John's Cancer Treatment
Donation protected
John’s Fight
John’s story may sound like many others fighting the same fight. My name is Tammy and I’m his girlfriend of 9 years. I am writing this because he is too proud to. It has taken me almost 8 months to convince him that this is our last shot to get him the treatment he needs. John is the kind of man that will give you the shirt off his back. He is extremely generous and kind and is always willing to help those in need.
In April of 2018 there was a reorganization at his company. His last day of work was April 27th. I suggested he go get a full physical before his insurance ran out. He reluctantly did and was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He carried the very expensive COBRA so that he could get the treatment he needed. It was an extremely devastating and confusing time, no job, extra expenses for insurance plus CANCER! We were trying to digest it all while trying to figure out how we will live while traveling from Gonzales, Louisiana to Irving, Texas for doctor appointments and treatment. We consulted with a few doctors to seek out the treatment that would be best for John. After extensive research we found the right Doctor and the best treatment for him. He is only 48, surgery and traditional radiation is not an option for him.
We were feeling at ease after he was accepted into a clinical trial, because that was the only way that the insurance would pay for the treatment after deductibles and co-pays. During this time, COBRA explained that we were not able to set up auto-pay online until the second bill was processed and it posted in the system. We were thinking we were early paying the second month of the COBRA premium early only to find out we were 1 day late, and they cancelled his coverage. We went through the appeal process and explained the auto pay issue. If we had been able to do this in the first place, he wouldn’t have been cancelled. The final decision on the appeal was made and he could not get reinstated. We then decided to carry our own insurance, but little did we know that we had to wait until open enrollment in November and then coverage wouldn’t be effective until January of 2019. We were ignorant to this because of his group coverage at work and never had to try to purchase health insurance on our own.
While trying to figure out what to do, the company that decided his position wasn’t needed, contacted him and hired him as a consultant which was good news for the financial part of our struggle. However, as a consultant he wasn’t considered an employee and was responsible for his health insurance. That is when he started his own LLC making him eligible to purchase group insurance immediately. After enrolling and setting up his plan almost identical to the coverage he previously had with the same “medical needs” policy he resumed with the approval process for the treatment. We were appalled when he was denied treatment and furious when the insurance company stated they will not cover proton therapy. It was in black and white on the policy that they would cover this treatment if he was in a clinical trial, which he was when we signed up for it. Apparently, unbeknownst to us, they changed the policy during his appeal process no longer covering the treatment he was requesting. He went through the appeal process and after the final denial decided to go through the Independent review organization. This is where an independent company reviews the doctor’s recommendations and the insurance company’s policy. We felt good about this and felt confident they would overturn the decision based on the facts and the world-renowned Dr Lee’s recommendations. However, we were wrong and devastated. After paying thousands of dollars to the insurance company we felt like we were robbed and betrayed.
His consulting hours have been drastically reduced to a point that it doesn’t even cover the insurance premiums. We have been paying the insurance because they might cover portions of the therapy needed for the complete treatment. As of today, we cancelled the policy because they cannot tell us if they will pay for the other portions of the therapy. We must submit a claim and hope they will pay. We will reinstate the insurance once we raise the funds to move forward.
We have exhausted all our options. This has been very difficult, an emotional roller coaster and has been a financial struggle. John continues to look for new consulting opportunities and for another job. Furthermore, he changed his lifestyle with exercise and went as far as eating a plant-based diet to fight the cancer while searching for ways to raise funds for his treatment. Not only is there cost of the treatment but John will have to be in Irving, Texas for therapy five days a week for nine to ten weeks.
It has been 14 months since he was diagnosed and while prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, he really needs to get this treatment before it grows or metastasizes spreading throughout his body. I am humbly asking for donations for his treatment, living expenses and insurance to get the treatment needed to fight the cancer. Those of you that know John know the physical struggles he deals with every minute of every day. You also know that he continues to stay positive and is doing everything in his power to fight this ugly disease. With your help, hopefully he could close this chapter of his life and live life to the fullest cancer free!
I know people are struggling financially every day. But if we could find one hundred and twenty-five thousand people to donate one dollar we could move forward with our lives. So please forward this to everyone you know!
It was very hard to stick to the facts and leave out emotional details that would have made this a 15-page story. I want to thank you for reading this and would appreciate any help you can provide.
