Fight of her lifeSecaucus High grad battles brain tumor, insurance company

Last year, Isabella Walker Terrone’s balance seemed off. She kept tripping because she couldn’t lift her left foot off the ground, and she noticed that she had weakness on the left side of her body.
A physical and a battery of tests led to an MRI in October which found a tumor on the right side of Terrone’s brain.
Days after the tumor was discovered, she had a seizure which left her paralyzed on her left side.
Doctors told the Secaucus High School grad that she also had a blood clot in her brain and that the tumor was inoperable and malignant.
When she went home after being hospitalized for two months, Terrone faced a long recovery and mounting medical bills.
Terrone, a Secaucus-raised married mother of three who works from home as a travel agent, said she felt lucky that she had health insurance through her husband. The insurance covered her tests, hospitalization, medication, and treatment.
However, it failed to cover many of the items she needed to get around her home after she was released from the hospital.

_____________

“My husband has called our insurance company many times.” – Isabella Terrone
________

“Insurance covers some things, but there is a lot they won’t cover,” said Terrone, who now lives in Boonton, N.J. “And it’s kind of arbitrary. They covered my bath seat” – a special chair that enables Terrone to sit in her shower while she bathes – “but they won’t cover hand rails, or the scooter wheelchair I need. They’ve told my husband they won’t cover a chair lift.”

Some expenses not covered

Terrone wants a wheelchair lift that will allow her to move between the floors of her home.
“My husband has called our insurance company many times,” she noted, “and he’s given a different explanation every time as to why some things are covered and other things aren’t.”
At first, the Terrones were told that the insurance company would pay up to $2,500 a year for mobility equipment, she said. Then, they were told the opposite.
“It gets exhausting,” she said.
She estimates the stair glide costs about $2,000 and the wheelchair will be another $1,000. There are other expenses, too, but Terrone did not detail them. The chair lift and scooter wheelchair, she said, are the two most important items she hopes to be able to get.
Because they have received conflicting information so often, the Terrones believe they may get stuck paying for most of the mobility devices she needs. So like any family in their situation, they’ve cut back on spending.
“We don’t go out to eat as often, and we’ve cut back a little on some of the kids’ activities,” she said.
The support of their friends and community in Boonton and Secaucus has also helped. Terrone said her daughter’s gymnastics teacher has not charged the family to classes this session, even though the little girl continues to practice.

Upcoming fundraiser

Terrone’s former classmates from Secaucus High School are organizing a fundraiser on April 26 in the gym at Immaculate Conception School at 1291 Paterson Plank Road. The event will take place from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The suggested donation is $25 for adults and $10 for children under 13. Large families can “max out” with a $75 donation. All proceeds will go to the Terrone family to defray medical costs and to help pay for the chair lift and wheelchair.
“Isy booked many trips for local families, [especially to Disneyland],” said Suzanne Rittberg Zimmermann, who attended Secaucus High School with Terrone. “Isy’s love for Disney and training in that area qualified her to use that expertise to book many families’ memorable trips to Disney destinations. We encourage all those who know and love Isy to bring their families, friends, and neighbors to visit with her during this celebration of hope. In fact, those attending might want to wear their favorite Disney gear or costumes.”
Terrone said she appreciates the effort and looks forward to seeing old friends in Secaucus. And she’s hoping her energy level improves before the fundraiser comes around.
After undergoing one round of chemotherapy that failed to shrink the size of the brain tumor, Terrone is now undergoing a second round that often leaves her tired and drained.
“I’m doing okay, I guess,” she said. “I could be doing better, but I suppose could be a lot worse, too.”
Reservations to the April 26 fundraiser must be made in advance and received no later than April 12. Checks should be made out to the Terrone Family Trust.

For more information regarding the fundraiser, contact Suzanne Rittberg Zimmermann at (908) 789-7199 or suzannezim@verizon.net.

Reach E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.