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Finances - how the heck do you cope?
I realize that this is a VERY personal question, and have no intention of upsetting anyone on the OVCA site BUT, financially, how the heck can you cope?
Looks like I'll be following the cancer road shortly, racking my brains to think of a way of liquidating assets - as we have very little. Critical Illness plans won't touch 'pre-existing' sickies with a ten-foot pole, I'm about to lose my job due to time off for appointments, sickness (good-bye drug plan), and I doubt the government will accept 'cancer' as a disability claim.
Does anyone have any suggestions, experience or otherwise?
Looks like I'll be following the cancer road shortly, racking my brains to think of a way of liquidating assets - as we have very little. Critical Illness plans won't touch 'pre-existing' sickies with a ten-foot pole, I'm about to lose my job due to time off for appointments, sickness (good-bye drug plan), and I doubt the government will accept 'cancer' as a disability claim.
Does anyone have any suggestions, experience or otherwise?
Thanks Burnzie, you're right at handling one thing at a time. I feel like I'm going crazy, and now my gut is swelling up (ascites, anyone) - which is a really, really bad sign. I'm literally screaming for a doctor to get me another $#@ ultrasound. Feels like I have to slash myself open to get anyone to take me seriously.
Trying to get a diagnosis with my doctor (and partner included) saying 'it's all my head'. is wearing me down.
But thanks very much for the info, I'm really glad you chickies don't mind me (asking/begging/pleading - pick one) for advice.
Trying to get a diagnosis with my doctor (and partner included) saying 'it's all my head'. is wearing me down.
But thanks very much for the info, I'm really glad you chickies don't mind me (asking/begging/pleading - pick one) for advice.
Hi Sharon,
I absolutely agree with Trudie and Tybear. I am also an Ontario resident and ovarian cancer patients are not "left out to dry" after being diagnosed. I was diagnosed over three years ago and the care I have received is excellent. Only three weeks passed between seeing my GP and completion of surgery. Since that time I have had three surgeries, one course of radiation and I'm now on my fifth course of chemotherapy and have been cared for well. I never pay for medication unless its "over the counter" things like gravol. I recently underwent surgery for a colostomy and all of my stoma supplies are covered because I'm receiving home care. I, like Tybear, am better off now financially than before my diagnosis so don't panic. Your first step is to find out exactly what your diagnosis is and then go from there. You can only handle one thing at a time. Take a deep breath and pursue getting a diagnosis. Good luck.
Karen
I absolutely agree with Trudie and Tybear. I am also an Ontario resident and ovarian cancer patients are not "left out to dry" after being diagnosed. I was diagnosed over three years ago and the care I have received is excellent. Only three weeks passed between seeing my GP and completion of surgery. Since that time I have had three surgeries, one course of radiation and I'm now on my fifth course of chemotherapy and have been cared for well. I never pay for medication unless its "over the counter" things like gravol. I recently underwent surgery for a colostomy and all of my stoma supplies are covered because I'm receiving home care. I, like Tybear, am better off now financially than before my diagnosis so don't panic. Your first step is to find out exactly what your diagnosis is and then go from there. You can only handle one thing at a time. Take a deep breath and pursue getting a diagnosis. Good luck.
Karen
No problem Sharon...I understand your fears completley!
The bed, wheelchair and pain pump are all covered by CCAC - Community Care Access Center. Once you're diagnosed with an illness like cancer, the hospital will make arrangments for you to have home care nursing come to your house as often as necessary - at zero cost to you! They can provide you with injections of pain meds, IV fluids if your dehydrated and, because I have a nephrostomy tube, they supply me with all of the supplies I need and come and change the dressing once a week...I know this stuff isn't cheap either!
There's lost of assistance available...you just have to start checking out the government websites - I swear to you, I'm more financially set now than I was when I was working full time - not sure how that's possible, but it's true!
Becky
The bed, wheelchair and pain pump are all covered by CCAC - Community Care Access Center. Once you're diagnosed with an illness like cancer, the hospital will make arrangments for you to have home care nursing come to your house as often as necessary - at zero cost to you! They can provide you with injections of pain meds, IV fluids if your dehydrated and, because I have a nephrostomy tube, they supply me with all of the supplies I need and come and change the dressing once a week...I know this stuff isn't cheap either!
There's lost of assistance available...you just have to start checking out the government websites - I swear to you, I'm more financially set now than I was when I was working full time - not sure how that's possible, but it's true!
Becky
Hi Tybear, thanks for the fantastic feed backback - will look into the Ontario Drug Benefit Card. Is the hospital bed, pain pump, etc., all covered under the Ontario Drug Benefit Card or OHIP?
