As of August 2008...

Right now, Brianne is working full time and taking some internet classes to become a vet technician, so she's contributing as much as she can. On my side though, obviously with the cancer things are more difficult to pin down. I'm getting checks from Social Security for disability, which equates to about 60% of my pay, before I got sick. We've cut our expenses down as far as we can, but it's just not enough. I'm going through chemotherapy twice a month right now, so I feel pretty tired and weak about 2 weeks out of the month. The other 2 weeks I feel almost normal, like I could try working again. The major difficulty I have is that with any kind of exertion I feel like passing out, I get headaches, and I get a pain in my abdomen. So there's no way I could go back to working full-time - I'd be missing time left and right for doctor's appointments, chemo, and those 'off' days where I'm feeling sick and tired. I wouldn't mind trying to go back to work part-time... but I've got the same considerations... what boss would hire someone knowing they can't be depended on for a certain schedule? Plus... if I only work part time, I'd make much less than the 60% I'm getting from disability right now.

On top of that, it's always in the back of my mind that my days are 'numbered'. There's always that heightened stress knowing that I could develop heart problems again or I'll spend another week in the hospital because of a kidney infection. There's just so many problems and issues and pains and considerations that it gets so overwhelming at times. If and when I do go back to work, I don't think I could handle anything that caries a level of stress. I went to school for programming, but thinking about deadlines and projects and things hanging over my head just makes me want to cry now. I don't feel like I can take much more of what life's throwing at me. The only other ideas we've been able to think of to bring in some more income is trying to work from home. Corey's been doing programming for years and offered his support, but coming up with a novel idea and bringing it to market from scratch on my own time may demand more skill and entrepreneurial spirit than I have. I'm going to try and come up with ideas, but in the meantime I'll look into what's out there for part time work at home, but if I run into the same problem that I'll make less than my disability check, then there's no point killing myself trying to go back to work.

I just hate this vicious circle we're in. If I work, I'll get less or the same as my disability check... if I do nothing, we still don't make enough. Plus, if I try to work 'under the table', I could lose everything if Social Security found out. I just don't know what to do. Does anyone else have any ideas to help us? We could really use the help!

- Rich

Also, Rich didn't include that if he did start working part time he would lose his COBRA. He could be placed on my insurance but my insurance does not include U of M so that would be 30K a month for Chemo alone. It is sad to say this, but it is better financially for Rich to not work...even part time. :(

- Brianne

As of April 2008...

Rich lost his job in January after having to be in the hospital for surgeries, recoveries, and testing, as well as staying out sick because of his pain. Because of the time missed, his job could no longer keep him on board, and let him go. Currently Rich is receiving income from disability payments and Brianne is working as many hours as she can in retail, at a rate of $8.50 an hour.  Because of the 2 year waiting period with Medicare, they have to continue paying for the COBRA insurance on their own (Richard's employer paid 3 months worth, but that has since been depleted).  Rich and Brianne have reported that their combined monthly net income at this time is approximately $2,600. Compare this income to what they need just to make ends meet…

Standard Monthly Bills

- Mortgage and Lot Rent total $775.78
- Car Loan and Car Insurance comes to $434.41
- Utilities (Gas, Electric, Phone/Internet) comes to $310
- Previous Loans (Student Loans, Non-Active Credit Cards) comes to $250
- Medical (COBRA) beginning in May 2008 is $767.57 (In addition to 'normal' medical bills, this also covers the roughly $1000 a month in ostomy supplies needed)
Total: $2,534.65

Note: This does not include groceries, toiletries, gas for their car, house insurance, etc.

Medical Bills Update (as of April 2008)

While most of their bills have yet to be finalized to where billing has begun they are currently having to pay back the following:

- Currently they are paying back a monthly minimum of $25 (to keep the bills out of collections while the totals are tallied)
- They are working with both the University of Michigan and their insurance carrier to get the bills paid. 
- While they are appealing many of the charges that weren't covered by the insurance, a minimum of $15,165 is due from the surgery in October 2007 alone.
Total: $15,165+

What these figures show is that Rich and Brianne are currently in need to help pay the outstanding medical bills, as they barely earn enough to pay for their normal monthly expenses.