Medical and travel expenses for Jojo
Donation protected
First, I want to start with saying just how grateful we are for all the prayers and support we have recieved since Jojo's diagnosis last year in March. I'm sure you can all imagine, it has been a very difficult time for our family, but you have all continued to pray and encourage us through it and we just can't thank you enough.
After Jojo's last MRI 2 weeks ago, her doctors have asked us to continue her treatments every other week through the end of August. At that point we will take a 2 month break from treatments then have another MRI in the end of October to see if anything has grown, etc. As I'm sure you can imagine, this is very exciting and scary at the same time.
Last year, our insurance deductible was met very quickly with all of Jojo's treatment and surgeries. This year has been a different story. Jojo is supposed to have occupational therapy every other week, physical therapy every other week, and speech therapy every week, but the $30 copays each visit have really added up. (We have taken a break during this Covid crisis, but need to get started back up again.)
Our co-insurance for Jojo's feeding supplies, including her special formula, cost at least $200 a month. This is lower than it was before when she was not eating as much foods by mouth.
When we travel to Seattle, an awesome organization called Miracle Flights has covered our airfare so that we only have rental car and food expenses. When traveling to Kalispell, we have gas, hotel and food expenses. Either location has been pretty close to the same amount. About $250-300 each trip. But now, it's prime tourist season for the Kalispell area. I really thought this would not be an issue with Covid-19 going on, but that is not the case. Last night, our hotel was at 100% capacity and the rate has since gone up from $92 (before fees) each night to $161 (before fees). This is their "medical rate" and its expected to go up through the summer. We generally stay 2 nights because chemo day is such a long day that adding a 4 hour drive right after is not always the best decision with Jojo's nausea after chemo (or for me driving). We have considered going back to Seattle, but again, with Covid-19 and other issues going on there, we just don't think its the best option right now.
While Jojo's feeding supply needs and therapies are likely to continue for awhile, we only have 4 more trips to Kalispell and two more trips to Seattle this year to plan for. We had financial help from our wonderful local Uptown Optimists organization before, but that ended mid May since Covid-19 has caused a financial hardship on so many. The last three trips have been at our own expense. While my husband has a job that has supported our family very well, the added costs of Jojo's treatments are piling up and I am not able to work because of her daily needs at this time. Many have asked us how they can help and right now, these are the needs we have and we appreciate anything you are able to give. And of course, prayers are always appreciated!
Medical bills for therapies 270
Feeding supplies for Jojo 687
Last three trips 952
Next 4 trips to Kalispell 2000
2 trips to Seattle 600
Total 4489.00
#prayingforJojo
To read more about Jojo's story, you can follow her journey here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/713571399057339/?ref=share
After Jojo's last MRI 2 weeks ago, her doctors have asked us to continue her treatments every other week through the end of August. At that point we will take a 2 month break from treatments then have another MRI in the end of October to see if anything has grown, etc. As I'm sure you can imagine, this is very exciting and scary at the same time.
Last year, our insurance deductible was met very quickly with all of Jojo's treatment and surgeries. This year has been a different story. Jojo is supposed to have occupational therapy every other week, physical therapy every other week, and speech therapy every week, but the $30 copays each visit have really added up. (We have taken a break during this Covid crisis, but need to get started back up again.)
Our co-insurance for Jojo's feeding supplies, including her special formula, cost at least $200 a month. This is lower than it was before when she was not eating as much foods by mouth.
When we travel to Seattle, an awesome organization called Miracle Flights has covered our airfare so that we only have rental car and food expenses. When traveling to Kalispell, we have gas, hotel and food expenses. Either location has been pretty close to the same amount. About $250-300 each trip. But now, it's prime tourist season for the Kalispell area. I really thought this would not be an issue with Covid-19 going on, but that is not the case. Last night, our hotel was at 100% capacity and the rate has since gone up from $92 (before fees) each night to $161 (before fees). This is their "medical rate" and its expected to go up through the summer. We generally stay 2 nights because chemo day is such a long day that adding a 4 hour drive right after is not always the best decision with Jojo's nausea after chemo (or for me driving). We have considered going back to Seattle, but again, with Covid-19 and other issues going on there, we just don't think its the best option right now.
While Jojo's feeding supply needs and therapies are likely to continue for awhile, we only have 4 more trips to Kalispell and two more trips to Seattle this year to plan for. We had financial help from our wonderful local Uptown Optimists organization before, but that ended mid May since Covid-19 has caused a financial hardship on so many. The last three trips have been at our own expense. While my husband has a job that has supported our family very well, the added costs of Jojo's treatments are piling up and I am not able to work because of her daily needs at this time. Many have asked us how they can help and right now, these are the needs we have and we appreciate anything you are able to give. And of course, prayers are always appreciated!
Medical bills for therapies 270
Feeding supplies for Jojo 687
Last three trips 952
Next 4 trips to Kalispell 2000
2 trips to Seattle 600
Total 4489.00
#prayingforJojo
To read more about Jojo's story, you can follow her journey here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/713571399057339/?ref=share
Organizer
Meghan Hoskins
Organizer
Great Falls, MT
