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Thank you everyone for your replies and advice. My mother’s stents started failing last week, they admitted her, removed the stents and placed an external bag. This apparently started draining “too well”, she was ridding more than she was taking in, thus dehydrating her. Her count started going back down yesterday, so they released her and she is back home for the time being. I have contacted the American Cancer Society, they have assigned me an advocate and gave me some numbers to call for financial assistance. They also informed me not to talk with the hospital social worker, because if I do, then my advocate wouldn’t be able to assist us?? This is way too confusing for me…just want to find help with paying the bills that are now coming in without my mother losing her house in the process.
Dear Carrieann,
also, some pharmaceutical companies follow “compassionate use” which, should your Mom fall in to the bracket allow her to receive chemotherapy free of charge. The oncologist will know about this and will request it for you. Keep up your spirits.
MarionsBig hugs to you and your family, carrieann. No one should have to walk this road.
One organization that assists with medical bills is The Patient Advocate Foundation. http://www.patientadvocate.org/ They have patient advocates that can help you negotiate with hospitals on the bills, and also find bill pay assistance. They do not currently list bile duct cancer as one of the cancers they help, but we’re in talks with them to expand their focus to include bile duct cancer.
Additionally, there are many trials that are sponsored by the relevant pharmaceutical companies. It’s possible that a pharmaceutical company may pay for the majority or all expenses associated with a clinical trial. You would need to speak with your oncologist further about this issue, and he/she can give you some good direction.
Dear Carrieann,
You poor thing – all that you and your family have been through! Anne’s advice about getting some financial aid is invaluable – maybe the hospital can help you, as she said. I know there are other people who have had help in this area, so they may answer more specifically.I lost my mother to cc when she was 64, my daughter was 4. My stepfather died 4 years before her and we were still grieving him, then my father died a week after my mother. So I know what you’re going through, somewhat. Take some time for yourself in any little way you can, and maybe see about getting some therapy – this is a lot for one person to handle, and it’s too hard to do alone. Do you have any siblings or a good support system, a shoulder to cry on?
My heart goes out to you and I’m hoping and praying your mother is a candidate for resection, which would make for a very positive prognosis. Keep us posted and we’ll send our prayers and good thoughts your way-
-JoyceCarrieann,
Bless your heart. You will be in my prayers, as will your Mom and family. Do not give up hope. Duke is a wonderful hospital. Check with their social service dept. for financial aid. Pharmaceutical companies also have programs to help.
AnneMy mother has been through 2 weeks of ongoing procedures to reduce her biliruben count and rid her of jaundice. She now has 2 internal stents and will be going to Duke University this Thursday for more testing to see if she is a candidate for surgery. My family has been through alot this past year…my step-mother just finished her chemo/radiation treatments for breast cancer, we lost my step-father this past March, and now we are watching my mother go through this. She is 63 and very healthy up until this point. I am very scared and am trying to do all I can to keep her spirits up through all of this. My prayers are she is a candidate and the surgery will remove all the tumor. We are also trying to figure out how to pay for all of this. She worked part-time with minimal health insurance. All of her savings was put towards my step-fathers outstanding medical bills/funeral expenses. Can someone guide me in the right direction… it is all so overwhelming along with having to work full-time, and take care of my 2 year old.
thank you and keep my mother in your prayers.
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