City of Hope

kale1972
kale1972 Member Posts: 36
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am currently being treated at UC Irvine for apendix cancer (PMP) and I have Medi-Cal with a MONTHLY share -of -cost of $4,750!! We don't make a whole lot more than that, but that is the only thing we qualified for without having prior ins and now having a pre-exisiting conditon. My mom is all over me to ask my specialist to refer me to City of Hope because she has heard that they will help more financially and she swears they are the only cancer experts. I am conisdering switching to UCSD to go to Dr. Lowy who specializes in my specific cancer instead. So, anyone have any input on City of Hope??? Thanks!

Comments

  • marieinlv
    marieinlv Member Posts: 47
    #2
    city of hope
    Kale, I did go to City of Hope, i went a couple of times in 2011. My husband and I can't say enough about how tender and through they were. They spend alot of time initially to help treat you, I have another family member that was helped completely with finanaces. Our insurance was accepted there. The resources are endless for patients. They have many classes, people, info. The place is remarkable, however, I decided to look more throughly where I live in L.V. for an awesome Dr., I was successfull, I see Dr Camille Faulkner, I just don't want be too far from home if I need more treatment. I saw Dr Robert Morgan, I was refered by someone who knew him well. My husband would Love to go back there, it's too far for me and I Love my new Dr at home. You can e-mail me if you have more questions.
    God Bless, Marie
  • kale1972
    kale1972 Member Posts: 36
    #3
    marieinlv said:

    city of hope
    Kale, I did go to City of Hope, i went a couple of times in 2011. My husband and I can't say enough about how tender and through they were. They spend alot of time initially to help treat you, I have another family member that was helped completely with finanaces. Our insurance was accepted there. The resources are endless for patients. They have many classes, people, info. The place is remarkable, however, I decided to look more throughly where I live in L.V. for an awesome Dr., I was successfull, I see Dr Camille Faulkner, I just don't want be too far from home if I need more treatment. I saw Dr Robert Morgan, I was refered by someone who knew him well. My husband would Love to go back there, it's too far for me and I Love my new Dr at home. You can e-mail me if you have more questions.
    God Bless, Marie

    Thanks for responding! What
    Thanks for responding! What state are you in?
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #4
    kale1972 said:

    Thanks for responding! What
    Thanks for responding! What state are you in?

    Check into
    Social Security Disability benefits. I was 62 when diagnosed and decided early on that I would not return to work. I applied for Social Security at the end of my treatment before I was released by my doctor. I applied online and a few days later a SS worker called me to go over my application. She said she would apply for Social Security Disability benefits for me. I never thought I would get it although a couple of people told me I would based on my diagnosis. I assumed because my doctors said I could go back to work, that is what they would put on the paperwork. Well, I don't know exactly what they put on the paperwork but I was approved for Social Security Disability. It is based on the diagnosis not on the ability to work. I looked it up on the SS website and sure enough ovarian cancer is on a list of disablities that I believe are pretty much guaranteed to qualify a person for disability payments. This had nothing to do with my age.

    I don't know your situation but I received state disablity payments during my treatment and learned from the same SS worker that when you are receiving state disability you can also received Social Security Disability starting the fifth month you are out of work. It was bizarre. I got state disability, sick pay from work and Social Security Disability beginning the fifth month. I received the SS disability payments retroactively since I found out later. This worker was on the ball. Since I retired from work I continue to receive the SS disability I qualified for which is a little more than the regular socail security benefits based on just my age.

    This is a lot of info but at least call Social Security and ask some questions.

    Good luck.


    Karen
  • marieinlv
    marieinlv Member Posts: 47
    #5
    kale1972 said:

    Thanks for responding! What
    Thanks for responding! What state are you in?

    I'm living in Las Vegas,
    I'm living in Las Vegas, Nevada. The drive to City of Hope is about 4hrs for me. I don't know if I'll need treatment again or not, but I do believe if they were here, they would be where I'd go if my Dr was there. Wonderfull website to go to for FYI.
  • kale1972
    kale1972 Member Posts: 36
    #6
    marieinlv said:

    I'm living in Las Vegas,
    I'm living in Las Vegas, Nevada. The drive to City of Hope is about 4hrs for me. I don't know if I'll need treatment again or not, but I do believe if they were here, they would be where I'd go if my Dr was there. Wonderfull website to go to for FYI.

    Ends up I do not have
    Ends up I do not have ovarian cancer, but appendix cancer, called PMP. It only affects 1 in a million people. Since it is so rare I need to go to a specialist, so I found one just an hour away from me at UCSD! Thanks for responding though!!!
  • kale1972
    kale1972 Member Posts: 36
    #7
    kikz said:

    Check into
    Social Security Disability benefits. I was 62 when diagnosed and decided early on that I would not return to work. I applied for Social Security at the end of my treatment before I was released by my doctor. I applied online and a few days later a SS worker called me to go over my application. She said she would apply for Social Security Disability benefits for me. I never thought I would get it although a couple of people told me I would based on my diagnosis. I assumed because my doctors said I could go back to work, that is what they would put on the paperwork. Well, I don't know exactly what they put on the paperwork but I was approved for Social Security Disability. It is based on the diagnosis not on the ability to work. I looked it up on the SS website and sure enough ovarian cancer is on a list of disablities that I believe are pretty much guaranteed to qualify a person for disability payments. This had nothing to do with my age.

    I don't know your situation but I received state disablity payments during my treatment and learned from the same SS worker that when you are receiving state disability you can also received Social Security Disability starting the fifth month you are out of work. It was bizarre. I got state disability, sick pay from work and Social Security Disability beginning the fifth month. I received the SS disability payments retroactively since I found out later. This worker was on the ball. Since I retired from work I continue to receive the SS disability I qualified for which is a little more than the regular socail security benefits based on just my age.

    This is a lot of info but at least call Social Security and ask some questions.

    Good luck.


    Karen

    Thanks Karen, but since I
    Thanks Karen, but since I have not worked (I have been a stay home mom to my 5 kids for 15 yrs) I did not qualify for any SS benefits whatsoever!!
  • Ruffy7
    Ruffy7 Member Posts: 126
    #8
    kale1972 said:

    Ends up I do not have
    Ends up I do not have ovarian cancer, but appendix cancer, called PMP. It only affects 1 in a million people. Since it is so rare I need to go to a specialist, so I found one just an hour away from me at UCSD! Thanks for responding though!!!

    Hi Kale, was wondering how
    Hi Kale, was wondering how things were going for you... Did you get to see Dr. Lowy yet? Just thinking about you and hoping things are going good. Ruffy

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