Financially Strapped: How does one Cope ?

[IcyBlueEyes]

I am a avid reader of this site, and really do need to post more. I read about people on here taking trips etc. I just wonder how does one cope with the financial burden of all this. My husband who is my primary caregiver has had to stop working to care for me. We had to give up our car, our place etc, and move into my mothers tiny 1 bedroom apartment. We barely can get proper food on the plate every night for dinner, our only source of entertainment is the tv and well thank god for the internet. The little government money we do receives doesn't cover it all, and the food we have gotten at food banks, is pretty unhealthy, but it helps my husband and mom eat. I am not whining here, but just finally reaching out. Family has done what they can etc. My next CT scan is upcoming, and if there is a growth in the 2 lung mets they have found it will be back to chemo and/ or surgery. Please take a moment and read my story. Thank you in advance, this site has inspired me and been a wealth of knowledge.
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundra ... cer/258707

[MamaN]

I was in the hospital three times. My sons appendix burst at same time. Needless to say we had mounds of bills. We had insurance but had pay deductible . We were struggling... There are program out there like copay relief and I think another is cancer cares. Maybe you can give that a try. I found them through a pamphlet at oncs office. I hope this can help you some.

[alphagam]

Almost 4 years ago, we had great insurance, still do. Doesn't Canada have national healthcare?

[Val*pal]

Have you considered using www.gofundme.com? You might be able to raise some much needed money that way.

[Val*pal]

Ooops. I just visited your link and see that you are already participating in a fundraiser. I hope it is very successful.

[canadiandaughter]

I know here in Alberta everything is paid for. I would think Ontario should be the same. Only expense medically would be prescriptions possibly. Can you go to a food bank? We have FCSS here, which is family, community support services ( I think that is right) and they are really good at helping people in need find the best avenues for help. There must be something in Ontario similar.

[Steph20021]

I can relate IcyBlueEyes. The thing in Ontario is yes IV chemo is covered but oral chemo isnt and prescriptions are not. You need a private plan for that.
And just because our IV is covered, there are the other bills to pay in just survival, groceries, hospital parking, health care supplies, utilities and mortgage. If the one with cancer is the breadwinner, or was, and is no longer able to work you are screwed unless you have a plan through your work. The ontario disability is a joke, im not eligible and my partner makes $11/hr and apparently we earn too much.
The canada pension plan disability is also very little unless you have paid into it for years. I get peanuts from Cpp because im only 33 and have only been employed for 18 years.
Im thankful for OHIP dont get me wrong, but it doesnt mean we arent struggling. I may lose my home yet because i lost my job when i became incurable. We have been borrowing from my parents, and it will come out via a collateral mortgage on my death should we be able to hang on to the house.

[andy21]

Sometimes the drug companies help like for free avastin:

http://www.genentech-access.com/avastin/hcp

[canadiandaughter]

That is awful that there is that big of a difference between provinces. Our local food bank is great, maybe it is the small town thing?? Best of luck to you both. I hope you can find something that will help in your communities. It is bad enough battling cancer without the extra worries. Is there maybe help at the cancer clinic? THe one dad goes to, they did mention financial aid if needed. Might be something to check if not already done. Is your mom able to help you so that your husband can go back to work? Sadly this is not a great time to be looking for a job with all the layoffs due to the oil price (at least out west here it is hitting hard).

[Steph20021]

Thanks andy, avastin is covered if you fit into the governments little box. Thank goodness they approved me
for it.
Economy is lousy, and now Target is leaving Canada after only 2 years so thousands will be laid off. But my partner had a Masters degree and is working retail for minimum wage. Its criminal but i know jobs arent great anywhere. Too bad I was the lawyer in my previous life. Ah well, glad to be alive!

[skypup]

I have cut expenses to the bone, even dropped Netflix. When I travel I stay with people or camp in my tiny teardrop trailer that can be pulled with my 4-cyl car (campgrounds are half price for disabled.) My savings has gone from decent to minuscule in these 6+ years, but at least I can make my bills if I don't eat out, so am grateful. And I have people to help if I need (hope I never do!). All that to say, I hear you! And while some have great insurance and someone to help with the bills, I suspect there are more than a few of us living on th the edge. It is really tough.

[IcyBlueEyes]

Extra expenses ... I have no cell phone, Ipad, tablet etc. Cannot remember the last time we went to a restaurant, no gifts at Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries etc. Certainly not splurging on anything.... last time I was in for surgery, the 15 dollars a day for a phone was not an option. I have done all the hospital resources etc. It is the day to day stuff that just is adding up. Someone asked about my mom. She is retired and we have had to overtake her 1 bedroom apartment, otherwise I do not know where we would be. As for food banks, yes here you do not get the option of any fresh fruit or vegetables, plus you have to be able to pick it up, and we gave up our car, almost 2 years ago.

[skypup]

Icy, I want to apologize if I gave the impression I was counseling you on how to give up extras. I could tell from your original post that you have already cut out everything. I was just wanting to commiserate and let you know you aren't completely alone in this. I'm so sorry.

[kirac]

Ugh. I don't have any good advice.

It's why I stay at a job I don't like - for the insurance.

[Ontario Guy]

Dear IcyBlue,

Being sick is bad enough without financial pressures. You have my deepest sympathies.

Since you mention receiving government money I may be going over things you have already tried, BUTT:

Have you contacted the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services?

http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/

or your local CCAC

http://healthcareathome.ca

When I was under pain management, CCAC nurses were at my house every day (twice a week when I was doing chemo). My case was assessed by a social worker who offered a number of programs I ended up not using. They may not be able to help directly, but they might be able to recommend programs for which you are eligible.

Talk to ServiceOntario: 1-866-532-3161

You might also contact your local MPP. It would be unlikely that he or she would intervene directly, but making contact with their staff can be very useful. Worth a phone call. Be polite but let them know what a struggle it is for you.

And by all means contact the Ministry of Health directly.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/

A lot of people think we have free health care in Canada. We don’t. We pay for what we get with our taxes. It doesn’t help that we have 14 different systems, one for each province and territory and one for the Feds. To my knowledge, the only province to offer pharmacare is Québec, and I could see that program disappearing with the present bunch in office. The Ontario Minister of Health, Eric Hoskins, has called on Ottawa to develop a national pharmacare program, but the chances of that happening on the present watch are low to non-existent.

When her mother was sick, my partner advocated for her with various and sundry officials. She had decisions reversed several times. Government agencies are under extreme pressure these days to keep costs down, so they deny claims they shouldn’t. Be polite, be friendly, be understanding, be patient but be firm. We do have some pretty good social programs in this country but a lot of the time you have to fight for them.

Don’t give up!

Good luck,

OG