Well Amy, we're pleased that you've joined out group and it nice to have some "normies" to give us perspective. I would take you up on your offer to help with financial guidance but I lucked out and got into a decent HMO (Kaiser Permanente) which has generously covered all of the tests, scans, paid for treatment at UCSF, medications, etc. And they use a teamwork approach, i.e., I have a head & neck surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, dental oncologist, nutritionist, advice nurse, not to mention all of the many people behind the scenes oncology pharmacist, radiologist, and the many techs. They are also linked by computer so they all have access to my latest data. They have also been super about moving me up in the cue as far as scans and labwork is concerned. They wasted no time with the Dx or treatment. I applied for every bit of assistance I could - lower gas & electric, lower interest rate for a year on my home loan (3.95%), ELOC to fill in the income gaps and SSDI. I even applied for and got a mileage reimburement from the ACS.

Gary
can you apply for anything if your wife works?
Amy
I'm sorry about your breakup but maybe It's temporary. He may have a change of heart if It's because of the cancer. Most people don't want anyone to see them at there lowest point and if he's thinking of quitting. He's real low.
Take care all
Diane

Hi Dianne,
My wife works but is starting a business and is really just breaking even. I don't think it is an issue with SSDI (we file separately) with other things, like the power co. they may consider household (combined) income for eligibility. They all have their own rules. In California, if you qualify for SSDI, you may also be eligible for IHSS (In Home Supportive Services) where they will even pay a spouse for the time involved caretaking and driving up to 20 hrs a week. This may be a federally funded state run program.

Diane,
There is quite a bit of assistance for cancer patients that is not based on income status. Let me know if you want some help on that. Also...and perhaps most important...getting the most out of what you have (i.e. insurance) is a great place to focus to relieve some of the pressure.
Amy

Diane,
Sorry...didn't mean to ignore your other comments. I doubt anything will change between he and I. It's a complicated story. And I figure after six years if he thinks so little of me to just walk away like that (not that it isn't for the best given the circumstances)then there probably wasn't much meaningful stuff there anyway. Besides...he has plenty of family to take care of him. I don't mean to sound bitter and cold but...hey I'm hurt, betrayed, angry. Sorry for the vent over such a trivial issue.
Amy

Amy...I am going to ask people who wish to ask you financial and insurance questions to start a new thread related to those issues, so it doesn't get too confusing here. Also, that will let us keep that thread as one of the permanent threads on our "frequently asked questions" section. No doubt the financial issues of people have many points in common and it may prove valuable over time.