Paying down my heart attack debt

Eery year for my birthday, I look fo a small shoe string non-profit doing amazing things with few dollars to raise money for on Facebook. This year, it's simpe. The charity is me. This is my story.

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March 9.

I will never forget that day.

I will never forget that feeling,

I will never forget that moment I was told I was most likely having a heart attack.

And not just any heart attack... I had to have a widowmaker heart attack. Oh.,.. and I had to rely on what we hae always been told about heart attack symptoms. I didn't have any of them. I was in my favorite corner restaurant when it hit. I did ponder for moment if I was indeed having a heart attack. After all, I did not have any shooting pain down my arm. Also, I didn't keel over clutching my chest. Nope.. I was able to stasnd up, pick up my dinner order, walk home, walk up a flight of stairs, have dinner, go to bed, get up the next morning and go to work and put in a full 8 hours, do some chored around the house, and THEN AND ONLY THEN did I go to the hospital but only after calling my mother and asking for her input.

Based on what I have read, at most I had a 10% chasne of survival following s widowmaker/LAD heart attack. By my estimates, it was 26 hours before I sought treatment. From what my primary are doctor told me, the cardiologist were squeamish after seeing the results of my bloodwork and tests. A heart catheterization was performed and a stent put in place. Five days later I was discharged... scared out of my mind.. but discharged and alive.

This is the story I have told when asked what happened. It is all true. But there is one huge glaring omission.

I was uninsured.

A couple days prior, I accepted a consulting position and would be leaving the firm where I was employed. That job was a bad fit and I left before 90 days and before I qualified for insurace. But with this new job and a serious bump in pay, I could go on the Obamacare exchange and get something there. It just wouldn't kick in until the first of the following month. COBRA from the job before this one had lapsed about three days before I went into the hospital.

My current outstanding balance is hovers around $73000. I have applied for help and assistance from the hospital's charitable foundation. My first attempt ended in a denial. My appeal was approved but they are asking for more financial documentation that I wont full have on hand until the end of this month. I have set up a payment plan in an effort to not let this destroy my fragile credit score I have nursed back to a decent number. I know it's only time before iit succumbs but I gotta do what I gotta do.

Then this month rolls along and I learn that my landlords are selling the property. I have to be out by the end of the month. This means scrambing to find a new place that is as close as possible to what I have now and won't break the bank. This means my measger savings will be drained, the most recentl paycheck ha to stay in the bank for as long as possible so I could pay a deposit on a new apartment, utilites, etc. But that also means deciding what doesn't get paid this month. And the choices aren't great.

I could blow off the hospital but i know myself. I would scramble to make a double payment as quickly as possible to minimize its impact.

I could see how long I could go without refilling my prescriptions (not an option). To save a little bti of money, I usually get three months supplies as they will offer a small break in pricing when you do it that way. I only put in for one month of meds... the total cost was just over $175 and that was using every copay card, Rx assistane, etc that I could find. (Yes, that's ONE month of meds.).

So this is where I need your help. I have been "just barely" getting by since my hospital discharge. A few months were rough. Not going to lie. Somehow just when I start to get a little ahead something along the lines of my apartment situation comes along and wipes away any and all progress I have made. In some instances it has set me furhter bak than I was before. All I want is to get some serious breathing room so I dont feel crazed and panicked about my finances. A litlle breathing room would be nice.

I know not everyone will be able to donate. I'm a realist and I know that ther eare others who are in far worse positions than me. So to you, I ask that you say a prayer for me. Those are always welcome.