conversation: User (edtom1226): "Ok, here we go. I'm a full time college student. I took out loans for all of it. I'm $30k in debt studying land surveying. It's a really physical job so I can't get an Internship until I'm healthy again. I'm 2 years from graduating. \n\nThis last summer, I was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin lymphoma. Luckily, 3 months before I got diagnosed I got a form a Obamacare. So my insurance covered like 95% of the hospital bills. I went to 3 different hospitals for treatment and was seen by atleast 30 doctors over the last 4 months. Each doctor billing me/my insurance company.\n\nI had to leave my apartment complex and move out without 60 day notice and my cats ruined my carpet so my apartment complex billed me $1200 and sent me to a debt collector. \n\nMy brother was nice enough to let me live with him debt free for a while to get back on my feet but there is no end in sight. \n\n I just finished my last round of chemo, so now it's time to worry about the bills. Well, each bill, was sent to a debt collector because I didn't pay any of them while I was getting treatment. It was obviously the last thing on my mind. Well, since I've been in school for four years, federal aid told me they're going to start charging me monthly because I've reached my borrowing limit.\n\n So In total, my credit is ruined, I might not be able to finish school and get a job, I'm barley able to work part time as it is right now, and I'm bringing in no more than $500 a month. My car insurance, car payment, school repayment, credit card payments (isn't much), debt collectors, and left over hospital bills, I just don't know what to do. My family has no money as it is so they can't help and I've applied to atleast 10 different financial aid assistant programs through the hospitals but it just isn't helping. \n\nI added up all my credit card and debt collector debt and it's $4500. My hospital debt is $10k and counting. My school loans are $30k and I still owe $5k on my car. I'm just so afraid I'm going to lose everything and it's not even my fault. \n\nAny advice on where to start would be amazing. Thank you all for reading. \n\nEdit: I applied for disability and was denied. They said my form of cancer was curable enough to where I could continue "light work". "
  Self: "Medical debt can be paid with as little as 20$ a month, as long as your "making an effort to pay" they cannot go after you. They can call and bother you but you just simply tell them you are sending what you can afford right now. Don't ignore them.\n\nYour debt collections can be paid for a fraction of what you owe, call and negotiate. The worst they can say is no and you don't give em any money right now. If they agree for a lessor amount then get them to send it to you in writing that you will pay XXX amount to settle this debt. They can make payment plays to pay it off in 3-12 monthly payments, again the worst they can say is no. \n\nMake sure to get account numbers from everyone that way 2 different debt collectors don't try to collect the same debt(IE doctor bill). One debt collector might of already sold your account but will take payment anyway and make for later hassle. \n\nI hope it all works out for you, focus on one bill/issue at a time and tackle it slowly...It won't change overnight, but it will only get better with time. :)"
  User (edtom1226): "Thank you so much! This actually made me feel a ton better. I'll make some phone calls first thing tomorrow! "
  onthevergejoe (onthevergejoe): "If you do get two collectors on the same account, or for an account that is paid or has been waived by the lender, TALK TO AN ATTORNEY in debtors rights /FDCPA. It is illegal to do many of the common practices, and you can both sue and get your fees paid."
  