Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Oh Luna, I am so sorry to hear that. Isn't there a way that you can pay only a small amount now and the rest later, even if it ends up costing you more? That way you don't lose the money on the plane tickets for you and your friend? I can't believe no one will lend you enough money to cover the surgery! It's so unfair! However, I am also sure that if your friend was nice enough to insist on wanting to but the ticket for herself she will be more than understanding about the fact that you've had to postpone the surgery. If anything she'll know that now you need her comfort and support even more to help you through this disappointment and of course, we're all here for you anytime. Sara > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 (((LUNA))) Talk with your doctor first before you cancel. I am sure that (s)he would rather do it now than later. A automatic deduction from your paycheck perhaps? Will they finance? Please try to do it now ... it will be such a mental drain on you if you don't. Let us know what happens. Jayar > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Luna, Things have a way of working out. I didn't know how I was going to pay the $14,000 for mine but I got a loan from the bank. Maybe you can look into that. I don't know your situation but a co-signer may be an option for you. I'll keep you in my prayers that somehow you find the money. Good Luck!!!! Jen. > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Oh Luna, I forgot that at my OS office they suggested that I go through Capital One. Capital One offers credit for medical surgeries. Please look into that. Jen > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Honey, first thing: don't be embarrassed, and try not to be depressed. You can do what you can do, and no more. Have you talked with your surgeon about this? Have you talked with your banker? Do you have assets (such as a house or condo) that could be used for a mortgage? Some docs have financing plans. Beyond that, I'm out of ideas, except for fairy godmothers, and although I have had a number of them, I'm fresh out at the moment. Have you considered using a surgeon at a dental school? Some folks have been really pleased with that idea, and have had fine results, with fewer expenses. I'm reaching here, I know. It must be hard, if you've been working with one surgeon, even to think about switching to another. What's the deal with your insurance, or do you not have a policy that covers the surgery? I wish you well. But I repeat, please don't be embarrassed. Not your fault. Be embarrassed about the real mistakes you will make in the course of your life, (and there will be enough) not those that fate hands out to you. Cammie > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Luna, I just wanted to let you know that I know exactly how you feel:- (...been there, done that. I had to get my surgery postponed for a year and 4 months trying to find an insurance company who would actually cover my surgery. It finally happened, and it will for you too. Dont be embarrassed, it's not your fault. I'm really sorry you have to go through this. It's a horrible feeling, I know. Hope it all works out for you in the end, > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 I'm so touched by everyone's support -- thank you all. I'm still pretty bummed, but I realized I haven't yet explored all my options, so I'm not throwing in the towel just yet. I need to go visit some local banks and lenders. Sara, unfortunately my surgeon requires full payment up front, regardless of whether I choose the self-pay or the insurance billing option. I learned a week or so ago that I could have paid LESS up front if I'd chosen the insurance billing option with surgery in the hospital rather than outpatient. But I'd have to switch my surgery date to do that, and that's not gonna work. Plus I'd have paid a lot more in the long run. Maybe. Getting a straight answer out of these insurance companies has been impossible. So far I've been told they could pay anywhere from $1,500 to $4,500 or so. And I need to know so that I can set up my flex-spending account appropriately. It doesn't help that we're switching plan managers 7 days before my surgery. Anyway, sorry, I'm rambling. You always hear about how frustrating the medical and insurance systems are to navigate, and man, is it true. Luna > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > needs. > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Thanks Jayar. I asked the surgeon's office manager last week how much notice they'd need if I had to cancel. She just said, " Before you get on the plane. " So that gives me some wiggle room .... They don't have any payment plans, any options other than cash up front. They aren't on any insurance provider networks, either. I guess since this guy is top of his field, he can make whatever rules he likes. I don't blame him. Most of the orthodontists in western Montana send their patients to him. He's originally from here. I have already researched all the other possibilities, and he's really the best option for me. > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet > my > > needs. > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Thanks, Jen. Nice to know I'm not the only one struggling .... My credit union has let me down, but I need to try some others. I'm a 37-year-old with no collateral and no family to speak of, just a lot of student loans and a very expensive mouth! L > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > needs. > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Hmmmm, I will look into that. I did apply for a Capital One Visa and another card a week ago, but then I realized it could be weeks before they notify me one way or the other. Last night I applied for a loan via Lending Tree online, and they turned me down. It's frustrating because their application asked about my debts, but didn't let me explain that $35,000 of them were student loans, which are a lot different from credit card debt (I don't have much of that). Meanwhile, my credit rating is probably taking a dive from all the inquiries. Grrrrr. L > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > needs. > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Thanks, Cammie. I've explored most of these options -- no payment plans, my bank will only loan me $2,500 (but I need to talk to some others), no assets such as a home, no fairy godmothers. ;-) Insurance will reimburse for part of the surgery, flex-spending the rest, but I still need to pay cash up front. I guess I blame myself because I don't have a proper savings account, don't own a home, am 37 years old with not much to show for it. I've been on my own since age 17 and worked low-paying jobs for 10 years till I finally got myself into college at 27. Now I'm halfway through my master's degree, with massive student loan debt -- but that's GOOD debt, right? I took the plunge into this orthodontic adventure knowing I could squeak through with working 30 hours a week and student loans. But being ready for surgery five months early has thrown me for a loop. I guess if all else fails, I will just go back to plan A, which is surgery next winter and setting aside my fall student loan to pay