...selling my dream...due to breast cancer

[drag n' fly]

We purchased our "dream" March 2007, and have only used it once. Now we may have to sale it...because I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago. The medical bills are already starting to hit the roof (and we only pay 10%) . I just don't know what to do ??? Our savings is going fast...I don't think it matters how much you save, medical bills take it FAST!! We waited 10 years before purchasing DVC, because we wanted to pay it cash. I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I had to get some input from some DVC members...
Take Care -
Wendy

Wendy this must be a really tough time for you. Have you found the BC thread on the CB. They are a wonderful supportive bunch of ladies!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1710007

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Hope everything works out, healthwise; as for DVC, don't sell right now.

1) Give yourself some breathing room.
2) See what other arrangements can be made with providers regarding bills.
3) If you can't afford the maintenance fees, rent the points so you are net-even.
4) If things work out well financially, you can start using DVC again.
5) If they do not, then you can sell when you have exhausted other options.

NOTE: Most insurance plans have a maximum that you pay. Check with your insurance company and see if that is the case with your coverage. Example: You pay 10% up to a maximum of $5000 per year.

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Prayers and speedy recovery.

Cancer has dealt my family a couple of blows the last 4 years...hoping yours is better.

"Don't give up, don't ever give up." -Jim Valvano

Hope you will be able to enjoy your DVC for decades!!! Sending prayers and pixie dust!

Shaun Crochet, Thibodaux, LA

 

[50 years Too!]

Sorry about your upsetting news.
I hope a year from now you can look back and rejoice at your full recovery.

It has already been mentioned, but renting your points might get you through this until you can have a celebratory trip in the future.

Deb

 

[bandjbaine]

Hope everything works out, healthwise; as for DVC, don't sell right now.

1) Give yourself some breathing room.
2) See what other arrangements can be made with providers regarding bills.
3) If you can't afford the maintenance fees, rent the points so you are net-even.
4) If things work out well financially, you can start using DVC again.
5) If they do not, then you can sell when you have exhausted other options.

NOTE: Most insurance plans have a maximum that you pay. Check with your insurance company and see if that is the case with your coverage. Example: You pay 10% up to a maximum of $5000 per year.

I second this plan. It's not all or nothing- there may be a middle ground- I like the above advice, and even add the suggestion of a small add on to keep if none of the other works out !!

Lots of positive thoughts and prayers for healing and serenity.

 

[Laxmom]

I think there is some great advice here. I would consider renting my points. Once you get a system down, I think it would be painless.

More importantly, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are never given more than we can handle - sometimes we just don't have the same faith in ourselves. Please keep us posted on your treatment and recovery. We want to be with you all the way!

Also agree on that MOP on your insurance. Most policies have it and then they pay 100%. Dr's will work with you on these bills. As long as you make payments, they will work with you. Also, they do not usually charge any interest. Just a thought....

 

[Juliet25]

Wendy,

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you the best in treatment.

As far as medical bills go, a lot of non-profit hospitals have funds available to help you out. My DH was hospitalized with complications from chemo a few years back and we applied for aid and were given a very generous discount. Granted our income was pretty low, but it's worth a shot.

 

[BCV23]

Wendy, you're in my prayers too. I hope your treatment goes well and that your recovery is complete.

 

[dbprimeaux]

First, I would like to thank everyone for the prays and encourgement. Thanks for all the advice on holding off on selling our DVC right now... Disney is the one thing that I LOVE (besides my family). It is the only thing that I collect, etc... Our trip in November is the one thing I am looking forward. Again, thanks for all the support!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Wendy,
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Have you thought about renting your yearly points out. This might give you some relief and you will still have your membership. I know whatever decision you make will be the right one for your family

 

[Judy WI]

I also went though chemo for breast cancer last year. We found that with no income coming in for me, to sick to work, and that the amount of out of pocket expenses were thought the roof Disney was going to be a thing of the past. Well made it though the first year, a very long year, and things are now looking up and we are on our way to HHI in June with a WDW trip in Nov. As others have said take time to heal and wrap your mind around the fact you have cancer, rent out the points, bank them, give someone a gift of a trip, even lose some but don't do anything to fast.

