Debbie Cousins's Journal, 14 Jun 19

Mostly lousy day today! First thing this morning, I found out that the formerly homeless guy (who has been living with us for 15 months) is no longer eligible for food stamps! That $200/month was a BIG help with the groceries! With the new laws, he would have to work 20 hours per week, which he is unable to do because (1) he will never be able to get a driver’s license again (and we don’t live near a bus line) and (2) he is an alcoholic and the stress of working would make him drink again. He HAS been working “off the books” for several hours a week for a guy in our church, earning enough money to pay for his own cigarettes, which has been a big help. After I heard the news about the food stamps, I took an anxiety pill and went back to bed!

When I woke up, I remembered that when I went to pick up my husband’s prescriptions yesterday, the pharmacy told me that they were getting an error message that says he is no longer covered by his insurance! I was the primary on the Marketplace policy, and went OFF that on June 1st when my Medicare kicked in. They were SUPPOSED to have started my husband on a NEW policy that same day, but somehow it got messed up so that he’s not scheduled for insurance to start until JULY 1st. An hour and a half into my phone call with the insurance company, we were able to ascertain that he SHOULD have insurance coverage within the next 7-10 days and that anything that happens between now and then will be covered retroactively. BUT, he won’t be able to get ANY Rx’s unless we pay the full cash price, for which we will NOT be reimbursed.

After I finished THAT fiasco, I was actually ITCHING from stress, and took a couple Benedryl and went back to sleep AGAIN!

I have NOT been good on what I’ve been eating today, but I HAVE logged it all into my Food Diary. Trust me, don’t go there and look – it’s too painful!!!

A couple hours ago, I got a text saying that my 3 prescriptions from the psychiatrist had been filled. BUT ... to pick them up would cost me over $600!!! One is $305 and one is $339! I checked on the first one online for a patient assistance program and the preliminary applications shows that I might be eligible. I have to call my doctor on Monday, as he is the one who has to submit the final request in order for it to be approved. I'll check on the 2nd Rx tomorrow for patient assistance. (Fingers crossed.)

There is a glimmer of light at the end of today’s tunnel. I went to the pool when they opened at 4:30, and swam 10 laps. Then, when I got home, I looked on You Tube, and found several knee and back exercises that I can do in the pool while I’m watching the kids – it’s hard to leave the little one (3 years old) unattended long enough to swim laps unless one or both of the older kids or another adult are able to come along. Also, starting tomorrow, the pool will be open every day at 10am (Sundays at noon), so I can go EVERY day that the weather permits! I’m excited about the new exercises. Ten laps is about all I can swim at a stretch right now, because I get winded; but I’ll be able to do the exercises in addition to that.

Just now, I found out that my best friend in the psychiatric facility is PROBABLY coming home on June 19th (arriving from a 19-hour train ride at 4:20am on 6/20 -- my birthday!) On that note, I’m going to retire for the evening and look forward to a better tomorrow with LOTS of pool exercise, good eating practices, and maybe even some housework thrown into the mix.

As Eyeore says, “Thanks for noticing me.”

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3434 kcal

Fat: 188.88g | Prot: 79.74g | Carbs: 390.77g.   Breakfast: Butter (Salted), Walden Farms Calorie Free Pancake Syrup, High-Fiber One-Minute Flax Muffin. Lunch: Cheetos Crunchy Cheetos, White Bread, Trader Joe's Tuna Salad. Dinner: Macaroni or Pasta Salad, Duke's Mayonnaise, Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon, White Bread. Snacks/Other: Kroger Stick Pretzels, Kirkland Signature Halved Pecans, Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Vanilla Ice Creams, Sweet Cherries, Macaroni or Pasta Salad, Navels Oranges, Watermelon. more...