day to day expenses

smg2017

After almost a year of treatments and 2 surgeries with more to come it is impossible for me to work. Side effects of meds, and dr appts are a daily issue. I have tried several times for assistance and have been denied. I don't qualify for disability because I chose to take off time to raise our daughters. A few years ago I went back to work. Now my working credits ran out. I get more than frustrated trying to get help just to be denied. The stress is put me to the breaking point. My husband works but losing my income although small is huge. I didn't ask for cancer, no one does but it shouldn't be this stressed. I just wanted to see if any other 45ish people have found this to be the case

cive

There is a federal program called BCCTP that helps those with limited income. But very limited - like twice the federal poverty level. Pays insurance premiums and co-pays. But, it you don't meet that, it sucks.

edwards750

I'm older than you but can relate to the financial drain on your finances. We have BCBS but also have a huge deductible like 5k. We buzz sawed through that in less than 2 months. I was working until I was DX. I had a good job with Fedex although I was PT. I worked night hours and the distance to work was a long way in a not so safe part of town. Coupled with my constant lack of concentration issues on a job in billing my DH and I decided we could absorb the loss of income. The pressure on my job was enormous. However, I am receiving a retirement pension from a previous job so that helped offset the loss in pay.

I can't fathom how we would have managed to pay for my tests and treatment had it not been for our health insurance and even then we had substantial out of pocket expenses. I had 33 Rads treatments that I know had to cost $30k or more. Fortunately we were at 100% coverage by that time.

I know of women who can't afford the treatments. There is an agency in town that helps but it is very limited and to be fair, overwhelmed, by the number of women needing help. Idk what the answer is. The insurance companies seem to balk at reimbursement for treatments claiming they are too expensive or they saddle you with balances of what is left over which can be staggering.

All this money raised for BC and not enough emphasis directed toward issues like you are having and still BC remains an epidemic.

I did have a patient advocate who was very helpful. I would reach out to any and everyone connected with your situation.

Good luck.

Diane

vettegirl

Maybe you can talk to your oncologist or primary dr and see if he can work up a statement page of some sort saying why you cant physically work?

smg2017

its crazy to go through 6 rounds of chemo, double mastectomy, reconstruction, and a year of iv meds to keep living. only to find out you cant work and services are not available to you or you family until your bankrupt. unbelievable

Icietla

Yes. I am in my mid-fifties, certified Totally and Permanently Disabled within every legal meaning since my mid-forties, and I have fallen through the same proverbial benefits crack. Because of a lifelong mystery illness that kept getting worse, I have not worked outside the home since about age thirty. My illness was not diagnosed until I was in my mid-forties, by which time I had permanent neurological complications. I had not been employed recently enough and did not have enough work credits for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. My husband had retired two years prior to my finally being diagnosed, and because of his retirement income, I did not qualify for the other safety net, Supplemental Security Income.

My husband talks about getting a (paying) job, but as a practical matter, he already has a full-time job of going to medical appointments, taking me to medical appointments, and taking care of me and our household.

smg2017

Since I took time off to raise kids before going back to work, the government has decided I have no working credits and should have gotten cancer 4 years earlier. I am stuck in limbo as many other women are that chose to be a stay at home mom. Because im married and my husband works I do not qualify for any programs. he is not a dr or lawyer but works in a shop. Its a good job but we were a 2 income family for a few years. Its sad cancer has to bankrupt families.

Bonniebleu

Financially, this has been terrible. Our insurance was "okay" but the hospital wants their money yesterday. We had just moved to a more rural area before my dx and I wasn't working. Was going to find something close by our new home. Now, with all the Dr. appts, plus another upcoming surgery, I'm stuck in limbo. I worry about who will hire me if they find out about the BC and so on. Hard to try to get well and heal when you can't make ends meet. I hope this goes by fast so I can find a job and get rid of that stress

Becky-Mikey7

I am sorry to hear of your struggles. They are the same as mine. I am a 48yr old single mom of a 4 ear old boy. Life is tough! No one would hire this RN with all the time needed off. I just had my 4th surgery since July 22nd and have 2 more to go.

I start anastraziole tomorrow which means I will be having more energy fluxes lowered concentration and side effects. I can't even afford insurance! I am on MA, but still need clothes food gas, etc. I keep looking but most of the "help" doesnt fall within my guidelines.

Good luck to you.

I will let you know if I come up with anything at all.