John’s story may sound like many others fighting the same fight. My name is Tammy and I’m his girlfriend of 9 years. I am writing this because he is too proud to. It has taken me almost 8 months to convince him that this is our last shot to get him the treatment he needs. John is the kind of man that will give you the shirt off his back. He is extremely generous and kind and is always willing to help those in need.
In April of 2018 there was a reorganization at his company. His last day of work was April 27th. I suggested he go get a full physical before his insurance ran out. He reluctantly did and was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He carried the very expensive COBRA so that he could get the treatment he needed. It was an extremely devastating and confusing time, no job, extra expenses for insurance plus CANCER! We were trying to digest it all while trying to figure out how we will live while traveling from Gonzales, Louisiana to Irving, Texas for doctor appointments and treatment. We consulted with a few doctors to seek out the treatment that would be best for John. After extensive research we found the right Doctor and the best treatment for him. He is only 48, surgery and traditional radiation is not an option for him.
We were feeling at ease after he was accepted into a clinical trial, because that was the only way that the insurance would pay for the treatment after deductibles and co-pays. During this time, COBRA explained that we were not able to set up auto-pay online until the second bill was processed and it posted in the system. We were thinking we were early paying the second month of the COBRA premium early only to find out we were 1 day late, and they cancelled his coverage. We went through the appeal process and explained the auto pay issue. If we had been able to do this in the first place, he wouldn’t have been cancelled. The final decision on the appeal was made and he could not get reinstated. We then decided to carry our own insurance, but little did we know that we had to wait until open enrollment in November and then coverage wouldn’t be effective until January of 2019. We were ignorant to this because of his group coverage at work and never had to try to purchase health insurance on our own.
While trying to figure out what to do, the company that decided his position wasn’t needed, contacted him and hired him as a consultant which was good news for the financial part of our struggle. However, as a consultant he wasn’t considered an employee and was responsible for his health insurance. That is when he started his own LLC making him eligible to purchase group insurance immediately. After enrolling and setting up his plan almost identical to the coverage he previously had with the same “medical needs” policy he resumed with the approval process for the treatment. We were appalled when he was denied treatment and furious when the insurance company stated they will not cover proton therapy. It was in black and white on the policy that they would cover this treatment if he was in a clinical trial, which he was when we signed up for it. Apparently, unbeknownst to us, they changed the policy during his appeal process no longer covering the treatment he was requesting. He went through the appeal process and after the final denial decided to go through the Independent review organization. This is where an independent company reviews the doctor’s recommendations and the insurance company’s policy. We felt good about this and felt confident they would overturn the decision based on the facts and the world-renowned Dr Lee’s recommendations. However, we were wrong and devastated. After paying thousands of dollars to the insurance company we felt like we were robbed and betrayed.
His consulting hours have been drastically reduced to a point that it doesn’t even cover the insurance premiums. We have been paying the insurance because they might cover portions of the therapy needed for the complete treatment. As of today, we cancelled the policy because they cannot tell us if they will pay for the other portions of the therapy. We must submit a claim and hope they will pay. We will reinstate the insurance once we raise the funds to move forward.
We have exhausted all our options. This has been very difficult, an emotional roller coaster and has been a financial struggle. John continues to look for new consulting opportunities and for another job. Furthermore, he changed his lifestyle with exercise and went as far as eating a plant-based diet to fight the cancer while searching for ways to raise funds for his treatment. Not only is there cost of the treatment but John will have to be in Irving, Texas for therapy five days a week for nine to ten weeks.
It has been 14 months since he was diagnosed and while prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer, he really needs to get this treatment before it grows or metastasizes spreading throughout his body. I am humbly asking for donations for his treatment, living expenses and insurance to get the treatment needed to fight the cancer. Those of you that know John know the physical struggles he deals with every minute of every day. You also know that he continues to stay positive and is doing everything in his power to fight this ugly disease. With your help, hopefully he could close this chapter of his life and live life to the fullest cancer free!
I know people are struggling financially every day. But if we could find one hundred and twenty-five thousand people to donate one dollar we could move forward with our lives. So please forward this to everyone you know!
It was very hard to stick to the facts and leave out emotional details that would have made this a 15-page story. I want to thank you for reading this and would appreciate any help you can provide.
Organizer
Tammy Cioci-Ray
Organizer
Gonzales, LA