So sorry to hear about your mother. You're right- I can't really relate to her situation, not only because of the location of her tumors, but also because I am fortunate and do have good insurance. The affordable care act was intended to ease this burden on people, but it was such a fight getting it through Congress, and so much was cut out of it that it's not that useful for many. Add to that the number of states that refused to allow the medicaid expansion offered (I believe Texas was one) and you get terrible situations like the one you're in. I wish there was something I could do to help. Seems like MD Anderson would have some sort of program to help out people in your situation, at least to get a consult. I don't live in Texas though so I don't know.
I hope you get something figured out.
As far as trial costs go- most of the time the drug company pays for the drug and any testing related specifically to the trial, but they may charge insurance for scans or regular follow-ups that they see as things that would happen anyway, so if there's no insurance to charge, it's unlikely that your mom would be accepted into a trial.
I live in central NY state and we have an amazing non-profit center set up to help people just like your mom- have you checked to see if something like that exists in your area?
-Eva
