And no I do not mean a Bowell Movement. I'm talking about Bankruptcy. I cannot believe it has come to this. I have struggled and struggled trying to keep everything together. But it is sucking me dry of every penny I have. I am finding that when all is said and done I barely have enough left for food or medical copays. I have had to forfeit both wayyy to many times as of late and suffered becuase of it.

I am no schlepp. I have always considered myself a very responsible, hardworker. However, I could never had predicted RSD and where I am today. I had a long long long heart to heart with my family today. I had a shorter one yesterday with my attorney. I still say attorneys aren't worth much. "Bottom Feeders" but are good when you need them.

So tomorrow I suck it up, and I will sit down with the attorney and file. Do I feel good about this decision? NO! But I do not feel I have much of a choice at this point Wish me luck!!!

Mark

I know how hard that is. You feel like a failure. But, you're NOT.

I did mine without a lawyer -- couldn't afford him

The judge didn't believe that I did it myself. He wanted to know where I got the forms -- I got them from the local US 'B' court website. He didn't even know they had a website. He told me I did a good job

Do you have any kind of assistance?? Like -- Medicare, Medicaid, Section 8?? If you're having trouble paying even your co-pays, it sounds like you're living real 'close to the edge'. Know that feeling. Make sure you get all the assistance that you can.

Most of us don't realize how close to 'the edge' we are until we lose our jobs or lose our health.

Don't feel bad about yourself. There are a lot of us out here who had to do the same thing due to cirumstances that we had no control over.

Hugs.

Barb

Hi Mark,
I am so sorry to hear you have to go thru this crap. You are still a very responsible person. This certainly could happen to me or anyone else.

I am just a bit over a month from a cervical 3 level spine surgery. I am having to Negotiate alot of medical bills. When they are telling me no, I tell myself it's just another opportunity for them to say yes.

The first 2 years of RSD I was miss DX. I was told I had a torn rotator cuff with pinched nerves running down my arm. Because I was self employed the Docs just thought I was over doing it. I had to give up my business that I really enjoyed and ended up pretty much bedridden for at least a year. I am nowhere what I should but I am better than what I was.

What helps me some is when the high tides of the ocean are coming my way, I know the low tide will be around the courner. When a door closes always another will open up. You are a winner no matter what. Hugs, Roz

Hi Mark,

Of course I wish you luck, the best of it. What is it with this year? Doesn't seem to have done any of us much good - I'll be glad to see the back of it. I also wish you didn't have to deal with this on top of everything else...good that you talked it over with the family, at least everyone understands. Hugs and stuff,
all the best

Good luck Mark, been there done that several years ago before I was even this sick. Now Long Term Disability Ins. is telling me I have to go back to work. *sighing* How I don't know. I sleep all the time due to the meds. Lower the meds & the pain is too much. I can get reinstated as long as there is an openning, but how good at it I will be??? Not at all. Luckily there is an openning for my old job with the county. They didn't even write to my doctor. The one treating me. They have now but they say as of 12/20/06 they won't pay me anymore. And SSD just doesnt pay enough to live. Can't afford to move anywhere either. So what can I do but try to work again.

I am a wreck right now over this. I am very very sick over it. I don't know what to do. I even told them my treating doctor when they first sent me the renewal crap last July. BUT she never sent any paperwork to her. I can't afford a lawyer to fight this either. DAMN it.......... this is why I have disappeared the last few weeks.

I wish you luck, I really do.

DebbyV

You must not feel guilty. Sometimes this is the only way out. I did file the Big "B" back in 84, I believe. I filed when my ex-husband and I split up. I lifted myself up, brushed myself off and rebuilt my life. It took a long time, but I did it. In my experience with my ex-husband he found it alot easier to rebuild his credit than I did.

One thing that burned me was his new wife and I went to the same OB/GYN. They got credit to have a baby and the OB/Gyn made me pay cash for his services! Guess, what I did when I found this out. I told him to shove it where the sun don't shine! I found a new Gyno, and still see him to this day!

A few years later, my Mom suddenly passed away. I received a check from the State of Hawaii. I walked from bank to bank refusing to deposit the check into their establishment until they gave me a credit card with a $1500 credit limit. Finally I got my old bank to do so, even though my 7 years were not up, I pleaded with them that I need just one bank to give me a chance. To believe in me. My ex? Well he had several credit cards at this point.

