Two questions on two different subjects

[DisneyFirefly]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I'm putting it here because this was the only place it seemed to fit. If anyone has any information on either of these questions, I would very much appreciate it.

1) Two months ago, my best friend was diagnosed with a completely deteriorated ACL (she injured it in high school and never had it properly fixed). She needs surgery to reconstruct her ACL. She also lost her full-time job just a few weeks later and, with it, her health insurance. She has a part-time job, but they don't offer insurance. Her husband also holds two jobs (one full-time, one part-time), but neither offer insurance. She applied for Medicaid and was turned down because she's not truly disabled, nor is she pregnant. She can't stand for eight hours to do any of the jobs that would be available to her and there's nothing available where she could sit for most of her shift, as she lives in Dekalb, IL, which is a college town. She also doesn't know if a new employer will accommodate the injury, as it's not technically a disability. She's asked her manager at her part-time job if she can transition to full-time, but nothing's available. I emailed her information on Illinois' new pre-existing condition program, but I don't know if she'll qualify for that or, if she does, be able to afford it. My question to you all is this: Do any of you have any idea how she can pay for the surgery without insurance? They can barely afford to keep the electric on right now since none of their jobs pay over $8 an hour.

2) My brother's girlfriend was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. They live together, and she's currently hospitalized for the third time in six weeks. They finally diagnosed her just yesterday. Do any of you have any suggestions for how he can help her deal with the diagnosis, as well as dealing with it himself? He's 29 and she's about 28, I think. She also doesn't have proper medical insurance, but she was approved for Medicaid a few weeks ago. He works as a fishmonger at Whole Foods (if any of you guys ever saw the Oprah episode where they're doing some weird sandwich challenge with celebrity chefs and they all go to Whole Foods, you may have seen him) and she's a waitress.

Thanks!

 

[Bitsmommy]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I'm putting it here because this was the only place it seemed to fit. If anyone has any information on either of these questions, I would very much appreciate it.

1) Two months ago, my best friend was diagnosed with a completely deteriorated ACL (she injured it in high school and never had it properly fixed). She needs surgery to reconstruct her ACL. She also lost her full-time job just a few weeks later and, with it, her health insurance. She has a part-time job, but they don't offer insurance. Her husband also holds two jobs (one full-time, one part-time), but neither offer insurance. She applied for Medicaid and was turned down because she's not truly disabled, nor is she pregnant. She can't stand for eight hours to do any of the jobs that would be available to her and there's nothing available where she could sit for most of her shift, as she lives in Dekalb, IL, which is a college town. She also doesn't know if a new employer will accommodate the injury, as it's not technically a disability. She's asked her manager at her part-time job if she can transition to full-time, but nothing's available. I emailed her information on Illinois' new pre-existing condition program, but I don't know if she'll qualify for that or, if she does, be able to afford it. My question to you all is this: Do any of you have any idea how she can pay for the surgery without insurance? They can barely afford to keep the electric on right now since none of their jobs pay over $8 an hour.

2) My brother's girlfriend was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia. They live together, and she's currently hospitalized for the third time in six weeks. They finally diagnosed her just yesterday. Do any of you have any suggestions for how he can help her deal with the diagnosis, as well as dealing with it himself? He's 29 and she's about 28, I think. She also doesn't have proper medical insurance, but she was approved for Medicaid a few weeks ago. He works as a fishmonger at Whole Foods (if any of you guys ever saw the Oprah episode where they're doing some weird sandwich challenge with celebrity chefs and they all go to Whole Foods, you may have seen him) and she's a waitress.

Thanks!

