She is 29 and a lovely, wonderful (never in trouble, ever)single mother of 3 small children. She has epilepsy, a scar on her brain (left side) and a pituitary (back of head) brain tumor. For 2 years she has gone to drs. and has no money for surgery. They say, "Come back when you have insurance or cash!". She can't get insurance since diagnosed. She has been turned down for any government help and is slipping through the cracks of the system. Surely there is a way in America (Texas) that can get the job done. She is oh so very ill. What can I do? The things that happen to her on the side (such as bleeding, seizures, can't function normal routine, etc) are killing her. What can I do????? She was never ever sick until 2 years ago. We been doing this that long. Found her on the floor this morning and thought she was dead. Emergency room just sent her home.
2007-01-21 03:47:45 · 15 answers · asked by fishermanswife 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Dear dali333, It was my best dearest friend, Sandy, who was diagnosed with cancer 3 months ago. She died past Monday night (1-15-07 at 9:20pm) at home in her bed at peace with everything. I am so sad! I guess, sometimes, when the dr. says 2 months to live, they mean it. I still can't believe it happened so fast!!!!! I was leaving her funeral when I got the call about my daughter. I was concerned about pillow cases because I am so full up of emotions over EVERYTHING, that I was just giving my mind a break and trying to be a little silly and refresh myself so that I would be stronger when I face my issues. Sometimes I get overwhelmed in my thoughts and need a temporary release. Yahoo A?Q does it for me. I am only human and I care so very deeply about all things. P.S. You may see me silly any given moment, as that is my release from the real world I live in. You bumbed me out really good. I am real.
2007-01-21 04:24:18 · update #1
I would start by making a list of every resource you can think of: state funded initiatives, hospital financial resources, local government employees, social services, the National Cancer Society, etc. Take your list, do a search on each item, and start calling people. Make a goal to talk, in person, to 4 or 5 people a day. E-mail at least as many others.
Get a copy of her medical records, and start doing searches on her medical condition, in medical terms. Find doctors who are researching pituitary tumors, and see if any local hospitals have experimental treatment programs she could join. Ask cancer doctors for references. Follow up those references. I would say in about a week you should have enough information to get her in for primary treatment. No one is going to do this for her, or you. You have to work at it together. Make sure she understands what she has to do. If her life is at stake, then she needs to be part of the decision making process. If she is unwilling to act, then she may also need a state sponsored sliding scale rate for coping therapy and strategies.
2007-01-25 12:51:41 · answer #1 · answered by Hauntedfox 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is best just to be honest but not go into detail they can't understand. This is probably their first experience of death and what you tell them now could influence their feelings about death for the rest of their lives. Sit them down together and tell that their cat was very sick and that he died. Use straight forward words like died and death as "passed away" can confuse children. It is probably best not to go into the fact that the cat was put to sleep to stop his suffering as at three they probably can't understand euthanasia. Ask if they have any questions. Remind them that although the cat is dead they will always memories of it. It may help if you have a small memorial service for the cat where you plant a flower and say some words about the cat. Don't bring up the subject of a new pet untill they have had time to grieve.
2016-03-29 07:34:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to read of your daughter's illness. I lost my sister 12 years ago to Brain Cancer, when diagnosed she had a 9 month old daughter and was 2 years old when my sister died. You need to get this taken care of quickly. If you are in Texas contact M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, they are a world class cancer research facility and I do believe they have programs to serve people just like yourselves. In fact the former President Bush and his wife, Barbara sit on the board of the hospital and do extensive fund raising on behalf of M.D. Anderson. Also you may want to contact the American Cancer Society. God Bless You!
2007-01-25 22:21:23 · answer #3 · answered by albert_noodles 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is my understanding that hospitals can not refuse a person treatment just because the person does not have a way to pay for the treatment. Most hospitals have a charity fund. You get the treatment, jump through the hoops of trying to get public welfare (medicaid) to cover it and if the state denies you aid for whatever reason - then you can be paid for by the fund that the hospital has set up for this. It's generally on a sliding scale for income and will cover anywhere from 50% to 100%.
Go to the payment office at your local hospital and talk to them about this. Another thing you might try is to go see your congressman - state representative and talk to that person.
2007-01-21 04:02:36 · answer #4 · answered by appalachian_panther 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Does she have Medicaid or Medicare? Isn't there a city or county hospital that will do something? We have a city hospital where residents train that takes anyone. If you do, can't you just take her there and let the staff neurosurgeons treat her? You wouldn't be able to go to a private physician and have them help. It is a shame one won't help her out. Hypocritic oath, I guess.
Another thought: do you think that you could get her story in the local newspaper? If you do, some physician might come forward.
2007-01-21 04:04:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
NYU is leading the way in neurosurgery. My brothers wife has a nephew who had his tumor removed there at no cost; since they have no money. Do as much as possible; write to them, email them. See if your medical team can arrange for her to be treated there. Good luck and my prayers are with you and your family.
Dont let Dali333 bum you out. Focus on helping your daughter as much as possible.
2007-01-28 05:31:06 · answer #6 · answered by Tias 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with the newspapers. This kind of thing is welcome. Ask for donations. You don't know who may be reading. Go for the big papers, not the local rag. Speak with them by phone and they will be more than happy to send someone round to start the ball rolling.
2016-10-01 01:44:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am so sorry i feel your pain as ilost my mum to a brain tumor a few years back,and have a friend who was diagnosed last week with one and has been given just 4 months to live even tho we live in england they can do nothing for her,
2007-01-21 03:54:25 · answer #8 · answered by dumplingmuffin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try contacting the American Cancer Society - they may be able to help BEST OF LUCK I'LL PRAY
2007-01-21 03:55:45 · answer #9 · answered by hobo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you posted 3 months ago that you daughter was just diagnosed with cancer 3 weeks prior, and had 2 weeks to live.
8 days ago your biggest concern was why pillowcases are so expensive.
i dont buy your story.
my brother has MS and after going through the proper channels...was granted medical assistance and social security.so...if your story IS true...and you are LEGAL US citizen....she should be able to get help.
2007-01-21 04:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by dali333 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