|
Post by klorentz on Jan 4, 2011 21:45:20 GMT -5
Bill not to bring up a sore subject but I went through all this with MJ last year. I want to be able to pay my own bills etc but one no income two the resources not available.Not being in a city which I am not in a city btw let alone what would pass as a village I just do not have it period. Also not having reliable transportation 15 min away from the nearest city does not help ether.I live in an area which has a one person post office and a little ma and pop convenience store and that's it.My sister and bil have been forced to go on cash assistance and they don't got it to spare. I realize this situation is hard to understand but there it is.Btw I live in a house with 9 people which include myself and my sisters kids and her step son and her husband. Now you tell me where we are supposed to get it!
If you refuse to believe me that is of coarse your prerogative. I just do not have the resources to work with.
KL
|
|
|
Post by ozarklady on Jan 4, 2011 22:50:35 GMT -5
Cheer up Kevin, it is always darkest right before the dawn! Do all that you can possibly do, check for all resources. I don't know how folks make money online, I tried and tried never made a dime. Finally, I went to work at Wal-Mart for a couple years.
My son fought for his disability for 2 years. It finally went through. It has taken the entire family to keep them going, not fancy, but electric on and mortgage paid. There was so many times that I knew his kids needed shoes or a coat, but best I could do was cover the electric or mortgage for them.
Kevin, may I ask what size clothes you wear? There just may be folks on here, that have that size clothes that they are no longer using, for one reason or another.
My house burned in 2008, and we got bags and bags of clothes from folks who had no idea of our size, we wore what fit the best, until we got something better. Hey, it got us through the rough part! I still look in my closet and nothing looks familiar! I did eliminate the ones that wrapped around us twice! And the ones that you get one leg into and nothing more! ha ha I walk through my house and smile at the items that were a blessing from this person or that person. It was hard to accept help at the time, now it touches my heart to see friends, acquaintances, and co-workers generosity in all areas of my life.
|
|
PVP
Tomatophile
head spellerer
Only an Amateur
Posts: 798
|
Post by PVP on Jan 5, 2011 15:00:51 GMT -5
Kevin, this is the last time I'm going to bother you with anything whatsoever, okay.
I see what you have said at IDig today. And I see that Michele is offering you basically the same advice as I have, albeit with maybe a little more sensitivity. Nevertheless, here is what I have to say, and that's all I will ever say to you ever again ...
What you describe cries out to me "congestive heart failure!" I am not a doctor, and cannot diagnose or prescribe, but I have congestive heart failure myself, okay?
The pain in your upper arm cries out to me "imminent cardiac event!" Again, I am not a doctor, I cannot diagnose or prescribe, but I had the same symptoms immediately before my heart attack.
What you told us about your extremely low ejection fraction cries out to me "specific medications immediately and in maximum doses," "immediate weight loss regimen," and "a prescribed exercise routine to strengthen heart and body muscles." Once again, I am not a doctor, and I do not pretend to be diagnosing or prescribing, but when my EF was 20 - 25%, I was scheduled for a pacemaker/fibulator because my surgeon and cardiologists told me otherwise, I was subject to "instant heart death."
I'm not trying to scare you. I am not trying to piss you off. I am trying to get you to take immediate action.
An example of at-home work: A friend of mine, 25 years old, works at home, on the computer, collecting data for the American Cancer Society, which data she receives from cancer patients and study group members, and which data she enters onto digital forms, and then transmits them to the ACS. She makes about $45K a year. Surely there is something similar that will pay 400 - 900 dollars a month.
In closing, all I was suggesting was get to the doctor, and get the meds immediately, then get on some sort of diet and exercise regimen. I know what I'm saying personally because I've been there in the exact same physical situation with my heart and the exact same monetary/disability routine with my daughter.
If you need 10 bucks to get to the doctor, and another 15 or 20 bucks for the med copay, let me know. That's it.
Now, if you're all pissed off, as indicated by your comments to other folks, which have come to my attention, well that's just too bad, because I thought only to shock you into action. But like I said, this is the last you'll have to endure from me.
