Mother newly diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive BC

shinebright00

Mother newly diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive BC

shinebright00

I was on vacation with my partner when I heard the news, we have decided to have her live at my condo while she starts her chemo.  She is waiting on her insurance ID card because being an American citizen and living out of the country for so many years she doesn't qualify for Medical or Medicaid. She also hasn't worked in a long time so she also doesnt' qualify for social security. She applied for health insurance through a broker prior to the diagnosis but she is worried they will deny her as qualify this as a pre-exisiting condition regardless of when the diagnosis was given. For people who cannot afford Chemo, surgery and all of the drugs associated with it how do they manage to take care of themselves? Also anybody in the same situation I'd love to talk to you. I have lot of emotions right now and I'm trying to be the strong one. This news also makes me want to get my first mammogram (Just turned 35). Any support would help right now.

Thanks,

Natasha

Moderators

Dear shinebright00, we are sorry to hear of your Mother's IBC.

Welcome
to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us. Mammograms are usually available to over 30 year olds. Talk with your doctor.

For members to help, it may be an advantage to specify which City, State you are in, as situations vary State to State

Besides sharing your experiences and learning from other members
here at the boards, you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101 section from the main site, designed
to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is
more relevant to you and your mother right now.

Also there is reliable information on Inflammatory Breast Cancer where you'll learn about symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, etc.and October 2006: Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Is IBC hereditary?

We hope
this helps!

The
Mods

shinebright00

Thank you. We live in Los Angeles, CA 90068.  Is there any case workers or someone that could help her sort through the system?

Moderators

We're not sure about case workers in Los Angeles but you will likely get some more answers from members if you post your question in the Insurance, Employment and other Financial Issues forum also.

There is also a section in the main site here on Paying for your care: Lowering your costs

It gives a couple of helpful tips on approaching your doctor about generic medicines, non-profit organizations, other financial assistance and setting up payment plans.

We really hope your mom gets the treatment she needs.

Sending hugs!!

The mods.

Bogie0428

Hi Natasha, my mom was just diagnosed with early stage invasive breast cancer.  I am so sorry you are going through this too.  So many emotions.  I'm trying to be the strong one too but really failing at it.  I seem OK in front of my mom but am falling apart everywhere else.  None of my friends or even my husband understand what I am feeling right now. They keep telling me to just be positive.  And I can't talk to my mom because I don't want her to see me upset.    It's so scary and I'm not sure where to turn.   Mornings and nights are especially difficult... in the morning it's almost like I wake up not remembering for a minute, but then everything comes back and I just start falling apart.  I also feel so selfish because I think I'm upset for myself in some ways... my focus should just be on my mom but all I can think of is how I need her to be OK.  So sorry you are going through this too and worried about your mom;s insurance as well.  It is so good you are going to have her stay with you, though.  My husband and I are going to temporarily move into my parents' house when my mom has treatment.  I'm an only child and my dad has heart disease so I can't leave them while my mom goes through this.