I am only going to respond to the 2nd situation. He would do well to get into a NAMI group. NAMI is National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They more than likely have a group somewhere in the area that he can attend. It is very difficult to support someone that has schizophrenia. THE BEST ADVICE THAT I CAN GIVE HER... TAKE YOUR MEDS!!! I worked in Mental Health as a Social Worker for years. Everyone thinks that they can stop their meds when they are "better." YOU DON'T GET CURED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. It is treatable, but not cureable. Everytime you have a psychotic break, you cause damage to your brain. You have no idea how many times , I have seen someone in their 50's who are not at all what they used to be (as in their brain is mush) from so many breaks. Sorry to be scary, but this is serious.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am only going to respond to the 2nd situation. He would do well to get into a NAMI group. NAMI is National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They more than likely have a group somewhere in the area that he can attend. It is very difficult to support someone that has schizophrenia. THE BEST ADVICE THAT I CAN GIVE HER... TAKE YOUR MEDS!!! I worked in Mental Health as a Social Worker for years. Everyone thinks that they can stop their meds when they are "better." YOU DON'T GET CURED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. It is treatable, but not cureable. Everytime you have a psychotic break, you cause damage to your brain. You have no idea how many times , I have seen someone in their 50's who are not at all what they used to be (as in their brain is mush) from so many breaks. Sorry to be scary, but this is serious.

I would agree with your best advice for medication and support group.

At one point, I was an RN in an inpatient Psych unit for children and adolescents. I can’t tell you how many times we had patients come back because they crashed after stopping their medication because they were doing so well they thought they were cured.

For the other question, I’m not sure. She might be able to work a payment plan out with the doctor and the hospital. A lot depends on the individual healthcare providers.

Since this is not about WDW, I’m going to move it to the disABILITIES Community Board, where I think it will be a good fit.

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I am only going to respond to the 2nd situation. He would do well to get into a NAMI group. NAMI is National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They more than likely have a group somewhere in the area that he can attend. It is very difficult to support someone that has schizophrenia. THE BEST ADVICE THAT I CAN GIVE HER... TAKE YOUR MEDS!!! I worked in Mental Health as a Social Worker for years. Everyone thinks that they can stop their meds when they are "better." YOU DON'T GET CURED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. It is treatable, but not cureable. Everytime you have a psychotic break, you cause damage to your brain. You have no idea how many times , I have seen someone in their 50's who are not at all what they used to be (as in their brain is mush) from so many breaks. Sorry to be scary, but this is serious.

We're in Chicago, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find some information on it for him. I tend to be the researcher in our family. Thanks for the advice It's scary, I know, but you're right, it's very serious. I'm a CNA at an assisted living facility and quite a few of our residents are mentally ill in one way or another. It's mind boggling to see the difference between when they came in (and weren't regularly taking their meds) and how they are now. Thanks again!

I would agree with your best advice for medication and support group.

At one point, I was an RN in an inpatient Psych unit for children and adolescents. I can’t tell you how many times we had patients come back because they crashed after stopping their medication because they were doing so well they thought they were cured.

For the other question, I’m not sure. She might be able to work a payment plan out with the doctor and the hospital. A lot depends on the individual healthcare providers.

Since this is not about WDW, I’m going to move it to the disABILITIES Community Board, where I think it will be a good fit.

I'll make sure to let him know about this. I think that's what happened yesterday, actually. She was released from one hospital the night before last and then back in another before I even left for work yesterday (I work 7pm-7am). I don't think she was getting the right meds or something, because she was fine when he visited her at the one hospital, and then completely freaking out yesterday morning. It wouldn't surprise me if she didn't take her meds after she was discharged. Some of my residents go really off the baseline if they miss even one dose of their meds.

About my friend's surgery, I've suggested that to her. As I mentioned above, I tend to be the researcher, so I've been looking into ways for her to do this cheaply ever since she first told me she lost her job. She's going to look into Illinois' pre-existing condition program when she gets to work tonight, but we're not sure if she can afford the premiums. I have suggested payment plans to her as well. Her surgery is actually why we pushed our trip back to November of next year, as we were originally going to go in January. We've already discussed the possibility of her still needing a mobility aid in November, and I've told her that I don't mind sharing pushing duties with her husband if she needs a chair.

But yeah, I wasn't really sure where to put this I read on here every once in a while if a title catches my eye, but I normally hang out in other sections of the Dis. Thanks for putting it in the right place