Where can you get financial help in North Carolina.

ladybugg
ladybugg Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I've had this disease since 10/04 and still not getting disabilty. Waiting for a hearing for over a year now. It is putting alot of stress aaon my marriage. We are close to losing everything, my husband is doing the best he can, he is working 5 days a week, and odd job on the weekends. I've not been able to work and can't get any help. We have 2 small children and they are the best. They understand "mommy" is sick. But I have always worked and now I feel worthless. I have to have more surgery it's like the cancer runs my life. I have no control over where it spreads to. First my large intestine, then my pancreas, now my small intestine. I have a permenant ileostomy and who would hire someone that would have to use the restroom every 30 minutes. I have problems with getting it thick. Can someone please help me. Jackie

Comments

  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    #2
    I'm sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I'm assuming you are referring to SS disability? I was approved right away. I believe it depends on what your oncologists says on the forms that need completed. I wish I could help.
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #3
    Jackie,

    It breaks my heart when you are trying to reserve your strength to fight the war in your body and then you have to fight it financially or with insurance as well. Nobody should have to fight both fights. Looks like we were diagnosed at the same time 10/04.

    I have only had to fight the insurance company, so I haven't been down your specific road. I only know what I would do and what I did to win through insurance (I fought them for almost a year on 2 denials). I was on the phone or writing letters nearly every day (or to what you can tollerate) stressing my need and providing information as to why my procedures were needed. That finally got me through the insurance.

    I have no idea why they would make you wait for over a year to have a hearing. You need to find someone who can answer that question.

    Use every resource and personel at the hospital and oncology office. Maybe talking to the social workers might get you down the right path to getting help. Maybe the person who handles the financial aspects of your oncology care might know where you can turn to for help. My oncology office also has financial counselors.

    Maybe your local government?

    I would also search respectable cancer sites (like ACS) to see if there are any links to help you find someone.

    My prayers are with you and your family. Tricia
  • houseofclay
    houseofclay Member Posts: 63
    #4
    I am sorry to hear that you are in financial trouble as well as dealing with cancer. We struggled during my husband's treatment and ultimately had to withdraw money from his 401(k) to keep our heads just barely above water.

    The social worker at the hospital (or even some cancer centers depending on the size) should be a good resource as far as your disability claim. ACS might have some additional suggestions as well. The Patient Advocate Foundation (800-532-5274) as well as CancerCare (800-813-4673) might be helpful as well.
  • ladybugg
    ladybugg Member Posts: 20
    #5
    sladich said:

    I'm sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I'm assuming you are referring to SS disability? I was approved right away. I believe it depends on what your oncologists says on the forms that need completed. I wish I could help.

    Thank you for your response. I will call tomorrow and find out what I can do. I called my lawyer today and made an appointment to let her now that I'm getting worse. Jackie
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #6
    although not as large as this forum, make sure you post to the insurance forum on this site; they may have some existing information too.

    Shaz's Ostomy site would be a good one for your stool question:
    http://www.ostomates.org/

    bud
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #7
    If you've been waiting a year or longer and you are in the US and your talking about long term ss disability, your absolutely correct in contacting a lawyer. There are also social security advocates. Do a web search. If your onc had put on the papers , your illness was expected to last a year or more etc, there is no reason why you should not have been approved by now. Keep persistant. Call everybody and anybody , even if it's the media. Good luck and God Bless.
    Diane

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