Brothers update

JimsBrother
JimsBrother Member Posts: 94
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I've been away for a while. My computer's CPU decided it was sick and was working at about 12%. Still Which was more like my first computer with the 40 mg hard drive and windows 3.1, a 2400 baud modem, and 2 mg of ram. It would take 10 minutes to load a page so I haven't been able to read or post anything. I will slowly get caught up with reading everyones postings.

My brother Jim's update:

Jim is doing well, he had his first CT scan post surgery and as per his doctor, no signs of anything to worry about. We all know how that goes. The real story will be 6 to 12 months post surgery and a PET scan. For now he is doing well. He returned to work part time and other than stamina has handled the transition as well as can be expected.

His lab results produced a final stage of T3 N2 M0 (I think that's correct) the outer layer of the esophagus was in tact and the tumor seems to have been contained within the esophagus. He did have 2 lymph nodes that showed cells, I didn't see the report to know if they were active or not and the chemo did it's job. I am assuming since the doctors did not suggest any follow up chemo, that they were inactive.

Thank you all for your prayers and kind words. Speaking for myself, this site was instrumental in getting me through the last 5 months. Thank you all.

I have a problem I hope someone can help me with. Without going into a long story of how and why, needless to say my ex has the compassion of a gnat. Because of that I was forced to apply for a Medicare part D prescription plan and have 2 months before I meet the dreaded doughnut hole. If there is anyone out there that can point me in a direction to find a way to manage that and can keep me from having to spend 130% of my monthly income for 1 medication, I would be much appreciative. I've checked the typical programs and my income is over the limits of eligibility for everything I've found. I do not have cancer so any related organizations that might help do not apply to me.

Please reply to me directly through the private mail here. I looked for a topic of Insurance but there are none so I have no choice but to ask here. Please accept my apologies.

Rob

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JimsBrother
    JimsBrother Member Posts: 94
    #3
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank you
    Thanks again William. I thought for sure they would do a final round of chemo just to be as sure as possible that they got it all. The thought of just one or two cells migrating at some point prior to surgery is my main concern. Jim is confident in his doctors and I'm not sure whether or not he had a second opinion regarding follow up chemo.

    I hope you and your family are well and getting ready for spring. Spring came and went last week, we are back to snow today.

    Rob
  • daddysgirl3
    daddysgirl3 Member Posts: 4
    #4
    Insurance I can help you
    Hi Rob,

    I can help you on the insurance part, what are your options for the medicare part D? Are you eligable for assistance through what they call indigent programs? If you absolutely have to go on medicare Part D try humana gold, medicaid, aarp etc?

    I work in the insurance field so i know alot about insurance ask MLBROOKS, she was guided the right way by me. I pretty much can guide you the right way

    Are you on medicare?

    Please let me know, I am MOE"S friend and we live together so if you need her let me know.

    thanks
  • JimsBrother
    JimsBrother Member Posts: 94
    #5
    daddysgirl3 said:

    Insurance I can help you
    Hi Rob,

    I can help you on the insurance part, what are your options for the medicare part D? Are you eligable for assistance through what they call indigent programs? If you absolutely have to go on medicare Part D try humana gold, medicaid, aarp etc?

    I work in the insurance field so i know alot about insurance ask MLBROOKS, she was guided the right way by me. I pretty much can guide you the right way

    Are you on medicare?

    Please let me know, I am MOE"S friend and we live together so if you need her let me know.

    thanks

    Daddysgirl
    Thank you for your help. I will sit down later and give you a rundown and answer your Q's. My wife (soon to be ex) whether on purpose or not has backed me into a corner. She quit her job, and the insurance ended on Feb 7th. She actually told me last Thursday. Knowing she is well aware that I have been on this medication for over 10 years now, and she is also aware that as soon as 3 hours after a missed dose, serious withdrawal symptoms begin, I thought she would do the right thing and follow up on COBRA. When I called her yesterday morning to see what I could do to help, she said I should get off this medication. (I guess she now has a medical degree and knows more than my doctors) Her suggestion when I told her that my script runs out in 5 days and without coverage it's a $1500. dollar bill, her suggestion was to wait till I am in withdrawal and go to the emergency room. Easy for her to say. Her suggestion actually took my breath away. I couldn't believe she could say that.

    My next call was to my attorney, and my next one was to Independent Health. I had little time to fully check all my options, I have to have coverage for this script asap. As it is, I have enough to get me to Saturday mornings dose. Coverage starts 3/1, I have to fill the gap in cash, providing my doctor will help me.

