Patient stories
Sandy P.
Sandy’s health got so bad she couldn’t walk. With health insurance “too expensive to buy” through her husband’s work, she resorted to visiting the Rosewood Family Health Center where certified physician’s assistant Gina Rao recommended she enroll in Project Access.
Sandy makes the ensuing 18-month battle with skin cancer sound almost smooth. She saw a a dermatologist, who did a biopsy; then she saw a gastroenterologist who had her in for a colonoscopy. Finally, OHSU’s Dr. Daniel Herzig performed a surgery to remove the growth.
“In between all this,” Sandy said, “Project Access helped me with medications.”
Continue reading Sandy’s story.
Silver R.
Three years had passed before Silver learned the sickness that had forced her to quit her job and spend $93,000 in health care was cancer. By that time, she was so sick with high temperatures, vomiting, severe bloating, diarrhea, and fatigue, she had shuttered herself in her home, unable to leave. “I tried to deal with it,” Silver said. “I tried to get better on my own.”
Out of other options, Silver went to the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington. She remembers the moment vividly. “I was skeptical because I knew they only provide basic health care. I was number 26 out of 35 in the waiting room. But they kept passing me up until the place emptied out.
“Finally the nurse told me they waited for everyone to leave because mine was a bigger problem. ‘We needed to spend all of our time with you,’ he said. Before that, most doctors treated me like a number. I came to a free clinic and there were people that cared? I was floored.”
Continue reading Silver’s story.
Lori R.
Thirty years in an abusive marriage left marks on Lori: a broken and dislocated jaw that would lock randomly, enough stress to make the jaw clinch and grind, 16 teeth lost, and excrutiating headaches. Out of work and with no health insurance, Lori was unable to do anything but go to the Multnomah County Health Department‘s Mobile Medical Clinic.
“I’d never been in that position in my life,” Lori said. “We had a home and jobs with medical insurance. Then we lost the home to pay for my husband’s medical bills, and after he died, I had nothing.”
At the Mobile Clinic, Dr. Valerie Krause referred Lori to Project Access with a disorder of jaw muscles. Less than a year later, in September 2009, Lori underwent oral surgery at OHSU.
“It’s been a lifesaver. I don’t know how to pay all this forward. I am thankful, but I don’t feel that’s enough.”
As part of her recovery, Lori attends physical therapy sessions and takes pain medication and muscle relaxants she obtains through Pharmacy Bridge.
Continue reading Lori’s story.
Larry
In early 2009, Larry noticed a sore spot on his tongue. Thinking his denture had caused it, he gave it little further thought. But when the sore grew and the dentist said it wasn’t the denture, Larry got worried. With good reason: he said, “the biopsy came back positive for cancer.”
Having no health insurance or the thousands of dollars to pay for the necessary care, Larry’s dentist, Dr. Anderson referred him to Project Access Clark County. Soon, Larry got approved for further tests and eventually a surgery with Dr. Mitchell.
Losing a quarter of one’s tongue meant Larry found it difficult to talk for a while. “I was babbling a lot,” he said. “But doctors said the tongue will figure it out. We’re still working on it.”
At the end of his 6-month enrollment in Project Access, circulation in Larry’s legs got worse. He’d had stents put in them, and it seemed they were no longer working properly. Care Coordinator Julia Ross helped him get renewed for another 6 months.
Continue reading Larry’s story.
Brandon Y.
Brandon Y. graduated from business school thinking he didn’t need health insurance. But when he tore his ACL a month later and applied for insurance so he could get back to work as a martial arts instructor, he said he “was out of luck. No one would take me.”
He sought help at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, where the doctor said that not only did Brandon need his meniscus repaired, he was developing arthritis. “I’m 22 years old,” Brandon said. “It was horrible to hear that.”
After the Clinic’s referral to Project Access Clark County, Brandon underwent a surgery with Dr. Jerome DaSilva, orthopedic surgeon at the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital. Brandon said, “I was out for some time, but I can walk now. My students are happy to see me.”
According to Brandon, “everything went pretty quickly. Project Access set up all the appointments, and called me to remind me about them. I was depressed for a while, thinking it would take months. This was the thing that got me out of my depression.”
Continue reading Brandon’s story.
