Do you have any financial concerns ar... - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

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Do you have any financial concerns around your cancer? How are you dealing with them?

missa13 profile imagemissa1326 Voters
13
Yes, but I need guidance about where to turn.
6
Yes. My family is coping with them without outside assistance.
4
Yes, and I am using the following resources (leave a comment to share tips and resources that may help other users!)
4
I don't have any financial concerns.
10 Replies
Cowgirl2 profile image
Cowgirl2

Having Metastatic Breast Cancer has ruined me financially. I draw 923 in SSD and that doesn't go very far.

BeMetaDynamic profile image
BeMetaDynamic in reply toCowgirl2

Same here, except I get less each month from SSD (since it goes by previous income and I was a graduate student when I first got cancer) Now I'd give anything to make what I made as a graduate student (still below poverty level), but have a PhD, so everybody wonders why I don't have some prestigious job; they just don't get it. I wonder whetherornot it is even worth it to continue living. It looks like the majority of women who answered the poll are struggling. It seems like there should be something more out there to help, but I just don't know what that would be.

demanos profile image
demanos

I still work full time and have good health care (so far).

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks

I work full time and have good benefits but I’m 64 and don’t want to work forever. I will be dependent on Medicare. Not sure what they will cover. Ibrance is expensive and so are all the scans.

blessedmother profile image
blessedmother

Using retirement funds.

darlenejulien profile image
darlenejulien

I'm retired (not on medicare yet) but my husband will continue working (for the insurance) until I'm 65. I'm not sure how anyone copes with all the expense! Between the shots which are very expensive to the scans every 4 mos. this can drain you financially! Wish I knew what medicare will cover, I'm sure (& a bit scared) that it won't cover what my Ins. is paying for now! What happens then, do we roll mover & die?

Shelly265 profile image
Shelly265

For those of you still working or have their spouses work until they are of retirement age in order to afford health insurance. Having Metastatic Breast Cancer falls under the compassionate allowance program for Social Security Disability. This means you will almost always be approved for SSDI or SSD. After two years you then automatically will be signed up for Medicare. I am 51 and have MBC, have been on SSDI for over two years and just qualified for Medicare. Just FYI, hope that helps.

Petreep profile image
Petreep

Assistance cards from drug manufacturers

BeMetaDynamic profile image
BeMetaDynamic

The majority of women who have responded to this poll say that they have money problems, but need guidance about where to turn. Is there any guidance? I know I need some. I am only 34, but have had everything taken away from me due to metastatic cancer. Cancer hit me at the time when I was at my peak of productivity and achieving all my goals, but when it hit, I lost everything and I can't seem to bounce back. It just seems like there's nothing out there. I never got to have a life and it looks like I'll never be able to because of cancer. I'm starting from such a deficit now that I don't even know how to start to make enough to where I can at least move out on my own again and also be able to get the healthcare I need. I have a lot of potential, but no resources or pathways with which to reach them and feel like I am going to just die alone in my mom's spare bedroom before I even hit 40. With all the pain I experience and no incentive to keep trying, I feel like there's no reason to even be alive. I'm just a burden and hopeless and lonely.

OneLump22 profile image
OneLump22

I innitially got support from IWIN (Indiana Women In Need.com), & I'm waiting for approval from my hospital & clinic RE: financial assistance. The rest is company medical insurance & robbing Peter to pay Paul & vice/versa. Sometimes just letting some pile up downstairs.

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JslanovichAdministrator

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