alsil Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Well Guys, the last couple of weeks has been pretty screwed up. I have been trying to stay this off for a while, but under my current circumstances, I don't have a choice. About 6 months ago, my son started devloping some lumps in his neck. Took him to 2 doctors, who said that they would go away, and that we should keep an eye on them. Well, 3 months went by, and they got bigger. We took him back, the doctor gave him more medicine, and it seemed to help. After a month or so of this, he got worse, getting fevers, always tired, etc.....so we took him back. The Doctor sent him to a specialist, who immediately sent him in to take a biopsy of his lymph node. About 2 weeks ago, we found out my son has Hodgekins Lymphoma. This is rare kind of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes, putting it simply, a white blood cell that should have died and stopped growing gets stuck in the Lymph node, and continues to grow. So far he has been doing well with all the tests, and seems to be handling it well. The doctors say he will make a full recovery, he's going to Stanford, and they say he couldn't be in better hands. Problem is, all these tests are costing a fortune, plus the insurance was hassling me so much when I first set it up, I lost a month and a half of coverage for him, so my killer new insurance from my work won't cover him until at the earliest September (They consider it a pre-existing condition since he had a related doctor's visit before my new insurance started...). So now I'm strapped to 30% of all expenses, and have already paid over $900 for deductable, payments, etc. To make a long story short, I really have no choice but to sell my Z. My son comes before my car. So I will be starting a thread in Buy / Sell / Trade for my Z. I really don't want to part with it, especially since I finally go the carb dialed, and it's been running killer. I'll still be selling crossmembers, and maybe someday I'll grab another 240 and set it up. But priorities now are not leaning toward a Z. Thanks for all your help and advice from all the years I have been on this site. Hopefully I can still contribute. Thanks Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Do what you have to to keep your son around. I'm sorry to see you have to sell the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Wow, I'm glad he will make a full recovery. It sucks about your car, but family does come first, we all understand that. I've watched you put a lot of time and effort into your Z, and it's well cared for, you'll get what you need out of it. I feel your pain about health insurance, especially pre-existing conditions. I don't talk about my personal life to much online, just because it might save my @ss one day (no evidence), but since my fight is over with I can say that I owed my health insurance company about $162,000 for some crap that happend to me a while back and my health insurance company (who will remain nameless) said that a stroke was a pre-existing condition... (yeah I know), and refused to pay. My attorney finally won about a month ago. I actually cried I was so happy that I don't have to pay all that money. There is A LOT more to this story. They said all the red flags went up because I went to the doctor for a runny nose. Doesn't make sense? Not at all. If you want, e-mail me and we can talk about health insurance stuff. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 My next door neighbor's son had the same problem as your son. He's made a full recovery and is doing great. Hang in there, money comes and goes, cars come and go, take care of your son. - Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Yep, family does come first, Al. I know it is a bummer selling the car, but a father has to do what a father has to do. You have my respect and my prayers for your son, his full recovery, and your finances. Hang in there man--we're pulling for you!! Keep us informed. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I tell you what, I have always told eveyone that there is no way I will sell my car because it is the only thing that I really have left of my dad to remember. My father passed away when I was 17(I'm 21 now) at the young age of 62. I know that I say there is no way I will ever sell my car for any reason but if I had a son or daughter in your situation there is no way that Im not going to sell it if there are bills to be paid and treatments to be given. Just do whatever it takes to get your sons health back to normal and buy another Z! This time get one of those 2003 Cobra motors with the Super Charger and really give it hell! Hope it all works out man. Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Hey Al, good luck with all this, and certainly you will have time to build another Z soon. It sounds like a great father and son project for a few years down the road. All the best to you and your son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Thurem Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 I would consider setting up ownership of home, cars etc so creditors can't get to them. And then spend whatever it takes to get your son right. Bad credit because of medical debt is not looked upon the same as say creditcard debt. It is outragous the way medical insurance is handled and the way they try and stick it to you for their profitgoals sake. I say f_ck back when you have to, even though you have to deal with the bad credit situation for the next 7 years. Don't sell your car unless it actually makes a difference for your sons chances, you will propaply end up with bad credit anyways. And if you actually end up with bad credit you might be better off with an older car that don't represent value to the collectors. I wish your son the best of luck staving off this illness. Thure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMS Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Al, I'm sorry to hear about your son, and the fact