My name is Connie, and I am from Sandusky, Ohio. Two years ago, we found out that my husband had colon cancer. He lost the entire right side of his large intestine, and it took him a good while to recover (he is 55, and I am 58). At that same time, our youngest child was diagnosed with thyroid disease, and we were told that it would have to be removed (she was 20 at that time, and I honestly thought she had a brain tumor because she was shaking uncontrollably and fainting). Needless to say, I was beside myself with worry.
In the middle of all of that, we were evicted from our house that we lived in for 14 years because the landlord refused to accept payment from the VA (my husband is a veteran of the Army and served in the Gulf War). The landord had been threatening to sell the house for a couple of years before that and never asked if we wanted to buy it. At the hearing, the landlord said that they were going to send the check for rent (that they had in their hand and showed the mediator from the VA) back to the VA because they wanted us out of the house. I was truly stunned. We were not allowed to respond and the mediator told the landlord to send the check back to the VA unless they wanted to worry about future rent payments. I responded that Brad was working and was told to be quiet The house was sold within 2 weeks after we left. Brad walks with lots of pain now but still goes to work daily.
I was diagnosed in April 2025 with an 11.5-pound cancerous tumor and had surgery 4 weeks ago to remove it. It was a HUGE SURGERY, and I now have a 12-inch scar as a reminder. I am employed and on medical leave for another few weeks. Thanks to our sisters, we have a place to live even though we had to live in a hotel for a few months, which wasn’t a big deal. And thank God I am currently cancer free. Have another CAT scan in August to see if I need chemo. Brad is working currently and getting through it.
The reason I am trying to ask for help is that my medical bills are now piling up, and I am currently over 10 thousand in debt because my insurance through my work has lapsed since I have been off. (Who can afford COBRA through Anthem?) The doctor’s appointments don’t stop, though, and the MRIs, blood work, and CAT scans keep coming. I can’t WAIT to get back to work, but it is not safe yet. My husband and I drive buses for the city of Sandusky, OH, and transport the less fortunate where they need to go on a daily basis. We transport handicapped people also and want to keep doing so until we retire. We love our jobs and want to continue to help others. Can you help us?
If anyone can help, please do. We realize that everything is temporary and bad situations come and go. Thank you so much for reading this. If you feel like you can relate, please help. You will be repaid tenfold with blessings.