Isha T.
Isha’s dermatological condition made her so self-conscious she became extremely anti-social; she’d hate even the thought of interacting with people. Two days after she moved from Cleveland to Portland for a job transfer, the local company department closed. Isha was out of a job in a city she didn’t know, and with no insurance to help her get medical attention.
“It actually turned out to be a blessing,” Isha said. She found Wallace Medical Concern, where her doctor connected her with Erin Cooley, who enrolled Isha in Project Access.
Following three months of antibiotic treatment and consultations with Dr. Nathalie McDowell Johnson, of Surgical Associates, and Dr. Daniel Zegzula, of Portland Plastic Surgery, Isha underwent a successful surgery in December 2009. She said, “They took out as much diseased tissue as possible without leaving almost any scars.”
Continue reading Isha’s story.
Elizabeth and Salvador S.
When Salvador got laid off, he lost health insurance and with it the means to take care of his diabetes. When his wife Elizabeth got laid off and lost her health insurance, she had to stop taking care of her thyroid condition. For a year they both went without care, until in the summer of 2009 they found the Essential Health Clinic.
“It’s great to know there are people out there caring for the uninsured,” Elizabeth said. “Somebody with a big heart.”
Care Coordinator Kari Halvorson enrolled Elizabeth and Salvador in Project Access. Elizabeth and Salvador went to Hillsboro Internal Medicine and Dr. Chowdhury, and now they both follow their respective treatment plans, honor their check-up schedules, and receive discounted medication through Pharmacy Bridge.
Elizabeth sounded incredulous talking about her experience. “When we’re at the Clinic, they treat us as if we had the best insurance in the world. They know we’re not paying anything but they treat us just the same. They even provide interpreters. We’re very thankful – we don’t know where we’d be without Project Access. You fixed our lives.”
Continue reading Elizabeth’s and Salvador’s story.
Luis H.L.
Had it not been for a friend who told him about the Essential Health Clinic in Tigard, Luis would have died of cancer. Care Coordinator Kari Halvorson helped him enroll in Project Access, and scheduled a colonoscopy with Dr. Jeffrey Douglass at Gastroenterology Specialists of Oregon.
“Kari did everything,” Luis said. “She connected me with all the doctors, set up the appointments, and called me to remind me of them. If I had been on my own, I wouldn’t have got the care.”
When the procedure revealed the presence of cancer, Dr. Douglass connected Luis with Dr. Kathleen Fielder at Northwest Cancer Specialists and Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Soon, Luis started chemotherapy and radiation, and underwent a surgery.
“Chemotherapy destroys you,” Luis said, pointing to his blackened hands. “I haven’t been able to work in months. I have lower defenses, and no energy. I can’t touch anything cold. But Dr. Fielder said it’s normal. She also said I have no more cancer in my body. Because of that, I am really thankful for Project Access.”
Continue reading Luis’s story.
Cipriano
When Cipriano fell ill in 2003, his daughter Olga brought him to the Essential Health Clinic. On their way home, they got a call from the Clinic, advising he be taken to the emergency room because of his blood test results. He left the hospital after a week with a colostomy bag, no job, and no way to pay for the bills.
Cipriano’s post-colostomy recovery went anything but well. He and his family had no money to see a specialist, so he put off care hoping for things to get better on their own. Finally, in the summer of 2009, Olga took Cipriano to the Essential Health Clinic again, and he enrolled in Project Access.
According to Olga, “Since 2003 my father was saying, I want to get well. It was an impossible dream to get the operation he needed. Now it seems that thanks to Project Access we’re going to get there. It’s like a dream come true.”
Continue reading Luis’s story.
Maria
Maria wasn’t able to have a worrisome black spot on her foot checked out by a specialist because she “had no insurance and nobody would see me anywhere.” Luckily, the health department clinic referred her to Project Access, where Care Coordinator Kari Halvorson connected Maria with Dr. Koppula at the Cornell Dermatology Clinic.
It turned out not to be skin cancer. Maria’s relief was palpable. “I was really worried before that it would be something serious. I feel better knowing it’s not cancer.”
Continue reading Maria’s story.
Girma W.