that the insurance companies are being such dickweeds about the whole thing. Do whatever it takes to get your boy back online, and worry about the car thing later. There's a bunch of old Z's out there, and your son can't be replaced at any cost. Good luck, and keep in mind that you and your son are n a bunch of people's prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 geez Al, I'm really sorry to hear that. He's a good kid, I hope everything turns out well. Let us know how we can help out. I'm testing waters around other boards seeing if anyone's interested in buying hte Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 What about some sort of donation thing setup. If someone has a Pay Pal account that we could use, maybe we could get something started. I'd be sure to give something to help save your son. On another note, I have a guy that I work with that didn't have insurance when he managed to get a hernia. Well, to make a long story short, he ended up in debt. Quite a bit of debt for someone only 23 and making close to min. wage. Basically, the bill collectors were after him all the time. He found that as long as he threatened bankruptcy, he kept them at bay and his payments small. Definitely figure out how to set up your house and cars, so credit and insurance companies can't get to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Fuel ZX Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Drax240z wrote: If someone wants to start collecting donations, this out of work, barely out of university student would be happy to go deeper in debt and help someone out! (yes, I am serious) Anyone able to get money to Al? Al, do you have a paypal account? I think we should do what Drax and moridin2004 are saying. It sucks that you have to lose your z because the insurance company wont pick up the whole tab. With the bigger picture at hand, without your z will you still visit the site....the answer is proly no. It will be unfortunate to lose a fellow zer(especially someone from washington). So i am willing to give you $100 to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruez Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Sorry to hear about your son... Hopefully after all is said and done.... your son will return to normal and you will have another Z to work on... Just need a little time and money....usually most of us don't have enough of either... I hope your son has a speedy recovery.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagz Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Al - I have a little boy myself and can't imagine how you must feel. It's a no-brainer that the Z is way down the priority list. Cars can be replaced. It sounds like the prognosis is good for your son. I hope all goes well and that you'll hang around the board and share your expertise even if you don't have the Z in the garage. I know that most of us on the board are willing to help out a fellow Hybrid'er anytime. Don't hesitate to ask. I know that there are several of us in the Portland/Vancouver area willing to lend a hand if you need anything. Great idea on the Paypal acct. I'm in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 Drax240z wrote: If someone wants to start collecting donations' date=' this out of work, barely out of university student would be happy to go deeper in debt and help someone out! (yes, I am serious) Anyone able to get money to Al? Al, do you have a paypal account?[/quote'] I think we should do what Drax and moridin2004 are saying. It sucks that you have to lose your z because the insurance company wont pick up the whole tab. With the bigger picture at hand, without your z will you still visit the site....the answer is proly no. It will be unfortunate to lose a fellow zer(especially someone from washington). So i am willing to give you $100 to help you out. Look in Al's for sale post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETEW Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 Al, Sorry to hear about your sons problems. I am very glad to hear that the doctors are telling you that he will make a full recovery. It sucks thinking of having to give up all your hard work, I'm sure, but you are doing it for all the right reasons. I'm hoping that you will be able to keep your car and have your son return to good health. Keep up the faith, and remeber that things will get better. You have all my best wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsil Posted July 18, 2003 Author Share Posted July 18, 2003 Wow. I am totally floored at the response you guys have given. I appreciate the offer for the money. I don't think it's really necessary right now, but I know the Z has to go.....it's just that who knows how long this will go on, and I would rather be secure that I will be able to take care of my son and have the money for anything that happens. My main focus is making my son feel better about all this and seeing that it just all works. We're going down to the Bay Area tomorrow night to spend the weekend with him and family, hoping to help him feel better. It will be nice to see my family also. I will let you know how things go. Thanks for all the support you guys have given. We really appreciate it, but please don't worry about collecting money. Thanks Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 Sorry to hear this bad news, but thank goodness the boy will be all right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgkurz Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 Al, Sorry to hear about your son. Our thoughts are with you and your family. I hope someday we can meet at PIR again when you have another Z. Best of luck to you. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 We really just want to see if we can get you enough, so you are definitely covered. Personally, I've seen how much work you've put into the car and I don't want to see you sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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