Bill
|
|
|
Post by klorentz on Jan 5, 2011 15:26:14 GMT -5
Kevin, this is the last time I'm going to bother you with anything whatsoever, okay. I see what you have said at IDig today. And I see that Michele is offering you basically the same advice as I have, albeit with maybe a little more sensitivity. Nevertheless, here is what I have to say, and that's all I will ever say to you ever again ... What you describe cries out to me "congestive heart failure!" I am not a doctor, and cannot diagnose or prescribe, but I have congestive heart failure myself, okay? The pain in your upper arm cries out to me "imminent cardiac event!" Again, I am not a doctor, I cannot diagnose or prescribe, but I had the same symptoms immediately before my heart attack. What you told us about your extremely low ejection fraction cries out to me "specific medications immediately and in maximum doses," "immediate weight loss regimen," and "a prescribed exercise routine to strengthen heart and body muscles." Once again, I am not a doctor, and I do not pretend to be diagnosing or prescribing, but when my EF was 20 - 25%, I was scheduled for a pacemaker/fibulator because my surgeon and cardiologists told me otherwise, I was subject to "instant heart death." I'm not trying to scare you. I am not trying to piss you off. I am trying to get you to take immediate action. An example of at-home work: A friend of mine, 25 years old, works at home, on the computer, collecting data for the American Cancer Society, which data she receives from cancer patients and study group members, and which date she enters onto digital forms, and then transmits them to the ACS. She makes about $45K a year. Surely there is something similar that will pay 400 - 900 dollars a month. In closing, all I was suggesting was get to the doctor, and get the meds immediately, then get on some sort of diet and exercise regimen. I know what I'm saying personally because I've been there in the exact same physical situation with my heart and the exact same monetary/disability routine with my daughter. If you need 10 bucks to get to the doctor, and another 15 or 20 bucks for the med copay, let me know. That's it. Now, if you're all pissed off, as indicated by your comments to other folks, which have come to my attention, well that's just too bad, because I thought only to shock you into action. But like I said, this is the last you'll have to endure from me. Bill Tachycardia was the reason I have a pacemaker/defibrillator in my chest did you forget me mentioning this on several occasions? Anyway shocking me into action is not needed I know what I need to do but can't because I have no reliable transportation.Hell I have been trying to secure a ride to the free clinic for my follow ups and have not found anyone yet.As for making money on the net I have yet to find a dang thing and trust me I have been looking since before I had my 06 heart attack. I am just sorry you do not understand the wall I am up against in all this. And since you saw my thread on Idig you saw my replies and my nieces reply if after all this that you have seen in black and white does not change your mind then I sure don't know what will.And yes I have had congestive heart failure.Twice now.As indicated it ain't the only thing I suffer from. Anyway I did not post this thread to fight with you or anyone else.I posted this to update friends on my situation as I know folks where concerned. Kevin
|
|
|
Post by redneckplanter on Jan 5, 2011 23:11:47 GMT -5
i see folks come in every day on hard times.... been a nurse 9 years now.... it really is a jungle out there right now. the folks eating catfood stories are true.....sighs folks cutting up their meds below half the reccomended dosages...poor? heck they freeze in the winter and cookin the summer..... just hoping to keep the lights and appliances on...if possible...... gas is near 3.00 a gallon...... everything is going up in prices. and raises are non existant and hours are bieng cut..... and of course taxes...smiles they gotta get their cut........ choices...choices..... i pity these folks...... 900 a month? how can anyonelive onthat when raising kids? what kinda quality of life is that? i think now more than ever in these uncertain times you better have a garden.... for food and soul as well...... wishing us all peace and a lil prosperity this new year.........
|
|
leftylogan
Global Moderator
Moderator in Training
Posts: 232
|
Post by leftylogan on Jan 6, 2011 0:34:19 GMT -5
i see folks come in every day on hard times.... been a nurse 9 years now.... it really is a jungle out there right now. the folks eating catfood stories are true.....sighs folks cutting up their meds below half the reccomended dosages...poor? heck they freeze in the winter and cookin the summer..... just hoping to keep the lights and appliances on...if possible...... gas is near 3.00 a gallon......everything is going up in prices. and raises are non existant and hours are bieng cut..... and of course taxes...smiles they gotta get their cut........ choices...choices..... i pity these folks...... 900 a month? how can anyonelive onthat when raising kids? what kinda quality of life is that? i think now more than ever in these uncertain times you better have a garden.... for food and soul as well...... wishing us all peace and a lil prosperity this new year......... That makes you lucky. Gas is 3.20 a gallon here
|
|
|
Post by darthslater on Jan 6, 2011 10:53:11 GMT -5
First of all Kev, I know Pap is sincere in his tough love..he just wants you to be...well..AROUND...second this is why I never post what is wrong with me, to much info for others. I would like to keep my weakness out of the public eye, believe me I have many, I am not cured of crohns, I will have it for the rest of my life..yes..a. life of constant agony, hell if 10 bucks will get you a percription I will gladly send it, but you had better post the bottle so I can see you are using it.
