Medical Forbearance

[Russell's Mom]

Hello to all! This post should probably be up in the financial thread, but I wanted to be sure many people get the information. Possibly people are aware of this, it was a trap for me. When Russell was diagnosed, I learned that I could put my mortgage on Medical Forebarance....holding the payment until a future date. This I thought would take the edge off of bill payments and deadlines. A paragraph within the letter that was sent...misleading to me..."does not alter reporting made to the Credit Bureaus." Sadly, this meant that my account is considered deliquent and will be reported as so. I thought it would not alter my "excellent" credit rating. So I learned when I thought a re-fi might be a good idea tha my credit changed from excellent to rock bottom. The communication with the company was horrid. Because of my status, all of my calls were automated to the collections department...need I say more. I paid back the total sum...no written communication occured and no new statement was ever sent to me....I received a call two days ago that I was late on my payment with over charges. Later after seeking support at the executive level of the company, I learned that the over charges were from the first three months of forbarance and that the removal of the charges had been missed!!! Several of the voice mailboxes were recipients of my frustration. Hope that the frustration of communicating with people hiding behind a desk and avoiding human interaction can be benificial to them some time in the future. Per a friend in the banking business....my credit is shot...hopefully a year will regain some clout! Not a good time in our lives to be left so vulnerable.
Russell has had two negative post-op tumor markers. I am grateful, but waiting for the e-mail results to open is torture. He will have a high resolution CT next week...looking for pulmonary toxicity as well as the tumors. (The lung tumor was not removed because of the Bleo Toxicity and oxygen concerns.) He is still on the steroids and his abdominal wound continues to open...six sutures came out of it last week. (His surgery was Jan 29!!) Overall, he has not become a victim to this, he has spent the week with his brother river rafting. What an odd combination within one paragraph. I am tired....waiting for a new boost of energy.
Take care, Russell's Mom, Sharon

[dadmo]

Sharon:
You're a strong woman. Hang in there, Russell is the battle flag and you have him. Everything else is just smoke and noise.

[Already Bald]

Geez Sharon- as if you didn't need More...
I wish I worked in the credit industry, I would straighten this crap out right away. All I can say is to keep TALKING to them, and go as high as you can.
Send me Anthony's pic, I will pin it to my jersey when I ride in Philly.

http://philly07.livestrong.org/joeschmidt

[Russell's Mom]

thanks!

This was a picture that came to me while Russell was in Guatemala. (One week post op, he made a goal to go with Habitat for Humanity to build houses as a thank-you for all who helped and prayed....too difficult to go backwards so he dedicated the work in front.) I appreciate the encouraging words! I feel like Dorothy....needing Todo to pull the curtain on the useless creation of unnessessary diplays of wasted energy. Not quite sure where home is.....but I can still click my heels! It is difficult to hang on, but I am not letting go!!!!! Russell's Mom, Sharon

[Scott]

I feel like Dorothy....needing Todo to pull the curtain on the useless creation of unnessessary diplays of wasted energy. Not quite sure where home is.....but I can still click my heels!

I have this image of you now in ruby slippers, trying to get back to "life before cancer." I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!

[Chris'Mom]

What a great picture of your sweet son....its so hard going thru all this....I know what you mean about torture opening emails for results....its always a reminder of what we have all been thru....take care...Mary Ellen

[Margaret]

Sharon,

I loved the picture...it was so beautiful.

The credit situation is terrible for you and you are very undeserving of this treatment. It makes me angry and I wish I could fix it for you. I do have an idea for you, there is a legal credit repair company called Lexington Law and they do credit fixes. I hope this does not sound like a silly idea to you but I know first hand what they can do, because they did it for me. I paid monthly, I think it was $35.00, and they wrote letters on my behalf to the credit agency. Over the course of about 6 months, one by one, neg. things started falling off my report. I am not sure if this advice will help, but I hope so.

Thinking of you,

Margaret

[Russell's Mom]

great ideas

Thank-you to all!! These are great ideas and very empowering. The thoughts had not even come into my mind to go to the CB or an outside agency. It is always amazing to me that I forget that "nothing is easy!" Will re-fuel once again. Scott you are right about "not in Kansas." Wicked witches, odd surroundings, but friends at my side. Russell got back from the river...he took it on in a kayak by himself. Braved the the rapids when his boat tipped over. He is my reminder to Livestrong!! My formal complaints to the care providers are under way, I will add this next creation of written concerns to my list with hopes for making a dent in the path for those that follow and our future needs. I always did like it when the movie turned to color in the Land of the Munchkins. Thanks again for the support, forever grateful!!!! Russell's Mom, Sharon

[Russell's Mom]

shoes of a different color

I'm on my way again! Russell's Mom Sharon

[Scott]

Great shoes, Sharon!!

[Lori]

You can put a 100 word statement in your credit report that can help explain this situation. Most creditors look at that statement before lending credit. I would continue to hound the company who did the medical forebearance as well to see if they will change what they report to the credit bureaus.

[Russell's Mom]

great advice

Very helpful again! I like the idea of having them write to the CB's. One, I am a tired mom, two, maybe someone will get a little something from it and three, it might mean more if they correct their own error rather than me defending myself. I think that I will do both however. Just for caution...it was not BofA but Chase Manhatten. Are there any differences really!?!?
I had a thought that it might be nice to create a printable document for newly diagnosed guys with TC. Just thumbnail ideas around issues like these. Also ideas like writing down pathology, treatment plans and basic questions to ask. Something for the future when there is room for a thought. Russell didn't get the chemo brain...I did!! I aim to keep him smiling!!! Take care, Russell's Mom, Sharon

[Russell's Mom]

all clear

Well my energy for a re-fi is long gone, but I did finally secure a letter from the mortgage company that they sent letters to all major credit bureaus, my credit is back to good. At least if a car goes, I will keep rolling. Russell's Mom, Sharon