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Marie’s cancer has returned and she needs our help….Here is her story.
Marie was initially diagnosed in 2003 – Stage II breast cancer. She was going through a divorce a the time when her sons were 5 and 8. She continued working during her lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Even though she was exhausted and lost her hair, Marie saw a light at the end of the tunnel as she mustered through giving her boys as much of a normal life as she could during this six-month period, never giving breast cancer a second thought.
Almost ten years to the day, Marie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She couldn’t believe it had come back. The hardest part was telling her sons. The cancer was in her breast, sternum, chest wall and left hip. She immediately started hormone treatment and then had to add chemotherapy and radiation. Marie has taken so many drugs/shots over the last six years she can’t even remember them all. One chemo treatment even put her into anaphylactic shock within 10 seconds of infusion. It was difficult but, she continued to work through all the treatments. It is a rare day that Marie feels good because of all the side effects.
In June, Marie was told that she has one year (although Marie is one who defies statistics). It was then that Marie decided to go out on disability which is very scary as she has always had a paycheck. Short term disability of course doesn’t give you a full paycheck so she is drawing from her savings to pay the bills. Most people aren’t aware that when you go on disability, Medicare will not kick in for 2 years. Sadly Marie does not qualify for Medicaid because she makes more than $1,041 a month. Marie missed the cut off date with Atlantic Health for retirement health benefits, where she worked for 23 years, so now she has to pay Cobra $1,000 a month for medical and dental. Sadly her cancer has turned inflammatory and is attacking the skin. She has open wounds on both breasts which require wound care and she also has lymphedema in both arms which she has to wear compression sleeves for. Aetna doesn’t cover wound care supplies (because they don’t cover disposable items), and supplies cost $400 a month.
It is very disheartening that you work your whole life, support your family and when you are legitimately in need of help, the system isn’t there.
Marie is very blessed with family and friends who have supported her the last six years. Marie’s goal is to spend her time with her sons and friends and lessen the worry about a huge financial burden. Asking for help is so very hard and difficult, but at some point it’s time to ask for help. Please know that Marie is only asking for help for Medical bills, supplies and therapies. We would like to ask you for any help you may be able to give to Marie so that she doesn’t have to worry about her medical bills and she can have the quality of care she so deserves!
Marie, her sons and her family thank you so much for your support!!!
Marie was initially diagnosed in 2003 – Stage II breast cancer. She was going through a divorce a the time when her sons were 5 and 8. She continued working during her lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Even though she was exhausted and lost her hair, Marie saw a light at the end of the tunnel as she mustered through giving her boys as much of a normal life as she could during this six-month period, never giving breast cancer a second thought.
Almost ten years to the day, Marie was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. She couldn’t believe it had come back. The hardest part was telling her sons. The cancer was in her breast, sternum, chest wall and left hip. She immediately started hormone treatment and then had to add chemotherapy and radiation. Marie has taken so many drugs/shots over the last six years she can’t even remember them all. One chemo treatment even put her into anaphylactic shock within 10 seconds of infusion. It was difficult but, she continued to work through all the treatments. It is a rare day that Marie feels good because of all the side effects.
In June, Marie was told that she has one year (although Marie is one who defies statistics). It was then that Marie decided to go out on disability which is very scary as she has always had a paycheck. Short term disability of course doesn’t give you a full paycheck so she is drawing from her savings to pay the bills. Most people aren’t aware that when you go on disability, Medicare will not kick in for 2 years. Sadly Marie does not qualify for Medicaid because she makes more than $1,041 a month. Marie missed the cut off date with Atlantic Health for retirement health benefits, where she worked for 23 years, so now she has to pay Cobra $1,000 a month for medical and dental. Sadly her cancer has turned inflammatory and is attacking the skin. She has open wounds on both breasts which require wound care and she also has lymphedema in both arms which she has to wear compression sleeves for. Aetna doesn’t cover wound care supplies (because they don’t cover disposable items), and supplies cost $400 a month.
It is very disheartening that you work your whole life, support your family and when you are legitimately in need of help, the system isn’t there.
Marie is very blessed with family and friends who have supported her the last six years. Marie’s goal is to spend her time with her sons and friends and lessen the worry about a huge financial burden. Asking for help is so very hard and difficult, but at some point it’s time to ask for help. Please know that Marie is only asking for help for Medical bills, supplies and therapies. We would like to ask you for any help you may be able to give to Marie so that she doesn’t have to worry about her medical bills and she can have the quality of care she so deserves!
Marie, her sons and her family thank you so much for your support!!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Marie Daly
Beneficiary