to. We probably had the same thoughts as you and now look at us, doing it 24/7.

Diabetes Fact #9: The term "Juvenile Diabetes" is outdated. We now call it "T1 Diabetes" or "Insulin Dependent Diabetes". People with this type of Diabetes will NEVER outgrow it. EVER. They will have this relentless disease until a CURE is found.

Diabetes Fact #8: A cure would be great, but a long life without complications is a close second for people with T1 Diabetes.

Diabetes Fact #7: Diabetes kills more people each year than cancer and AIDS combined. It is serious. We NEED a cure!

Diabetes Fact #6: While people with T1 Diabetes strive for blood glucose (BG) numbers from 80-120, it is NOT uncommon to see numbers MUCH lower or MUCH higher. There are SO many factors that go into each number and it is very challenging to see readings that are “in range” for EVERY reading.

Diabetes Fact #5: Type 1 Diabetes strikes 15,000 children every year in the US. That's 40 children per day. On July 10, 2008 The Superhero was one of the 40. Today, it could be YOUR child, or someone you know. This is why it is SO important to take the time to learn about the disease.

Diabetes Fact #4: Type 1 Diabetics may take insulin through syringes, insulin pens, or insulin pumps. What they use is a reflection of their choice and/or finances, NOT disease severity.

Diabetes Fact #3: People with Diabetes CAN eat anything they want as long as they match the carbohydrates with insulin.

Diabetes Fact #2: T1 Diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar or being over weight. It IS an autoimmune disease and cannot be prevented.

Diabetes Fact #1: T1 Diabetes CANNOT be treated with medication. The only way to manage T1 Diabetes is with insulin. Without insulin, T1 Diabetics would die. Period.

*Disclaimer: I am a mom of a T1 Diabetic child. I am NOT a doctor. I just play one in real life. Please do not take anything in this post or any other post on this blog as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns of your own, please seek advice from your doctor.*