Surgery Scheduled for Cancer Victim

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Lincoln
Posted: 4:03 PM Sep 22, 2008
Last Updated: 5:42 PM Sep 22, 2008
Reporter: Jason Volentine
Email Address: jason.volentine@kolnkgin.com

9 comments

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For the past few weeks we've brought you the story of a woman with a brain tumor who lacks health insurance to help her pay for a potentially life saving operation.

But now there is good news for Shelly Jones. After months of wrangling with the health care system, she's qualified for medicare and medical hardship benefits. Her surgery has been scheduled for November 7th.

"I can sleep better now knowing something is going to happen," said Shelly Jones. "It is a relief. I'm happy that something is happening after all this time because the headaches have gotten worse. They're happening every day. So to have this situation kind of taken care of is a great relief."

Shelly and her family aren't out of the woods though. She'll face a long recovery, and already has medical bills of roughly 10-thousand dollars that medicare won't cover.

There's a fundraiser Sept. 26 at Cappy's Bar and Grill at 48th and Highway 2, from 5:30 to 1:00 a.m.

There's also a golf scramble October 12th to benefit Shelly at Grandpa's Woods golf course in Elmwood.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: you know who Location: Lincoln on Oct 4, 2008 at 08:58 PM
thanks to the great friend in omaha (you know who you are also) for helping and giving them your support.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Lincoln on Oct 3, 2008 at 10:36 AM
We are still pre-selling stars hockey tickets to the game on october 10th; if your interested please email me at btweaver1@msn.com last day to order in October 9th

Posted by: Teresa Location: Lincoln on Sep 28, 2008 at 11:57 AM
The benefit was a big success, thanks to each and everyone of you for coming out and helping us raise money for Shelly's Medical Bills.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Lincoln on Sep 23, 2008 at 12:23 PM
I'm sorry to hear that Kathy, this is just another example of how the Medicaid program along with our Health care program must be fixed. This is not fair and I don't know how we are going to fix it.

Posted by: kathy Location: sutton on Sep 23, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Teresa: I had to fight for my Medicaid and $19 in food stamps. Welfare says I "make too much" even though my disability is less than the state and federal poverty level. I have severe heart trouble. My heart meds would cost more than $400 a month if I didn't have Medicaid. My last surgery (for a stent in my circumflex artery) was more than $50,000. I have to have my pacemaker/defib unit and/or battery replaced within the next year. When this was first done in 2003, the cost was more than $35,000. Can I survive without Medicaid? Definitely, NO! I am shocked that I can only get $19/month in food stamps, but this is what Welfare decided. This helps a little, especially since it used to be $10/month. But $19 doesn't buy much (CHEAP) food. I also can't get a Life Alert because of my "high" income and I am only 62. I can't get a homestead exemption because I am only 62. I paid taxes until I was disabled in 1997. But Nebraska penalizes me because I am not 65. NOT FAIR!

Posted by: Anders Location: Sweden on Sep 23, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I promise to pray for Shellys luck in the future cause I think shes gonna be ok again. My very best. Anders Rosenqvist. Sweden.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Lincoln on Sep 23, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Kathy: This family is also considering Bankruptcy due to the fact that Shelly has been out of work for over a year. My suggestion is to keep trying, it may take 1-2 times but keep trying. I'm sorry to hear about your neighbor, this Medicaid Program we have needs to be looked over. There needs to be help for people. If an illegal alien can come into this country illegally and get help but our own citizens can't, this must be stopped.

Posted by: Teresa Location: Lincoln on Sep 22, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Thank you to Mr. Fortenberry, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Avery, Mr Buetler along with the letters and phone calls from the White House for helping us get this process through faster than it would have normally taken. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. Love ya Shelly

Posted by: kathy Location: sutton on Sep 22, 2008 at 06:20 PM
This is a great story, but ... My neighbor had cancer in his left kidney. He had surgery March 24, 2008. Now they've found a lump in his lung, and did a biopsy on September 17, 2008. My neighbor has been refused Medicaid. He is 50 years old, has a wife, and 3 daughters, two of whom are still in school. His wife and older daughter both work for minimum wage. My neighbor is facing bankruptcy because he cannot pay his bills. His gas was recently turned back on, his electricity is on "stand by", with threats of being disconnected. Why can a man who obviously needs help get it???? He and his family pay taxes to both the United States Federal government and the State of Nebraska. So what is the problem? I have tried to help him by giving him food, or other things. But I subsist on disability, so my help is meager at best.

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