Support Rick Brooks' Battle with Metastatic Cancer

My husband, Rick Brooks, is going through treatments for prostate cancer. Originally, it was a shock to hear the word... cancer, but we were told after a biopsy he was a candidate for active surveillance. He chose to go that route. It involved blood work, MRIs, CAT scans, and multiple visits to various offices. He survived like a champ the first 2 years.

There was another biopsy he went through. Regrettably, the results were not what we expected to hear.

The biopsy showed PSA levels that were no longer acceptable for active surveillance. Thus, this new journey began for us. He has metastatic cancer.

I have medical insurance, but it is a high deductible one through my employer. The cost out of pocket for insurance is $197.00 per pay period.

Our first bill was $37,000.00+. The next was for $5,000.00+. Yesterday, I received $6,780.00 of medical notices in the mail.

I have filed for financial assistance through Guthrie Lourdes and sent them more than $5,800.00 of medical bills we are responsible for. This was prior to receiving the notices for $6G+ yesterday.

Lourdes Cancer Foundation has been wonderful to us since I found out they existed.

This is a terrible struggle. I work full time, have been going through a debt relief program, and still, we cannot keep up. On top of everything else, we have $1000+ in heating bills (we have oil heat), not to mention what NYSEG is now charging for simple electricity.

Today, our truck wouldn't start. He has to attend treatments every weekday. Lord knows how we are going to pay to get that fixed.

There are too many things to list for seeking outside assistance, so I listed medical as the main issue because, clearly, we cannot be without that.