Hello,
My name is Bill Schuffenhauer (William). I was diagnosed with Carcinoid Cancer of the ileum in 2014. It had already metastasized. My first operation, shortly after they discovered the cancer, was at the University of Washington Medical Center. On my ileum. Since then I have had 2 additional operations at Providence Hospital in Lacey Washington. Again, both on my ileum.
I have been able to survive this long because Carcinoid Cancer is extremely slow growing and the speed that my first operation was given after the cancer was first discovered.
Now I was offered a new type of radiation therapy being given by just Dr Saunders in Puyallup Wa. and at The University of Oregon. I chose Dr Saunders because he is just 50 miles away compared to 120 miles to Oregon.
This new radiation therapy costs $51,000 a shot, which I need 3 shots. One a month for 3 months. It is a very powerful shot. I was sent here by Dr Lee, at Providence Cancer Clinic in Lacey Washington as a last chance for my survival. The tumors in my ileum are growing and I am in pain 24/7 for the last 4 months.
Dr Saunders wants to give this new powerful radiation treatment a try – to curb the growth in my ileum and to stop the pain. Here is the crutch – my medicare will cover only %80 percent of the $51,000 cost for each shot. And Dr Saunders wished he could, but cannot afford the $18,000 additional cost for each shot. He asked me to get an additional medicare supplement to cover each shot. Well, guess what? No Medical Supplement will cover my shots because I have an existing condition. I tried each of them and they told me the same thing – I was out of luck because of my pre-existing condition. I was suppose to have my first radiation shot on Aug 16, 2023, but I had to pass because I don’t have anywhere near the money, just for one shot. And I don’t qualify for Medicaid – I have tried this, too.
I am below the poverty line by $10 dollars, with my SSI and my Retirement pension combined. I still have a house payment to make on top of everything else, including medical expenses.
I need 3 shots and that is where the $51,000 dollars comes from. $18,000 x 3 for what Medicare won’t cover. If you can help in any way, I would appreciate this more than you can imagine.
About myself – I am 72 years old, single, but I have a friend, Connie, who has lived with me since 2010. She had a ischemic stroke 6 years ago and just has been disgnosed with sciatica last week at Mason General Hospital. She is unable to help me financially or she would.
The picture I have given you was from me in 2013, a year before I found out I had cancer. I was a Responsive Movement Officer at the Washington Correctional Center in Shelton Washington. My cancer forced me to retire in July of 2016.
As I have said, any help you feel you could donate would be appreciated.
Thank you
William (Bill) Schuffenhauer