Darth
|
|
|
Post by klorentz on Jan 6, 2011 12:58:52 GMT -5
Hey Dean I understand all that.Trust me.But the thing is to be able to get to town.I have not been in Hillsdale since my last visit to the Free Clinic in October.This is part of what I am trying to get Pap and others to understand.It ain't being lazy or any other excuse other than I just do not have 100% reliable ways in to Hillsdale.Hell I could not even tell ya what the price of gas is or what sales are going on at Wally World right now.I still don't know much about Hillsdale since moving here in 09.All that is just a short 15 min drive. but I ain't got a car right now.
The good thing is DHS finally arranged a ride for me to get to the Free Clinic so I can see the Doc and get meds I need.As to talking about it here or on Idig etc.It helps me to talk with friends about it.I know that makes me a target for some jerks out there but I am use to that and do my best to blow it off.Sometimes it works but then there are other times like last year I just end up erupting.Kinda like when Mount St Helens blew its cork many years ago.
Kevin
|
|
blah
Tomato Gardener
Posts: 30
|
Post by blah on Jan 6, 2011 19:17:45 GMT -5
Kevin, one way of helping paying on my fathers medical bills is selling tomato plants, and occasional tomato bushel or two at my local towns yard sales.
|
|
|
Post by rintintin on Jan 6, 2011 22:27:44 GMT -5
@ Kevin:
Been there, done that. Bottom line is that it's the squeaky wheel that gets greased. You need to communicate to DHS that you have a life threatening problem, AND that you have no means to get to the help you need.. If you have a phone, then talk to the right people...tell them you are desperate, and need help. I understand that most civil service workers earn a decent salary for doing the minimum that they can to get by with (Jeez, they cannot even be fired unless getting caught for committing a felony while on working hours), but if you talk to/with them, they can actually make things happen. Otherwise, the undertakers will be joking about the callouses on your arse, because you never got off of it...don't take that the wrong way...we are trying to help.
|
|
|
Post by klorentz on Jan 7, 2011 1:15:27 GMT -5
The big problem with Hillsdale County DHS is when they get messages on their voice mails half the time they do not return calls. So it is a work in progress when you call in and leave a voice mail. DHS does know what my condition is mainly cuz of my app for state disability and the Adult Medical Program.When I was in the hospital the last part of September they finally got off their butts and got me in touch with the DHS rep there.Had it gone through the main office it would have been taking longer. But then I was in a wing in the hospital where the nurses and social worker where having as big a fit about my meds as you guys.Also the MD looking out for me did not beat around the bush ether."If you don't change things your living on borrowed time" that's what she said.
Ever since then I have been trying to do that but it has been an uphill battle.Hell it took over a year for me to get the info about rides to town through DHS.These guys are that bad.So is the hospital.Had they got the social worker in touch with me (who is a very kind lady) along with the DHS rep over a year ago I would not have had to worry about things as much as I do now.Heck I might even have had State disability right now while I wait on the Feds.And get this,I have told these guys I don't know how many times what our mailing address is.We do not get home delivery so we have a P.O. Box at the one person Post Office here.Yet they sent my DHS paper work for my Medical and State Disability to our street address.It took over two months to find out what happened.
It all boils down to people not doing their job the way they should be.And that can not only cost me my life but the lives of others.
Kevin
|
|
|
Post by michelle8 on Jan 8, 2011 0:04:57 GMT -5
As you've pointed out,Kevin, times are bad for lots of folks!! I cannot empathise with your frustration, b/c I have never been there.
I am not overly impressed with how you speak of the workers at the hospital. I know for a fact that 98% of the people who work at a hospital don't make that much. And you can forget working for the gov. which is where you are wanting to get benefits.
If they sent the papers to your house, that would be because that is where the great majority receive their mail.
If you hadn't received your paperwork in a timely manner, it becomes your responsiblity to find out where it is. Not waiting for it to come to you. (And I don't know that you didn't go looking for it, it just didn't sound like you did)
Have you asked anybody, and lots of somebodies, what services are out there for you? You will fall between the cracks if you don't look out for yourself( and you shouldn't expect someone else to look out for you.) See if you can't get in touch with someone who can tell you all the assistance programs to which you are entitled. I am sooo sure there are even more that you are not yet tapping into. And I am not sure how to guide you through the hoops and hoops is what is and has always been. That is why it is so abused. Some folks have learned how to jump through the hoops.
My brother died before he got his disability. Then...they denied him for the 3rd and final time.
Don't let this be you. You are already on borrowed time. If you don't get your heart into better shape, you will die. It is not if but when.
You are in a very terrible place. I am hoping when you go to the clinci next week you can get some answers.
At the clinic is there a social worker you can meet with? Can you talk with someone in the main office about getting information on assistances that may be availble to you? once you get your disability, you should also be able to get a mobility chair that would improve your quality of life.
Have you talked with any of the churches in your area? Esp. in the bigger or older churches there are retirees who might volunteer to take you to appt. and help with the cost of medical care and other daily living expenses.
