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John's cousin has cancer.  The medication he needs costs $200. a day and the medicare with the government has refused to cover it.  The prognosis is not good. 

Please pray for Bob and his wife as well as their 2 daughters and grand children as they walk this phase of this terrible disease.

Bob is a believer.

Judy, I am, and will be, praying for Bob and his family.  That's a terrible thing that the medication he needs won't be covered.   

I agree with Jeanne ... it is, indeed, terrible that his medication and care are not covered when he needs it the most.

Of course, I will be praying for this situation, Judy ... God has the answers before we can even ask the questions. 

Judy, I also will pray for John's cousin.  We have come to a sad state of affairs when we can't even try to treat disease.  This has to be so difficult for him and for his family.

Father, I pray for Bob, and I ask for mercy and grace.  I pray, firstly, that You'll move the government to relent and to cover this.  I pray, secondly, that You'll give them all wisdom in replying to these actions.  I pray, thirdly, that You'll give his wife and children grace as well, and grant that they all may see Your blessed Hand in all these things.  I pray, finally, that You will greatly glorify Yourself in this entire matter.  Oh do these things, Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN

A loud AMEN to Al's prayer ....

Amen & Amen!

Don

OK Just was talking to Bob's daughter.  The appeal to have the medication covered has been denied.  He is going to try to see if he can pay it himself...at the tune of $1400 a week.  

He is in pain now and is on pain killers, which are making him sleepy.

He still is able to get out occasionally, and enjoys doing that.    We haven't been able to get down to see him.      

Judy - what's the possibility of going to a local TV station or newspaper and filling them in on what the govt. is doing in this issue?  This might just force the govt. to move.

It won't force our government to move.  Our "medicare" has certain drugs that they do not cover.  This is one of them.  If Bob had a combination of coverage with individual medical insurance as well as "OHIP" then the medical expenses will be covered and drug coverage at about 90%.  There is no government drug coverage for the individual until  they reach 65 unless they have a drug plan with an employer.  Even some drug stores charge seniors $2.00 per refill on each prescription.  John's Mother has to pay the $2.00 per prescription.  That runs about $20 - $24 a month.  

If John didn't have the benefits package that he has we would be out of luck for getting our prescription drugs.  The only benefit our medical system has is we don't have to pay to see a specialist.  The problem with that though we have to wait to see the specialist unless the appointment is deemed an emergency.  There can still be a waiting time for "emergency" appointments.  I have known that to be up to 6 weeks. The waiting time for non emergency appointments can be up to 24 months for some specialists.  If the work is deemed "elective" it won't be covered at all.

Sounds like Bob is on the same medication as my mother in law.  She was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer in July.  Thankfully, my father in law, even though he's retired, maintained his membership with the Catholic Teachers Union (or whatever it's called) and has her drugs covered 80%.  For those who aren't covered the cost is prohibitive.  My in-laws were warned that the medication they were prescribing was extremely expensive and that if they didn't have any coverage they could put her on a less effective medication, but it would be just that, less effective.  Then there is the added cost of pain medications, and she is on 3 different ones.  There is also alternative (holistic) treatments that she could take, which would be complimentary to the medical treatments and those are not covered at all.  In just a few weeks of treatment, if my in-laws hadn't been extremely frugal throughout their marriage until now, they wouldn't have the savings account to be able to afford all she needs to work on surviving this terrible disease.

I am praying now, some how I missed this request when it was originally posted.

We praise God for answered prayer.  John is returning to work as of monday .  He will be on modified duties till he regains his endurance.  Thank you everyone for praying!

Glory be to God!

Don

Woops I put that on the wrong topic.  Should have been on THe pray for John topic.....Was really tired writing that.

That's OK, Judy.  No matter where you post it, it's good news.  And we give praise to our Lord. 

OK I got a Facebook update from Bob's daughter. 

" no more cancer-fighting drugs left for Dad, just pain relief now"

So prayer needs to continue, This is a difficult time for the family.

Judy, at this point, prayers for Bob are that the Lord will take him home quickly.  And for the family, strength and peace knowing that the Lord is in charge.

Judy, this has to be a difficult time for the family.  I am praying for peace and comfort for all concerned and for our Father to hold you all in His arms "Til the storm passes over."

I'll be praying for peace for the family also. I have learned that if you can get peace from God you can handle anything.

Don

Amen to all of you.  I just wish we could scrounge up the finances to get down to see him.  Well God knows that too.

Since I posted last Bob has gone down hill rapidly.  His brother from Ottawa was in to see him this past weekend and has said he is doing very well.  I pray this continues.  He is in palliative care in the hospital.

Pray also for the family.  There are 2 daughters, and grand children.

Still praying here, Judy.

We received this email from Bob's daughter.

QuoteI visited Dad today in Hospital and learned that he will be coming home tomorrow!!   Praise the Lord.  He feels pretty good, good enough to come home.  Mom will take delivery tomorrow of a rental hospital bed that will (hopefully) be put in their bedroom.  He will get regular visits from a nurse, and a doctor is also on call.

This will mean that Mom doesn't have to go the hospital every day, as she has been doing for the past 6 weeks.  That is a relief with the winter weather that is coming.

This is good news....

Judy, thanks for passing on that good news about Bob.  Praises to our loving Father!

I got this message today about Bob.

QuoteDad's been having a few bad days, not getting out of bed, very weak and tired, sleeping a lot

The family needs continued prayer please.

I certainly will continue.

My prayers continue, Judy

Here is I suppose the second last update on Bob.  We are heading down on Saturday.

QuoteThe doctor visited Dad at home today and gave a prognosis of just a few more weeks.  So if you want to visit Dad it will need to be soon.  He is very weak and sleeps all the time, except when Mom gives him medicine and food.  He doesn't get out of bed anymore, but he is still quite able to have conversations, although short.  Mom said that Dad is at peace and ready to go.

We are still praying for a miracle cure, but are also facing reality.  Thank you for all your prayers and kind words.

Continues prayer for Jean and the families is appreciated.