Dear Sun Spots: I was wondering if you or your readers could help me out. My husband had back surgery in Boston in May. They removed L5 and part of a tumor that’s called fibrosarcoma. He developed complex regional pain syndrome and needs radiation he cannot receive in Maine. He needs to go back to Boston and stay six-to-seven weeks. Unfortunately, I can’t afford financially to quit my job to go with him. Neither can my son stay out of school that long. But with nobody there with him they can’t treat him. There is apparently no help out there for people like us. I would like to know what other people have done in our situation. Thank you so much. – Mrs. Chesnel, Auburn.

Answer: In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots contacted the American Cancer Society’s Topsham office ( 373-3710, 800-464-3102) and Rhoda Freeman kindly provided the following:

For funds for financial assistance, Freeman says you should check out www.cancer.org and go into assistance/resources, put in your zip code, click on local resources and pick a category. You might also consider contacting a church in your area or your town hall or other local organizations that have lists of resources. Agencies such as your local United Way, Catholic Charities of Maine at (207) 781-8550, the Maine Department of Human Service’s Mainecare (originally Medicaid) and the Salvation Army.

In addition, you may be interested in contacting Hospitality Homes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a caring response to the housing needs of patients’ families when they travel to the Boston area for medical treatment. Hospitality Homes provides comfortable, short-term accommodations in a variety of locations donated by volunteer hosts. You can reach them at 138 Tremont St., Boston, MA 02111, (617) 482-4338, at mduddy@hosp.org or through their Web site at www.hosp.org. They can also be reached nationally at 800-542-9730.

Other lodging options can be researched by contacting:

Sharon Scott at Beacon House, 19 Myrtle St., Room 208, Boston, MA 02114, (617) 726-7679 and by e-mail at slscott@partners.org.

Pamela Nunes, 23 Cummings St., #215, Somerville, MA 02145, (617) 724-2027 and by e-mail at pjnunes@partners.org.

Dear Sun Spots: Please help me again. I have received approximately 50 pounds of silver in ingots and collectors coins as well as some old jewelry. What do I do with this? Who will buy it? Where are they and are they honest? I know absolutely nothing of the worth of silver in any form.

Looking forward to your answer. Many, many thanks. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Try contacting Republic Jewelry & Collectibles for starters at 212 Center St., Auburn, (207) 782-9492. P.P. of Sabattus may also want to make note of this reply.

Dear Sun Spots: Could Sun Spots or a reader please tell me where I can obtain a manual for an electronic Casiotone MT-220? Thank you. – D.M., Lewiston.

Answer: Unfortunately Sun Spots has been unable to locate one, and perhaps other readers may be able to assist you here.

Dear Sun Spots: A benefit holiday bazaar for the Family Self-Sufficiency Program of the Lewiston Housing Authority will be held at Meadowview Community Center on Spoffard Street Nov. 15 and at the Hillview Community Center on Friday and Saturday Nov. 7 and 8. We are looking for exhibitors such as crafters and vendors to rent tables for the events. More information can be obtained by calling the Hillview office at (207) 783-8539 and ask for Reta. – Reta Herrick, Lewiston.

Could you please find out what date Memorial Day fell on in 1998? – Norm in Wales.

Answer: That Memorial Day fell on Monday, May 25, 1998.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Inform Us section under Press Release.

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