A little help from my friends
Donation protected
On February 1, 2013 Paul was diagnosed with
Esophageal Cancer. The Oncologist referred us to a surgeon in Los Angeles, a 200 mile round trip. There wasn't a doctor closer who can perform this high risk surgery.
On February 16th our new Park Model home was flooding with sewage. After battling with the insurance company for 3 months, they determined we never specifically requested "Sewage Coverage" so did not cover the $5,317.22 clean-up.
On March 6th, Paul had a feeding tube placed into his intestines through the abdominal wall because he could no longer swallow. Due to complications he needed a second surgery a week later. The total hospital stay was for 24 days for what should have been a simple procedure. Being unable to return to work we lost our regular health insurance. We had no choice but to opt for the COBRA package. I did not return to my part-time job instead I became Paul's full-time Caregiver.
Surgery for an Esophagectomy was June 11th: http://www.keckmedicalcenterofusc.org/condition/document/32920
Esophagectomy surgery failed and damaged the trachea.
Surgery to remove the deteriorated tissues and repair the trachea preformed on June 18th.
Repair surgery failed, a second repair surgery was done taking muscle from his back and chest on July 1st.
On July 10th, Paul had to have a Tracheotomy.
So ... three major surgeries within seven weeks! He was in Intensive Care for 6 of those.
Paul will have Reconstructive Surgery at a later date. They will use a piece of intestine to build a new esophagus to connect to what is left of his stomach. It will be 8 to 12 weeks after being released from the hospital. Until that is performed, Paul cannot eat or drink (everything via tube) and is extremely weak following the surgeries. It'll take many months to get him back to where his body tone was at the beginning of this year.
Follow our blog for ongoing story: http://mlordandmlady.blogspot.com
To Date:
Mileage for medical treatments: 3648.8 miles
Medical Expenses Paid out of pocket: $9,675.44
Medical Expenses Due: $7,270.89
Not covered by Insurance:
Jejunostomy Tube Feeding Food
Weekly Nurse Visit
Office Visit Co-pay
Prescription Medicine Co-pay
Cobra $823.09 a month
On February 16th our new Park Model home was flooding with sewage. After battling with the insurance company for 3 months, they determined we never specifically requested "Sewage Coverage" so did not cover the $5,317.22 clean-up.
On March 6th, Paul had a feeding tube placed into his intestines through the abdominal wall because he could no longer swallow. Due to complications he needed a second surgery a week later. The total hospital stay was for 24 days for what should have been a simple procedure. Being unable to return to work we lost our regular health insurance. We had no choice but to opt for the COBRA package. I did not return to my part-time job instead I became Paul's full-time Caregiver.
Surgery for an Esophagectomy was June 11th: http://www.keckmedicalcenterofusc.org/condition/document/32920
Esophagectomy surgery failed and damaged the trachea.
Surgery to remove the deteriorated tissues and repair the trachea preformed on June 18th.
Repair surgery failed, a second repair surgery was done taking muscle from his back and chest on July 1st.
On July 10th, Paul had to have a Tracheotomy.
So ... three major surgeries within seven weeks! He was in Intensive Care for 6 of those.
Paul will have Reconstructive Surgery at a later date. They will use a piece of intestine to build a new esophagus to connect to what is left of his stomach. It will be 8 to 12 weeks after being released from the hospital. Until that is performed, Paul cannot eat or drink (everything via tube) and is extremely weak following the surgeries. It'll take many months to get him back to where his body tone was at the beginning of this year.
Follow our blog for ongoing story: http://mlordandmlady.blogspot.com
To Date:
Mileage for medical treatments: 3648.8 miles
Medical Expenses Paid out of pocket: $9,675.44
Medical Expenses Due: $7,270.89
Not covered by Insurance:
Jejunostomy Tube Feeding Food
Weekly Nurse Visit
Office Visit Co-pay
Prescription Medicine Co-pay
Cobra $823.09 a month
Organizer
Jo Ellison-Hine
Organizer
Desert Hot Springs, CA
