I believe there is such a thing as too much therapy. However, it depends what's being treated. Challenging disorders such as autism do require professional intervention.

I can't say whether all of that therapy for other issues is needed, or how much. But from what i've seen and heard, I can tell you this much: Once they get their hands on you, they act as if you need therapy every day for life.

I'll never forget when I had a knee problem in the 80s, and had no insurance. I paid for the diagnosis, and they said I HAD to have physical therapy three times a week on a special machine. My health club had the same machine, but without the measuring devices on it and I said that would be cheaper and I could do it three times each week. They said "no, it HAS to be here; otherwise it won't work." Then they told me it would be $85/visit -- three times per week. I told them I didn't have health insurance and couldn't afford those rates. They went away to confer and suddenly the health club's machine was fine. I used it and my knee problem went away.

I think the point is to question EVERYTHING. Remember that the more therapy someone gets, the more money they make. Sorry to seem to cynical, but after that experience my eyes were opened wide :-0

I suppose it's a balancing act...

I can so identify with you are going through. I forget all of your circumstances. Do you work for school district? If so, are you covered by union? If so, they possibly can help you. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. As you may remember, we lost our daugher (mother of gs we adpted) to a malignant brain tumor at age 28. She passed away about 20 years ago. I can tell you that they orginally gave her 50/50 chance of survival and she lived 10 years after that dx. I can also tell you that Cancer treatments are so advanced today. We are looking at each other and saying: "why didn't they have that when our daughter was dx? She might still be with us". Don't hesitate to get a second opinion and/or see if there is a group for the type of cancer she has (primary diagnosis). Brain tumor research association helped us to find new treatments for our daughter when local docs thought there was nothing. I do disagree with Sara on "too much therapy". We went through two area services that charged on a sliding scale that we could afford. At times, it seemed it was not working for gs but we kept it up because part of therapy is to work with parents also. We learned to live with gs's situation and also learned how to work with him through the teen years. Now that he, and we, look back,we realize what an important part it played in where we, and he, are at today. Also: I gave up a vested position at the hospital to raise our gs. I started my own business and was able to work from home and go into office when he was in school. We were able to give him a "normal" childhood (or as close as possible). I had to give up insurance and found a policy for my small business. Not a perfect solution, but one we had to make. Is there any part of your job that could use to start your own business, or work as a private consultant? We live in a country where we have the opportunity to do so (at least for now). Finally, look Blue Cross Blue Shield in your state. We found a policy for our gs as an individual, even though he was 15 and still underage. The premium was only about $95 a month, had $250 deductible, 80/20 pay/copay, and did not look at pre-existing conditions. We were just in the right place at the right time. Illinois has a kid plan that you can qualify on a premium basis but child gets full coverage. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I can only say that I went through very similar circumstances and survived. I believe you mentioned previously that you have always wanted to return to school. You could do that now. btw, I think that many of us who have self sufficient in our lives and now find ourselves in financial need, feel we should not apply for state entitlements, but really if it helps you do the job of saving your gc, why not? For now, pray, educate yourself on opportunities around you and given yourself a few weeks to consider all before you make decision on job, therapy, etc. Just put yourself in "neurtral" and trust that God will see you through it. I always got a guardian angel to come just at the right time to solve a problem I was praying over. God bless you on this path you did not choose to follow. Let me know if I can help with any additional information. You also a wealth of help here from participants who I am amazed at the information they have gathered.

Thank you Sara & Daisy, I had a similar thing happer when I had PT when I hurt my neck.

I finally got a call back from our Union Pres. regarding my situation. He said that I could request a year off without pay or benefits if we could afford it. He schedule a meeting with our HR Dept and then it goes to our monthy board meeting to get approved. I also had our conference call with the attorney's this morning and they told me to except the increase and just slowly increase or cancel some until I get passed the end or fiscal year period.

I received an update on my daughter this morning from her husband. They told him that she will need to stay in the hospital longer because her blood counts are dangeriously low and they also want to a bone marrow test. I hope to hear from him later today on any new updates on her condition. All we knew before the first surgery was to remove her thyroid that had cancer then she would need to take hormones forever with 100% recovery. I just didn't expect that it would spread...I'm so sad right now. I want to fly out to her however; I have my grandson with all that is going on....my husband goes to work too early to drop him off at daycare and now that he has his weekly therapy it would be a hardship for us. Not counting that he too works for the same School District I do and they are looking to cut folks this year. My husband is concerned because he is the main bread winner. I am so torned on what to do. If, my duaghter gets worse I will fly down right away...

Liam, is there any way you could work from home? So many employers now have remote employees who work via computer. I work from home 100%, but when I worked for a major corporation my other team members were in other states -- and I worked from home every Monday because of my husband's work schedule.

Can you check with your church or local branch of Cancer society? They have respite caregivers that may be able to help. I know people that have called churches that they were not members of but the churches helped them anyways. You could also check with friends that have college age kids that might be willing to help. You might need to pay them but they usually w/take a small amount offered. Sorry to hear about job situation. It seems to be happening to everyone with layoffs, et al. I know when our daughter was first ill, I really learned what the term "live it one day at a time" meant. I just got through today and somehow tomorrow came and went.