Well I haven't posted in awhile, my plant closed down so lost my job and insurance and have yet to be able to find another one. Got my first VA appointment tomorrow morning, hoping it goes well. But as an update saw a flyer on a local resturant wall that had a clinical study for RA. So I called and signed up for it, they are testing some new drug. I get paid 50 a visit, so at least thats something. Went yesterday to the screening, their in phase 2 of the testing. Never done this before, but hope that it helps. On a bright note, the doctor doing the testing is paying for my MTX, so that was a surprise. Hey Phil! Good to see you. I'm sorry to hear about your job. Loosing your job is hard but loosing your health insurance when you have health issues is the worst! I'm real sorry to hear that. Hope the study will turn out to be a positive experience for you. Keep coming around. We'll want to hear how it's going. Take Care. All I can say is Welcome to the world of unemployment and no insurance with everything including gas raising in price. You learn to cope, it is unpleasant at times but you learn a new lifestyle...oh joy. I ended up living with my mother, getting most of my meds through the advice of my PCP through the .00 program at Walmart, and there are other programs that you can mail away for and your meds cost .00 for a 3 month supply. ( you can ask your Physician about this). Other than that you get the much needed rest you always wanted which is a good thing, you also have your own schedule and you learn how to make food last a very long time. Like I said, I live with my mother now and help her with her dailies and get her to her appointments and try to balance her budget ( retired school teacher pension). I am thankful I have this otherwise I would be on the streets, seriously; although I am sure my sis would take me in or my daughter. I get paid no money but have food and shelter and there is one med my mom pays for which is .00 a month. Without insurance I can no longer get the mamograms I need every six months , but was told that if I get cancer they will place me on Medicaid. How sweet huh? I did not ask for this life, I have a college degree and certifications but I am never interviewed when I apply. Must be an age thing........ There are millions of people in this same situation so we are not alone. That isn't much comfort I know but I really have no other advice. I try to make every penny count and work really hard at finding things to look forward to, like the Luau, which mother is footing the bill for and I have it budgeted under .00 believe it or not. I doubt if she will have that much money in it and that is cheaper than buying her cards and flowers while in the hospital and afterward and brings a lot more happiness. I am fortunate that I am a person that it takes very little to make me happy, I find joy in little things. For instance, we have a bird feeder and bird bath in our back yard and the birds are pleasant and relaxing to watch. Other than that I am thankful my children are healthy and relatively happy, I count every penny but am thankfully that I have a place to live in a safe neighborhood with my sis and my daughter nearby. I wished my son would talk to me occassionally but maybe in time he will. Other than that, I wish you the best of luck and wished I had more advice to give. It has truly been a learning experience for me and hopefully it will be a good lesson learned for my daughter as well to encourage her to get a college education so she will never have to do this at my age. jode P.S. I am surprised since your plant closed that you were not given a buy -out agreement or early retirement. jode
Phil
Pbowman...I don't know you, but my heart sure goes out to you. I will pray for you. How wonerful that the dr is helping you out on the MTX.
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