cost

Insurance

My insurance covered most of it, but my out of pocket cost deductible was still about $10,000 a year plus monthly insurance payments.  It is expensive, but ask the hospital if you can be on a payment plan.  That was the only way that was afordable but still expensive for me.  See if you can get help from the ACS.  They are supposed to help people, but I've not heard of them helping many.  They get a lot of donations, they should be willing to help or direct you.

Kim

Watching the bills pile up

I have always been the one to pay the bills, so when I was going through treatment, I sat on the couch, like a wet vegetable and watched them pile up on the kitchen table.  I never got a late notice, thuogh I was late in paying many of them. 

Once I started to regain my strenght, I contacted the various hospitals and Doctors; so many of them - ER, GP, GI, Surgeon, Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Diagnositic Center, Big city hospital & little city hospital - all of their bills waiting to be pain. Talk about overwhelming. 

As a person who hates to be in debt, it was obvious that I could not just 'pay them off'  so I called each one and set up a payment plan. They are willing to do that, and at least for my situation, there was no interest on top. 

It didn't happen overnight, it didnt' happen in a year, but I got them paid off eventually. 

Money should be one of the least of your worries.  Just tell yourself that the bills will get paid, and that you don't have to stress over it. No stress, remember. Cancer loves stress. 

My husband also had good insurance, so I wasn't footing the whole bill, which basically, would NEVER have been paid in my lifetime, even if I lived to be 100.

Tru

BRHMichigan said:

Early life insurance

I opted for something a little unconventional to help alleviate financial stress. If you have a good life insurance policy, they will pay out up to half in advance if you have a terminal illness. It was psychologically a little tough to ask a physician fill out the form, but I made the decision and was approced within 30 days. Got a big check and use it for what isn't covered, along with a few much needed home improvements. It has been such a relief for our family. 

Very Creative Thinking!!

Great idea Beth.  I have been blessed with insurance coverage, although I sacrificed during my early years while in the military and survived long enough to reach the Medicare qualification event (old age), I have often wondered why more cancer victims (I don't like using that word) don't establish a Go Fund Me page.  For goodness sake, if people will donate to deceivious attorneys who have less than admirable ethics and who got caught, then an average citizen who is struggling with a life threatening disease is MOST deserving.

Jim

I had great insurance from a job I took just for that reason...

Then I got Medicare and a Supplment. A million dollars for sure.

Interesting to read the bills. I lucked out.

 I don't wish this on anybody.

Peace

airborne72 said:

Very Creative Thinking!!

Great idea Beth.  I have been blessed with insurance coverage, although I sacrificed during my early years while in the military and survived long enough to reach the Medicare qualification event (old age), I have often wondered why more cancer victims (I don't like using that word) don't establish a Go Fund Me page.  For goodness sake, if people will donate to deceivious attorneys who have less than admirable ethics and who got caught, then an average citizen who is struggling with a life threatening disease is MOST deserving.

Jim

Go Fund Me

For me it's a pride thing. I can't imagine ever creating a Go Fund Me. And wouldn't it be devastating if nobody donated?! Lol. 3 of my 4 sibling also have given me varying gifts of money, which was such a blessing. 

 

 

abita said:

I actually had a big fight

I actually had a big fight with a cousin. He suggested it. I said I was using all my energy to work, and that the fatigue and worry were overwhelming. He told me that if it were him that no matter if he had to crawl to his computer, that he would have set up a go fund me. I was so mad at him.

People!

Some people just seem to have an easier time adking for money. Maybe it's how we were raised or something, but I just don't have it in me to ask for peoples' money to help me. I totally understand.

BRHMichigan said:

People!

Some people just seem to have an easier time adking for money. Maybe it's how we were raised or something, but I just don't have it in me to ask for peoples' money to help me. I totally understand.

Agree

Beth:

I totally agree with your feelings.  I even have difficulty asking a neighbor to help me move a piece of furniture.  I don't like feeling beholden to someone and I strongly believe that each of us should make our own way until we absolutely can't go any further.

My intent regarding the Go Fund Me account for was someone else to do it as a favor/honor/courtesy.  Instead of someone asking what they can do, they can privately and discreetly raise the money to anonymously assist someone else who is suffering from this disease AND from the financial devastation it causes.

I considered doing this very thing for my brother-in-law when he was run-over by a vehicle while standing in a bank lobby, but there are extinuating circumstances.

Jim