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Uncle with Stage 4 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS): Help?
My uncle has no insurance and thought he tore a ligament in his knee or severely pulled a muscle. He tried to "wait it out" until unbearable pain sent him to the ER for that "WHAT' diagnosis! No, it's not cancer! Well. They removed a lot of the muscle of his thigh and most of his femur and we know it's on his adrenal gland and his lungs, but just a couple days ago we found out it was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. My question is where do we go from here? What do I ask about? Please help.... And thank you all for being here,
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Hello.....your Uncle's health circumstance is complicated, and made more difficult by a lack of insurance. If he's financially able, selfpay for any appointment is possible, and he should at least get a consultation with an Oncologist who has knowledge of Sarcoma and treatments as soon as possible!! If he's a Veteran from the military, he could possibly get free healthcare from the VA. If not, possibly contact the State your uncle lives in and find out if he can apply for the insurance sold to those without coverage due to his urgent circumstances. Not sure if that coverage would rule out pre-existing conditions. Depending on his financial situation, he may be eligible to apply for Medicaid, but that is a long process. Unfortunately, he might have to wait for coverage provided in the State marketplace, because of specific enrollment periods. Not sure, since his case could be considered "urgent". If all else fails, any urgent circumstance requiring immediate care would be provided for via a local emergency room, even without insurance. Best wishes to you and your Family.
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3 ReactionsIs he eligible for Medicaid or Medicare? Many major hospitals offer financial assistance. Also, locate a medical team noted for treating sarcoma cancers. See if his GP or surgeon can provide some advice for treatment, sources for treatment and financial assistance. There also maybe a cancer patient support center near you.
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Call his County Veterans Service Officer.
Every County has one.
They are moving him to rehab for his leg... To help him walk. BUT they met with oncologist today and they are not going to do chemo or radiation. They said it wouldn't help. And said he has maybe a year to live. Does this sound right? I have read that UPS, esp metastatic, may not respond well to chemo, but I just feel like they could try SOMETHING? I am going to talk to my aunt about getting his medical records together and getting a second opinion.
@tmcninch, it is hard to hear that further treatment will not help. Should your uncle like to seek a second opinion at Mayo Clinic, here's where to submit the request: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Your uncle must be grateful to have you researching for answers on his behalf. Here is more information from Mayo Clinic about UPS:
- Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/undifferentiated-pleomorphic-sarcoma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20389565
How is your uncle dealing with all this? How is he doing in rehab?