Most recently I have been under some serious stress due to a big change in my living situation and cancer treatments. My husband and I are young, really young. I was 16 when we met in high school. By my next birthday I was DX with Cancer and we have been dealing with the out come of it ever since. I have been lucky enough to have concived a healthy 8lb 2oz beautiful perfect baby boy. He's the greatest thing thats ever happened to us. The thing is that not only are we both faced with being new young parents but now were being held responsible for over $50,000 a year in medical bills. Thats a good year! My medication alone cost over $3,000 dollars a month for a 28 day supply. I just dont know how to take care of the cost. I have gone through insurance companies and medicaid wants to drop my coverage. I have also gone through moffitt because they have some excellent programs, but they can only cover so much of the expenses. I just dont know how we will ever be able to make a life for ourselves and for our son. One day I want to own my own home and give him the life I can only dream of... what do I do? Is there anything that I can do. The stress of it all is hurting my marriage and making me loose my mind. HELP?!!
Thanks for all of the love ladies! The first thing I plan on doing is calling a lawyer for the medicaid. I have tried applying for disability but my doctor was unsupportive of that because of my age and also that I have CML rather then some other type of leukemia which requires more vigorous cemo. I have become immune to the Gleevec and am taking the super Gleevec/Spyrcel. I dont know what this is costing me now kind of afraid to ask the pharmisist. Hopefully I can get a good legal opinion that can shead some light on this crappy situation. Thanks so much for all the support and advice!
Hi T. ,My mom has breast cancer and the medical bills are crazy.She found a group called the Cancer alliance and they help with some of your bills.I hope that helps congrats on your son.I have a 18 month old they are the best.
Hi T.,
Have you tried applying for SSI? If you are not working and have medical documentation, then you should apply. You can do it online or call the local social security office. If you dont get approved, then you appeal up to 2 times and the third time you go in front of a judge. You can also ge a social security attorney. It is free and when you get approved for your SSI benefits, the attorney fees will be paid from the 1st check you get. I know its hard. When you feel you cant do it anymore, just look at your baby boy and his smile is all the inspiration you need to keep fighting!! My mom had cancer so I understand your battle. My daughter gets SSI and I haven worked in 15 years because of my kids having special needs. If you need to talk, I am here to listen. Let me know if you have any questions about SSI. You are in my prayers.
T.,
My heart goes out to you. I am the former Assistant Transplant Coordinator for the Bone Marrow Transplant Center at Florida Hospital, and have worked with many patients dealing with the same issues that you are.
First of all, does Moffit have a Social Worker to help you out? They are a great resource when it comes to things like this. Why is Medicaid wanting to drop your coverage? I know they base a lot of it on income. I know at Florida Hospital, if you could prove to be a hardship case and that you had little/no money coming in, they would work with you on your bills and even write some/all of it off to charity. I don't know your financial circumstances, but you may want to look into that.
Are you and the baby on WIC? Like Medicaid, it depends on your household income, but you can apply for WIC to help with groceries. While it doesn't help with the medical bills, it will alow you to use the $ you would normally use for groceries for other things, like the medical bills.
Do you work at all? I know when you are dealing with cancer and all the treatments that go along with it, it can be difficult sometimes to keep up with a job outside the home. Have you looked into working from home? If you are interested in that, let me know, I have several suggestions for you.
Have you looked into fundraising? I know some people feel weird doing fundraising for themselves or their family, but that option is there for you. You never know who would be willing to help. If you want more information about different fundraisers available to you, let me know. I have done fundraisers for medical patients before that were very successful.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. ____@____.com
Good Luck and God Bless,
T.,
my mother was in your same spot, granted she was older and hadnt just had a child. She was diagnosed with a Stage III Astrocytoma *brain cancer* in August of 06 ... by Feb of 07 she was diagnosed *CANCER FREE* NOT remission but cancer free ... there is a difference. She took this stuff called Protocel. I dont really know how to explain the substance but you need to talk to the doctor that put my mother on it ... if you are interested message me & I will get you his number. Instead of all the costs for the expensive treatments she spent about $150 a bottle - I BELIEVE a bottle lasts about a month - and again - she is cancer free...
-T.
T. I will certainly keep you and your family in my prayers. I had a friend who was diagnosised with leukemia. We got involved with the leukemia and lyphomia society. They have a local chapter here in West Palm Beach.
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
They may be able to point you in the right direction. They are the ones responsible for different fundraising events, like Light the Night and Relay for a Cure.
God Bless,
A.
Hi T.,
I am just reading your message. I want to offer my prayers for you and your family. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and hopefully with the right help, positive thoughts and prayers you will become cancer free.
I was online looking for copay help for growth hormones for my sons and types "copay assisstance into Google and I saw a few sites to help cancer patients with medical assisstance. Maybe you have check it out.
Be positive and look after yourself and the family.
S.
