Meet Marty,
Marty Silcox is 46 years old and has worked at Lowes, as a delivery driver in Cookeville TN for a little over 10 years.
In July of 2009 Marty began getting sick, unable to breath he went back and forth to the hospital. He would be in the hospital for a week or so then back to work for a couple of weeks then sick again. From July to November all the Dr. said was Pneumonis, Bronchitis, Asthma and C.O.P.D (Chronic Obstructive Pulmanory Disorder)despite alarming blood test results (such as white blood counts etc) and physical discomfort.
In November I insisted he see a Pulmanoloigst who in turn found tumors in his Media Stinum (chest). The biopsy showed it to be Fractured Tcell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma / Leukemia, a form of cancer that children get and is rare for an adult to get.
In December of 2009 Marty began his Chemo Therapy. Marty signed up first on his short term disability then went on long term disability. He was able to draw 60% of his pay, I being almost blind, get Social Security Disability. It became really hard to keep up with bills, doctor visits, preciptions and other things he needed. We had to pay for his insurance out of pocket after so many days had passed and I kept waiting for someone to let us know how much we would need to pay. Finally in January he recieved a bill for over $300 to be paid in 9 days or Martys insurance would be terminated. We were unable to make this payment especially on such short notice on top of which another payment was due in 2 weeks of over $300.
The wonderful people at Lowes, whose names are too numerous to mention, helped us make both of those payments. Had it not been for Lowes employees of Cookeville TN. Marty would have been without insurance. I would like to extend the biggest heart felt thank you to these wonderful people without you and your kindness, I am unsure of where our road may have led.
Months have gone by, it is now July 27th 2010, Marty and I have moved to Ohio to be with family because I needed help to care for Marty, and because we thought that Marty would be able to recieve new treatment or find a cure at OSU's James cancer center. Boy were we wrong. Instead what Marty found at OSU was the honest truth. There is no cure for him. His days of being a Guinea Pig were now over.
Marty is in the last days of his life, he is motionless from the waist down and has been for over a month now. He is using Hospice care at home with the help of my daughter BJ and her husband Kevin. I spend my day with Marty, BJ and Kevin help with his care and I'd be lost without their help. Making sure Marty is well taken care of and comfortable is truly a team effort, with the help of Hospice, BJ, Kevin and myself he is resting comfortably.
My Sister-in-law Patti who lives in Georgia, sent me a poem via email that I wanted to share because it truly describes how I feel, thank you Sis!!! to the author of this poem I thank you!
God saw you tired and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around you and whispered "come to me".
With tearful eyes I watched you and saw you pass away.
Although I loved you dearly, I couldn't make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest;
God broke my heart to prove to me He only takes the best.
As Martys time grows closer he has become restless, he is disoriented, talks to people who isn't there and hurts all the time. To keep him comfortable the wonderful people of Hospice have increased his medication and he is sleeping most of the time. Now it's just a waiting game.
One thing I would like to add, having dealt with insurance and all involved I can tell you first hand they can cause you a lot more grief than needed. I found out recently that Marty's Life Insurance was canceled May 5th of this year and we were not informed that we would have to pay it out of pocket. I called earlier this month on the 13th to find out it was canceled, which left me no way to bring Marty home to Tennessee for burial. I have asked for the papers to have him reinstated and they were sent to our address in Tennessee, after I had given them the new address in Ohio and here it is the 27th and I am still waiting on papers.
I need to recieve them soon while Marty is still capable of signing his name, poor as it may be, or before he passes. Met Life is aware of Martys status, yet I sit here day in and day out with another worry, not only of loosing my husband of 15 years but of how to fill his last request and take him home. I Pray no one else has to endure the things I have in dealing with insurance and corporate office ways.
Added by BJ:
This is only the tip of the iceburg, Marty went from regular health insurance to Cobra when he was sick(when he was offically terminated from Lowes because he had been gone for too long.), the cost of the insurance doubled! I dont understand how insurance companies can take such advantage of people in these circumstances. It is sickening (did you catch that pun?) to say the least.
The guys at Lowes gave Marty a Lowes truck parade when they found out we were moving, and gave him a Lowes vest signed by everyone.
Marty had another rough night last night but all things considered he is doing well. Martys heart rate stays around 120 now his breathing is getting much worse, considering it was already bad. He has lost a lot of weight, although his face doesn't show it the rest of his body does. Marty hasn't eaten more than a bite or two in the past week. He has only drank a few sips of water here and there with his meds. It's sad to watch the effects Cancer has taken on Marty, I'm glad I can take care of Marty at home thanks to Hopise, they have supplied everything he needs to keep him comfortable. Hospice is just a phone call away anytime day or night, I can rely on a Nurse to come out and help or just to give Marty comfort as he tends to feel relieved at times just knowing a Nurse is on the way.
