Is there a teaching hospital there? A state run hospital cannot refuse to treat you if you are severely ill as far as I know. Some of the Catholic hospitals used to be charity hospitals you may want to check into that if there's one close. Also, he may qualify for medicaid so check into that. Check with your state's Human Services Division and see if they have anything else. I may be wrong but I think the only way you can add a parent to your insurance is if they live with you and are dependent upon you for the major part of their support. AARP is a good idea but they ask 2 questions before they will insure you and one of those is have you been treated or seen a doctor in the last year (or 6 months) with heart problems. I know this because they're always sending me things wanting me to take it out and I've sent back several telling them that I have Congestive heart failure. I hope he feels better and won't have to have the surgery but if he does it's very important for him to have it ASAP. Oh, I don't think they can take your house if you're living in it. I don't know about if you are renting it but they probably could. Have you thought about signing it over to your sons? Of course you'd have to be able to trust them and you'd want to pay for taxes and any expenses for maintainance unless you are truly giving it to them. I'd be interested in what you find out. We have insurance thru my job but I may have to go on disability and I'd qualify for medicaid but my DH is going to retire soon and he's only 62 so won't qualify for medicare until he's 65. He's already have a quadruple bypass 3 years ago. Nancy

Cats and puppies are far more likely to experience adverse reactions to flea products. Years ago it was recommended that only flea powders be used and that they be used with caution and washed away once they did the job. Even flea baths were deemed too harsh. Another thing many people don't realize is that many heartworm tablets also have flea preventative. So some people who use both may be unknowingly overdosing their pets. Ask if you pet is already receiving flea protection through their heart worm meds. Flea and heart worm preventatives are a wonderful science for animals that need them. If you live in a mosquito invested area heartworm meds are a must. But too many pets are on heart worm meds year round when they might only need them at specific times of the year,when traveling or never depending on where they live. The same can be said for flea medications. Once the fleas and eggs have been dealt with then enough of the treatments already. There are some environments where regular flea maintenance may be required but not every household pet needs to be dosed with pesticide every month. I have two large dogs. Both had fleas just once in their lives. The Lab as a puppy and the Rot when she first came to us in her later life because she was often at the dog park. These dogs have "natural" flea prevention. I leave their coats alone except for brushing. All the dogs I know that have skin and flea problems are constantly being bathed as if they were children. They are dogs. They have natural skin oils that need not be washed away. A muddy dog can be simply hosed down if needed but the full bath thing with shampoo, conditioner and cologne etc. is way over the top for many dogs. My dogs get a bath maybe twice a year or if they roll in something really disgusting. They don't smell, they don't have skin problems and they don't have fleas. They are brushed and their ears are cleaned. Their nails are kept short, one by nature and one who needs regular clipping and dremeling. Please take a look at what you are doing to your pets. If there is a medical reason for doing something like extra bathing then fine. But don't just do things because every says so. I am extremely lucky to have an honest vet who doesn't push unnecessary things but even some practices out there are really pushing products for profit these days. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Wow, I can imagine how fearful you were to go under general anesthesia, especially with hemorrhaging and dropping blood pressure! But thankfully you were at the hospital and in good hands. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, which may have been a fetus medically, but was of course, a potential child, to you and your husband. The fact that you did get pregnant naturally, is a good sign. It means that you are not infertile, so I'd think your chances of a successful pregnancy, whether natural or through IVF, will be great, since you have proof that you were able to conceive. Take the time you need to recover physically and emotionally, then look forward to planning your 'rainbow baby,' with all our best wishes!

sorry to hear about the family member/diagnosis. We started looking for retirement home in 2006/2007. Husband wasn't feeling 'well' be continued on looking on weekend. Wanted a place out of the 'big city' (Katy, TX area). Country boy hubby. Just as he was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer (esophageal) we found a great place; made an offer, closed on it the Friday before he started radiation and chemo. EC is a tough one to beat; he got to enjoy the 'retirement' place for 22 months. I retired the end of 2009 and moved out there regardless. Sorry you are traveling this road with your loved one.