First of all T., I want to say how sorry I am that you have to go through this... I am 25 and married,we have three children ages 5,3,and 23 mo.. On Dec 28th of 2003 when my second son was only a month old my husband also 25 was diagnosed with CML and was in the hospital for over a month,we weren't sure if he would make it. Thank God he did and now through all the ups and downs of his health and our marriage he is doing good and so is our marriage... Left over we have all the medical bills as well,we actually have to file bankruptcy because of it...He does ,however, get help through Novartis Pharmaceuticals,they give him his Gleevec for free with can cost up us up to $6,000mo depending on his dose at the time..He also recieves medicare and ssi,That helps us sooo much.. We also want to own our own home soon.But with our credit now it's very hard.. Right now we are renting and hoping that the landlord will do a lease option for us.We haven't had much,if any, help from either of our families so it's very hard, but we try to focus on our children and giving them a good enough life that we can..Our oldest son is the only one that knows anything about my husband's health(as much as he can understand right now anyway).The best thing for you to do is to talk about it,my husband tries to be strong and refuses to talk but what scares him and when his health starts to get bad he doesn't know what to do..He already has a match for a bone marrow transplant,his brother,but he is in the army (stationed in germany right now).And my husband and I don't want him to do the bone marrow transplant because of the risks but at least if he has to we will have the option. So if you don't have a match already you should think about being put on the list..I have alot more info that you might be interested in that can help you with fiances,christmas for your son,and support so Please email me so we can talk more my email is ____@____.com
Hey T.,
Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate for such a young woman. You're very blessed to have the gift of your son.
I am a pharmacist and I specialize in helping people get well through natural means. I would be more than happy to work with you and help educate you on ways to heal and send your leukemia into remission. You also need to educate yourself for the sake of your son.
Our bodies are amazing creations and have an amazing ability to heal themselves if they're given the right resources. However, in this day in age with the incredibly unhealthy eating habits of most, many adults and children are being diagnosed with diseases traditionally only found in the older generation.
Let me know if you'd like me to help. I am in the Gainesville, Fl. area, but can mail you info and refer you to some informative websites!
God bless you and your family,
L. W Rowe, Rph
That is a lot for anyone to go through. You are going to have to fight for your medicaid. There are laws to protect disability and cronic illness but you need a lawyer type person or good advocate to find out how to use them sometimes and for what qualifies. Good luck to you and I will pray for you. What type of Leukemia do you have.cronic m? If so you might qualify for continued medicaid and or SSI, disability.
T.,
I am so sorry for the difficulties you are facing. I wish I had something to offer, other than this observation. You need to find a way to deal with the stress of the situation so it does not harm your health further. I have no personal experience, but I would suggest finding a support group or counselor of some type. You need someone to talk to, perhaps a minister if you are religious, but it really sounds to me like you (understandibly so) need an outlet.
I wish you the best of luck.
B.
I'm sorry I don't have any advice to offer. But I just want to wish you good luck. My prayers are with you and your family.
First i know that when we have a big proof that you have.We has somebody that they feel the same.But that one is Jesus.He is the number one in our life.Second the cancer that you has He can take an away.I work with a company that the ownwer names is Myron Wents,He founded the company for the reason that he loose his father at the same way,one day he start to think;To live in a world with out pain.So he found the company;USANA HEALTH SCIENCES.First you has to star clean your body and your blood,second you need to give life to your cellular.If want more information take a look at my web site.https://www.anna2.usana.com
I go to pray for you;Jesus make miracles and aldo HE NEVER FORGET HIS DAUGHTER..God bless you;send me your name,I goin to put you in his hand
Although I don't have any information to help you out, i just wanted to say that I am very sorry that you are having to go thru this. You and your family are in my prayers. Try not to stress too much, and take care of yourself. Good luck.
J.
Good Morning T. , I hope you are doing well . Cancer hit very much home for me , My mother had a malignant Melanoma ( deadliest of the skin cancer ) She passed on 2 1/2/ years ago . I can only imagine how stressful you are with your marriage & child !!!! I know is easier said than done , but don't stress so much there is always a solution to things. try " la liga contra el Cancer "( coralway & 12 I think ) it helped my mom with her meds , her chemo meds ran $25,000 per month it was covered by them , try to apply for medicaid tell( take them all your paper work regarding your dx) them your situation , I did for my mom and she got it. There are many Cancer organizations that can help you Google cancer treatments ,etc. I can't remember one now sorry . I want you to see the glass half full , You will make a great life for you and your family , You will own your home and you will give your child the life you always dreamed of for your child . You are so blessed to have your Baby Boy , you most think about him and you are going to do well , don't loose your mind please , Think of all the great things you have in this life your child & husband ,( that is your motivation to fight for) let me know how you are doing my email is ____@____.com
Best Wishes Always,
~ A.
I'm sorry to ehar about your cancer - I will keep you in my thoughts & pray for remission.
As for assistance I know of a site called CancerCare.org They have support, information & finacial grants available to patients & thier families. I hope you find it useful.
Congrats on the birth of your son. I think it is a wonderful testiment to you & your husband, being young and sticking through the lean times. Believe me, those times will be fond memories when you've made it through. Good luck & please do keep us updated!