Please do me a favor? Please do not talk bad about the workers. I have a hard time believing anyone would intentionally hurt you or short you your assistances. Everytime you bad mouth them, I cringe. B/C I am one of them.
|
|
|
Post by klorentz on Jan 8, 2011 15:53:41 GMT -5
Michelle they where told time and time again to not send any mailings to our street address for over a year.One reason I am a bit testy about the ordeal. I filled out all the paper work at the hospital. And when I talk about the Hillsdale County DHS I speak from personal experience in dealing with them. Several that we have delt with especially my nieces case worker that she mentioned on Idig haven't got a clue and treat people they deal with like second class citizens.Not all of them deserve such labels.But several here do. What I was waiting on was the response on whether I was approved or denied.The hospital and DHS know full well our mailing address. I am sorry but some of your counterparts in DHS I speak of here do deserve the labels they have been given by more than my family. They are giving DHS a bad name and we use to see the very same thing in Williams County Ohio too. It is very sad but very true.I never have spoke ill of the DHS rep at the hospital.She is very kind.So is the social worker at the hospital. Both the Hillsdale County DHS and Williams County Ohio Job and Family Services have had past or current investigations on how they treat people and grant benefits.It is a fact that one case worker in the Williams County office of JFS was fired for giving preferential treatment to minorities while giving less or nothing to others.Hillsdale County DHS/CPS has had investigations for totally unwarranted taking of peoples kids. While some in various states are totally different and might not be so bad there are other States that are.I am glad Tennessee has you. The country needs more caring folks in these jobs. I might also add the DHS Rep at the Free Clinic did not know all the programs including rides being arranged through DHS And she would be one of them that should know Kevin
|
|
|
Post by michelle8 on Jan 8, 2011 18:36:42 GMT -5
I believe the case workers working for the gov. are short-staffed, way over worked, and way under paid. I think these workers see sooooo much and deal with sooooo much that they "turn off" a part of themselves. I have seen the same thing happen with nurses. Unfortunately there will always be workers who are not fair who are not good at their jobs. We have all seen it. Big reason I took my kids out of the public school system is that there were too many teachers just coasting or not doing a decent job at teaching. I felt it was too much of a crap shoot to trust my kids education to.
Anyway, programs are constantly changing with the budget flows. I have been in the nursing field for over 20 yrs and just learned in the last year that there is a program to bring the mother's to the hospital to see thier baby. Constanly changing.
I am just askig that when you speak of worker that you speak, if not nicely, then at least neutrally of folks who are doing a hard job. I bet the case workers have 100s of cases they are trying to juggle. Which is why it is soooo important for you to be your own advocate.
I am also of the opinion that if you don't do something different, meds, follow ups, life style changes, etc, you won't live long. Period. You truly could die anytime and are indeed living on borrowed time. Your heart is wearing out. I agree with Pap that you are in heart failure. And if you die, your family will have an even tougher time. You help out in a major way with your garden. And if you die, I can almost guarantee that you will again be denied disabilty. And your family won't ever receive the money from the disability claim. So bottom line, do whatever you need to do to take care of your heart.
Someone on another forum mentioned an outlet for giving out clothing to those who need it. I know our county also has a large "store" for those who need clothing. Check with the churches and the school system/public housing agencies for where one would be located in your area.
michelle
My heart goes out to you guys.
|
|
|
Post by klorentz on Jan 20, 2011 7:04:01 GMT -5
Hey guys Still lurking about here ;D
Anyway to update ya all I was not able to get to the free clinic in time cuz the driver was late.He tried but in the end we did not make it before the cut off time of 6pm. And they can not take me in any event cuz I am on the Adult Medical Program.Back to square one.I now ether have to drop that to go to the free clinic or come up with my copay to see a doctor at his/her office and the copay for any scrips issued. That is a big issue cuz I do not have an income and my family is strapped right now so they can not help as much as they would like to.Also I may yet get State disability but was informed by the DHS Rep at the hospital that the office in Kalamazoo which covers my area had fully 1/3 of the staff retire.She said normally it takes 2 to 3 weeks for an answer but has no idea of how long it will take now.Note it would have gone through sooner if not for the address issues and SSA delays.
Also I have an update on my seed starting issue.A friend down south and her husband sent me enough Pro-Mix and peat pots to get a little over 200 plants started.Add to that a few more maters and plenty leaf lettuce a few herbs that I was not expecting but needed and some sweet corn that will be enough for my whole family.Also they sent rattlesnake beans.Now I have heard of them but I have never grown them.Can anyone tell me about them and their uses?Also some good advice on Celery too as I have not really grown it before.
Kevin
|
|