Backpacking is expensive!!

“I always knew that buying new gear could be expensive and I'm okay with that, but now my medical bills for the ongoing treatment of Lyme Disease are starting to roll in. YIKES! The bad thing is I've been on treatment for 6 weeks and I'm not improving, which is fairly normal. This will take months (probably) to cure so I'm in for a long and expensive road. So much for that new camera. :(”

“actually, you can make some money off of lyme disease, my brother in law had it and he got like 200 dollars for donating his plasma. What was even better was he could do it like every 10 days or something like that. That could get you some nice gear!”

“I think I'll pass on that one. Although $200 would go well towards a new winter bag... :)”

“Oh come on, it's just some plasma. Your body builds it back really quick.

My brother sold plasma for a while.”

“Well, I do have a PICC line so I won't have to get a needle poke each time... :0”

“Plasma schmasma .. . I am leasing my kidney to a guy who is expected to die within 5 years.

His family is contractually obligated to pull it out and pay for putting it back in me before cremating him.”

“The kicker is the lease renewal option.

If he lives beyond the five years, i can pretty much dictate any terms I want.

The milage penalties are pretty severe too.”

“I'd sell practically any replenishable body fluid for money. sperm, blood, saliva, poop, plasma...whatnever...do it dude!”

“Backpacking with hookers is very expensive.”

“my 18 yr old son informed me that you can sell a testical for $75,000...now THAT would buy alot of gear......”

“Just hope he doesn't come home with a new Ferrari ........”

“He told me it is ok....ya only use one at a time......he said he will never miss it....”

“He's not the one who's going to miss it......”

“Hikin Mike, what about insurance? Isn't there some relief out there?”

“I just got into hiking/camping before I left NY, so I moved to WA with no gear. It cost us thousands to totally equip ourselves.”

“Medical bills are the pits! Hang in there Mike!!!”

“Man, that stinks! I hope you see results soon Mike.”

“Anybody want to buy a testicle?”

“Hate to hear that Mike. So what exactly are the symptoms of Lime Disease?”

“wannabp: I do have insurance (Blue Shield PPO), but the medication is expensive and it is administered by IV daily. A 2g bottle of antibiodics (Rocephin) is over $300!

Michael: Yes indeed they are, but I am thankful for insurance!

Sassafrass: Thanks! It will probably be about 6 months until I can think about hiking again.

Indiana John: The way it started for me was pain in my right elbow and shoulder around January of this year. A few months later it spread to my left shoulder and around July my knees and left foot. My knees have swollen about 2x also. I\'ve also been running a low grade (99-100 deg.) fever for the past 3-4 months. Needles to say, everyday tasts are very hard. I can drive and I am working, thankfully my job is a desk job.

I will kick this thing and I will be back on the trail again!”

“Backpacking expensive !!

Try yacht, or auto racing LOL.
Take up flying or gliding as a hobby.”

“Good attitude.
Check with your tax guy, often if your medical bills exceed a certain amount a year they are able to be written off. I have a little brother who's had tons of plastic surgerys that weren't covered by insurance totally. My dad wrote off medical expenses every year. Save your receipts and check it out!”

“Med expenses are deductible for the amount that exceeds 7.5% of income.

I.e. the first 7.5% of income = no deduction. Expenses beyond that are deductible. Have to file 1040 Sched A. itemized deductions.”

“Because I am the only income with a wife and two kids, we get what we paid in taxes back each year.”

“Medical Deductions are the pits. The 7.5% rule is a regressive tax. We have some pretty high expenses, but we can't claim them. Sux.”

“Okay! Six months. So, that's next Spring?
May '05 for Pallete Mountain! You gotta try out my backyard. =D

But, no pressure. Well okay, maybe just a little.

Get well hiker dude. \o/
last edited: 11/19/04 2:31:07 AM”

“I'll try James!

When I was first diagnosed 2 months ago I figured I'd be better in a few months and started thinking about snowshoe trips. Then reality sets in and I will be happy to be 100% by this time next year.”