Thomas Latimer

This is difficult, asking for help, because I always feel there are people more needy than I. That is why I still don't have a handicap placard for my car.

Anyway, I was diagnosed last year with emphysema, combined with heart issues, arythmia and artery blockage. I am working on managing those, but the weekend before Easter I was also diagnosed with colon cancer. So far it looks like it has not spread, which is just one more blessing the Lord has provided me .

The doctors are still deciding on the course of treatment because they feel I will not survive surgery.

I am retired and on social security, so I have medicare and Medicare advantage through a private insurer.

Currently, I have 31 scheduled appointments from now through July. Because they don't accept my insurer where I live and because I don't think it wise to change my team of doctors at this point, I drive 30-40 miles to each appointment and my copay is $45 per visit. My copay for prescriptions currently is about $400/mth.

I am blessed with a dependable car, but the cost of gas, insurance, and the copay are more than I can afford on Social Security. I would like to try to find work, where I can remain seated, but with appointments every couple of days, I cannot.

As I said, I am blessed... with my car, a roof over my head, and I am fed. I don't have family to help, but I have many in my church sending up prayers for me.