Alex Petrie - ALS Medical Bills
Donation protected
Hi, my name is Alex Petrie.
When I was diagnosed with ALS my symptoms were initially mild, but I was forced to retire from my job.
My symptoms accelerated rapidly in the fall of 2016. At this point I entered the ICU at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, where I stayed for several months. During this time I received a tracheotomy and a ventilator so that I could breathe. I have also lost a lot of function in my hands, arms and legs.
I continued my stay in the hospital until the Fall of 2017, when I was discharged home, into my wife's care. Although an at-home nurse is provided through health care, it is not full time. My wife stays home to take care of me and as a result is unable to work. Being able to be at home is amazing, the hospital staff did not think I would be leaving alive.
Now that I am home, my family is in need of some additional support. Although we have retirement/savings, there are several tracheotomy medical items that Alberta health care does not cover. This results in ~$800/month in medical bill (summary below). I also have Type 1 Diabetes, which requires daily supplies that are also not covered under Alberta health care.
On top of the regular monthly medical bills, over the last 6 months I required 5 ambulance trips to the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, resulting in additional charges of $1925.
My wife and I are lucky enough to have an outdoor pool at our house in Taber, and although physical therapy has been recommended to help my symptoms, I am unable to use the pool because I can't get in/out. My wife has priced out a pool lift (valued at $6800+install), capable of lifting me in and out. This lift, although expensive, would allow me to do physical therapy in the water and I would also be able to get into the water with my children and grand children. The pool has been a huge part of our family and something I greatly miss.
Thank you all very much for your support. It means so much to my family and I.
Medical Bill Summary:
Canulas - Changed daily for a monthly cost of $305
Suction Tube - Changed monthly at a cost of $100
Cream/Salve - For Trach site, monthly cost of $22
Handi-Bus - For transport from Taber to/from Lethbridge every 6 weeks for tracheotomy cuff change - $100/trip (~$73/month)
Additional Medical Items
Ambulance Bill - 5 trips in the last 6 months, totaling $1925 ($385/trip)
Diabetic Supplies:
Insulin - $156/month
Blood Sugar Test Strips - $75-220/month (dependent on how many blood checks are done)
Additional Items:
Pool Lift - $6836 + freight, GST and Install
When I was diagnosed with ALS my symptoms were initially mild, but I was forced to retire from my job.
My symptoms accelerated rapidly in the fall of 2016. At this point I entered the ICU at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, where I stayed for several months. During this time I received a tracheotomy and a ventilator so that I could breathe. I have also lost a lot of function in my hands, arms and legs.
I continued my stay in the hospital until the Fall of 2017, when I was discharged home, into my wife's care. Although an at-home nurse is provided through health care, it is not full time. My wife stays home to take care of me and as a result is unable to work. Being able to be at home is amazing, the hospital staff did not think I would be leaving alive.
Now that I am home, my family is in need of some additional support. Although we have retirement/savings, there are several tracheotomy medical items that Alberta health care does not cover. This results in ~$800/month in medical bill (summary below). I also have Type 1 Diabetes, which requires daily supplies that are also not covered under Alberta health care.
On top of the regular monthly medical bills, over the last 6 months I required 5 ambulance trips to the Lethbridge Regional Hospital, resulting in additional charges of $1925.
My wife and I are lucky enough to have an outdoor pool at our house in Taber, and although physical therapy has been recommended to help my symptoms, I am unable to use the pool because I can't get in/out. My wife has priced out a pool lift (valued at $6800+install), capable of lifting me in and out. This lift, although expensive, would allow me to do physical therapy in the water and I would also be able to get into the water with my children and grand children. The pool has been a huge part of our family and something I greatly miss.
Thank you all very much for your support. It means so much to my family and I.
Medical Bill Summary:
Canulas - Changed daily for a monthly cost of $305
Suction Tube - Changed monthly at a cost of $100
Cream/Salve - For Trach site, monthly cost of $22
Handi-Bus - For transport from Taber to/from Lethbridge every 6 weeks for tracheotomy cuff change - $100/trip (~$73/month)
Additional Medical Items
Ambulance Bill - 5 trips in the last 6 months, totaling $1925 ($385/trip)
Diabetic Supplies:
Insulin - $156/month
Blood Sugar Test Strips - $75-220/month (dependent on how many blood checks are done)
Additional Items:
Pool Lift - $6836 + freight, GST and Install
Organizer and beneficiary
Alex Petrie
Organizer
Taber, AB
Kerilee Petrie
Beneficiary