I've gotten a HUGE reminder over the last few weeks about just why the Fully Funded Emergency Fund is SOOOO important! My Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma, it is throughout his entire body, but fortunately has not metastasized into any organs at this point. This was totally unexpected, he will be 54 in a couple weeks.
One of the worst things about having to deal with a disease like cancer is having to think about all the financial complications as if the stress of cancer wasn't enough! I've learned over the last week that in order to receive a disability check you have to be disabled and unable to work for 6 months first. So for that 6 months you don't have an income to pay your bills, while you're piling up huge amounts of medical bills and have possibly lost your insurance if insured through your employer.
I've always hated the saying, "You never think it could happen to you." Honestly though I never thought it would happen to my Dad. It's so hard to believe this is all happening and happening quickly with treatment scheduled to start on the 13th.
