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Fiance recently diagnosed w stage 4 breast cancer that has spread
Hello my fiance n the love of my life was diagnosed w stage 4 breast cancer that has spread into the bones it has caused her L5 vertebra to fracture and her right rib cage has now done the same..she had surgery on spine. But it constantly causes her severe pain..well I was in a in patient rehabilitation center due to my own will to try and better myself n learn to remain sober so I could finally provide her w the stability and life she deserves...see my mom died n 2000 n then my dad in 2008..which only left me w a half sister thats fighting depression and extreme alcoholism. Since the CID epidemic we have lost her dad n then a few months ago her mom..so we have no where to turn to for advice or any kinda assistance...that's financial. Housing. Transportation or anything else that most people take for granted..we have been homeless since her back surgery and diagnosis back n late dec. Or early Jan. 2024...we've lived In hotels which to begin with wasn't to bad.. the first hotel gave me a job housekeeping that paid for our stay plus 100.00 per week in our pocket but all of a sudden there was a change of management that resulted in the loss of my job there n caused us to have to leave..we've since been a our second hotel since this nightmare came our way..now we dont have a vehicle..i can't work a full time job because i have to be w her pretty much at all times among other reasons...while staying her weve spent her 1300.00 back pay ssid check along w her march 650.00 check along w every dollar I ve been blessed w from a couple of our dearest friends..we have food stamps n she has medicaid.. we cannot afford to live day by day n this hotel having to try to scrape up the 65.00 fee daily..it has seemed almost impossible to make all of her appts. At oncology. Primary care. MRI. And cat scans...we have reached out to all our local churchs that provide assistant to families that are in crisis situations..we have got absolutely no response what so ever from any of them..we desperately need help with finances. Housing. Transportation and any other helpful advise any of you guys may have..it has gotten to the point where I don't have a clue as to what needs to happen next and I dont wanna screw up and make a wrong decision...All I want is what's best for my baby..please help us if there is anybody out there that can or will I promise your help whether it be advice n guidance. Or financial or just being someone we can talk to...or that shoulder to cry on when we have those moments.. Private message me any time of the day or night with any form of advice or help that may be available..your responses. Advice. Comments. Or simple prayers are and will be greatly appreciated from the bottom of our hearts...may god bless u all....
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Have you talked with the hospital social work office? You should not be paying for your hotel room if you are homeless. I am so sorry you are going through this. If you are both older, a local elder services agency could help too. Any good agency for homelessness in your area?
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4 ReactionsI agree, talk to a social worker. They are amazing and they know where the support is in the system. You have a heavy load to carry and they can help.
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1 Reaction@tinadoo, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Please note that Connect is a public forum and your personal contact information has been removed as the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/). Fundraising is also not permitted
I'm sorry to hear about your fiance's diagnosis and spread of cancer. You and your fiance and your family have been through a lot, have overcome, and continue to fight. Clearly you are resilient and resourceful, but you need help. Here are a few suggestions.
As @kayanonsen and @windyshores mention, a social worker can help coordinate resources for you. I encourage to look up "My Help Navigator" https://myhelpnavigator.auntbertha.com/ It is a social care network that connects people and programs — making it easy for people to find social services in their communities, including food, medical care, transportation, etc.
- My Help Navigator: https://myhelpnavigator.auntbertha.com/
I wonder if through My Help Navigator, you might be able to find a social worker who could help.
I'm not sure where you live, but there may be a breast cancer organization in your area that could help. For example Breast Cancer Angels (https://www.breastcancerangels.org/financial-assistance/) offers financial assistance for residents of Southern Califormia
Your local chapter of the American Cancer Society may also have financial, housing and transportation resources to offer https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/managing-health-insurance/programs-and-resources-to-help-with-cancer-related-expenses.html
These are just a few example to show that they is help out there. But it's a lot to research and organize. A social worker can do the leg work for you and with you. You need your energy to live, love and care for your partner.
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1 ReactionWe have talked to the hospital social workers but to be honest they have all treated us the same n provided no help what so ever..meanwhile were sitting in this room that's 65.00 a night which hasn't been paid for today and we have 58.00 to our name. She has missed last 2 oncology appointments so that means she has missed last to rounds of vital medications. In our area I have not been able to find any organizations or available govnt. Grant's or any means or help man it's to the point to where I just wanna give up almost. ....
We have talked to every hospital social worker in the trial county area n they have provided no valuable info..or called us back. Have also reached out to every Baptist assembly n nothing...
In our state, if you are homeless, you get state help with staying in a hotel. Did you talk to social workers about the cancer, or about housing, or both? Are you both over 65? I hope your wife doesn't miss any more appointments. She is on Medicaid right? And Medicare?
The only think I can think of is going to a shelter during the day, or a Traveler's Aid, to ask to talk to someone about resources. Elder services has emergency housing here for those over 65. Keep us posted. Bureaucracies are hard to navigate while caregiving.
Komen Foundation has financial support programs. Perhaps you can call: 1-877 GO KOMEN
Your fiancé's provider can apply on her behalf and perhaps put an urgency note as well.
https://www.komen.org/financial-assistance-program/
Jill’s Wish Foundation Inc. Provide grants of as much as $1,500 to cover non-medical living expenses of newly diagnosed cancer patients.
The website can be found at https://www.jillswish.org/
Help Now Fund. Provides up to $5,000 for living expenses to patients receiving active treatment for breast cancer. For information, visit the Breast Cancer Charities of America website at https://thebreastcancercharities.org/
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