Life is what happens when you're making other plans...
So two days ago Byron and Caitlin announce their plans to marry. We were in the stars, so happy.
Today I found out that Heidi's (she is my son Andy's widow) biopsied moles are Melanoma, Clark Level III. We're going to find out what needs to happen next to protect her from the disease progressing. Surgery, chemo... clinical trials?
She is terrified. I am terrified. She has no insurance. What's a young woman to do, in Asheville? Any ideas? I wish she was here. Maine has such excellent care for folks with no resources, as we learned with Andy's cancer journey.
I haven't told H about B&C or B&C about H. It's just so cruel. I'm sure they will share with each other... or I will soon... but I don't want to rain on the love parade or make Heidi feel guilty for bringing it all crashing down OR rub it in that her beloved is gone but others are making joyful plans. Oy. It's all so mean.
Back to real life. :*(
Today I found out that Heidi's (she is my son Andy's widow) biopsied moles are Melanoma, Clark Level III. We're going to find out what needs to happen next to protect her from the disease progressing. Surgery, chemo... clinical trials?
She is terrified. I am terrified. She has no insurance. What's a young woman to do, in Asheville? Any ideas? I wish she was here. Maine has such excellent care for folks with no resources, as we learned with Andy's cancer journey.
I haven't told H about B&C or B&C about H. It's just so cruel. I'm sure they will share with each other... or I will soon... but I don't want to rain on the love parade or make Heidi feel guilty for bringing it all crashing down OR rub it in that her beloved is gone but others are making joyful plans. Oy. It's all so mean.
Back to real life. :*(
Replies
Oh no:( Such awful news. All you can do is be there for her. I hope she has family in Ashville. I\'m sorry:( My prayers are with you and Heidi and the family. And Congratulations to Byron dn Caitlin. Hugs, Danette
Oh Sarah!!!! Melanoma seems to run in my family. My RI family. One of my \'cousins\' (her dad and my dad were cousins) had Melanoma Stage III, just had a bit cut out of her arm and she is fine. Melanoma is a scary word, but ... She\'s alive and kickin!
Don\'t stress, just get her to Maine or someplace with medical care for those without insurance.
She will be okay... where is it? Above the waist, below the waist?
I have a suspicious mole myself. Too scared to have it checked out. :(
Sarah, my gosh, my gosh. I don\'t even know what to say.....what is her work? Is there any way she could get a leave and come to Maine to stay with you through this? I know that\'s a big step, but maybe necessary. Perhaps there are good programs in ASheville, too, when it\'s looked into. I will be praying for her....I can tell you that I have a brother-in-law that has had several melanomas at bad stages, and all are cured as of right now. There is hope. God bless you all.
Becky
I don\'t know anything about the Asheville area and if she doesn\'t have family there, Sarah, she may need to be with you in Maine. Of course, she is terrified as are you. My heart and prayers are with each of you and I\'m so sorry that this is happening... I\'m hopeful some others may have ideas that will be helpful. XO
Oh No, Sarah...does this \"c\" thing just freakin\' never end - surrounding, swirling, engulfing - I hate it so! I trust the \"kids\" will deal with the agony and the ecstasy in their own way. I just hope that all will be well with Heidi - Your heart needs a rest dear one. Love, Comfort and Hope...Suzzanne
if she can enter a clinical trial she does not not not need insurance but she needs tx NOW this is how i lost my Jenn
prayers flowing...marylou
Praying for all of you and hugging you tight....
I am so sorry for Heidi and you. It must be terrifying!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love and hugs,
Marlene
i\'m so sorry. i had to leave the state of Colorado to get treatment here in az for my cancer. Sending all of my prayers..
Oh my, life just keep happening. People you love in trouble, poor, dear Heidi, I hope she will get good treatment, somewhere, somehow. And congrads on Byron\'s engagement. Good for them, keep on living, they\'re brave and in love. Wonderful news, Sarah. I know you\'ll research and find ways to help Heidi, you are so close to one another. Love is always good. love ya, abby
That\'s a shock. I hope she can come to where you are for her help through this. Sorry. Im very much thinking of Heidi and all of you. I have to hurry this, but I will be sending Heidi lots of LOve and Strength and Clarity and Hope xxxxxxxx Love from kriss xx
I always think of those same lyrics when I remember sadly, Tamzin telling me his 5 year plans at our lunch he took me to at a beautiful hotel in Sydney, the Mother\'s day just before he was diagnosed...It sure is true. I am thinking of you all so much & Heidi especially with hope and love. xxxx
Sorry to hear the bad news. Great for the good news. My husband had that cancer, from my knowledge MD Anderson is the best for that cancer.. Sorry to say but the outlook from what I understand is still not the greatest. However, there are always new treatments. My son who died of cancer had no insurance, they went through the social services at the hospital he was at and everything was covered. There are resources to pay for treatment. I know the treatment my husband got was free except for radiation because of no cure as I still understand there isn\'t they didn\'t charge as it was experimental. Prayer. My husband survived at Stage 4. It was 1979 still going strong. Prayers are with you. Sandi
SO sorry for this added fear and sorrow and stress for all....
A couple of ideas: I quickly googled Asheville medical ins, nothing popped out, but, would Heidi be eligible for Medicaid there?
Also, I believe you can get medical insurance if you are enrolled in , say, a community college for so many hours ..6?....
Does she know anyone she can live with in Ma? We have a \'universal coverage\' system here....
Sending hope and prayers to you and Heidi....
I\'m so sorry to hear this knews...I know you must be so worried.Cling to each other during this time...she will need all of you.Our love and prayers are with Heidi and you all. Love, Charlene