Hope you're doing better, sending well wishes your way.
Hope you're doing better, sending well wishes your way.
Hi Sharon...
If your oncologist orders chemotherapy for you and it's administered in a hospital, there's no cost for that. Now, if you don't have private insurance, then yes, you'd probably have to pay for things like stemetil or Zofran for anti-nausea.
The CPP's definition of a disability is "prolonged and/or severe and likely to result in death". Not something you hope to qualify for, but I was approved the first time, no problem. Ovarian cancer is a chronic illness - apply for CPP disability as soon as possible and, like so many women told me, if your denied once, keep trying over and over until your approved.
I also have something called the Ontario Drug Benefit card - it's like a prescription card - I don't usually pay anything for my medications. I did have to pay for my one chemotherapy but I knew there was a cost to it and that it wasn't covered because it is not FDA approved for use in Ovarian Cancer - that's the only thing I've had to pay for.
Since my surgery, I've recieved a hospital bed in my livingroom so I don't have to walk up the stairs, a wheel chair, my pain pump I wear 24 hours a day and home care nursing visits whenever I want them - I pay nothing for those.
I know it's scary, thinking about all the what-if's. I was laid off from my job while I was on short term disability and freaked out initially, but everything has been covered for me. Trudie is right - there is a plan for women like us...start looking into everything now, get a good idea of what's out there to help you and have all your things in order, just incase things don't go as planned.
Good luck,
Becky
If your oncologist orders chemotherapy for you and it's administered in a hospital, there's no cost for that. Now, if you don't have private insurance, then yes, you'd probably have to pay for things like stemetil or Zofran for anti-nausea.
The CPP's definition of a disability is "prolonged and/or severe and likely to result in death". Not something you hope to qualify for, but I was approved the first time, no problem. Ovarian cancer is a chronic illness - apply for CPP disability as soon as possible and, like so many women told me, if your denied once, keep trying over and over until your approved.
I also have something called the Ontario Drug Benefit card - it's like a prescription card - I don't usually pay anything for my medications. I did have to pay for my one chemotherapy but I knew there was a cost to it and that it wasn't covered because it is not FDA approved for use in Ovarian Cancer - that's the only thing I've had to pay for.
Since my surgery, I've recieved a hospital bed in my livingroom so I don't have to walk up the stairs, a wheel chair, my pain pump I wear 24 hours a day and home care nursing visits whenever I want them - I pay nothing for those.
I know it's scary, thinking about all the what-if's. I was laid off from my job while I was on short term disability and freaked out initially, but everything has been covered for me. Trudie is right - there is a plan for women like us...start looking into everything now, get a good idea of what's out there to help you and have all your things in order, just incase things don't go as planned.
Good luck,
Becky
TrudieC, thanks very much for posting the great info - I've been going out of my mind with financial worries. Have heard of people living with cancer being turned down by the government for disability before as well as having difficulty meeting the 'definition' of disability for CPP.
I hope Tybear is doing well, the hospital she was recently at was just a stone throw away from me :)
I hope Tybear is doing well, the hospital she was recently at was just a stone throw away from me :)
Sharon, I'm also in Ontario and so is Tybear (Becky). I don't have ovarian cancer but did have a scare last year and had a laparotomy to remove a grapefruit sized cluster of cysts. I'm not sure what you are referring to. With my cysts I got in for surgery within weeks. Initially there were some delays on the testing side but I have found that if your symptoms get worse or pain increases that you make sure your doctor knows and they can then manipulate the system to get things done quicker and they did in my case.
If chemo is done at a hospital I believe it is covered (providing it is an approved treatment - right now Avastin is not covered). The only thing you would not be covered for is drugs you take at home and if you or your husband have any benefits they would be covered there. And, I can't imagine why you would have any issues getting disability. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer it definitely applies. My SIL works for Services Canada in that area.
Let's hope this is all for naught but should you be diagnosed I think you'll find that you shouldn't have to worry too much financially. If you have no benefits and have financial issues for covering drugs, the Ontario government has a plan. My son was no longer covered under my benefits, had graduated college, and was not making much money and had no benefits. He was able to get the drugs he needed for ulcerative colitis.
Try to relax and not worry. Tick this one off your list and just concentrate on getting through surgery.
If chemo is done at a hospital I believe it is covered (providing it is an approved treatment - right now Avastin is not covered). The only thing you would not be covered for is drugs you take at home and if you or your husband have any benefits they would be covered there. And, I can't imagine why you would have any issues getting disability. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer it definitely applies. My SIL works for Services Canada in that area.