Good luck to you.

 

[MinnieGi]

Prayers to you.

 

[dcamdad]

My prayers are with you and as a word of encouragement my mother was diagnosed two years ago. With the history of breast cancer in her family the doctors felt it best to remove both as a precaution. She is now doing great and back to her fisty self and bossing me around all the time again.

On another note, please check with your insurance as stated by other posters, most insurances have a max out of pocket cap.

 

[zumbergc]

Sending you a big hug, and keeping you in my prayers.

I wanted to mention a great site I found during my mom's battle w/ breast cancer.

http://community.breastcancer.org/
There is a message board with tons of topics all relavent to BC.
Look for the support and community link in the top bar.
Then pick Community Knowledge Exchange. Thats the message board, there is also a chat section too.

The site in general has tons of info. The boards has pertinant info for people with different stages, From stage 1 to state 4 sections. Chemo sections, for what month you start your chemo, all the ladies are starting the chemo, join a thread for the month they start, and comiserate about symptoms problems, ask each other questions, educate themselves.

Get a second opinion from a major cancer center to make sure you are getting the best treatment & the best meds for the problems you may encounter. nasia, pain, depression, not being able to sleep.

Best of luck in your journey.

 

[javamom]

Wendy, I followed your purchase when you made because we purchased at about the same time. Hey lady, lemme tell you, you are fighter!! My sister is a fighter too, and she just licked her breast cancer a few years ago and is still cancer free!!

Focus on you! Beat this thing in the head, and return to Disney when the time is appropriate. Disney and "us" will still be here for you!

 

[dbprimeaux]

I posted earlier, but thought I would update everyone...
I am now home from a few days spent at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. I will not have to have a mascetomy, but will have to take radiation treatments. I will meet with the radiation oncologist next week to discuss my treatment plan. We live about 2-3 hours away from Houston, so I have been researching "housing" options while I undergo treatments. And, I always thought Disney was expensive ... Again, thanks for all my DVC support .

 

[Grandbuddy]

Stay as positive as you can, and - as several have suggested - check with any and all employer benefits specialists for information regarding "catastrophic coverage," which can greatly limit your out-of-pocket expenses.

Also, if finances are a problem, most cancer centers have a specialist who will check to see if assistance is available to pay for chemo - provided through various pharmaceutical companies, under certain circumstances.

God bless. Be strong.

 

[Laxmom]

That is good news! I will continue to keep you in my prayers. You are not alone.

Some of the hospitals here have discount agreements with area hotels. Do they have anything like that? I would explore priceline if all else fails. If you go to biddingfortravel, they have info and advice for bidding. We have gotten Sheraton Suites on several occasions for $50/nite.

 

[TulsaDisneyFamily]

Wendy,

I am so sorry about your diagnosis and added financial strain. My DW is a 4 year survivor of BC. You are fortunate to have access to one of the best cancer treatment hospitals in the country. We will continue to lift you and your family up in our prayers.

You have already received some excellent advice here and I don't really have anything to add other than to second what Dianne said. There is life after BC and you may find, as many survivors and their families have, in many ways it is even better because we appreciate everything we have even more and we value each minute that we get to spend with our loved ones.

Our family took our first trip to WDW (offsite) the year before my DW's diagnosis and we had our second trip planned (first onsite) just after her diagnosis. We had to cancel that trip for her treatments. We planned a new trip about 9 months later and it gave all of us something to look foward to. Since then we have gone 2 to 3 times per year and purchased DVC so we could take my DSis, DBil, and their 7 kids. If my DW had not had BC we probably would still have made several trips to WDW but we would not have gone as much as we have. I would never have considered DVC to take my DSis's family and we would have missed out many magical, memorable vacations together.

Try and keep a positive attitude through your surgery and treatments and focus on all the wonderful WDW vacations you will have in the future.

Randy

 

[drag n' fly]

We are all rootin for ya chickie!!!!