Thunderstorm

Last night there was an enormous thunder and lightening storm. It's the kind of storm no one could sleep through. I woke with a startle from very loud thunder - my body literally leapt in the air from a deep sleep. Loud and surprise noises have that affect on me whether I'm awake or asleep.

Survivor told me today that I don't sleep well. To me, I'm sleeping better than I have in nearly a year -other than last night. This morning, I didn't get out of bed until after 9am! Once I was able to fall asleep, I slept! There's no better feeling than waking and feeling well rested.

I've just put a new goal on myself. As I mentioned before, survivor recently had breast cancer and is thankfully a true survivor! Last summer and earlier this summer, a group of friends have done the Avon 2-day walk for breast cancer. Last year, I was too sick and facing the legal stuff. This year, well, we all know what I was doing this year. So, next year I'm going to walk! I am going to train and work hard and I'll do my best to do at least 13 miles each day. I can do it! Plus, I'll have a bunch of friends walking too! As a kid, I walked 18 miles in a day each summer for Israel as part of my Hebrew school, I certainly can do this for breast cancer!

Survivor and I did one of our favorite things today - we went thrift store shopping. For less than $25, I picked up 8 pairs of pants/shorts that fit! I kept singing the Macklemore song in my head, "I'm gonna pop some tags, only got $20 in my pocket." For a while, thrift stores will be my go to place for my clothing needs!

Speaking of money, I also learned today that I'm approved for food stamps. I've never been on public assistance before, and now I'm on Medicaid and food stamps. I went from a hard-working, tax paying adult to now being a felon on public assistance. I continue to question why it makes sense to take people away from being responsible adults and force them into poverty. I'm going to do whatever it takes to get off food stamps as soon as possible, but I'm really glad I have a way to afford feeding myself for a while. Just an FYI, anyone with a federal drug conviction cannot qualify for public assistance. 

It's thundering outside again. The rain sounds calming, but the thunder is disturbing. I suppose that's kind of like my life right now. There's a lot of calming things going on, but the thunder keeps trying to make me jump.

Health Insurance

As promised under the new healthcare law, my journey to having health insurance upon coming out of prison was quick and smooth. All I had to do was go to my states' public assistance website, answer some questions about myself and my current lack of income, and I was immediately approved. Yesterday, I received my health coverage card.

I could select a plan that will have a monthly cost, but instead I qualify for Medicaid - simply due to my finances. The state I live in is an "expanded Medicaid state." More than half the states are as well.

My next step is to select which healthcare plan (there are four available) I want. They vary by doctors, medications, etc. I've talked to one already, and they will cover my enbryl with a doctor's notes and it must be pre-authorized. The same was true on my old non-Medicaid plan - so this is good news. I'm calling all four health plans to see which is best for me.

It's so relieving knowing that I have healthcare coverage. As someone with a chronic health issue, having coverage is not an option, it's a necessity. Actually, I believe it's true for everyone, but chronic health issues cause great financial stress with specialist bills, frequent labs, and hospitalizations.

So, do not hesitate to seek your healthcare coverage immediately upon release. There's no reason not to take care of yourself. No insurance plan is perfect, but having no insurance is a recipe for disaster and desperation. I'll select my Medicaid plan today and will have the peace of mind knowing that I can seek medical assistance when I am in need.