for it, like I had planned. (Receded) chin up! I'll make it one way or another. Luna > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > needs. > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Hi Luna, I have been reading about your struggles, and am happy to hear that you have more options to explore. I hope everything works out for you soon. And, sometimes it helps to remember that things do happen for a reason. So, if it can't happen now, I believe that there must be something wonderful coming up to take its place. Best wishes, Fay > > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > > needs. > > > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 I hope you're not trying to finance anything through a credit card!!! The interest rates are ridiculously high. I acquired a number of cards when I left university years ago, and stupidly only paid the minimum balance, not really realizing that the interest costs were mounting quickly. It was a real challenge for me to pay them down and cut them up. Nowadays, I have only one credit card and I pay the balance off fully every month. I think there's a link on site 2 about how to finance this surgery if you don't have insurance coverage. You have my sympathies, though. We have it easy up here in Ontario as surgery is covered 100% through our provincial government health insurance plan. I'm sure your friend will understand about the plane ticket business - it's just one of those things in life - no matter how hard you try to plan and control, things don't always work out the way they should. > > > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > > > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > > > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > > > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > > > needs. > > > > > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > > > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > > > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > > > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 I agree regarding the comment about the ridiculously high interest costs of credit cards. However, I recently discovered by living these past 2 years in the US that having no credit at all is also a bad thing. I had the Amex blue card, the one that is for students and would dutifully pay my balance in full at the end of every month. Then when I tried to apply for something that required a credit history I was told that I had no credit history. What are you talking about, I asked, I have excellent credit history. Turns out that at least in the US, to get a credit history you have to actually build up a little bit of debt and THEN pay it back to demonstrate that you are capable of paying it back regularly. So I was told I needed to stop paying my balance in full and allow a little bit of debt to accumulate which I did and now I have a credit history to speak of. Luna, I'm sure you knew all of this already but wanted to make you feel better about having a bit of debt. And good on you for putting yourself through school and your master's all on your own. No, you should most definitely not be embarassed. You should be proud as a peacock about all you've accomplished! Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 > I hope you're not trying to finance anything through a credit > card!!! The interest rates are ridiculously high. Oh, yes, I know all about credit card interest rates. I learned the hard way. That's why I only have two credit cards now, with low limits. (Unfortunately, they're near their limits.) I will pay for this surgery with credit cards if I have to, but the thing is, I can pay them off quickly with insurance and flex-spending reimbursement and my fall student loan. That's what's so frustrating about this whole situation -- I won't have any problem finding the money AFTER the surgery! > I think there's a link on site 2 about how to finance this surgery > if you don't have insurance coverage. I will look for that, thanks. > though. We have it easy up here in Ontario as surgery is covered > 100% through our provincial government health insurance plan. Yet another reason to wish I were Canadian! > I'm sure your friend will understand about the plane ticket I know she will. Honestly, my biggest fear is that she'll either offer to loan me the money or feel like she should offer -- and I DON'T want her to do that. This friend is more like family to me -- 20+ years and she is so good to me. But I want to stand on my own here. Thanks again, Luna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 > that at least in the US, to get a credit history you have to > actually build up a little bit of debt and THEN pay it back Yes, it's all quite tricky. Sad we've reached the point where no credit is as bad as bad credit .... > Luna, I'm sure you knew all of this already but wanted to make you > feel better about having a bit of debt. Well, thank you, I know I'm not perfect but I do try to be responsible and at least learn from my mistakes! > yourself through school and your master's all on your own. No, you > should most definitely not be embarassed. You should be proud as a > peacock about all you've accomplished! This made me smile. Thank you! I am really proud sometimes. Other times it never feels like enough. Oh well. I'm working on it. Luna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Hi Luna, I am so sorry this is happening to you. This may sound odd, but have you tried some of the cosmetic surgery lending facilities? I know there are some out there who offer direct payment to the surgeon, and have better terms for patients. Even though I know this isn't a cosmetic surgery, it does have cosmetic benefits through surgery, so maybe that would be an option. They are more geared to paying privately for surgical procedures. Since this is a medically necessary procedure for you, you would even be able to deduct the interest from your payments on your taxes if your medical expenses qualify. I wish I knew the names of some of the places, but if you google search " plastic surgery lending agencies " or " cosmetic surgery lending " etc, you would get some hits. Just really evaluate the company first. Maybe your credit union could at least help you with finding the name of a credible plastic surgery lending company. I am crossing my fingers for you on this. Let us know. I still am hoping something can work out. Hugs. Fran > It's becoming increasingly clear that I'm probably going to have to > cancel my surgery. I'm so bummed. I still need to go around to some > payday lenders, but from my preliminary research, it looks like their > loan amounts are too small and their loan periods too short to meet my > needs. > > The worst part of it is not having to spend an extra 5 months in > braces, but having to tell my friend who's made plans and bought a > plane ticket (I wanted to buy it for her, but she insisted) to be > there with me. I'm so embarrassed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Fran, I'll look into that. He doesn't take credit, though, so it'd have to be cash or a check. I'm taking tomorrow afternoon off work to go visit some banks in town. Wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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