Aa
How many of you do NOT work anymore
My situation began, when I went on my yearly vacation, the last week of June-first week of July, 2009
On July 3rd, I fell off my deck, which resulted in a "closed head injury" (severe concussion), severe neck trauma, severe chest contusion, and a severely dislocated left thumb. I was in the hospital July 3-6.
This brought about a catastrophic chain of events, because I was unable to return to work.
Through Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and a close eye by an RN, it was attempted to get me back to physically and mentally be able to return to work.
August 17th, 2009, I went to see a Neurologist, who ordered an MRI & EEG
August 18th, 2009, EEG performed
August 19th, 2009, MRI performed
August 27th, 2009, the Neurologist revealed that the EEG (for seizures) was normal, (shows the MRI to my wife) and that the MRI revealed two things, a "walnut-sized cyst" in the middle of my brain, and 12-16 lesions spread throughout my brain. He told my wife, this probably meant MS (Multiple Sclerosis). He also said, to return in two months, but also he could not release me to return to work.
October 19th, 2009, the Neurologist said very little, except to return again in another two months, and he could still not release me to return to work.
November 16th, 2009, 2nd MRI performed
November 17th, 2009, the Neurologists looks at 2nd MRI, (he doesn't show either one of us the MRI), he states that it shows more cysts (but he fails to say how may), and that is shows more lesions (again he doesn't say how many). He orders an LP (Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap), VEP (checker board) test, and blood work.
November 19th, 2009, LP (Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap), VEP test, and blood work are performed.
Neurologist leaves town (actually country) until December 7th, 2009
December 22nd, 2009, After not hearing back from my Neurologist, since his return, my wife calls his office.
The Nurse confirms that the tests (LP, blood work) confirm MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and asks what current MS medicine I was taking? My wife let them know, I wasn't on any MS medicine because we were waiting on the confirmation of his diagnosis. Well, she said we can get him started on Rebif, and it will be of little or no cost to you.
January 14th, 2010, I took my first (8.8 mcg) dose of Rebif.
My job finally released me from their employment on December 1st, 2009, because I failed to return.
I have not received any income since October (that was a blessing because people who had sick leave could give it to someone who needed it, at least for a certain length of time, and mine ran out at the end of October 2009.
This also means I lost my health insurance and prescription plan.
My Neurologist, has told me many things, most importantly I cannot drive a car again, and I will not be able to work again. He also said his office would help me with the SSI & SSD paperwork for Social Security.
No work means, no money and no insurance, that's real bad!
Well, I can (and have) applied for Social Security Disability, but that can take, at least, 5 months to process.
I can (and did) apply for SSI, and was denied because my wife (who is also on SSD) makes $800, too much money.
I applied for SRS assistance, thinking they could help me "bridge the gap" until I get SSD.
Well they gave me $100 per month for food assistance.
I had a pension plan, and I had two possible ways to use it.
1. Since I was discharged for a disability I could receive $600 a month for the rest of my life, which would have nothing to do with getting Social Security Disability (I could receive both).
2. Take a lump sum, minus taxes & penalties, of about $6,500. The catch is, you have to spend $3,500 immediately, and you can keep a balance of $3,000, this would allow me to qualify for SSI.
I'm broke, NOW.
Which means, I could lose my home, my (only) car, etc. while I'm waiting around to qualify for SSD.
They just don't understand (nor care) how do you financially make it, until they agree to give you, what they themselves call "automatic" (if you become disabled due to MS, it is one of the "automatic" causes to be approved).
My wife cannot work, she is already on SSD, and gets only $800/month.
My car payment is $400, my house payment is $340, and my lot rent is $220
Just those 3 bills alone add up to $960.
That does not include: utilities, phone, gasoline, groceries, Internet, misc., etc.
All these other bills, must be paid, or you lose them, they shut them off, etc.
Without all the other things to deal with, just making it through the day, with all my MS symptoms
I have to try to deal with the stress of losing everything!
Believe it or not, I'm really not depressed, and I'm not even close to saying "death looks pretty good right now"
I do not, and never have asked God, for more money than I need, I don't want to be rich, I just want enough money
that I don't have to worry if I'm going to have the money to pay my bills.
Q? How many of you, do NOT work anymore?
Q? How did you make it, until things settled down, and you didn't have to worry about money to survive, so you could concentrate on dealing with your MS and it's symptoms?
On July 3rd, I fell off my deck, which resulted in a "closed head injury" (severe concussion), severe neck trauma, severe chest contusion, and a severely dislocated left thumb. I was in the hospital July 3-6.
This brought about a catastrophic chain of events, because I was unable to return to work.
Through Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and a close eye by an RN, it was attempted to get me back to physically and mentally be able to return to work.
