Getting Organized Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on getting and staying organized before, during and after cancer treatment. Piles of Paperwork? During cancer treatment, it may sometimes feel like many things are out of your control. But, if there is one thing that you can control during your cancer journey, it’s what to do with all of the paperwork that you receive. Often, the paperwork seems like an afterthought as you watch the pile of paper in the middle of your dining room table grow. Ideal ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. This post is the sixth in a series for information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 4 breast cancer. What is stage 4 breast cancer? Stage 4 (or metastatic) breast cancer is diagnosed when the cancer has grown in other areas of the body, such as bones, lung, brain, and liver. How is stage 4 breast cancer treated? Stage 4 breast cancer is not curable. This is as difficult to write and as is to hear. T ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. This post is the fifth in a series for information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 3 breast cancer. What is stage 3 breast cancer? Stage 3 breast cancer is diagnosed when the cancer has grown in areas beyond the original tumor, usually in lymph nodes and muscle.  It is a locally advanced cancer but often curable. The risk for cancer growing back is higher with stage 3 breast cancer, so follo ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. This post is the fourth in a series for information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 2 breast cancer. What is stage 2 breast cancer? Stage 2 breast cancer is an early-stage cancer that is determined by the size of your tumor (up to the size of a small lime), as well as the number of lymph nodes that cancer cells are found in. This can include smaller tumors with positive lymph nodes, or larger tum ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. This post is the third in a series for information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 1 breast cancer. Cancer in an emotional roller coaster. Coping with fear and anxiety often consumes more time than cancer treatment. While I focus on treatment and resources, please take advantage of the cancer support services offered by your cancer treatment team. Counseling, support groups, and spiritual support ..read more

Welcome back! This post is the second in a series of posts dedicated to information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog. In this post I will focus on stage 0 breast cancer. What is Stage 0 Breast Cancer?  Stage 0 breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), is when abnormal cells are found in the lining of your milk ducts. These abnormal cells have not spread beyond the milk duct to surrounding tissue,  like your bloodstream, or lymph nodes. Treatment Stage 0 breast cancer may be treated with surgery. Depending on whi ..read more

Welcome back!  New and better treatments are helping women and men diagnosed with breast cancer live longer than ever before. This post is the first in a series of posts dedicated to information on breast cancer resources, which can be found at: https://livingwithcancertakemyhand.com/blog There are many variables when looking into resources for breast cancer such as disease stage, spread, tumor structure (HER2, estrogen & progesterone receptors) and genes such as BRCA1 & BRCA2. There is not a “one size fits all’ treatment option with breast cancer. First, ask your cancer treatme ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on resources for childhood cancer. Being told that your child has cancer is devastating. It is tempting to put all thoughts about money on hold and concentrate only on cancer treatment. However, you can focus on both throughout this emotional roller coaster. Organization is key to utilizing available resources in your area. Most pediatric cancer treatment teams have a patient navigator, social worker, or financial counselor on staff. Ask them for financial assista ..read more

Welcome back! This blog provides financial resources and information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to focus on resources for young adults, ages 19-39. A cancer diagnosis at any age can be devastating. Young adults face additional challenges, as many are just leaving high school or college and entering the work force. Typically, their income is lower than older adults. Additionally, they have less saved paid time off, and may be employed at jobs with less flexibility, and limited health insurance coverage. As a parent of a young adult with cancer, you may be unsure where ..read more

Welcome back! I hope this blog is providing helpful information for people living with cancer. In this post, I want to start a new discussion focusing on Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) Medicare Assistance: The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers great online resources regarding Medicare: Official Medicare website: www.Medicare.gov Phone number: 1-800-MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227 or TTY 1-877-486-2048 You can find local Medicare assistance at your State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs): https://www.shiptacenter.org/ Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Me ..read more