#85029 11-28-2008 09:59 PM | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 | 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!
Last edited by MrsGrant; 11-28-2008 10:00 PM.
*Shaylynn*
11.25.08 SCC of tongue diagnosed @ age 23 T2N2cM0
12.20.2008 Partial glossectomy & left neck dissection. Clear margins.
6.24.09-Pet Scans show 2 areas of concern
8.5.09-Recurrence-Perotid Gland and swollen node removal
9.29.09 Carboplatin & Taxol x8 Tomo x39
11.19.09 WILL COMPLETE TREATMENTS!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 20 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 20 | Try calling your State Medical Society, they sometimes have resources they can recommend.
Good Luck!
Lucinda 52 y.o. no risk factors -dxed 11/10/09 w/ Right lateral tongue SCC 2cm, bilateral neck dissection with 3 nodes positve on right, Induction chemoTx followed by ChemoradioTx, last Tx 4/3/09, PET/CT 11/8/09 showed no sign of recurrence.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | 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
SCC part glossectomy 3/06, recur 8/06 glossectomy, floor of mouth, part of jaw removed, RT/chemo thru 10/12/06, PET clear 7/08
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn"
Passed away 12/14/08
| | | | | 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 | 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.
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: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 | 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!
*Shaylynn*
11.25.08 SCC of tongue diagnosed @ age 23 T2N2cM0
12.20.2008 Partial glossectomy & left neck dissection. Clear margins.
6.24.09-Pet Scans show 2 areas of concern
8.5.09-Recurrence-Perotid Gland and swollen node removal
9.29.09 Carboplatin & Taxol x8 Tomo x39
11.19.09 WILL COMPLETE TREATMENTS!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | 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
SCC part glossectomy 3/06, recur 8/06 glossectomy, floor of mouth, part of jaw removed, RT/chemo thru 10/12/06, PET clear 7/08
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn"
Passed away 12/14/08
| | | | | 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 | 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
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: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | 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!).
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | 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 |
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.
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: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 72 | Thank you all! I will be looking into our options & will keep all that in mind!
*Shaylynn*
11.25.08 SCC of tongue diagnosed @ age 23 T2N2cM0
12.20.2008 Partial glossectomy & left neck dissection. Clear margins.
6.24.09-Pet Scans show 2 areas of concern
8.5.09-Recurrence-Perotid Gland and swollen node removal
9.29.09 Carboplatin & Taxol x8 Tomo x39
11.19.09 WILL COMPLETE TREATMENTS!
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