After Girma W. moved from Ethiopia to the United States, he felt his health deteriorate, which was devastating for the trained pharmacist. He began to suffer from intermittent headaches and chest pain. He was getting increasingly weak and tired. He lost a lot of weight. The job he found after several months of searching came with no health insurance and paid too little to pay for health care or insurance premiums.
Then he discovered the North by Northeast Community Health Center (“NXNE”). He said, “Virginia Weeks [Clinic Coordinator at NXNE] received me with an open heart.” Virginia also enrolled Girma in Project Access.
Dr. Thaler conducted an extensive physical examination, after which he recommended additional blood tests at Legacy Emmanuel Medical Center. “I was impressed,” Girma said. “The doctor was very professional and caring.”
About his experience, Girma said, “I received only courtesy and cordial reception by everyone involved. Everyone understood my feelings and concerns. I appreciated everyone’s care and efforts.”
Continue reading Girma’s story.
Jane D.
Jane D. lived in fear of cervical cancer for two years. Her post-menopausal bleeding had her constantly worried about what was going on with her body and whether it meant something more grave.
She went to the Rosewood Family Health Center, where she received help, but with no insurance she had to delay the surgical procedure she knew she needed. “I kept putting the surgery off because I knew I couldn’t afford it,” she said.
Continue reading Jane’s story.
Kimberly H.
During her July 2008 hospital stay, Kimberly developed calciphylaxis. Her OHSU insurance plan for low-income people covered a lot: her primary care at the Outside In clinic as well hospital stays and tests at OHSU. Medication was another story.
The new and unexplained illness caught the former certified nurse assistant and single mother of two off guard. “Just a few months ago I couldn’t walk,” Kimberly said. “I was in so much pain I thought I was going to die.”
It soon became clear to Dr. Tanya Page, Kimberly’s primary care physician at Outside In, that Kimberly’s prescriptions would be an issue. She referred Kimberly to Project Access NOW and its Pharmacy Bridge program. Project Access now provides for all of Kimberly’s healthcare needs.
Continue reading Kimberly’s story.
Mary
When Mary’s severe cold in the winter of 2008 turned into a chronic sinus infection, she sought help at Portland Adventist Community Services (PACS). With no health insurance, PACS was the only place Mary could find.
The sinus infection wouldn’t go away, however. She said, “I couldn’t look for a job. I was in constant pain and coughing all the time.”
Nancy Huck, nurse practitioner at PACS, referred Mary to Project Access, and in January 2009 Mary began to see Dr. Sautter, otolaryngologist at OHSU.
Continue reading Mary’s story.
Douglas H.
When Douglas Hall became unemployed from a bank job in October 2005, he lost his health insurance. For two years he was getting by on his reserves and retirement fund, while forgoing the healthcare he needed for his heart, breathing, and back problems. He said, “Though I own my own house, I was unable to pay for medical treatment.”
After he ran out of money, he realized he wouldn’t be able to work again, and in April 2008 he decided to apply for disability. His long search for affordable medical help led him to the Rosewood Family Health Center. “It was a godsend,” Douglas said. “The doctors here are terrific.”
At Rosewood, he also met Bill Roller, who helps eligible patients enter and navigate the Project Access system. With the help of Project Access, Douglas was able to see a cardiologist, pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and nephrologist. It turned out that all of Douglas’s problems were worse than he thought.
Continue reading Douglas’s story.
Cathy M.
Cathy M. received healthcare for the first time in 20 years thanks to a phone call. Trying to escape from a long abusive relationship, Cathy called the Portland Women’s Crisis Line, which referred her to Central City Concern. “I had no resources and I didn’t know the streets,” Cathy said. “I had nowhere to go.”
At Central City Concern, Cathy enrolled in an alcohol recovery outpatient program. “It opened the door for me,” she said. The door led to the Dr. Jones’s office where Cathy found out just how much her health had deteriorated – all her tests returned abnormal and pointing to a pre-cancer condition. “I found out what ignoring my health for so long means. Without health, you might as well just bury me.”
Continue reading Cathy’s story.
Joshua C.
Joshua C. spent almost all of his adulthood with a hernia. For twelve years since the age of 19 he’d go to emergency rooms or free clinics asking for help, only to realize that as a barista with no health insurance he’d be unable to afford the surgery bill. “Free clinics are great but they’re capable of only so many things,” Joshua said. “No specialist would accept me as a charity case.”
