Inconvenient Cancer and Medicare Loopholes

 If you ever want to know just how bad our medical insurance system in this country is, just get cancer as a young adult.  Get sick in a unconventional way with inconvenient timing and need any sort of specialized care...you will quickly discover is Medicare and just about any health insurance policy is laden with loopholes and sneaky ways to deny coverage for anything that doesn't fit their narrow minded criteria.  Meanwhile, a young adult and her family are fighting for their damn life over here.  Doesn't matter how hard you work or how successful you are when cancer comes knocking.

Medicare has denied coverage for a 24hr care facility for Melissa.  We are appealing that decision.  Without that coverage, there is no safe place for her to be discharged and access to her treatment and care is compromised, no to mention just her general safety would be compromised.  It is bad enough that we have to fight cancer and for our lives...but to fight corrupt health insurance policies at the same time too?  

Dear Medicare,

Is using any form of common sense and/or common decency too much to ask?

Sincerely, 

ANY Disabled Young Adult Fighting Cancer  

Non-Update Update

 I wanted to have an good update posted days ago, but poor communications from her doctors at VCU Medical Center has delayed having any new information to share, health wise.  I get calls from the discharge nurse all the time, discussing our discharge plan, but until we have a care plan in place or they give me any of the information that is needed to make these decisions, we are at an impasse.

When I know more, you will know more...just know, I am full on giving those doctors hell today.

Biopsy Results Are In.

 We got the results of Melissa's recent biopsy and they are not good.  She now has a grade 4 glioblastoma mutliforme...a terminal diagnosis.  😢

Still awaiting the specifics for a treatment plan or if treatment will even be an option.  

Cancer is a ruthless bitch.  It just takes and takes.  I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.  Tell the ones you love that you love them all the time.  Make those moments, because in a blink of an eye, it could be gone.

Update...It's back.

 It has been a few years since my last blog post.  This blog was a vital form of communication during our last battle with Melissa's brain cancer.  It also served as a place to me to dump feelings, thoughts, and information...my therapy, if you will.

The BRAIN CANCER is back.   😢

We found out in early March that there was some regrowth that prompted her doctors to move up her MRI schedule.  Before the next MRI got here, there were issues.  Last Tuesday, I noticed she was confused and not acting normal and promptly contacted her doctors.  A recent MRI showed that the cancer was back and it was aggressive.  It has crossed the mid-line in her brain into her left side and is causing behavioral and memory issues.  She also is exhibiting weakness on her left side.  They have done a biopsy and we are awaiting the results.  They are talking 24 hour care is needed, due to her condition.  How does anyone afford that?  I will keep you posted and will let folks know how they can help.

Update!

Another positive appointment!  After the last MRI, Melissa is still cancer free.  Even better, now she only have 1 MRI a year!  Happy day!

Credit, Schmedit...

Every few years, I get an itch to buy a home...then I'm not-so-kindly reminded that due to a few bad decisions well over a decade ago, cancer, and not one hand-out my entire life, I may never be able to buy a house. Kind of sad we live in country that truly only caters to those with money or just made all the right decisions. How are you supposed to build any wealth if you are denied all the things that can help you build it? After all, I pay more in rent (and have for 20+ years) then any mortgage I would get. I have worked hard, in good jobs, full time, for my entire adult life. No judgments, foreclosures, repo's...only some late payments, student loans (one of the two poor credit decisions of my life), car payment, and household bills. Were are my rights to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness? If the "pursuit" is an impossible race, why do I work so hard to achieve it? See, this is why so many "camp out" on public assistance and give up on trying...not saying I ever will, but damn...sure seems a lot easier. This is the United States of America...but most of us are just slaves to the system that feeds the rich.

Wake up.

A New Venture...

I am starting a business!  Please come see me and buy some amazing coffee!

We also can ship!  I can send you an invoice, via Paypal, and shipping runs about $6.00 per 2 bags.