My son’s dying. 37 diagnosed January 2026 with stage IV lung cancer.

@mcandlish88 Please tell us more. Has the oncologist offered any assistance? Quite often, there is help for patients whose insurance has been denied.

I'm so sorry to hear about your son having lung cancer! That's awful that the insurance denied payment. Sue is right. There is financial assistance for people with health problems. Usually it's offered through a local hospital.

My husband had stage 4 lung cancer also. We were offered financial assistance several times and always from a hospital when we were in the emergency room. We didn't need the help but it was nice to know it was there if we did need it. Contact the billing dept. of your local hospital and inquire about it. You might also contact any local church and ask if they had any suggestions on how to handle your sitution.

My husband lived for 14 years with stage 4 lung cancer. He refused any treatment because he reacted badly to them. He continued to see his doctor and take his medications. He also ate healthy and eating healthy for my husband meant lots of red meat. Plus we prayed everyday. God was there for us and got us through a hard time. My husband died at age 83 in 2024. However, since your son is only 37 his body has a better chance of surviving lung cancer. We heal better when we are younger.

If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I'll say a prayer for both of you.
I wish you the best.
PML

My father died from Lung Cancer. I was 30 and he was 60. At the age of 21, he had made Lt. Captain during WWII. He had just retired because of heart issues and was truly enjoying his retirement. He accepted the diagnosis and said, "I thought I was going down one road and it looks I'm going down a different one." From the time of his diagnosis to dying was a week. Almost all the people I've known have died 'quickly.' My spouse has Alzheimer's (Stage 6) and it is painful because it is the 'long goodbye.'

Try contacting the chemo mfr to see if they allow for a discount. My chemo is priced at $20,000 for a 3o day supply of tablets. With insurance it costs me $44 for a 60 day supply. Also see what the hospital can do to reduce the cost and contact your local cancer society to see what help they can provide. Also, please make sure your hospital has the trained staff to treat his type of cancer.

I feel you pain but all is not lost. My wife suffered severe head trauma in August 2025. She is lucky to be alive based on her injuries. Stay in ICU was a little over 3 months. When she was moved to a regular room, a lot changed as she was no longer critical. I tried desperately to have her moved to a rehab facility however insurance would only authorize a nursing home - no way as that is the end of the line. I got with her case manager as well as insurance company numerous times and got the same runaround. I finally showed up at the head of trauma office and politely demanded a consultation. He reviewed her records and called some of the surgical team in to get involved. After a few weeks, insurance sent an email indicating that they had “reviewed” her case and approved inpatient treatment at a PT/wound care facility for 30 days. I made it a point to be there every day for motivation and to stay involved. She came home Christmas Eve. Life has drastically taken a turn for both of us however persistences paid off. Also - I have a pretty strong Christian Faith but never really sat down and has a personal talk with God. I won’t say that I heard a voice answering me back but we are seeing slow but steady improvement. Still a long ways to go but persistence and faith can work. Take the high road and no is not a good answer. Be safe and keep your foot on the gas.

@mcandlish88, as a parent we don't want to see our children suffer. This must be so hard on your son, you and your family. Is a palliative care physician part of your son's medical team? Has a different treatment been recommended? How is he doing? How are YOU doing?