August 17th, 2009, I went to see a Neurologist, who ordered an MRI & EEG
August 18th, 2009, EEG performed
August 19th, 2009, MRI performed
August 27th, 2009, the Neurologist revealed that the EEG (for seizures) was normal, (shows the MRI to my wife) and that the MRI revealed two things, a "walnut-sized cyst" in the middle of my brain, and 12-16 lesions spread throughout my brain. He told my wife, this probably meant MS (Multiple Sclerosis). He also said, to return in two months, but also he could not release me to return to work.
October 19th, 2009, the Neurologist said very little, except to return again in another two months, and he could still not release me to return to work.
November 16th, 2009, 2nd MRI performed
November 17th, 2009, the Neurologists looks at 2nd MRI, (he doesn't show either one of us the MRI), he states that it shows more cysts (but he fails to say how may), and that is shows more lesions (again he doesn't say how many). He orders an LP (Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap), VEP (checker board) test, and blood work.
November 19th, 2009, LP (Lumbar Puncture or Spinal Tap), VEP test, and blood work are performed.
Neurologist leaves town (actually country) until December 7th, 2009
December 22nd, 2009, After not hearing back from my Neurologist, since his return, my wife calls his office.
The Nurse confirms that the tests (LP, blood work) confirm MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and asks what current MS medicine I was taking? My wife let them know, I wasn't on any MS medicine because we were waiting on the confirmation of his diagnosis. Well, she said we can get him started on Rebif, and it will be of little or no cost to you.
January 14th, 2010, I took my first (8.8 mcg) dose of Rebif.
My job finally released me from their employment on December 1st, 2009, because I failed to return.
I have not received any income since October (that was a blessing because people who had sick leave could give it to someone who needed it, at least for a certain length of time, and mine ran out at the end of October 2009.
This also means I lost my health insurance and prescription plan.
My Neurologist, has told me many things, most importantly I cannot drive a car again, and I will not be able to work again. He also said his office would help me with the SSI & SSD paperwork for Social Security.
No work means, no money and no insurance, that's real bad!
Well, I can (and have) applied for Social Security Disability, but that can take, at least, 5 months to process.
I can (and did) apply for SSI, and was denied because my wife (who is also on SSD) makes $800, too much money.
I applied for SRS assistance, thinking they could help me "bridge the gap" until I get SSD.
Well they gave me $100 per month for food assistance.
I had a pension plan, and I had two possible ways to use it.
1. Since I was discharged for a disability I could receive $600 a month for the rest of my life, which would have nothing to do with getting Social Security Disability (I could receive both).
2. Take a lump sum, minus taxes & penalties, of about $6,500. The catch is, you have to spend $3,500 immediately, and you can keep a balance of $3,000, this would allow me to qualify for SSI.
I'm broke, NOW.
Which means, I could lose my home, my (only) car, etc. while I'm waiting around to qualify for SSD.
They just don't understand (nor care) how do you financially make it, until they agree to give you, what they themselves call "automatic" (if you become disabled due to MS, it is one of the "automatic" causes to be approved).
My wife cannot work, she is already on SSD, and gets only $800/month.
My car payment is $400, my house payment is $340, and my lot rent is $220
Just those 3 bills alone add up to $960.
That does not include: utilities, phone, gasoline, groceries, Internet, misc., etc.
All these other bills, must be paid, or you lose them, they shut them off, etc.
Without all the other things to deal with, just making it through the day, with all my MS symptoms
I have to try to deal with the stress of losing everything!
Believe it or not, I'm really not depressed, and I'm not even close to saying "death looks pretty good right now"
I do not, and never have asked God, for more money than I need, I don't want to be rich, I just want enough money
that I don't have to worry if I'm going to have the money to pay my bills.
Q? How many of you, do NOT work anymore?
Q? How did you make it, until things settled down, and you didn't have to worry about money to survive, so you could concentrate on dealing with your MS and it's symptoms?
I stopped working may 08. We already had our home with a big mortgage so we have been trying to sell it for the past 2 years with no luck.
My hubby works but its not enough to cover bills so we have been winging it too. Sold both our cars, took students in for a while, basically trying to keep our heads above water. We are desperate to sell the house now so praying for a buyer to come along.
I am not able to get disibility here as hubby works but its a pittance anyways .Not enough to live on thats for sure.
We get child support from my ex for my children so that helps with schooling and there clothes etc.
It is a very stressful time and I sympathise with your situation. We have become resorcful. I even put in a vege garden and are growing veges so that helps.
Hope things work out for you soon.
Mistylee
My hubby works but its not enough to cover bills so we have been winging it too. Sold both our cars, took students in for a while, basically trying to keep our heads above water. We are desperate to sell the house now so praying for a buyer to come along.
