I had my biopsy last week..was out all week. Worked 2 days this week..got my diagnosis and havne't worked since. I will be going to meet w/ my surgeon out of state next week. So I am missing a lot of work w/ no sick leave. To make matters worse my hubby was laif off last month...he tried to get unemployment & has looked for new jobs no such luck. Does anyone know of where to start looking for help with this matter? I am not sure what state the cancer is at yet or my treatment plan so I do not know how much I will be off work...but as of right now I have a paycheck coming w/ 2 days on it :O( and rent to pay.

Thanks!

Try calling your State Medical Society, they sometimes have resources they can recommend.
Good Luck!

Shaylynn,

I have suggestions for the uninsured with their medical expenses, being uninsurable and one of the lucky ones who received the very best of care through county & state help.

I'm afraid I don't have much to offer in regards to living expenses, though. My husband worked 7 days a week and bills piled up, got juggled, etc. and our finances were in pretty bad shape by the time I was approved for Social Security Disability. And that was with me being self-employed and so still able to do some work (accounting) for my clients while in treatment. These few clients I kept on with were also friends and very patient and understanding.

You might try contacting the American Cancer Society. I know that while I was staying in their housing for out-of-town patients in treatment there were programs available to help with home living expenses. I don't know much about them though, as I did not apply for the help.

I think I remember you saying you were recently married. Is there help available from family? Is temporarily moving in with family an option? Don't just say no by reflex. Really think about it and discuss it with your husband. About ten years ago my son, his wife and baby were financially challenged enough to need this kind of help. My house is small, but we all love each other and it worked long enough for my son to finish school and get them back on their feet.

If I think of anything else, I'll certainly let you know. This disease is devastating and challenging enough without the additional financial/living difficulties.

Lani

Try the County that you live in. Maybe they can help or maybe they can point you in the right direction. I just got an employee of mine DX'ed with breast cancer who had no insurance, no hubby, no kids, no money saved get approved by the County who then paid for everything.

We have thought about moving in w/ family but it will cost us over 2000 to get out of our lease! We will talk with them about our situation..but wew have 2 dogs & really nowhere for them to go. I will be looking into as much as I can before treatments start. Thanks!

Is there a possibility of sub-leasing? Or is there a possibility that your landlord has a heart - meaning would he consider your situation? Or maybe if there's any room at all you can take in roommate(s) to help out?

Are the dogs big? I know that taking care of them can be a problem, but even more so if they're big, like mine. Do you have a friend/friends or siblings who could help out with them? I watched my brother's dog for six months while he traveled and she was no trouble at all. But then I have a fenced-in 1/2 acre back yard for them to run around in.

When cancer strikes a family, loving families band will together for the fight. (Yes, I know there are exceptions, and my heart breaks for those.) I hope they can help you. Just to get the financial off your mind so that you can focus on fighting this battle would be a Blessing.

Good luck,

Lani

It sounds like you may be "judgment proof" as it's called and if that's the case don't worry about the landlord even if there's no heart to be found. You may want to check the lease as it may have a clause that allows for early termination due to illness or hardship or something similar.

David's right on! If the landlord won't help you, then just bail out anyway -- If your conscience bothers you, plan to pay him back someday, or send him $10 a month (which, BTW, would help a lot if he tried to bring legal action!).

Shaylynn

If you are able to move in with family that might be the best solution available for you. Being recently married, this isnt an easy thing to do, just think of it as temporary. Its not easy to battle oral cancer and being with family will make it easier not just on you but also your husband. It will give you both extra help and thats something you both will need. Now isnt the time to be proud. If someone asks what they can do, try asking if they would care for your dogs. Or ask some friends, if they cant do it maybe they know someone who will.

Thank you all! I will be looking into our options & will keep all that in mind!

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.