We help each other. It's what we do.

it's what makes this the best place on Earth or in the ether.

As one who has been through it, bankruptcy is not that bad. Granted, I haven't had any credit cards in over a decade (ie, since the bankruptcy) but prying off those burdens was glorious. They've probably made it harder to get rid of things, but it's an option.

I initially felt like the world's biggest loser, but the reduction in stress made up for it. We didn't even have anything taken from us, because we didn't have anything to take. Unlike the other people in the bankruptcy court with two houses, three cars, the boat, and the big screen TV they'd just signed up for.

I did go through this and paid it all back, except for the student loan that is still out there.

I just thought I'd have a job sooner than this. My last assignment spoiled me because it paid a living wage. But, now I'm scraping by on much less and apparently making a hash of it.

I wish I knew how the student loans were granted special status vis a vis bankruptcy. When Hubby went on Social Security his student loans were frozen, and we continue to get nibbles from whomever owns them now going "Are you still disabled? Can we leech onto whatever income you have yet?" Though I did have fun with the people who called up and told me they could garnish my wages for student loans incurred before I even met Hubby. I invited them to try and said I'd meet them in court. Oddly, they never called back.

I am of course, open to any and all suggestions, though.

What I've been doing isn't working, obviously. I really want to get a handle on this.

I've lost control of everything in my life. Hope isn't cutting it anymore.

Hope needs kicked often. She talks big, but I think there's a reason she was packed into Pandora's Box along with all the other evils of the world in the first place.

it's what makes this the best place on Earth or in the ether.

Truth.

As a recipient of the phenomenal generosity of this community, I join you in tearing up quester. May you be lifted by the spirit of support as much as you are by the dollars. And may something solid, practical and doable present itself to you soon.

In other minor miracle news, I finally have the prescription in hand. 15 days it took.

In the end, I was so frustrated that I sent a complaint email to the 'info@clinic' address with no greater expectation that it would disappear into the ether.

This morning, I got a call from a very polite young man who assured me the problem would be fixed. Later in the afternoon, the nursing supervisor of the entire clinic network called to apologize and inform me that the script had been submitted less than two hours after my earlier conversation.

Now. I'm a bit wigged by the potential side effects of this drug. And, I'm thinking I need to find a different podiatrist before I have to be rechecked in 30 days. Not going back to _that one_.

In conclusion: Yay squeaky-now greasy-wheel!

Now. I'm a bit wigged by the potential side effects of this drug.

Feel free to hit me with an e-mail if you have any questions or I can put your mind at ease, even a little bit. I'll be up until about 11:30 or so. (And, obviously, I can answer your e-mail tomorrow, too.)

And honestly, they have to list the possible side effects, legally. But drug trials are conducted in a huge (HUGE) number of people, and every side effect has to get reported. But the odds are very high that you won't have any side effects.

(I say that as someone taking an antibiotic right now and annoyed that it's making my stomach queasy. Although it's compounded by a lot [LOT] of work stress right now, so the quease could be as much from the stress as the antibiotic.)

Yay for finally getting your drugs, bonny!

quester, I wish I had some good advice for you. I agree with meara that food stamps would be a good thing to look into. I'm sorry that's the situation you're in.

I have no idea if these will be helpful to you, but here are a couple of things I just thought of: I remember people suggesting to smonster that she look into doing odd jobs for people, via something like TaskRabbit -- is there any chance you might be able to pick up a little extra work that way? Could you, say, petsit or walk dogs or do something like that on the side? Also, a friend of mine recently mentioned that her mom has written some stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies, and they pay $200 for every story they accept for publication. OK, so those books are not shining stars in the literary firmament, but it might be worth a try.