In answer to Alex's question:  We've been through several social workers
from several different agencies. At this point, I think they've told us
everything they're going to tell us, because they just keep sending us to
each other in an endless round.

We were told that the state budget here is much less than other states (I'm
originally from Michigan, Merle from Pennsylvania) because the percentage of
retired residents is so high, and therefore the state doesn't make the
income that other states do from a working-age majority population. Florida
is a HORRIBLE state in which to be ill, or elderly - which makes it even
more unfortunate that so many people retire here. Hopefully most of them
retain their northern residences for coverage.

I guess that's why $1612 a month is considered a fortune...though I have NO
idea how we're going to survive on it. We do trust that God will provide a
way, though!

Florida has cut Medicaid's budget just since we qualified on August 1st.
When I went in to the office to get an explanation of the letter, I was
informed that there are no longer caseworkers assigned to cases, and you can
no longer meet with a live person. Instead of a waiting room there is a row
of telephone kiosks connected directly to the state 800 number, and that's
the only information you will get.

Thank God that I came unglued (strange thanks, eh?) and a passing employee
asked if she could help. She took the paper we got back to a supervisor and
came back to explain that it was indeed correct, that we have medicaid
coverage but only for months in which the expense exceeds $1651 (though NO
ONE could explain how they came up with that figure, except to say that it's
a standardized chart). So, if Merle is hospitalized, I will have to somehow
come up with the "deductible" of $1651 and they'll take over from there.
That's better than nothing, eh?

They then sent me to SS, which told me that he isn't eligible for any
Medicare until he's been disabled for two years.

THEY sent me to the county Health Dept., which has a maximum income
allowance of $1569, but will deduct what you pay for life and/or health
insurance and "medical expenses" (perhaps MY prescriptions?), which could
get us in just under the line. Of course, we then see the doctors at the
Health Dept. and accept whatever they decide to do or not do, but again,
that's better than nothing...so I'm working on that application paperwork to
submit next week.

On other fronts, the HMO wouldn't pay for Merle's ADD meds and insisted on a
substitute. The doctor wrote a scrip for a substitute, and they refused the
quantity and gave him 1/3 of what the doctor ordered. They gave him only
half the morphine sulfate that was prescribed as well. I'm hoping that the
Health Dept. doctors will at least give him his medicine and continue his
Lupron and Flutamide treatments. We're not going to have the money for those
either.

The Medicaid HMO coverage ends on the 31st. Merle has an appointment with
our PCP on Wednesday the 25th. The MRI that the radiation oncologist had
scheduled was cancelled, because the PCP would not issue a referral until
she saw Merle herself. Without the Medicaid, we're not going to be able to
afford an oncologist, so that's the end of that.

We have scrips for a complete blood profile and a new PSA, so we'll get
those in this week while they're still covered. At least we'll have that.

It would be absolutely priceless if SOMEBODY who has experience and knows
these things would look at the bone scan and blood work and give us SOME
idea of whether there's any treatment within our means that would impact the
cancer itself, and how long we're looking at here...those are the most
frustrating things for both of us, flying blind on those issues. (Judging by
the atmosphere in the RO's office last week, there isn't and not long, but
he too refused to give us any kind of guess or even comment at all.)

I'm posting the bone scan on the website (www.merlebloom.com). Maybe a
passing oncologist will take pity on us, have a  look and tell us what he se
es. When we get the blood work and PSA back, I'll post those, too.

One last thing - since the complex raised the rent, we can't afford to stay
in this apartment, even with Sabrina's help. We're going to need a new (and
less expensive) place to live by October 1st, and we're not going to have
any extra money for the standard first/last/security that is normally
required. We're investigating all the programs options and trusting God on
that one, too, but more prayer cannot hurt!

Thank you all for listening. You are greatly appreciated.

Linda

For anyone who would like more background information, the entire saga is
available on the web site at http://www.merlebloom.com.