#43620 07-22-2004 11:16 AM | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 106 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 106 | gita:
I so much agree. we had to go through my husband's heart surgery without insurance, and I would have to tell my husband he was not to answer the phone or open any bills if he wanted his heart to heal.
in those days - 5 years ago - we were able to get most bills down to $25.00 a month - we are still making payments. I hope hospitals & doctors are still willing to do this. I did find out that it is better to talk to them rather than trying to hide, but I would suggest that somebody other than the patient do the talking, unless he/she feels able to remain calm. There are social workers at the cancer facilities who can help.
I am from Finland, and find it very hard to believe that Americans are not feeling stronger about public health care. I have decent insurance now, and am very grateful that I don't have the indecent worry on my mind that we had to live with when Bill was recovering. But I still know what you mean about credit cards etc., Gary. They all come after you and don't quit. You get to where you are glad when the phone gets turned off, because the creditors can't call any more.
Leena
scc right tonsil T1N1M0, right tonsillectomy + modified neck dissection 3/04, radiation IMRT both sides X33 ended 6/04. Also had renal cell carcinoma, left kidney removed 11/04
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#43621 07-22-2004 12:12 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Funny you mention that - my phone was disconnected most of this week and the silence was golden!
Thank God for caller ID the rest of the time. Once we file the bankrupty there will be a court order issued for all creditors to cease and desist.
I have some credit cards that are double the original credit limit with late penalties and interest. I would have been better off borrowing money from the Sopranos. These jerk offs call 7 days a week starting at 8:00am PST to 9:00 pm PST. They have yet for me to speak with them however.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#43622 07-22-2004 03:54 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | When I visited Japan in 2002, I found out from my uncle that if he puts my name on our family registry, on the eighth day being there, my entire family is covered for free health care. Because my mother was a survivor of both atomic bombs, we even qualify for extra coverage in the event we are diagnosed with cancer and several other ailments. After all the battles with health insurance, disability insurance and life insurance this past year, it is pretty tempting.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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