I haven’t posted in a while about my Dad because things have been pretty much the same. He’s in the final third of his chemotherapy regimen and has pretty much learned to deal with the ups and downs that come with each passing day. He has only had a couple of set backs since I last posted. The biggest of those being a change in the chemo cocktail that has required his therapy to be extended by two treatments. The doctors had to remove one of the chemical poisons in the mix because Daddy just wasn’t able to recover from its effects on his body. He is feeling much better with the new mixture and because of that doesn’t seem to mind going a bit longer than scheduled.
I’m writing today, however, to share with you a much more serious issue. Daddy is no longer insured. That’s right, Stage IV Colon Cancer, limited life expectency, sole provider for his family, limited resources, very expensive treatment regimen, and NO insurance. At the beginning of the process we helped him get things in order including starting the process for social security benefits and medicaid. He was approved for social security which took the weight off financially, and up until about sixty days ago, we was still covered under his employer’s insurance program. Unfortunately, those benefits don’t last forever. We had hoped to have medicaid kick in when the employer program expired; however, he was denied medicaid benefits and has been without coverage since September 14th. Sadly, he was too proud to tell anyone and get help with an appeal to the denial. The appeal needed to be completed within 30 days in order to get review. It has been well beyond that now. I don’t know what we’ll do at this point, but I have to believe everything will work out. I’m praying that he will continue to get treatment. Surely they wouldn’t stop treating him. That really scares me. Would they just let him suffer, even die?
So, for now his physical condition is not good, but at least stable. I’m not so sure I can say the same about how he’s feeling mentally. Say a prayer that things will work out, somehow.
2 responses so far ↓
1 marilyn // Oct 10, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Big hugs for your and your Dad. I am glad the new chemo mix is working out for him. I hope they will continue his regiment.
You are in my thoughts and prayers that everything will work out.
2 nicholmom3 // Oct 13, 2008 at 11:50 pm
They will not stop his treatment. If I were you I would go to his doctors and work out a plan. Appeal the medicaid anyway, the worst they can do is say no.
I know this is a scary idea, but try to work with the hospital and doctors to set up a financial plan. Does your dad have life insurance? Long term care?
Heck, if there is a home involved, you can always try something like putting it in a trust for the hospital in return for the treatments. I’m just tossing ideas out there, just to give you something to think about.
HUGS
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