possible reacurrance .no insurance. no help crying

DeeDee
I am so sorry to hear of the possible recurrence. Many times the possibilities doctors inform us do not happen. I pray that is the case for you.

As far as assistance, the ACS is the best source that I know of. However, here in the Ozarks,there is a privately-funded breast cancer organization. They help financially as well as emotionally. Financially, they help with medical costs and living expenses such as food and rent. You might check the yellow pages and online sources for this type of independent group. If a medium-sized town like mine has such an organization, it is very likely that Cleveland has at least one. You might look under different categories: cancer, breast cancer, not-for-profit. Also, the Cleveland Clinic may know of a group or groups. I received the flyer about Breast Cancer of the Ozarks Foundation at the Breast Clinic where I got a biopsy and later in the Oncology office. You may also find a group in suburbs around the city.

My best wishes to you. Please let us know how the tests turn out.

-

One other thought: try the closest Komen center for suggestions. Sometimes they have money and they know who may be able to help you.

Maureen

Cindy54 said:

Thinking
DeeDee..I also am without insurance. Had a few thoughts for you...

In OHio, is there a cancer center that will give you charity care..

In Indiana, can you use a friend or relatives address, even if you cannot stay there full time...if they require a phone number you could get by with a cell phone number. I know this sounds like you are being sneaky..but it is your health and your life that need attention.

Could your doctor in Indiana recommend anyone in Ohio that can help you...

I'm pretty familiar with the Cleveland area, but not Ohio laws. If you asked about charity care at the Cleveland Clinic maybe they could direct you somewhere. I think there is a hospital up in Cleveland that does do charity care. The cancer center in Cleveland should be able to direct you.

Also, the Susan B. Komen Foundation does cover mammos and any related biopsies, scans, etc. Maybe they can direct you. The local cancer society should have a contact number for you.

Please let us know what is happening, we care. There is nothing worse than trying to fight the beast and then the added stress of the money to pay for it. ....Hugs, Cindy

Cindy and DeeDee
Me too. no ins. that is, They have been trying for 4 months to get me on with the breast and cervical part of medicaid. still pending..i am getting worried that when i need to go to stay with my daughter for rads in Colorado..i live in Montana..that i will not be insured. I will probably start looking at other programs also, because i have no idea what help i will be able to get in Colorado. You are right this is a stressful and emotional situation that we do not need. Anyone have advice?
hugs
jackie

rjjj said:

Cindy and DeeDee
Me too. no ins. that is, They have been trying for 4 months to get me on with the breast and cervical part of medicaid. still pending..i am getting worried that when i need to go to stay with my daughter for rads in Colorado..i live in Montana..that i will not be insured. I will probably start looking at other programs also, because i have no idea what help i will be able to get in Colorado. You are right this is a stressful and emotional situation that we do not need. Anyone have advice?
hugs
jackie

More Of Us
Jackie..I am sure there are more of us out there who are without insurance. I became unemployed in October of 2008. So on January 1 of this year I no longer have insurance. The premiums would be doable to go to COBRA, but you have to have 2 months of payments up front...$1000 is not what I have anywhere. In Pa, I could not qualify for medicaid..they told me the limit was $205 per month. Yes, per month for a single person. I have no other living relatives or family..all gone to cancer... so I started getting a little stressed out by this news.I was afraid that all that I had gone through to fight the beast would be for nothing if I did not have follow up care. Believe me, the unemployment does not give you much left over for paying an insurance premium. I own nothing, so I have nothing to borrow against. I have gone under charity care at the local cancer center. Am in the process of applying for charity care at the local hospital. So I will be able to have all the necessary folow up that I need. But I will be honest. As mucu as it has relieved the stress of worrying about care, there is still that feeling of..charity care. I know we do what we have to. But it still makes all that you have worked for all your life and all that you have accomplished pale. I have also made it onto the waiting list for low income insurance...it's called adult basic. It takes pre-conditions also. But there is a 3 year waiting period on this list. I can pay the premium and have the insurance right away...but I still have to come up with 2 months in advance. So I am back to square one. And I have followed the President's stimulus bill...it does help with COBRA...but you still have to make those two payments without the discount.
The one thing I would tell anyone who is without insurance...please keep asking...ask the social worker at your cancer center...ask the cancer society....ask other patients...ask, ask, ask. I know this is hard, and believe me it is tiring. But we all need to survive and thrive and not let cancer become the victor in this battle we have. Hugs to all of you, Cindy