Insurance Frustrations

[Les' Mom]

Hi

My son is 22 years old. His birthday is in March so he had just turned 22 when he was diagnosed 5/6/07

I am also amazed at the number of guys that were diagnosed about the time Les was.

Warm Hugs from the south,
Pam

[dollfin1204]

Pam, can I ask how old your son is?


I think it's so strange that people in others cities, other states that we personally have never met or never knew exisited are being diagnosed within days or weeks of eachother with the same thing.

....And now here we all our being one another's support team

[dollfin1204]

Well said, my friend!

I agree with Scott, you worded that perfect.
Little did I know I could be this strong as well. Having to care for steve while being his advocate, working( which I was recenlty laid off), dealing with my own emotions, taking care of normal daily life stuff. I never knew Steve could be as strong as he was. I believe we feed off each others positives attitiudes. And everyone here has help me keep my head up, even at the worst times.

When steve was diagnosed he also didn't have health ins. He was starting his own business at the time(basically unemployed). When we assumed something was wrong, he applied for health ins. but while waiting for underwriting, steve's health decreased rapidly. We couldn't wait. we had to rush to the ER. That same day he was diagnosed. 3 days later we recieved a letter in the mail saying steve was denied for ins. due to his heigth to weight ratio. Which is stupid. Steve has always averaged. 6'1-140 lbs. He has had health ins. in the past.

We then applied for medi-cal but in order to qualify for medi-cal you must be approved for SS disabiltiy, which he was just denied this week.
It's been really hard this year for us..mentally, physcally and finacially.
We had been living off my paychecks alone, until I took a leave of absence. Then our friends and family raised money at a charity golf tournament for us.
When I finally went back to work, I was laid off 4 days later.
I guess it's like they say, when it rains it pours.
But I keep smiling everyday because the most important thing is.... STEVE IS GETTING BETTER

[Scott]

I guess we have more strength than we can even imagine.

Well said, my friend!

[Physast]

Pam Give your son my hellos and encouragement.

I was diagnosed at Stage 1a still awaiting my second path opinion from Indianapolis. It's amazing how the craziest things happen at the worst of times, but we can still find the courage and strength to fight it.

I would have never though I would have the strength to fight cancer or even to deal with it. As a matter of fact I remember saying to myself a few months ago when my friends wife was diagnosed with cancer that I would never be able to live through such a horrible thing.

I guess we have more strength than we can even imagine.

[Les' Mom]

You are so right. We have problems with health care. I dont know what the solution is, but people shouldnt lose their home, insurance, jobs because they are fighting such a horrible disease. I guess we are lucky that both myself and my husband have good jobs and Les is our only child so we can help him.
You were diagnosed after my son, 5/6/07. How are you doing?? My son was diagnosed with Stage 3c with mets to the liver, lungs, brain, and lymph nodes. He has just started his 2nd round of chemo. His first was 4x BEP and how he is doing 4x TIP.
I will pray for you.

Pam

[Physast]

I understand the frustration with insurance. I am currently unemployed (just graduated) and have a job lined up that starts in January 08. I did not have insurance because my schools insurance was up the day I graduated. I purchased a plan before I went in for a check up because I thought something was wrong and could not wait until my job started. They are now trying to claim pre-existing because I knew something might be wrong.

I have made a total of $11k this year because Grads students basically work for free. I have had depression for the past 8 years and can't find any insurance company to take me on. When I do find one they want me to pay triple for the policy and will only grant me the lowest policy they have. So I end up paying $300 a month for a crappy policy that covers nothing and cost more than I make in a month.

Something needs to change.

[Les' Mom]

Worrying about paying for treatment while worrying about your child living is a double whammy. My son was not working when he got sick due to well being sick. He was approved for SSI and Medicaid. Everything was going along nicely and then he was approved for Social Security Diability. He started receiving $1035 in September. In October we find out he makes to much to receive total Medicaid. Now he has a $4800 deductable every 6 months. It doesnt take you long to figure out that his deductable is almost as much as he receives in Social Security! He lives with us so he will be ok! I just feel for the ones that do not have a support system. Well thanks for listening to me!
Pam