Women, Cancer & The Burden of Money.
Cancer sure is Lifus Interruptus.
A few days ago, a friend dropped by with a section of The Toronto Star’s “Women and Cancer” and I finally got a chance to read it over the weekend. I noticed an article by Elvira Cordileone entitled “When finances add to burden“.
I couldn’t find the link directly through The Star’s web site (I guess they don’t want people to find information easily) and ended up finding Elvira’s article at HealthZone.ca (okay, so it’s part of The Toronto Star, but I didn’t know that).
The woman who was the subject of the article, clearly resonated with me since Ms. McDowell’s story mirrors mine in many ways: I was (and still am in some ways) the sole caregiver for my mother who had bowel cancer 15 years ago (then Alzheimer’s for over 10 years before placing her in longterm care), she’s self employed as I am and she also refused chemotherapy as I did — due in whole to the worry of money and being able to pay the bills … or at least how to support yourself during a lengthy or permanent medical crisis.
The Women’s College Hospital has counsellors available to provide information and access to financial support. I called this morning and they are only open a few days a week: their number is 416-323-6400 ext. 4240. They are part of Wellspring and the name of the service is Money Matters — if there is a Wellspring near you, contact them directly as they may have Money Matters at that facility as well. The Wellspring in my area has a Money Matters which is much easier than having to trek into the city.
I’m making the presumption that the service is free, but won’t know until I’ve had a chance to speak to them …
… and what a coincidence that I have my first interview tomorrow morning regarding disability benefits: I don’t even know if I’m eligible because I’m self-employed.
I’ll keep you posted … wish me luck!
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I had my initial interview with ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program yesterday and it was quite exhausting.
I triple-checked all the documents they asked me to provide from their checklist. I neatly paper-clipped each section of documents to correlate to the type of documents they want, eg: Income, Shelter, Assets, etc.
I am extremely organized: I do not want to waste a minute of anyone’s time, including my own.
Even in my initial phone conversation with them many months before, I disclosed that I was self-employed — I didn’t think I needed to be explicit and say I was incorporated — this apparently is a very important piece of information.
The person interviewed me and said he apologized because I need to give them all my business records as well.
He also suggested I contact CPP Disability as I may be eligible for that benefit as well.
He explained that it could be a year before a decision is made. CPP Disability said the same thing.
Oh man, here I thought I might be able to go through chemotherapy if I’m eligible for benefits, only to find out that it might be a year.
At that point, the doctors likely won’t recommend chemotherapy … but again, it’s an unknown … and I won’t do chemotherapy unless I can get benefits.
See the Catch 22 dilemma?
After going through all the forms and documents yesterday afternoon when I got home, I wondered how people who may be illerate or had limited vocabulary might find this process … I’m sure even more daunting and frustrating than I could imagine.
I still don’t know if I’m eligible … it’s not an answer anyone will provide until I provide all the documentation, including medical reports. And each benefit requires a different medical form … I’m surprised that doctors are actually able to do their job if they have to siphon through so much paperwork on a daily basis.
Wow. Lifus Interruptus.
Comment by Blogger Barb — September 30, 2009 @ 5:29 PM