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Mostly lousy day today! First thing this morning, I found out that the formerly homeless guy (who has been living with us for 15 months) is no longer eligible for food stamps! That $200/month was a BIG help with the groceries! With the new laws, he would have to work 20 hours per week, which he is unable to do because (1) he will never be able to get a driver’s license again (and we don’t live near a bus line) and (2) he is an alcoholic and the stress of working would make him drink again. He HAS been working “off the books” for several hours a week for a guy in our church, earning enough money to pay for his own cigarettes, which has been a big help. After I heard the news about the food stamps, I took an anxiety pill and went back to bed!
When I woke up, I remembered that when I went to pick up my husband’s prescriptions yesterday, the pharmacy told me that they were getting an error message that says he is no longer covered by his insurance! I was the primary on the Marketplace policy, and went OFF that on June 1st when my Medicare kicked in. They were SUPPOSED to have started my husband on a NEW policy that same day, but somehow it got messed up so that he’s not scheduled for insurance to start until JULY 1st. An hour and a half into my phone call with the insurance company, we were able to ascertain that he SHOULD have insurance coverage within the next 7-10 days and that anything that happens between now and then will be covered retroactively. BUT, he won’t be able to get ANY Rx’s unless we pay the full cash price, for which we will NOT be reimbursed.
After I finished THAT fiasco, I was actually ITCHING from stress, and took a couple Benedryl and went back to sleep AGAIN!
I have NOT been good on what I’ve been eating today, but I HAVE logged it all into my Food Diary. Trust me, don’t go there and look – it’s too painful!!!
A couple hours ago, I got a text saying that my 3 prescriptions from the psychiatrist had been filled. BUT ... to pick them up would cost me over $600!!! One is $305 and one is $339! I checked on the first one online for a patient assistance program and the preliminary applications shows that I might be eligible. I have to call my doctor on Monday, as he is the one who has to submit the final request in order for it to be approved. I'll check on the 2nd Rx tomorrow for patient assistance. (Fingers crossed.)
There is a glimmer of light at the end of today’s tunnel. I went to the pool when they opened at 4:30, and swam 10 laps. Then, when I got home, I looked on You Tube, and found several knee and back exercises that I can do in the pool while I’m watching the kids – it’s hard to leave the little one (3 years old) unattended long enough to swim laps unless one or both of the older kids or another adult are able to come along. Also, starting tomorrow, the pool will be open every day at 10am (Sundays at noon), so I can go EVERY day that the weather permits! I’m excited about the new exercises. Ten laps is about all I can swim at a stretch right now, because I get winded; but I’ll be able to do the exercises in addition to that.
Just now, I found out that my best friend in the psychiatric facility is PROBABLY coming home on June 19th (arriving from a 19-hour train ride at 4:20am on 6/20 -- my birthday!) On that note, I’m going to retire for the evening and look forward to a better tomorrow with LOTS of pool exercise, good eating practices, and maybe even some housework thrown into the mix.
As Eyeore says, “Thanks for noticing me.”
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3434 kcal
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Fat: 188.88g | Prot: 79.74g | Carbs: 390.77g.
Breakfast: Butter (Salted), Walden Farms Calorie Free Pancake Syrup, High-Fiber One-Minute Flax Muffin. Lunch: Cheetos Crunchy Cheetos, White Bread, Trader Joe's Tuna Salad. Dinner: Macaroni or Pasta Salad, Duke's Mayonnaise, Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon, White Bread. Snacks/Other: Kroger Stick Pretzels, Kirkland Signature Halved Pecans, Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Vanilla Ice Creams, Sweet Cherries, Macaroni or Pasta Salad, Navels Oranges, Watermelon. more...
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 Comments
being blunt, for those that smoke and drink, often cigarettes and a bottle of booze is all they feel they need. went through this many, many, many times. she's not going to be able to change his behavior.
take care of yourself first and foremost so that you can be there for the ones you love. ask your docs to try and help with samples to bridge that gap with your husband's coverage.
deep breaths. this too shall pass. I count when I swim; strokes, breaths, and laps. all at once. that forces me to clear my mind (or take in a lot of water if I don't) and why it's such a zen exercise for me. there is no room in my head for anything else when I do that.
