This is my Cancer story.. I need HELP!

I am a 36 year YOUNG, vibrant woman who has been diagnosed with Stage III Colon Cancer in April-2009. This was the worst day of my life! I mean I'm 36, and out of nowhere life hands me a new set of cards to play with. Didn't I already have enough happen with my life and health over the last several years? Why is this happening to me?! Am I going to survive this?
My cancer was removed and about two weeks later I developed a stomach abscess and had to go back and have that taken care of, then a few weeks after that I developed an infection in my wound and in my body and I was back in the hospital for three weeks for antibiotics and such. I then came home and had to be on home IV antibiotics for two weeks. All this time, not even starting my treatment yet.
I then went to my Oncologist and I was told I should be fine, that I'm young and colon cancer is very treatable so I have pretty good odds. He also told me that WITH Chemotherapy I should have an 80/20% chance in five years of my cancer returning. WITHOUT Chemotherapy I would have a 60/40% chance of re-occurrence in those five years. I would have a six month treatment plan of getting Chemotherapy every other week with my shots in between my treatment weeks. So I began treatment for a month when I became ill and developed a blood infection, my port-a-cath was infected and had to be removed and that I had Valley Fever! So there goes another two weeks of my life...unable to get Chemo. I was then sent home for a month without treatment to be on antibiotics again. When I was done with my antibiotics, I made and set up my surgery appointment to have a new port put in. I then went back to my Oncologist to see when I can resume my chemo. I mean, come on.. one month out of six months after being diagnosed without treatment..I didn't want to have to wait any longer. All I keep on thinking of is that my cancer is growing back by the minute. So I tell my Dr. that I'm having surgery this day and he tells me that we can start chemo back the following week. This is where my drama begins..
Just this past Friday I went in to my Dr.'s office to speak with the billing dept. because I needed a copy of my bills that I had the month I had Chemo so that I can try and get on Arizona's Medicaid so that they can pay the remaining 20% that Medicare doesn't pay. Samantha (the billing girl) handed me a copy of the bills and for 1 month of chemo is $38,000. And I'm supposed to pay 20%! She had told me on a previous day that I can always make payments. BUT, on Friday when she asked my Oncologist about the money situation, he said NO, and that I had to come up with at least half of the money up front or else I can't have my chemo treatment. I was devastated! What is going to happen to me now? Is this it? Am I to die in my 30's as my sister did of her battle with Lupus? It's not fair that money dictates whether we live or die!
Being on Medicare which I am on now has a health plan that is set up to cover that 20% that I can't afford, I only make just over $1300/month through Social Security Disability. Well, I am UNABLE to get this plan because I am under 65 years old! I don't even count! There is NO other program to help me with that 20% gap in coverage! I also can't get on the regular plan of AZ Medicaid because I make $300 dollars over the limit in income that you can make a month. So I currently applied for a different kind of plan through Medicaid. But who knows what will happen with that or when it is going to be in effect if I do get it. I have put in applications also through various Foundations to help with funding. I have been searching non stop to find an answer to my prayers! How are all these things fair with Insurances? Why have a Medicare Supp program for people only over 65 and nobody else? And why does my income..little as it is, stop me from getting on Medicaid when I'm faced with paying that 20% of $38,000 each month? What is someone to do? Just roll over and die? I don't want to die! I'm terrified and devastated over all of this! Shouldn't I be concentrating on getting better? I need help!
So there it is..that's my story......If you can please help! I would greatly appreciate it!
GOD BLESS.... :)
Sincerely,
JenO.
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