Cancer Support

be to call the hospital and see if they have a "patient advocate" or "patient ombudsman." This person helps the patient and family navigate all the stuff that will be happening.

Contact her workplace and talk to HR; there may be a person designated to help very sick employees and their families through the insurance process and the sick day/short-term disability/long-term disability issues. When I had breast cancer, the insurance woman at my workplace was a godsend. I was a wreck, I was still coming in to work as I was getting radiation, and she was the kindest person -- if I forgot some paperwork, she'd call and remind me.

As someone said above, ditch all unimportant stuff.

If you are familiar with Excel spreadsheets, start making one for your wife's appointments, surgeries, etc. Record the date, doctor/hospital, type of doc (oncologist, radiologist), type of visit (liver surgery, radiation, chemo, etc.), and notes on what was said/what happened at the visit. The ombudsman at my hospital suggested at the very beginning that I keep a spreadsheet and keep it updated, because I would never remember what happened when. She was right. My spreadsheet has been invaluable in tracking my appts. so I would get the optimal care I needed. I still keep a spreadsheet of all my dr appts. If you aren't into Excel, buy a sturdy notebook and record the info in there. Just be religious about keeping it up to date. Take it with you to all her appts.

As far as protecting your home, is there some reason you are worried? Has something happened? Do you feel the bills will be too big to pay? Remember that you can declare medical bankruptcy if you need to, and they cannot take your house or car.