Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,31735,0.htm Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/  On 1/2/2009 huntersmeema wrote:THIS IS VERY HARD FOR ME TO ASK FOR FINANCIAL HELP FOR MY YOUNGER BROTHER AND BEST FRIEND. HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA ON MONDAY 12/29/2008 AND I HAVE YET TO SEE AN ONCOLOGIST. THE HEMATOLOGIST HAS GIVEN HIM 2 MONTHS TO LIVE WITHOUT TREATMENT AND WITH TREATMENT HE HASNT REVEALED THAT INFORMATION AT ALL. THE CHEMO WAS STARTED WED. 12/31/2008, BUT CONSIDERING HE IS AT BEN TAUB HOSPITAL. THE SO CALLED TEAM ALL HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS., NOT TO MENTION I HAD TO CLEAN HIS BATHROOM MYSELF AFTER 2 DAYS OF NOT SEEING ANYONE FROM HOUSEKEEPING. WHAT SCARES ME IS THE INFECTIONS WHEN THE WHITE BLOOD COUNT IS AT ITS WEAKEST. I LOST MY HUSBAND TO CANCER IN 1997, MY SISTER IN 2005 AND MY DAD IN 2008. HE ALSO HAS A 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THAT NEEDS HER DADDY AND IS NOT AWARE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS ILLNESS. EVEN A SECOND OPINION WOULD BE APPRECIATED.THANKS BEST REGARDS Hello, I am a hospital social worker, I specifically work with people who have been diagnosed with leukemia. Even people who have always done well financially are hit hard with this and other cancers. Here are the resources that I usually provide to my patients: www.lls.org - this is the website for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They have two financial programs - one is not based on income and/or assets and it is a reimbursement program for gas, parking, and medication co-pays. Right now, they will reimburse for up to $500 per year. SSDI and SSI - You apply for both of these through the social security administration. SSI is based on both disability and income. SSDI is based on what you have paid into "the system" through employment and of course the disability.Acute leukemia is an automatic approval as far as disability goes, but the process can still take a few months. Ask to expedite this case, if you do, they are more likely to send it through quickly. Alot of people don't realize that asking for the case to be expedited is an option.If you are overscale to qualify for SSI, the income-based benefit, you will receive that denial letter first (when you set up an interview, you are applying for both SSI and SSDI). Do not despair, most likely if you have worked full-time for several years prior to your application, you will get the approval letter soon after that initial denial letter.To apply online, go to www.ssa.gov or call the 1-800 number: 1-800-772-1213.Hope this helps, and good luck! acamp17 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT This is very hard for me to ask for financial help for my younger brother and best friend. He was diagnosed with leukemia on monday 12/29/2008 and i have yet to see an oncologist. The hematologist has given him 2 months to live without treatment and with treatment he hasnt revealed that information at all. The chemo was started wed. 12/31/2008, but considering he is at ben taub hospital. The so called team all have different opinions., not to mention i had to clean his bathroom myself after 2 days of not seeing anyone from housekeeping. What scares me is the infections when the white blood count is at its weakest. I lost my husband to cancer in 1997, my sister in 2005 and my dad in 2008. He also has a 10 year old daughter that needs her daddy and is not aware of the seriousness of his illness. Even a second opinion would be appreciated.Thanks Best regards    huntersmeema Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT