Kathie's Breast Cancer Recovery
Donation protected
Imagine the turmoil of breast cancer. And then imagine losing your insurance in the middle of it.
On June 27th, 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2, Grade 1. On July 25th, I had a partial mastectomy. In early August, I started taking Letrozole, and will continue to do so for the next five to ten years. The cancer I have is an estrogen-eating one, and so the drug suppresses my estrogen, thus starving the cancer. Then from August 28 to September 25, I underwent radiation. I thought I was finally on the road to recovery.
On October 4th, my husband lost his job. His job provided our insurance. His employer was very aware of my situation, but they were not moved by personal communication with me, asking to please either give my husband his job back, offer him a lower position, or extend our insurance coverage to enough time for him to find another job. They only gave us insurance until the end of October and two weeks of severance.
With research, I found that the least expensive and most expedient way of continuing my recovery is with using the Cobra insurance offered. The best insurance offered under the Affordable Care Act was more expensive and came with a $6000 deductible. I am already paying off a deductible that came with our current insurance. Adding another would be devastating.
Cobra comes with a cost of $1474.52 a month. I'm asking for six months, in order to give my husband time to find work, and to keep us covered during any probationary time the new job may have. I also added in the fees that apply from this site. Should he find work and insurance before six months is up, the remaining funds will be used to cover all of the medical expenses not covered by insurance - which have been substantial.
I am humbled to be in this position. I am not used to having to ask for help. But I am horrified by the lack of concern and regard for my life through my husband's old employer. Then I realized if I didn't ask for help, I was showing myself that same lack of concern and regard. If I want others to care about my life, I have to care about it as well.
I thank everyone in advance.
On June 27th, 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 2, Grade 1. On July 25th, I had a partial mastectomy. In early August, I started taking Letrozole, and will continue to do so for the next five to ten years. The cancer I have is an estrogen-eating one, and so the drug suppresses my estrogen, thus starving the cancer. Then from August 28 to September 25, I underwent radiation. I thought I was finally on the road to recovery.
On October 4th, my husband lost his job. His job provided our insurance. His employer was very aware of my situation, but they were not moved by personal communication with me, asking to please either give my husband his job back, offer him a lower position, or extend our insurance coverage to enough time for him to find another job. They only gave us insurance until the end of October and two weeks of severance.
With research, I found that the least expensive and most expedient way of continuing my recovery is with using the Cobra insurance offered. The best insurance offered under the Affordable Care Act was more expensive and came with a $6000 deductible. I am already paying off a deductible that came with our current insurance. Adding another would be devastating.
Cobra comes with a cost of $1474.52 a month. I'm asking for six months, in order to give my husband time to find work, and to keep us covered during any probationary time the new job may have. I also added in the fees that apply from this site. Should he find work and insurance before six months is up, the remaining funds will be used to cover all of the medical expenses not covered by insurance - which have been substantial.
I am humbled to be in this position. I am not used to having to ask for help. But I am horrified by the lack of concern and regard for my life through my husband's old employer. Then I realized if I didn't ask for help, I was showing myself that same lack of concern and regard. If I want others to care about my life, I have to care about it as well.
I thank everyone in advance.
Organizer
Kathie Giorgio
Organizer
Waukesha, WI
