Not Old Enough to be on Medicare, Not Rich Enough to Pay

Not Old Enough to be on Medicare, Not Rich Enough to Pay 50% of my Treatment Costs, and Not Able to Work - For the First Time Ever - We Need to Ask for Help.

From Debra Hart (wife)

I am writing this short story, not because I want to, but because for the first time in our lives, the Hart family is having to ask for help from others. My husband Lenny (Leonard to some) was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in August of this year. Lenny has not been able to work since the diagnosis. We have worked hard our entire lives, saved as much as we could, and have been blessed to have lived a part of the American dream. Over our marriage, both of us have experienced life-threatening medical issues that have drained our savings and 401K, and now we face this new opportunity. I’m sure our story is familiar; you and/or someone you know may be facing a similar set of circumstances. All help will be greatly appreciated. We need help with everyday living expenses and helping to cover some of the looming medical bills. I know that sounds big, but every contribution will help and be a blessing.

Our family accepted this diagnosis and is ready to fight, so “Let’s go for it” as a course of treatment was laid out for us: twenty-eight radiation treatments and 5-6 treatments of chemo. Out of network providers informed us that we would need to pay half the treatment costs up front, which was in no way feasible for us. Many phone calls later, we were able to get into the right network of physicians so the treatment could begin.

I’d like to tell you a little about my husband Lenny (Leonard to some). He’s the kindest and most generous man I have ever known. He’s kinda corny and plays the part of a farm-raised cowpoke very well. He says “yeppers” and “nopers” and oh, I can’t think of all the abnormal terms he uses in conversation. (ha ha) That’s what makes him unique and lovable. He’s an over-the-road truck driver. He’s that truck driver you used to hear about that would stop to help if you were stranded on the road somewhere. And while others were working from home during Covid, he never missed a day and never missed a delivery to help his neighbors get the products they needed to survive. Helping my husband is helping a good man, family man, and citizen.

Nineteen and a half years ago, we exchanged our vows to love one another in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. Our life together hasn’t always been easy or pretty, but we have always been each other’s strongest supporters.

If you can find it in your heart and you can financially help, even in a small way, we will be forever grateful.