    That's how I got in this position, the other particulars I'll include in my email. I will get that to you by morning. Thank you very much for your help, and thank you all for giving me this latitude to stray off topic a little.

    Rob
  • Bolt_Woman
    Bolt_Woman Member Posts: 11
    #6
    JimsBrother said:

    Daddysgirl
    Thank you for your help. I will sit down later and give you a rundown and answer your Q's. My wife (soon to be ex) whether on purpose or not has backed me into a corner. She quit her job, and the insurance ended on Feb 7th. She actually told me last Thursday. Knowing she is well aware that I have been on this medication for over 10 years now, and she is also aware that as soon as 3 hours after a missed dose, serious withdrawal symptoms begin, I thought she would do the right thing and follow up on COBRA. When I called her yesterday morning to see what I could do to help, she said I should get off this medication. (I guess she now has a medical degree and knows more than my doctors) Her suggestion when I told her that my script runs out in 5 days and without coverage it's a $1500. dollar bill, her suggestion was to wait till I am in withdrawal and go to the emergency room. Easy for her to say. Her suggestion actually took my breath away. I couldn't believe she could say that.

    My next call was to my attorney, and my next one was to Independent Health. I had little time to fully check all my options, I have to have coverage for this script asap. As it is, I have enough to get me to Saturday mornings dose. Coverage starts 3/1, I have to fill the gap in cash, providing my doctor will help me.

    That's how I got in this position, the other particulars I'll include in my email. I will get that to you by morning. Thank you very much for your help, and thank you all for giving me this latitude to stray off topic a little.

    Rob

    Rob,
    You are by federal law
    Rob,

    You are by federal law entitled to COBRA coverage with or without your soon to be former wife electing the COBRA option. There are some date restrictions but the Employer should have sent you a COBRA notification when she terminated letting you know you had right to elect. If you did not receive notice the Employer is in violation of the COBRA law. The qualifying events for spouses is straight from the federal government web site:
    Qualifying Events for Spouses:
    Voluntary or involuntary termination of the covered employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct
    Reduction in the hours worked by the covered employee
    Covered employee's becoming entitled to Medicare
    Divorce or legal separation of the covered employee
    Death of the covered employee
    www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm
  • Bolt_Woman
    Bolt_Woman Member Posts: 11
    #7
    JimsBrother said:

    Daddysgirl
    Thank you for your help. I will sit down later and give you a rundown and answer your Q's. My wife (soon to be ex) whether on purpose or not has backed me into a corner. She quit her job, and the insurance ended on Feb 7th. She actually told me last Thursday. Knowing she is well aware that I have been on this medication for over 10 years now, and she is also aware that as soon as 3 hours after a missed dose, serious withdrawal symptoms begin, I thought she would do the right thing and follow up on COBRA. When I called her yesterday morning to see what I could do to help, she said I should get off this medication. (I guess she now has a medical degree and knows more than my doctors) Her suggestion when I told her that my script runs out in 5 days and without coverage it's a $1500. dollar bill, her suggestion was to wait till I am in withdrawal and go to the emergency room. Easy for her to say. Her suggestion actually took my breath away. I couldn't believe she could say that.

    My next call was to my attorney, and my next one was to Independent Health. I had little time to fully check all my options, I have to have coverage for this script asap. As it is, I have enough to get me to Saturday mornings dose. Coverage starts 3/1, I have to fill the gap in cash, providing my doctor will help me.

    That's how I got in this position, the other particulars I'll include in my email. I will get that to you by morning. Thank you very much for your help, and thank you all for giving me this latitude to stray off topic a little.

    Rob

    Rob,
    You are by federal law
    Rob,

    You are by federal law entitled to COBRA coverage with or without your soon to be former wife electing the COBRA option. There are some date restrictions but the Employer should have sent you a COBRA notification when she terminated letting you know you had right to elect. If you did not receive notice the Employer is in violation of the COBRA law. The qualifying events for spouses is straight from the federal government web site:
    Qualifying Events for Spouses:
    Voluntary or involuntary termination of the covered employee's employment for any reason other than gross misconduct
    Reduction in the hours worked by the covered employee
    Covered employee's becoming entitled to Medicare
    Divorce or legal separation of the covered employee
    Death of the covered employee
    www.dol.gov/dol/topic/health-plans/cobra.htm

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