When the condition started getting much worse, in winter 2008, he went to the North By Northeast Community Health Center, where Virginia Weeks referred him to Project Access. After he filled out the required paperwork, Project Access got Joshua an appointment with a specialist at OHSU. The surgery took place a month later, in January 2009.
“I got great care at OHSU,” Joshua said. “The doctor never mentioned Project Access. I was treated like any other patient. Everyone was really friendly. I got to see how things work in healthcare, the first time since I was a kid.”
Continue reading Joshua’s story.
Maria S.
When Maria got laid off in 2004 from her job of 15 years, she found herself without a steady income or health insurance. A mother of three and grandmother of two, she had worked since she was nine and earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology just as she entered retirement age. Now, she was forced to take occasional temporary jobs, live off food stamps, and suffer through her medical conditions.
With chronic health issues, pressures of unemployment and no coverage, her health deteriorated. She struggled with back and knee problems, a legacy of long years of migrant farm work. She suffered from diabetes. Having undergone a triple bypass surgery in 1994, Maria’s heart problems were the most serious worry.
As a result of rationing her pills because she couldn’t afford new prescriptions, her heart got worse. She had angina attacks every day. “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t sweep my house without fainting,” she said. “I felt like, ’One of these days, I’m just going to keel over.’ You don’t know how badly you need help until you’re all alone and screaming inside, in the darkness, for help. I couldn’t do for myself things we take for granted, like going to the bathroom or shower. And I had nowhere to go.”
Continue reading Maria’s story.
Mark S.
Mark’s basal cell carcinoma spread on his nose and face for more than two years. “First impressions count,” Mark said. “I was told with a face like this, people wouldn’t hire me.” Without insurance, there was little he could do other than suffer through it.
After he lost his job with a security company, in the summer of 2008 he found the Essential Health Clinic and Project Access Washington County. “Katie Ulin saved my life,” Mark said. “I’m blessed.”
Two weeks after his initial visit, Mark was scheduled for a series of surgeries at OHSU. Twenty hours of surgery later, his entire left face was reconstructed. “I was scared going to OHSU,” Mark said. “But all that fear went away about ten minutes after I walked in the door. It was unbelievable, I had never experienced that kind of doctors. I felt secure and confident.”
Continue reading Mark’s story.
Patrick R.
Having lost insurance through his past employer, Patrick R. was receiving basic medical care at Portland’s Old Town Clinic. A heavy smoker for 25 years – half his life – he needed medical services not typically accessible at the Clinic, so his physician referred him to Project Access, which then made a referral to a pulmonologist.
The lung x-ray revealed he was close to having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and at high risk for lung cancer. The news changed his life. He said, “Without the x-ray, I may never have quit smoking.” Patrick hasn’t smoked in ten months.
Most recently, he underwent endoscopy with gastroenterologist Dr. Gailan to determine further care for his long-term and long-negected acid reflux. “I am so grateful for the generosity of all the doctors who donated tests and care.
Continue reading Patrick’s story.
Kerrie H.
by Jerry Rhodes, CareOregon
Without Project Access, finding all the specialists and services for Kerrie’s cancer treatment would have been difficult to coordinate, even if she’d had enough insurance to cover the $150,000 of care. With Project Access, Kerrie’s care was coordinated by the Project Access team, and she was linked with Dr. Katherine Morris, surgical oncologist.
“I love Dr. Kate. Everyone should be so lucky to have a doctor like her if they have to go through something as horrible as cancer,” Kerrie said. “I have been very blessed.”
And Project Access? “It’s a great program,” Kerrie said. “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
(June 2008)
Male Project Access patient
“I was so happy that someone was able to see me, figure out what was wrong, and get me the help that I needed.”
—male Project Access patient
by Tara J. Foley, Project Access Multnomah County
“I was constantly in pain, felt bad all of the time and was nauseous every time I ate something. I couldn’t move without being in pain.” This is what a patient, who requested to remain anonymous, shared with me during a recent check-in post surgery. “I’ve never really had anything go wrong with my health and didn’t know where to go to get help.”
