Medical expenses and bills for treatment of cancer

From: Lauren Silvestri, wife of cancer patient Eddie Silvestri

Where do I begin? Our story is one that you think will never happen to you.

My husband Eddie and I have been together for 36 years. Like all couples, we have goals and dreams and look forward to our retirement years together. To achieve these things, one must work for them so we have always worked full time hours our entire lives and have been blessed with a beautiful family, home and marriage. Family (including pets) means everything to us. We were very comfortable and happy in our lives and have always shared our wealth with others when we could. We didn’t worry about finances and our bills were always paid on time. Until now, we have never asked anyone for anything, especially money.

When we least expected it, our lives changed instantly after Eddie was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After many doctor visits and tests, Eddie had to undergo surgery and his prostate was removed. The recovery was extremely difficult and Eddie had to stop working. The good news was that the doctor was very confident that the cancer was contained in the prostate gland and was successfully removed. This meant that Eddie was cancer free! We were so very thankful about that. Our finances however, were becoming an alarming issue.

Things were starting to improve with Eddie’s health and then we were shocked once again to learn that the prostate cancer had returned. It had metastasized and was in Eddie’s lymph nodes and bones. It was so bad that Eddie had to undergo an emergency spinal surgery last year because the cancer had caused Eddie to break his neck. It was a very dangerous surgery but thanks to God, prayers and a wonderful surgeon, the surgery was a success. We were beyond thankful but now our financial status is very poor. We owe more than we make and beyond our control, we are in debt over $75,000.00.

The neck surgery was over and Eddie then spent several weeks in a rehabilitation facility to recover. After a struggle getting him accepted and due to the fact that he has cancer, he was finally admitted but not without a cost and a fight. The disease was taking a toll on us. But we still were not going to give up. The cancer was continuing to grow. Eddie could not get any treatments until he had recovered from the neck surgery. This was so worrisome because the cancer had a chance to keep spreading. All we could do was pray and wait and try not to lose Hope.

Eddie was able to begin cancer treatments a few months later and has been fighting the battle ever since. He was getting amazing, wonderful results and we thought the battle was finally going to be over with. Prayers were answered and we were so grateful!

After radiation and 12 rounds of Chemotherapy, we recently learned that his current chemotherapy treatment is no longer working in his body. He will now need a different “Chemo Cocktail”. This journey is an emotional roller coaster ride! Once again his blood work showed an increase in PSA levels and an MRI and PET scan showed that the cancer had metastasized even more and there were now 2 malignant tumors in his lower back. One year since Eddie’s neck surgery, he was back again for yet another spinal surgery procedure this week to remove those tumors in his lower back. During surgery, they also found that one of the vertebrae was fractured. Surgery was a success once again and Eddie is recovering, but his new chemotherapy treatment that he so desperately needs in order to survive is now on hold. The treatment is only pending because of the cost. The out of pocket expense for each chemo infusion is going to be $2400.00, which is one every 3 weeks. This does not include his co-pays, follow-ups, MRI’s, Pet Scans, blood work, medications, etc. We are devastated and our finances are depleted. It is going to cost us $48,000 just to get his infusions alone for the next year. Our salaries together are less than $35,000 a year and I work full time!

The doctor’s office looked into a grant for us and the available money was actually used up one day before our application got to them. Eddie has worked his entire life, he has Medicare with a supplemental insurance and is not able to get the care he so desperately needs in order to save his life all because of money. We are beyond shocked and devastated. How can this be?

Eddie is loved so much by our entire family. He has a huge heart and is a very strong, hard working man, who makes everyone around him laugh. He has a lot of Faith and has been fighting this health battle for several years now, never giving up. He is my life, my soul-mate and best friend. We are together for better or for worse and our love for each other will never fade.

From a private responsible person who has to swallow my pride and embarrassment, I am now desperately pleading for donations to help my husband continue his life-saving medical treatments.

Money should never be a reason why one may lose their life and it should also be the last thing that someone should have to worry about while fighting for their life.

Please help if you are able to!

With Sincere Appreciation,

Lauren Silvestri