I WANT TO BE RADIOACTIVE!! OK, just for a little while...
I have a rare cancer.
It's not curable, you just cut it out or 'treatment' it away, and wait for it to come back. There are very few treatments for it, very few things other than a maintenance medication that treats "syndrome" only, and some experimental trial medications.
I am approved for a Stage II clinical trial that is available in Houston, and it is completely outpatient. I'll have a week of tests, then a long, slow infusion of a very strong radioactive medication that will stay in my body (we hope) long enough to take out the many small tumors in my liver and lymph nodes, and possibly start killing off the larger ones. At that point a decision can be made whether to repeat the infusion or to do another surgery. Most people having this treatment stay at a specific hotel near the doctor's clinic, but that's over $350 a week just for the lodgings.
For 6 days after the infusion, I am to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. The 'suggested' places have 2 rooms, and a private bathroom for the radioactive person. The clinic provides transportation in a specially divided vehicle that protects the driver from the patients, and there's a private entrance for us 'glow in the dark' folks. Yeah, well, I can't afford that. My foster son lives "in the Houston area". I'll be staying at his place, and the gasoline from his house to the clinic will be substantial. (Houston is BIG.)
There will also be food expenses, as well as the various other non-prescription things I'll need, and the parking at the "back-up clinic" (if I have a problem overnight) is expensive, too. This is a bargain, really. Medicare usually does NOT pay for clinical trials. THIS one actually works well enough that they will pay for it, and if THEY pay, my 'back-up' coverage will kick in, so that I won't have a $15,000 co-pay.
Anyway, I put pencil to paper, figured the "extras" (and the cost of the decontamination at the borrowed house) and it'll be a little over $900. I'm going to (somehow) put aside $50 a month until then, so I will need $600.
[ link ] My cancer. It's yucky. (more) 
Wish
Comments
U have my 5!
Please stop harrassing me!
Edited on: Jul 21, 2007 14:24 pm
how's life in Trollville? You might want to learn more about what the 'nice wish' description on this forum is before being so hateful.
I'm so intimidated by your comment I may just...ignore it. And you.
Have a lovely life anyway.
Edited on: Jul 11, 2007 02:45 am
I sure hope that you can get some help with the money you need for this! You have our prayers DeeDee.
i wish you all the best! my 5s to you! cheerios!
We wish you the best!! You have our 5~~ please check out our upcoming wish, and vote for us if you have time. I hope you will add us to your favorites.
You are such a strong person and I do hope that you get this wish soon. God bless.
You got my 5 DeeDee!!!! I hope you get it!!!
good luck to you god bless you.
Here's my 5...God Bless!
Here ya go hopefully it will help you.
thank you for your understanding i changes it good luck
you totally deserve it!
5*****
Let's hope we get the donate buttons back well before January! 5 stars and prayers that you can have this treatment and that it will work.
5 stars! Good luck!
they should pay you for the study - good luck will add you to my prayers
What a truly worthy wish! ..I left you my 5 stars =)
It is great news that Medicare will pay for the treatment. I pray that you get many donations!
I gave you my 5! Good luck! Please come vote for me!
Good luck !
Good Luck
here's my 5 good luck hun
I wish you the best of luck to help overcome your affliction. My prayers and stars are with you.