I am not able to get disibility here as hubby works but its a pittance anyways .Not enough to live on thats for sure.
We get child support from my ex for my children so that helps with schooling and there clothes etc.
It is a very stressful time and I sympathise with your situation. We have become resorcful. I even put in a vege garden and are growing veges so that helps.
Hope things work out for you soon.
Mistylee
honestly sorry to hear of your situation.
how do i make it? i'm blowing my savings. my home is soon to go into foreclosure. i have looked for work for 2.5 years but never was hired. i work temp now for about 25 hours a week. couldn't do anymore than that really. too uncomfortable after that and take meds to take the edge off.
yes, i did quit a very well paying job to more to this city. but, i was also having many health issues at the time, plus work and i had reached apoint where i felt it time to move on, and the va was rationging the health care by theis process, "it isn't life threatening, we don't know what is wrong so nothing is too wrong and we aren't going to persue it so go home".
i applied for ssd. didn't want to but i see the writing on the wall with my health.
i may even have to have neck surgury to reduce the upper right quadrant pain & related symptoms. if it isn't the neck then it is the ms. if i get tossed out of home, not a good time to have surgery. not sure i have enough confidence in the va cutting on me anyway. probably come out a quadraparapalegic or dead.
and i don't know if ssd will actually be granted. they accepted my neuro stuff without having me see one of their doctors. so i hope that means they agree with that.
so, i have some understanding of your situation and can say i really really hope we get some stable relief on the money side of things.
i'm basically winging it,
how do i make it? i'm blowing my savings. my home is soon to go into foreclosure. i have looked for work for 2.5 years but never was hired. i work temp now for about 25 hours a week. couldn't do anymore than that really. too uncomfortable after that and take meds to take the edge off.
yes, i did quit a very well paying job to more to this city. but, i was also having many health issues at the time, plus work and i had reached apoint where i felt it time to move on, and the va was rationging the health care by theis process, "it isn't life threatening, we don't know what is wrong so nothing is too wrong and we aren't going to persue it so go home".
i applied for ssd. didn't want to but i see the writing on the wall with my health.
i may even have to have neck surgury to reduce the upper right quadrant pain & related symptoms. if it isn't the neck then it is the ms. if i get tossed out of home, not a good time to have surgery. not sure i have enough confidence in the va cutting on me anyway. probably come out a quadraparapalegic or dead.
and i don't know if ssd will actually be granted. they accepted my neuro stuff without having me see one of their doctors. so i hope that means they agree with that.
so, i have some understanding of your situation and can say i really really hope we get some stable relief on the money side of things.
i'm basically winging it,
i have not worked sence may 21 of 2008 was fired do to not comeing in to work on my day off (was haveing a bad MS flair and to tired to go in ) first time ever not going in when boss man called so realy i didnt get days off i worked 72 to 85 hours aweek with 4 kidds last baby i had in 11/ 8/ 07 i worked up to 3 days till i had her and went back 10 days after i had her
im single now i dont get SSD do to not getting all 20 work credits i have 18 ggrrr so i get 674.00 amonth i do get medical cards for all 4 girls and myself pluss food stamps and cash asstance of 380 monthly i have no car cant drive it any way no need to pay inc . so i sold it
my rent is 500 month for 4 beds and if i dont use to much electricty or gas for heat and water each month i have a wapping 20.00 to 30.. bucks left to buy none food things i pray my kids dont need shoes or new clothes cause i spend most os the extra cash on dipers for my 2 1/2 year old i know i know get that kid out of dipers and on the potty i would if i could but she has cp myosistis and possable autism wating on tests right now
so she will be in dipers for a while first hubby dead beat second hubby realy is dead and stephs father cant handle her and i both with disabiltys so he took a hike whoo hooo no more stress that way cause he dont even come around much asked him back in january for a soft nippled sippy cup for his daughter still waiteing for it lol
how do i make it each month by the grace of god i have no family around here but my dad and that is a big no i will not ask that man for help ever (long stroy)
i have 7 older brothers but no help there they dont even call me i call them but they never call me back so i on my own SO i know how u feel and what your going through get out the cupons and buy in balk freaze lots of meat dont know if u have a shop n save there or if they have the pick 5 for 20.00 in the meats if they do one month stock up on meats nezt hit the 10 for 10 foods
when out and about hit the restrooms and snagg some TP i know its stealing but u have to do what u can when u have no money buy all cleaning stuff that says conintrated and add water when u get low or save old bottles and put 1/2 in it and add water to both now u have 2 months worth of lundry sudds same way with dish sudds hope this helps
and i will keep u all in my prayers and when things get bad smile make people think ur up to something even when the floor comes up to give u a bigg hard kiss lol just smile like i did when my 4 year old asked why i was down there i jast told here i was saveing electric and picking up fuzz by hane now she realy dose pick the carpit for me lol its a game to her well bye for now may GOD be with you in this time of need
