Thanks to all of you for encouraging and sharing,I wish it didn't take 2 years to get to this point. I have been fighting for social security disability since 1999. It is still not resolved.I had had a heart attack back then plus asbestosis from exposure as a mechaich and plumber. I had medicaid for awhile but lost it when i started getting workmans compensation(175 dollars a week) too much income !! Anyway in july of 2003 I developed a sore throat and after 3 weeks of pain went to the ER and was admitted to ccu for 3 days ,eliminating heart attack as a possibility. They had an ENT doctor examine me with a scope and he said I probably had acid reflux. Without coverage I could not follow up so I started looking for clinical trials relating to acid reflux. I found one being done by the makers of nexium and applied, they scheduled me for an endoscopy and found I wasn't severe enough to participate any further. So still having the pain in my throat and no relief, I started thinking tonsill abcess or throat abcess and came across the yul brynner foundation and saw the article about free head and neck cancer screening. I circled the date on my calender and made sure I went. It was at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in NYC. They concluded I needed to come back for further evaluation. I knew that there would be a charge and without coverage I couldn't make the appointment to go back. I shared the chain of events in prayer meeting at my church and a few days later my pastor handed me an envelope and said someone anonymously donated 1,000 dollars with which Ishould go and get my followup. I made the appointment and within 5 minutes of meeting the doctor he was showing my wife and I the cancer on a tv monitor. He said we need to get on the fast track with scans and biopsies so we could begin the radiation and chemo. I told him I can't afford to continue and he said not to worry as the hospital had a program of financial aid and I should be eligible!! I was approved for one years complete coverage in 3 days.Thankyou God!!!and the private benefactors who made that possible. IU believe I am in very capable hands at Sloan Kettering and will keep the forum updated. Thankyou all again and I am here for anyone else who needs a shoulder! I can do this, Carl