animals - if you need care for them many agencies (no kill shelters and animal rescues etc) can hook you up with temporary foster care when it is for illness such as yours and you then help as you can now or later with $ for their care (food etc).

shelter - i agree, if you can, moving in with friends or family would probably help both of you a lot. you will have some tough weeks ahead during your treatment (expect a min of 3 months of hard times) and being with family or close friends may be a lot of stress reduction for you and hubby as well as saving you a lot in $ ... just give to the ones you stay with to help with food and the extra utility costs for being there etc ... and then worry about getting your own place again later.

breaking current lease - if they will not let you out of it with what you have going on, then walk. don't worry about it. anyone who would see it possibly later on your record, will most likely understand totally when you explain - and chances are no one will ever even find out about it. most landlords are a loud bark with no bite because there is so little they can do about it. (which is why i don't want to be a landlord LOL)

#1 thing is - you have some tough circumstances and will be kicking in to survival mode as you go. getting these things in order BEFORE treatment gets started will help a lot so you are not stressing because once they get a plan of treatment in place it SQUEALS BY with no stopping - and you will be caught in a whirlwind for about 3 months .,.. so get things in order now and then relax until things start

Best wishes

Shaylynn, I also would like to add that the local Humane Societies would be a great place to call as a lot of them have volunteers who keep animals at their homes on a routine basis until they are able to be adopted or returned to the owners. Also, there is the American Kennel Club that would be a great organization to call for assistance with your pets for a temporary period of time. I'm sure they may can put you in touch with a dog breeder that may have room for them and a good heart to boot. God Bless and good luck. I am also having problems getting one of my nausea meds filled as medicare won't approve it so I am going to call the manufacturer of the medication to see if they have a patient assistance program to help me with the cost. Angel

IF and that may be a BIG IF, the landlord does act like a crumb then you could always leak your story to the local newspaper. I am sure the landlord would not want anybody reading that story. Such a story would also get you plenty of offers for temp shelters for the pets as well.

I was fortunate in that I was able to get an ELOC when there was still some equity in the house. It was 6 months until I got the first SSDI check, which at the time was only 1500/mo. After 2 years on SSDI you automatically qualify for Medicare. I am currently enrolling in a Kaiser Senior Advantge HMO for $66.00/mo (in addition to the $93 Medicare takes out). It includes part A, B and D coverage. You are also eligible for lifeline rates on gas & electric, phone and water. Your local hospital social worker can help you with this. My church helped me with some monthly bills - even grocery store debit cards. My mortgage company gave me a 2.95% interest rate for 2 years due to hardship.