im single now i dont get SSD do to not getting all 20 work credits i have 18 ggrrr so i get 674.00 amonth i do get medical cards for all 4 girls and myself pluss food stamps and cash asstance of 380 monthly i have no car cant drive it any way no need to pay inc . so i sold it
my rent is 500 month for 4 beds and if i dont use to much electricty or gas for heat and water each month i have a wapping 20.00 to 30.. bucks left to buy none food things i pray my kids dont need shoes or new clothes cause i spend most os the extra cash on dipers for my 2 1/2 year old i know i know get that kid out of dipers and on the potty i would if i could but she has cp myosistis and possable autism wating on tests right now
so she will be in dipers for a while first hubby dead beat second hubby realy is dead and stephs father cant handle her and i both with disabiltys so he took a hike whoo hooo no more stress that way cause he dont even come around much asked him back in january for a soft nippled sippy cup for his daughter still waiteing for it lol
how do i make it each month by the grace of god i have no family around here but my dad and that is a big no i will not ask that man for help ever (long stroy)
i have 7 older brothers but no help there they dont even call me i call them but they never call me back so i on my own SO i know how u feel and what your going through get out the cupons and buy in balk freaze lots of meat dont know if u have a shop n save there or if they have the pick 5 for 20.00 in the meats if they do one month stock up on meats nezt hit the 10 for 10 foods
when out and about hit the restrooms and snagg some TP i know its stealing but u have to do what u can when u have no money buy all cleaning stuff that says conintrated and add water when u get low or save old bottles and put 1/2 in it and add water to both now u have 2 months worth of lundry sudds same way with dish sudds hope this helps
and i will keep u all in my prayers and when things get bad smile make people think ur up to something even when the floor comes up to give u a bigg hard kiss lol just smile like i did when my 4 year old asked why i was down there i jast told here i was saveing electric and picking up fuzz by hane now she realy dose pick the carpit for me lol its a game to her well bye for now may GOD be with you in this time of need
I worked for most of my life up till 2007 then had to stop because of symptoms... haven't been able to return to work. Took over 4 years for aDx...now Dx with SPMS and not getting any better, slowly worse..
take care
wobbly
take care
wobbly
I am not working and had to wait 5 1/2 months for my company disability to kick in. The sudden disability was a surprise and a huge blow with a sick child, and 2 kids in college.
The kids in college suddenly had to get loans and I shopped VERY frugally. We did nothing for entertainment, etc. Just eked out an exsistnece. Our only saving grace was my husband still has his job and insurance.
I am sorry that you are in financial straights and I hope you get some answers soon regarding your SSD. I , too , am in the process of applying as my company disability insurance is extremely limited.
Keeping you and your wife in my thoughts.
Ren
The kids in college suddenly had to get loans and I shopped VERY frugally. We did nothing for entertainment, etc. Just eked out an exsistnece. Our only saving grace was my husband still has his job and insurance.
I am sorry that you are in financial straights and I hope you get some answers soon regarding your SSD. I , too , am in the process of applying as my company disability insurance is extremely limited.
Keeping you and your wife in my thoughts.
Ren
I am sorry. I wish your situation was rare. I wish I had a solution.
My husband and I have been in bad straights in the past. We some how made it mostly from the kindness of family. His father and my brother came through with out us asking.
He was laid off for two years with no severance and little savings.
We did not go to Doctors or take medication for two years even in emergencies.
We let go of Internet, cable and all but basic phone service. We went down to one car which was paid for. We could have done buses if it came to it.
I still get meat marked down and fruits and vegetables on the sale rack. I do not waste money on anything processed.
Some electric companies will work with people who have MS, some won't.
Our local MS Society has some resources. If you belong to a church sometimes they can help.
Mostly I learned worrying about something does not help. I make very little money and my husband may face another lay off with the state.
I think the rules for MS disability need to be changed. I am working on such a thing.
Alex
My husband and I have been in bad straights in the past. We some how made it mostly from the kindness of family. His father and my brother came through with out us asking.
He was laid off for two years with no severance and little savings.
We did not go to Doctors or take medication for two years even in emergencies.
We let go of Internet, cable and all but basic phone service. We went down to one car which was paid for. We could have done buses if it came to it.
I still get meat marked down and fruits and vegetables on the sale rack. I do not waste money on anything processed.
Some electric companies will work with people who have MS, some won't.
Our local MS Society has some resources. If you belong to a church sometimes they can help.
Mostly I learned worrying about something does not help. I make very little money and my husband may face another lay off with the state.
I think the rules for MS disability need to be changed. I am working on such a thing.
Alex
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