I rebuilt my credit and have a great FICO score now.

This is the big break that you need to pull yourself up and out of the hole.

Your phone won't be ringing. Your bills won't be stacking up, you won't be scared to go to the mailbox anymore. The amount of stress that will be off your back will be amazing. Yes, working with cash is a ***** but at least you can have a checking account and do on-line banking now-a-days. This will help.

Hey....and if you do down the road get a "big" check. Feel free to use my trick to get a credit card. Hey it worked for me...and started me down my road to a great successful life of credit again. You must have credit cards to have a good FICO score. But nobody should have more than 3.

Good luck...!

With aloha, Dana

I would still try to discuss things with an attorney. Lawyers should not be charging you anything up front. I got an attorney about 1 year after my 1st pain in my hand.

I've just signed my settlement papers after 6 years working w/ my lawyer. In our state, in conjunction with PM Doctor sending me to PT, my rehab, we also have State vocational rehab. My vocatinal rehab counselor was very nice and helpful.

Of course, we worked very closely with my PM Doctor to find work suitable for me. In the past I was administrative assistant, I've done accounting work, I was a graphic artist and an Event Manager. But I was able to do mostly anything working on a computer. But the computer got me where I stood with my RSD so I was in a pickle. Being very stubborn but motivated to do something, I learned to work the computer with my left hand/arm. And worked very hard to strengthen my right.

My only problem is sort like you. The driving to a fro is what I found to be the difficult part. I'm on meds just like everyone. I can't be getting up in the morning and driving 30-45 minutes to a job...and then working and driving home and thinking I'm going to be able to do it all again 4 or 5 days in a row. What to do...what to do?

Vocational Rehab came into my home and bought and set up a home office for me. A new desk, a new chair, foot rests, phone equipment. You name it, workers comp. bought it. My solution was remarkable: I work a few hours a day for Joe's company now. I win-win for all concerned. I hurt of course. But I have a good PM doctor who continues treatment when my pain gets out of hand.

My checks as yours will, stopped years ago. So this is why I had to start working.

I wish that all states had this type of system. It worked very well for me. It took a long long time. But it worked.

But most importantly, I've never had to pay my attorney anything. He will get his share from the proceeds of my settlement.

So dig deep into your work capabilities and look at everything imaginable that you could do. So many people are making money working for companies from their own homes whether they are an injured or disabled person or not.

Also...I know schooling is offered for many types of courses that can be used for home work.

Don't stay away. Keep us posted on to your ideas of what you are considering.

With aloha, Dana

WOW!! ((((((Dana))))))

Lot of great information.

Made me remember one thing that a lawyer told me a long time ago -- get your money out of your old checking account and into a new one. If you have mortgages or loans in the same bank as your checking account, they can grab the money.

It's easy to transfer to a new bank BEFORE the 'B' paperwork hits the streets. After that nobody wants you.

Good luck.

Mark, your not alone, many of us I'm sure have been right where you are. I filled after my first marriage as well. He got by with whatever the hell he wanted, and I got screwed. He was to assume the second mortage on the house, and didn't, they came to foreclose and kick me and his kids out on the street. It was terrible, and I didn't know he wasn't payin that bill. It took me forever to build up my credit, I started with a capital one mastercard that I had to pay 99.00 a stinking year to use! With a 300.00 limit!! Laffs...wasn't much. I'm not sure about the credit score, but mines back up to 749 now..I hope that's good..laffs

Good Luck Mark, I pray all went well.

Debbie

You guys!!! Always there to make a guy feel good when he gets kicked in the teeth. I should have taken them out beforehand but it was my turn to eat the steak!!!

Well I had a good talk with my attorney today and the wheels are gonna turn soon. I just want them off my back. Harrassing is to say the least. And like I don't have enough going on already!! I actually feel a little better this evening with a slight glimmer of hope. I will feel even better when it is all done.

By the way. I want to say a very big HELLO to Gigglebabe and Vic as I welcome them home. Truly I have missed both of you!! "Home for the holidays!! And for good I hope!!!

I'm sending out a huge virtual hug to everyone with a extra special warm hug to Ada who I adore tremendously. I love you all!!!!!

Chin Up!!! I could sing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" but cripes even I think that would be a little too much!!!

Love Mark Anna Bananna - Feel Better - Eat Soup!!!