My sister has colon cancer. In May she will celebrate her third year of having it, that is if she lives until then.
Yesterday we went to her oncologist who told us that the cancer is back in her liver, alive and growing with three tumors. There is nothing more he can do for her. The chemo is not working. He told us to call a doctor at Sloan Kettering that he has been in contact with about my sister. Maybe this doctor has or will shortly have a test study group that my sister can join. It doesn't really matter really because the doctor and Sloan Kettering won't accept my sister's health insurance.
Her oncologist suggested that we pay for a consultation with the doctor out of pocket. All good, except I only have $39.00 in my checking account and two dollar bills with some change in my purse. I have a strong feeling that $41.00 plus some change will not be enough for a consultation.
So what do we do? Her oncologist said he will try to find some other group that her health insurance will pay for and maybe they will have a test study she could join, maybe.
So what do we do until then? Her oncologist stopped all her chemo saying that it isn't working and there are too many side effects to give her chemo just for the sake of giving her something.
In other words what we do is just wait for my sister to die. She feels she is being left out to hang dry, left all alone in a country that brags how wonderful it is and yet my sister and thousands of others like her are left to die because either they can't pay for health insurance or their health insurance won't pay for what they need. It's good to know that our politicians will always get the health care that they will need, too bad the rest of us won't.
I have to get my taxes done next week. I'm saving for the car fare to get me to the tax place and home again. I found two coupons that will give me two dollars off any ride from my local car service. I wonder if our politicians save coupons like this because they can't afford to go some place to get their taxes done.
Oh yeah, I have collection agencies calling me constantly. Would they accept my sister's cancer as payment?
When my sister dies, when, not if, I won't be able to afford a funeral. Funeral? Hell, I can't afford a Rabbi to say something over her grave. I do have a plot though but what's the point? How will I get her there? Maybe I can use the $5 coupon I found on any trip over 30 miles from the car service.
Just how far will $41.000 and some change get me? Not enough for a consultation. Not enough for a funeral or a Rabbi. Hey, I know, I'll just pay taxes with it and let the government give it to some big financial institution to help bail them out.
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Comments: 8
I know people here on Gather want to offer some helpful advice, but the fact is there isn't much anyone can do to help unless they are independently wealthy or are a doctor themselves.
It's very sad to read about, but I am sure from your point of view it's crushing. When you can't do anything to help the most important person in your life, and she is counting on you, it must be devastating. I am thinking about you and hoping some miracle will happen. I know you are trying to do everything you can, but it seems like the options are running out.
The only suggestion I can offer is to call the referral doctor at Sloan Kettering, explain your situation, and see if there is any sort of free program that might pay for a consultation. Maybe you could contact the social worker at that hospital to start.
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. Has she tried to apply for financial assistance in her hospital? When my father was ill, he didn't have health insurance or a job or much in savings, and he was able to get his health care covered.