Funds for Medical Bills
Donation protected
MY STORY
1 Peter 5:6-7
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:6-7
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you."
Retirement is thought to be a time of life slowing down, a time to relax, to regain health, and enjoy grandchildren and hobbies. However, in my case retirement has offered the opposite. Yes, health issues ended my employment abilities after working for a company for six years years and working at a company who offered retirement benefits.
For many years the place I was needed most was at home rasing my three children who were my primary responsibility. My three children have grown into very responsible adults with employment and future financial security and for that my gratitude is endless. My husband then was the one who provided a living even though we did not ever live in any luxury, which was okay. After my children were raised it became necessary for me to go to work, but the places I worked had no retirement benefits and being married offered a retirement for my husband and me. But that dream was never realized since my husband and I divorced when I was in my fifties.
So with all that said, my financial position in life is at the bare minimum and living on a fixed income, which includes Social Security benefits, less than $1,000/month, plus a small $300/month retirement, gathering in my last six years of employment prior to retirement at age 66.
Where am I today? In the latter part of 2012 I was diagnosed with lung cancer and have never smoked any cigarettes or other tobacco or any drug products in my entire life. The lung cancer was enviornment related and the surgery required was the removal of the lower lobe of the right lung. Along with the loss of part of my lung, the financial burden of medical costs took all the small amount of savings I had. In 2013 the goal for me was to begin saving little by little in an attempt to get myself in a more solid financial status.
Late in 2013, less than one year after the lung cancer, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive and dangerous breast cancer (unrelated to the lung cancer). Fortunately both cancers were in early stage and no radiation or chemo was required to treat the lung cancer. Even though all cancer in the breast was removed and did not invade the lymph system, radiation was required but not chemo due to low risk factor, chemo was offered but I turned it down.
Following the breast surgery and subsequent radiation treatments, the medical bills started to roll in and I found myself up against an impossible financial obstacle. Never in my life have I let any financial obligations go by the wayside and my philosophy has always been, first to pay my bills, then second buy groceries. I have no savings at this time--all taken up with medical costs--and inability to work due to health issues at the age of 76! A payment to the hospital at $100/month puts a major strain on my meager income and a week ago another bill for $1,500 came for the percentage of radiation treatments now owed! Even though, to most people, $1,500 does not seem like very much, but in my world it might as well be $150,000 and funds simply are not available! My budget has been cut to the bare bones and one of the first things to go was the unnecessary things such as TV cable and some other small things, which is what became very necessary to make a go of it.
If anyone is able to help with these medical costs I cannot tell you how deeply grateful I would be! Being 76 with a history of two different types of cancer in less than a year, it is with caution that I look to any sort of future of better health and circumstances. For many years my faith in our Lord has sustained and blessed me in countless ways and there is no doubt He will continue to sustain me in whatever earthly trials and challenges that lie before me! Thank you!
For many years the place I was needed most was at home rasing my three children who were my primary responsibility. My three children have grown into very responsible adults with employment and future financial security and for that my gratitude is endless. My husband then was the one who provided a living even though we did not ever live in any luxury, which was okay. After my children were raised it became necessary for me to go to work, but the places I worked had no retirement benefits and being married offered a retirement for my husband and me. But that dream was never realized since my husband and I divorced when I was in my fifties.
So with all that said, my financial position in life is at the bare minimum and living on a fixed income, which includes Social Security benefits, less than $1,000/month, plus a small $300/month retirement, gathering in my last six years of employment prior to retirement at age 66.
Where am I today? In the latter part of 2012 I was diagnosed with lung cancer and have never smoked any cigarettes or other tobacco or any drug products in my entire life. The lung cancer was enviornment related and the surgery required was the removal of the lower lobe of the right lung. Along with the loss of part of my lung, the financial burden of medical costs took all the small amount of savings I had. In 2013 the goal for me was to begin saving little by little in an attempt to get myself in a more solid financial status.
Late in 2013, less than one year after the lung cancer, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive and dangerous breast cancer (unrelated to the lung cancer). Fortunately both cancers were in early stage and no radiation or chemo was required to treat the lung cancer. Even though all cancer in the breast was removed and did not invade the lymph system, radiation was required but not chemo due to low risk factor, chemo was offered but I turned it down.
Following the breast surgery and subsequent radiation treatments, the medical bills started to roll in and I found myself up against an impossible financial obstacle. Never in my life have I let any financial obligations go by the wayside and my philosophy has always been, first to pay my bills, then second buy groceries. I have no savings at this time--all taken up with medical costs--and inability to work due to health issues at the age of 76! A payment to the hospital at $100/month puts a major strain on my meager income and a week ago another bill for $1,500 came for the percentage of radiation treatments now owed! Even though, to most people, $1,500 does not seem like very much, but in my world it might as well be $150,000 and funds simply are not available! My budget has been cut to the bare bones and one of the first things to go was the unnecessary things such as TV cable and some other small things, which is what became very necessary to make a go of it.
If anyone is able to help with these medical costs I cannot tell you how deeply grateful I would be! Being 76 with a history of two different types of cancer in less than a year, it is with caution that I look to any sort of future of better health and circumstances. For many years my faith in our Lord has sustained and blessed me in countless ways and there is no doubt He will continue to sustain me in whatever earthly trials and challenges that lie before me! Thank you!
Organizer
Allene Doughty-Dorsey
Organizer
Snohomish, WA
