Pregnancy Community Chat Forum - Things could definitely be better (rant)

Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Community Chat Forum > Things could definitely be better (rant) (Page 1)

What happens during labor? What do contractions feel like? And how do I know that labor has begun? Read on to learn about birthing basics....

Q: Things could definitely be better (rant)

asked by: Lilly Ivy on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Where to start?

I've been waiting on my SSN card for 4 weeks now. I need it to get my ID, then I can sign up for my medical card and WIC. I called the office today, they said it was processed, and if I hadn't gotten it, it was a fault in the mailing system. So I have a SSN card floating around somewhere. But the only way to get it soon is to apply again, which I did.

To apply for it, I had to drive to the office. Not that big of deal, but we are currently at the end of our ropes for money. We still have not bought food for this week, I still can't figure out what they have been eating during the day. But Earl's mom gave us some deer meat (they have about 3 full deer in a freezer, processed of course) when we were there. They live 400 miles away, so it's not like we can go get more. So I've cooked that for the past two days. Which that's it, plus I've been eating my oranges and down to my last apple, so I'm not sure what else there is.

Again with money, this Friday he gets his paycheck, but it's only going to be about $100. So I'm not sure how much we will eat next week.

We don't have water. We have a cistern (basically a big tank underground the come fill up when it runs dry, usually about 3wks, $25 to fill it up to 1000 gallons). Two weeks ago, it ran out so we called and they filled it up. Turn on the faucet, nothing. Something is messed up, and they have been trying to figure out what, with no luck of course.

Imagine no water in a daily life... No clean clothes now, no clean dishes, ever wonder how you flush your toilet? The only water we can get is from a stream 1/4 mile away. We fill up gallons of jugs but of course I can't drink any. I'm getting dehydrated. The only reason we get the water is so we can flush our toilet, only thing it can be used for. I can't cook without water. We usually have pasta, but we have no idea where the water comes from, or what/who is putting anything in it, so it's impractical to use it for something that goes into our body.

The best I can do now to keep clean is put a gallon over the furnace (at least we still have electricity. They WON'T miss an internet payment, they can't live without their WoW), to warm it a little, and basically wash my most 'smelly' parts. Which is basically between my legs, armpits, and under my boobs. As for my hair, well, it just goes looking nice and greasy. I don't even have powder to put in it.

I go to the doctor Friday in the morning, before Earl gets his check, so who knows how we are getting there, probably going to have to push the car.

I also go to the doctor in 2 weeks, and sometime between now and then I have to buy a $100something shot because I'm Rh-, and I have to have it for my next appointment. Not sure where that money is coming from.

I thought I could have my medical card by now, but I have to wait 2 weeks for my SSN card, then apply for the medical card, then wait another 2 weeks for it to come in. So the best case scenario, I'll have payment for my doctors in a month.

My luck, I'll be 9 months pregnant by the time I get my medical card. I just hope I can stay healthy enough to go full term and have a healthy baby...

And they tell me NOT to stress... although it could be worse I guess, just can't see it right now...

Replies(47)

Katrinadoodle

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I thought water's safe to drink if you boil it to sterilize it?

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

all that and you got one sentence? lol, j/k. I still don't understand how that works because in my mind the particles that contaminate it stay in while the WATER evaporates. Because water turns to steam, I've never seen cow poo turn to vapor if you boil it at 212*.

P.S. On an up note, and addition to the rant, I got a free sample of a Kotex pad in the mail today, so we know the mail's working Very Happy

Katrinadoodle

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Lol I wanted to get that out of the way before I got started on the longer reply Laughing

Yeah you put a bunch of it in a pot and bring it to a rolling boil for one minute, it gets it all sterilized and you don't lose that much to steam. Just put it in a container in the fridge and drink it. You reeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaally need to stay hydrated, it's really important for that baby!

Why don't you sterilize a bunch of water and full your tub up with it? Then you can get totally clean and get your hair washed and all that good stuff. That's how they used to take baths before running water Laughing

And I really don't have any comment about the SSN, except for they all have their heads up their butts. I still haven't gotten Jays, and she's a month old. They said we'd get it in 2 weeks Rolling Eyes

Do you have a job? If not, could you think about getting one?

O0o0h_baby

replied on January 17th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Yikes what a mess, i'm sorry. We all go through rough times, god I know i've had mine. And the water IS safe if you boil it really well ^^. This too shall pass is all I can really say. Oh and about the food, you might try a food bank? I know it sucks to have to look for handouts but you shouldn't have to go without either. And I HATE WoW haha.

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I wish I had a job, but I can't get my license (need the SSN card!!), plus I don't have credit and his credits SUCKS. So no car there. There's no way I could walk either, it's about 2 miles, but it's winter, and it hurts if I walk too far.

If I filled up the bathtub, I would probably take 3-4 trips to the stream, and for how motivated we are, we're lucky we got the one down.

I will definitely do the boiling of water and put it in the fridge, there's really nothing else I can do at this point I guess.

I would definitely call about that. They say if it's not there in two weeks, call/write/go in to see what's the problem. I waited a month because everyone said they were backed up due to holidays. if that's the case, I'll have two soon!

