I get the feeling she doesn't know when her next appointment is or how much her cancer is progressed because she heard "cancer", freaked out and didn't bother to schedule any more appointments or do research about her condition. She's like a 500lb toddler and her only reaction to anything negative in life is hide it and hope it goes away. If nobody tells her she's stage 3/4, she can pretend that she isn't. The truth is scary.
The logistics of this are insane, even for a sane, non-spherical individual... now apply it all to Amber. She has no insurance. It's not like her PCP and/or the ER can go through her insurer to find an in-network oncologist. So it's up to her.
Let's say the kindly ER doc gave her a list of oncologists to call. Amber, who has crippling ~phone anxiety, must now:
A) Ring up each of these practices
B) Explain her cancer situation-type deal to a stressed receptionist, but worst of all,
C) Inform said receptionist that she has
no insurance, and would be self-pay
And that's just the beginning. After a shocked and/or judgmental huff from Karen the Secretary, Amber gets transferred and/or told to call medical billing, IF they even accept self-pay patients. She's urged to apply for Medicaid. Big words about bureaucracies and forms and payment plans are hurled at her. She will have to do this multiple times, all while trying to keep her story straight, regretting her life choices, and craving fast food.
If she gets lucky, and calls an onc willing to treat a self-pay, eventual Medicaid patient, things get even more complicated. She has to fill out paperwork. She has to deal with Medicaid/SSI/gubermint bureaucracy. Even getting to the doctor is an issue. What if the doctor's in Lexington, or some other part of KY? How does she get there?
Does Becky drive? Or is she too busy with Norma?
What if it's a serious drive? How many black Target towels would be needed to staunch the bleeding? Is she capable of a multi-day trip?
She needs a conservator, ffs.