| | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) |  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | i cannot imagine such a diagnosis without medical insurance ... how do people do it at all? i saw the bill for one radiation treatment - $16k - for ONE! x's that by 36-40? Ouchie wowie!
Surgery another 35-100k ... - chemo who knows how much $ ? is this why the death rate is so high for cancer? once they get a diagnosis they cannot afford to go back to the doctor?
Rita - Age 44
wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1
(R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
===============================
"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | I had no insurance. I was self-employed and, with my medical history, not insurable. When I was diagnosed, my county stepped up and took care of everything. When my cancer came back (or rather they just didn't get it all), it was too advanced for my local oncology departments to handle. I was sent to Shands in Gainesville - another county - and my county health dept contracted with Shands for my care. As things progressed and the bills must have been unbelievable, Florida Medicaid stepped in and took care of the rest.
In recovery, which included hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, home nursing visits, and medication, my county and state took care of everything until my disability Medicare kicked in this past June - 2 1/2 years post Dx. I'm not sure what other states have to offer, or even other counties in my state, but I never had to worry about paying for the incredibly expensive treatments and care I needed to survive. I know that I received the very best care available without question, and that was a true Blessing.
I'm writing this to let the uninsured know that there may be help out there for them. My first step was when I was sent by my first ENT's office immediately after diagnosis to my county hospital's patient assistance representative. She took me under her wing and took care of everything. I was always treated with kindness and respect by all involved from that local hospital rep, to the county health dept, to the state medicaid agent.
I hope my story helps those wihout insurance to find a place to start looking for the help they need.
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: May 2007 Posts: 132 "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 132 | Hi Jerry,
I'm really sorry to her what your assistant is going through. One big positive is that she has a compassionate and understanding employer! Alot don't unfortunately. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and Dot on Monday. I hope that the biopsy results give her reason to be positive.
Sue
55 y/o
SCC LL Tongue 3/27/07
Part. mandibulectomy 9/2/07
Left ND 5/12/08
RT/Chemo
Rec LL Tongue 07/09
Part gloss 8/5 & 8/25
Surg 10/28/09 re mets to R neck & L jaw
RT & Chemo finished 12/22/09
PEG fitted 05/06/10
L buccal SCC 10/10
freeflap (forearm)surgery 2/28/11 L buccal and gingiva
| | | | | 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 | Amy,
I just went through a similar process with a female emplyee with no insurance, no money and breast cancer. I fought like hell but finally got her County coverage and then got them to allow her to be treated at Moffitt. Quite rare I was told of "out of network referrals" but I did it by researching and being persistent. E me if you get to that point and need some tips.
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: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks again to my family here at the OCF for your support.
Amy, I hope your employee gets some good news. He will be in my prayers.
Larry's Daughter, I will add Kirsten to my prayers
I have been in touch with Dot's family yesterday and today and on my way home from an overnight stay with my family, I got some bad news. The doctor says that even without the results of the biposy, he is planning on starting radiation on Monday and he is calling it Stage IV lung cancer. Although I am not surprised, considering the metastasis to her brain, it is still shocking to hear those words. I will try to get to the hospital tomorrow or Sunday, if she is up to visitors. Naturally, we are all devastated.
Your continuing prayers are greatly appreciated.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | 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 |
Jerry:
I am so sorry to hear about Dot. Its such a shame, she must be so scared. Its so hard to believe that you can feel lousy for a few weeks then find out its cancer. It must have been quite a shock for her and everyone around her.
Luckily she works for you. Having been a survivor of cancer, she can look to you for hope. She can see that its not impossible to beat cancer.
I will say a prayer for her.
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: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks Christine.
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving and that you are feeling OK.
I knew all along that it was more serious than statin side effects and kept pushing her to get some testing done. I doubt that 3 weeks really will make a difference, since the cancer is so advanced. You just never want to see someone get pushed off from good diagnostic workups.
This cold weather at night may allow me to get up to your neck of the woods and get in some skiing in December, something that hasn't happened around here in a long time.
Thanks again to everyone for their prayers and kind thoughts.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | 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 |
Please keep us posted on Dot's progress. Just thinking about how serious her diagnosis is, makes me feel so bad for her.
Im doing good. Im always ok, u know that. Hope you had a nice holiday. I think I heard my son say Blue Mt is open this weekend w/ 1/2 price lift tickets. If you get up this way, let me know and I will try to meet up with you for a hot chocolate.
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: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Jerry, you know she is in my prayers too. You have been a great help to me and I will try to live up to helping others thru the shock of this.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Jerry, I know that Dot was to have had her lung biopsy yesterday. What an emotional roller-coaster for her and for your entire office. I'm sure that she is more than your "right arm." She must be a very good friend too, to have worked so closely together for so long, so I know that it will affect not only her life but yours as well. I hope that the reports on Monday bring some pleasant and unexpected surprise. She certainly is fortunate to have such a good friend in you.
XO--Colleen
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,264 Posts197,178 Members13,362 | | Most Online1,788
Jan 23rd, 2025 | | |
|