Katrinadoodle

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Steal a shopping cart Laughing

No, seriously. They you could take a couple containers, fill them up, and cart them back. Plus you could always return the cart, so it wouldn't really be stealing... just... "borrowing". Very Happy

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

we have a quad and half-a$$ed built trailer that goes on the back of it, and we get about 15 gallons at a time. It's also downhill to the stream, then obviously uphill back home. Again, motivation is a key, because it takes about a half hour to fill them all up.

oh, he drives not me, just so you don't worry Very Happy

Plus I don't think it would easy to boil 15gallons of water and it all be warm by the time i got in it Crying or Very sad

tdr

replied on January 17th, 2008

Supporter

I had to re-apply for a SS card to get my driver's permit. If you go to the SS office, tell them you need record of your number, and they'll give you a notarized print-out that is the equivalent of a SS card. That's what they did for me so I could get my permit that day. My card arrived 10 days later.
And boil the water, yes. Spongebaths are a great idea, and you don't need hot water to wash your hair in the sink.

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

it would be way too impractical to wash my hair in the sink.

1. Sink is REALLY low (plus I'm tall, so yippie)
2. Lots of hair gets heavy when you wash it.
3. Bending over for that long is just not happening.

I don't think they give you the equivalent SSN card if you are over 18, at least not in WV. They just basically gave me a receipt saying I applied on this day.

Now to clean that pot so I can boil some water, I'm thirsty...

Mabel

replied on January 17th, 2008

Moderator

I didn't read all the replies, but I want to comment on the SS card issue. The SS office will give you a card that says what your number is and that you applied for your card. That will generally do well enough in any interim to get what you need to get (before your actual card gets here!).

Bridget

replied on January 17th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

you don't have to answer this, but i have to ask...

your husband's paycheck is only $100? what does he do?

also, and i don't know if it's the same for every state, but when your medicaid kicks in it should pay for the previous 3 months. so don't not get proper prenatal care just because you don't have the money.

acruz

replied on January 17th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Im sorry you are having a crappy time...I wish I had some advice...just hope for the best!! Good Luck!!

Mabel

replied on January 17th, 2008

Moderator

How did you pay for your previous ultrasound? I thought your medical had started.

Your situation sounds like a terrible environment for a newborn baby! They need sterilized bottles, clean clothes, sanitary conditions, etc. How will you be able to do that if the water isn't running?

Is it just you and your BF? $100 is not very much money. Is there a food bank near you that you can go to? I understand you cannot get WIC until you have your SS card, but it is IMPERATIVE that you eat right now. As has been stated by me and another poster, SS will give you a temporary 'ID' that can be used for medicaid and WIC until your REAL one gets here. All that needs to be known is that you applied for and will be getting a card.And, of course, what your number is.

FYI: It can take 6 weeks for your card to come after you've applied for it.

If it isn't snowing, walking 2 miles is EXCELLENT for you!

musikmaker

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Here in Il medicaid covers the past 3 months. I didn't need it but my sister applied after she had her baby and they covered everything.

I hope that your situation gets better. That would totally suck to have no water.

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

BridgetHeartsFinn wrote:

He's a truck driver, so it all depends on how many loads he gets that week. He only had one, so it's low. During the non winter months, he usually doesn't get less than 3 a week.

Ingi- I told them my situation (waiting on SSN card, then getting medicaid), and said it was fine to come in, because I'm so far along, they don't want to put it off anymore. But the Medical card does go back 3 months. The 'receipt' they gave me for the SSN card doesn't have my number on it, so they can't use it as a temporary one. Also it says if it's not received within 2 weeks, to call. I go to the doctor tomorrow, so I'll stop in and ask if I can get a temporary one. Just because you said 'if it isn't snowing', we got 3 inches last night, lol. It was nice yesterday, woke up with a blanket!

Another thing I forgot to mention was the car has a flat tire, and if we can't get it down to the gas station every other day to fill it up, it'll go completely flat and can't go anywhere.

And no, it's not just me and Earl, we live with our friend who's self-employed, so he kinda goes to work when he feels like it.

Bridget

replied on January 17th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

Lilly Ivy wrote:

Another thing I forgot to mention was the car has a flat tire, and if we can't get it down to the gas station every other day to fill it up, it'll go completely flat and can't go anywhere.

uh... buy a new tire?

Mabel

replied on January 17th, 2008

Moderator

Because Medicaid is retroactive, you won't have to buy your own Rhogam shot for being RH-. That is provided at your doctors and will be covered by medicaid.

I am truly and honestly amazed by the fact that Social Security didn't give you the little receipt with your number on it. I thought they did that for everyone. When I was working in social services they did here... that is really weird. Go back to get it for sure. Because that is just silly.

Good luck with the water, the car the medicaid the social security card wic... everything I guess.

Lilly Ivy

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

How much is a new tire? If walmart has them for $20 that would be wonderful.

They don't have the Rhogam at my doctors office. I have to go pick it up and somehow pay for it there. The lady said they'll take a Medicaid number, but I haven't applied yet, so I can't even do that.

Again, I'm gonna go find out if I can get a paper with my number on it tomorrow.

Besides I'm in the middle of nowhere where everyone seems to do everything as stupidly as possible...

OctoberBaby06

replied on January 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I don't know about where you are but around here there are quite a few used tire places where you can get a barely used tire for $20 & some change! Maybe you could look into places like that, I think brand new tires are pretty expensive but I'm not 100% sure..

12 3 >>

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc