#79876 09-03-2008 10:29 PM | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | I have read a few of your post and they as ususal hit me right square in the chest! Wow. I was turned down for medicade, too young for medicare and no insurance co will touch me. I am a hard working honest 50 year old ( almost ) with nothing. I have gone to the American Cancer society and everywhere I can think to go but doors are just being shut on me. So yeah I give up. I quite. I think it is horrible that cancer patients and survivors can't geet any help when the US treats the world. For everything. If my cancer gets so bad that It can't be cured then My children will know that I do love them. I will miss them I am about to loose my home thank God my children are grown and gone. I have no husband so that is no problem. I always wanted to be a beach dwellar so maybe I will catch some seashells to sell. You probably won't be hearing from me anylonger becuase I quit! Something will kill me just as well be this crap. And the sooner the dam better!
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Lepreckaun,
Don't give up. Take your story to your local newspaper and maybe they will publish it. Read what you say in your signature line.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 706 | Have you tried to get charity care at your local hospital?
cg to husband, 48 Stage 1V head and neck SCC. First surgery 9/07. Radiation and several rounds of chemo followed. Mets to chest and lungs. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." Went home to God on February 22, 2009.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know how difficult it is and if you are by yourself it can seem hopeless at times.
Any major hospital has a financial aid department to help patients in your situation. The hospital where I was treated had nurses who were always fund raising for patient who couldnt afford their treatments and medications.
I work with someone whose mother is a boss in the financial aid dept of the hospital. They write thousands of dollars off daily when people cant pay. There are different agencies who may be able to help you. Ask or go online for your hospital and see what they have. There are all kinds of creative ways you can get help, please try.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | OMG!! I forgot to take my meds and was really down I am sorry. Heck yeah I am fusterated I hurt but I was not raised a quitter and I will not quit. I will continue looking for help who knows maybe someone will tell me yes. So I do apologize for my earlier post. and David I had to look back at my signature ok thanks!!
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
You had me worried. Your posts are usually so upbeat. Its ok, everybody has some down moments. Glad you are feeling better. Hang in there, persistance will pay off.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | i sure hope our gvt (fed or state level) can figure out a way for all of us to be able to have healthcare. i am not meaning this as a political post please don't take it as that and i used to live in canada where they had socialized medicine and i have heard since i left there that it hasn't worked so well and it is hard to get care there now, so i am not for socialized medicine but if they could make it affordable for everyone to get it, would be a good solution.
i think it is just wrong when you cannot get care needed to live. turn away those with a cold who run for nothing .. but not those who need care to live. that should be a given.
ok i am done. sorry. just don't like reading posts like this
hugs to ya lep - quit is not a word that is an option.
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | So glad you are feeling better, but we've all been at the "I give up" stage. I wish you were Canadian and didn't have to go through this. While BOTH medical systems have their problems, at least in Canada you don't have to deal with cancer and financial issues. From what I have seen of the care, I believe the Canadian system is comparable to the U.S. - only major difference is wait times - which, I agree, could be critical to prognosis. But, we're Canadian and patient - so we wait!
The sun will shine again. Some days it doesn't feel like it but suddenly you are at a day when you think...boy this is nice...and then you now you have found that time you were waiting for.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Go file for SSI. If they turn you down, a lawyer will get it for you. Hell , they pass it out to the border grasshoppers. LOL I believ it was meant for taxpayers that get sick or hurt and can't work anymore., Some get it as a free welcome gift. LOL I hope this doesn't make anyone mad or upset, but thease are my feelings.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 147 | SSI will help and there are people out there that used to work for SSI and know the system - now they help out those that cannot fill out the mounds of paperwork and get it thru. The bottom line is that it is standard practice that SSI will turn you down the 1st time around, but there are people that will help you with the paperwork and not ask for anything upfront, ONLY a one-time small percentage of what you get if you are approved. So, go for it!! I pay in enough taxes that it would delight me to help out those on this site that need it vs. the border grasshoppers!
Caregiver to Husband 50 yrs.young-non smoker/non-drinker; Stage IV - all treatments stopped August 2009
Lost the battle November 23, 2010
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