15 Jun 19 by member: Katsolo
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Hi! I am a social worker who specializes in Homeless intervention and prevention. A very large portion of my clients suffer from alcoholism and struggle to keep jobs because of it. It sounds like your friend could benefit from seeking treatment. Perhaps they could start by searching online for local AA meetings (free and easy to access)? As far as the food... while they may no longer for SNAP benefits, they can still access local food pantries. The pantries in my area are amazing and have been welcoming and so very helpful to my homeless clients.
16 Jun 19 by member: Betheroo
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Katsolo, best advice!! Yes ma’am I too tried to help someone like that. All lies. It never changed. I had to let go. It was an anchor. Turn it over to higher powers. Maybe a local church could assist. And also we are not crazy! Some psych meds are putting pounds on folks. Revisit with the doctors and see what else can be done
16 Jun 19 by member: dietgirl145
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That is great news that your friend is probably coming home! The rest of your day really sucked, Debbie—I’m so sorry. Dealing with insurance and coverage is the pits. It seems like you guys have been dealing with one challenge after another lately. Know that I’ll be praying for you. 🙏🏻🥺
16 Jun 19 by member: laraae
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Thank you for all the great comments! @dietgirl145, we ARE the church - my husband is the pastor of a small Baptist church. In all fairness to Dwayne, he has been dealt a REALLY crappy hand in life, and I'd probably be an alcoholic, too, if I had been given the same cards. His fiance died right before their wedding, and his best friend was cut in half on the interstate when he was trying to help someone change a flat tire! Drinking was his only escape from the pain. He has been living with us since 3/8/18, and he has only had a drink ONE DAY about the six month mark. He IS very subject to stress, though, and the cigarettes help with that -- just like FOOD (and medications, and sleep) help me with my stress.
16 Jun 19 by member: Debbie Cousins
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Does your roommate see a doctor? Maybe he could qualify for SSI disability based on his mental status? If he is truly unable to work due to his alcoholism, he may qualify.
16 Jun 19 by member: shiny50
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yep. He has PTSD. They should have diagnosed him already.
16 Jun 19 by member: SheaDlady
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Thinking of you and sending you thoughts for peace, comfort and energy
.
16 Jun 19 by member: floridagal2000
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I hope things change for the better friend🙏❤️ that poor man has been through an awful lot😔
16 Jun 19 by member: jcmama777
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Shiny50, I was an SSA/SSI disability expert (30-year career, claims rep and legal analyst; still advising people as a volunteer advocate). Merely "being" an substance abuser does not qualify one for benefits. There must be *another* physical and/or mental impairment that causes limitations. Also, if a person is living in another's household and not contributing a "pro rata share" of household expenses, the support s/he receives reduces the amount of SSI payable. (SSI disability *payments* are calculated based on "need." SSA disability insurance *benefits* are based on one's SSA-covered lifetime earnings.)
16 Jun 19 by member: Miraculum
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Any "herbal" or "natural" compound should be taken ONLY after considering its total effects, side effects, interactions, and warnings. Self-prescription of psychoactive compounds -- from ANY source -- can be extremely dangerous, especially when combined with even minimal alcohol consumption. It would be VERY unwise and irresponsible for Debby to suggest an herbal compound to her guest.
16 Jun 19 by member: Miraculum
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Debbie, pastors and their spouses need peer support, too!
16 Jun 19 by member: Miraculum
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Miraculum-Thank you for the feedback. I agree with you about the natural remedies. Depression/Anxiety, ect. are medical problems and must be treated as such. I would not recommend a diabetic replace his/her insulin with a herb so I would not recommend a depressed person do that either.
16 Jun 19 by member: shiny50
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Dear Debbie, so sorry you are going through all this, but am glad your friend is (hopefully) coming home.
17 Jun 19 by member: Snowwhite100
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Debbie Cousins's Weight History
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