Can it get any worse?

[cindy101]

This has to rank as the worst week since my husband left a year and a half ago.

My bipolar sister tried to jump off a bridge into the Ohio river because she can't cope with the stress of having to stay enrolled as a full time student to maintain her health insurance so she can have her second cancer surgery this year and start radiation treatments mid-semester.

The cat my son and I adopted to ease some of the sadness of my husband's departure had to be euthanized(sp?) because he had a large growth in his small intestine that the vet deemed not worth operating on.

My son had major issues at school this week (also bipolar like my sister)

Work SUCKS but I can't quit because I need the insurance.

I'm terrified my waiver will get denied because I can't handle all the stress in my life anymore.

I just want to get into fuzzy pajamas and hide out in my room for a few weeks.

[angela256z]

Cindy - I am sorry to hear that you are having a tough time. Hang in there. I know at times in life it is hard to think positive, but things will get better. We arev all here for you.

[kitkat1]

FYI - all states are required by law to have health insurance programs available to "uninsurable" residents i.e. people who would otherwise be denied by private insurers due to existing medical conditions (assuming that is legal in the state - it is in some).

It's ususally the most expensive option, but at least it's an option if she doesn't want to stay in school just for the insurance. (It's usually called something like "Comprehensive Health Insurance Program" with the state name or search by State name for "insurance program - unable to obtain private health insurance" or something like that. Here's a place to start:

http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/

[aprilstorm]

Cindy...I'm sorry that your having an extra rough time. BIG HUGS!!!!!! :hug:

[cindy101]

Thanks Kitkat...

I've already had to figure out how to get my sister free meds when the coverage for that maxed out on her 2/3 into the last school year.

I guess I'll look into this as well. Problem is the coverage is usually so substandard for metal illness (on any & all plans) that it is a sad statement on how our country treats the mentally ill.

She will have coverage for the cancer... I'm more worried about her killing herself at this point from depression. She gets irrational about spending hundreds of dollars a month on psych meds and decides not to take them.

So if anyone is up to it... please contact your local congressional reps and ask them to support mental health parity legislation
S.558 (equal benefits for mental & phsyical conditions on insurance plans) which should be coming up to vote in mid-October.

Sorry just disgusted with everything lately.

UGHHHH

[cindy101]

& thanks everyone for the positive thoughts.. It always helps!

[Laura]

Hang in there Cindy. Sorry for all the hardship you are experiencing.

[Alice]

Hi, Cindy I am sorry for all the things that you have to deal with all at once. I know how you feel. I felt very discouraged and ready to give up about 2 months ago. I felt I could not handle any more problems. I would never want to live through what I lived through then. Now things are much easier and I look back at it like a nightmare. Trust me, things will get better and you will look back all the problems you are facing now as a nightmare that past.

Some things that help me deal with stress and when I feel overwhelmed that may or may not work for you: When I get overwhelmed, it helps me to try to prioritise and deal with one thing at a time. It also helps me to find time to rest even when it seems impossible to do. Is there anyone you can deligate some of the things you have to deal with to? Hang in there, girl. This too shall pass. :flowers:

[Dorothea]

Hope you are feeling better soon, but we can all relate! This process is so hard. I hope everythiing works out...

[kitkat1]

Thanks Kitkat...

I guess I'll look into this as well. Problem is the coverage is usually so substandard for metal illness (on any & all plans) that it is a sad statement on how our country treats the mentally ill.

Comprehensive Health Insurance programs for uninsurable people are generally the best kind of coverage out there -- since the entire pool of insured is already ill, the coverage has to be good enough to provide for them. I would strongly suggest checking it out as an option for her - at least she wouldn't have to stay in school just for decent coverage.