Let's hope this is all for naught but should you be diagnosed I think you'll find that you shouldn't have to worry too much financially. If you have no benefits and have financial issues for covering drugs, the Ontario government has a plan. My son was no longer covered under my benefits, had graduated college, and was not making much money and had no benefits. He was able to get the drugs he needed for ulcerative colitis.
Try to relax and not worry. Tick this one off your list and just concentrate on getting through surgery.
Thanks for the good thoughts Jane, I know I shouldn't bee-yatch (oops, can I say that word on this forum) and be grateful for what we DO have - all health systems have flaws and there's not a heck of a lot we can do about it.
Before I start tearing out my hair, I think I'll go out and pat a few neighbourhood cats. Thanks!
Before I start tearing out my hair, I think I'll go out and pat a few neighbourhood cats. Thanks!
I am so sorry for your problems which are so tremendously serious. I don't have a suggestion for you, but I wish you have good solutions,
I have to say that when I read these stories from the Canadian health care system, it makes me so angry that this is what our administration is trying to do to us. I wish they could read these discussions.
Good health to you, and please don't apologize for anything you want to discuss with us, that's what we're here for. Support for each other.
Jane
I have to say that when I read these stories from the Canadian health care system, it makes me so angry that this is what our administration is trying to do to us. I wish they could read these discussions.
Good health to you, and please don't apologize for anything you want to discuss with us, that's what we're here for. Support for each other.
Jane
Yes, I am located in Ontario and even though we have OHIP (our health care system) will only cover the bare minimum and due to a lot of crappy premiers slicing and dicing medical tests, it gets even worse. Once you have a serious health problem ... you're basically on your own. Unless you've got the money to go out of the country for surgery or treatment (and no one's a bottomless pit) you'll be on a six month (or longer) waiting period here. Our provincial health care plan just doesn't cut it anymore and the government run hospitals - well, you have to take what you can get, right? And due to the economy - trying to even just get a claim approved a medical absence leave or an application for disability.. anyway, I'm just freaking out atm and thinking a lot of stupid, stupid thoughts. I apologize for rambling and ranting.
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated and will look into :)
Thanks for the suggestions, very much appreciated and will look into :)
Where are you located? Is ON Ontario? If you're in Canada, I don't understand your concerns.
If you're in the US, be sure you ask about COBRA. In larger companies, you have the right to keep your insurance (you pay, though) for 18 months. This is true throughout the country.
In Illinois, in smaller companies, you can keep it for six months -- long enough to get the surgery and start on the chemo if you need it. Also, in Illinois, there is an insurance plan for those who are otherwise uninsurable. You have to have had insurance and been turned down for new coverage, so the requirements are a little tricky. Obviously, I have no clue how other states handle insurance, but I urge you to look into it.
COBRA and the other things I've mentioned are expensive alternatives, but cheap compared to footing the bill yourself, so it's worth your time to do the research.
Several women on this forum have gotten disability for ovca. It sounds like that was easier than getting insurance, which you still have to have for awhile, because you have to have been on disability for quite awhile before you get medicare (or is it medicaid?).
Here's hoping that it's not ovca after all. Good luck!
If you're in the US, be sure you ask about COBRA. In larger companies, you have the right to keep your insurance (you pay, though) for 18 months. This is true throughout the country.
In Illinois, in smaller companies, you can keep it for six months -- long enough to get the surgery and start on the chemo if you need it. Also, in Illinois, there is an insurance plan for those who are otherwise uninsurable. You have to have had insurance and been turned down for new coverage, so the requirements are a little tricky. Obviously, I have no clue how other states handle insurance, but I urge you to look into it.
COBRA and the other things I've mentioned are expensive alternatives, but cheap compared to footing the bill yourself, so it's worth your time to do the research.
Several women on this forum have gotten disability for ovca. It sounds like that was easier than getting insurance, which you still have to have for awhile, because you have to have been on disability for quite awhile before you get medicare (or is it medicaid?).
Here's hoping that it's not ovca after all. Good luck!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am sure you'll get some other input on this, but I am going to send you an private message in a little while (I'm at work, and the info is at home) with some links to some organizations that might be able to help. It would primarily be for treatment costs, but that's a big chunk of money.
Also, Ovarian Cancer IS a listed condition for which Disability applies.
Good luck to you.
Gail
Also, Ovarian Cancer IS a listed condition for which Disability applies.
Good luck to you.
Gail
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