Without any health insurance he ended up at Wallace Medical Concern, a volunteer organization that provides neighborhood-based health care services and assistance to Portland-area residents who face barriers to care. After an exam with one of their volunteer medical providers, he was diagnosed with a severe hernia and was referred to Project Access for help. “I was so happy that someone was able to see me, figure out what was wrong, and get me the help that I needed.”
Never having to deal with a health problem before now left this patient scared and unsure about going through with the surgery. After meeting with a Project Access volunteer medical provider, Dr. Eric Friedman, he was put at ease and felt comfortable receiving the surgery. “I was scared and he calmed me down. I knew that I needed the surgery, but I wasn’t sure about getting it.” He needed the surgery, not just to feel better but to start working at the job he was offered.
“I was offered a job as a maintenance tech but had to turn it down. I couldn’t move without being in pain and knew that I wouldn’t be able to do the job. “After the surgery I called to see if the job was still open. It was and a month later I started working.” He is now back on his feet, working hard and feeling better then he has in years.
Thank you to Dr. Friedman and his office for all of their help and support with Project Access. We could not do this without out the support of volunteers like you!
(December 2008)
Female Project Access patient
A 62-year old female was referred to Project Access Clark County from one of our safety net clinics needing to see a gastroenterologist for rectal bleeding. The patient was screened for our program, enrolled and then sent to the gastroenterologist to be seen. The gastroenterologist, Dr. Mehdi Ferdows, then sent the patient to have some blood work done and also performed a colonoscopy. A large tumor was found in her anal canal. A biopsy was done and the patient was found to have cancer. Dr. Ferdows referred the patient to both a radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist.
Project Access Clark County connected her to Dr. Carrie Gotkowitz, a radiation oncologist, and Dr. Miklos Simon, medical oncologist, both of whom donated their care. At this time the patient is having both chemo and radiation treatments for the next 6 weeks. According to her doctors her prognosis is good and she is getting the treatment she needs.
She would not have had the money to be seen at the gastroenterologist office to even have a colonoscopy done to get the cancer diagnosis. The patient is getting treatment for cancer through PACC and we have given her the information to apply for Medicaid now that she has a cancer diagnosis. Her application for Medicaid is pending. So until she gets covered, PACC is still able to get her the treatment she needs through the donation of services through our volunteer providers at Northwest Cancer Specialists and Pacific Gastroenterology.
(December 2008)
Timothy M.
“I just can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. Project Access has just been a godsend. Without you guys, I wouldn’t be close to where I am today and how much better I feel. You got me back on my feet.”
—Timothy M., Project Access patient
by Katie Ulin, Project Access Washington County
Timothy M.‘s story illustrates how Project Access has helped patients from the safety net connect to the specialty care they need, sometimes with life changing results. Timothy was seen in the Essential Health Clinic in May, 2008, and referred for follow-up with a rheumatologist for his life-threatening condition, polymyositis. Without insurance, a simple visit to a primary or specialty care physician could have cost Timothy hundreds of dollars.
“I’d never been really sick before, you know,” Timothy said, “It was incredible, really scary not to be healthy, not to know what was going on.” With a tentative diagnosis from a volunteer physician, Project Access staff helped Timothy to gather all the appropriate documentation, and apply for Project Access Washington County.
Once Timothy qualified, Dr. Lauren Kim, a physician at Tuality Rheumatology Clinic and Project Access volunteer, agreed to see Timothy in her office at no charge. Tuality Healthcare donated all laboratory tests and x-rays, making the process of diagnosing and treating Timothy’s condition as smooth as possible. Dr. Kim was able to prescribe Timothy the medications he needed to manage his condition. Project Access worked to help him apply for prescription assistance direct from pharmaceutical companies, which afforded him the medication he needed at a steep discount.
Today, Timothy’s feeling better, learning how to manage his condition with Dr. Kim’s help, and expressing his thanks for the Project Access program. “I just can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done,” he said, “I’m speechless as to what Project Access has done for me, the program has been a godsend. I can’t thank you enough. If it wasn’t for Project Access, I wouldn’t be close to where I am today in terms of my health and how much better I feel. I truly, truly appreciate all the hard work you have done. You got me back on my feet.”
(October 2008)
