I'm hanging in there is barely...I feel like Sh*t all the time now...I can't stop crying...but my other 3 kids need me too....and so does hubby who is going through all of this with me...
Morgan is slowly being weened off of everything, but each day something new pops up....there are so many small and big things wrong with her they and we can only treat one little thing at a time. The goal right now is just to make her comfortable..we just dont know..that is my standard line of response...no one knows to much till she starts recovering...I pray for the best, but am prepairing for the worse.
I can't be with her when I want to and feel I need to..because hubby has to work, hospital is an hour-two hours away depending..I dont drive, and we have 3 other kids, with no one to watch them....Hubby has lost over a weeks worth of work right now...so while I worry about morgan, and hubby kids and myself, Now we also have to worry about how to buy milk, and pay for gas to get up and back...if anyone has time and can research ways to get donations or help..or anything in the mean time..which we try to figure other things out, I would really appreciate it...just pm me if you need my location for this. I tried going through the caseworker with the hospital, but I can never seem to catch him when he isn't busy..and I wont be at the hospital more than a few hours a night till the weekend...This is so hard...I thank you all so very much for your prayers and thoughts...every little bit counts...when I finaly settle down and my eyes dry enough to finish typing, I will try to let you all know just how much all of this means to me and my family right now. thank you

Please talk to your daughter's nurses and other caregivers. They will be able to give you info on how you can get help. Hang in there, kid!

I've been trying to...thats the problem...no one has answers yet..i thought maybe if anyone knew of charity services, or churches, or organizations out there where I could go to get help...

I sure hope they can get this figured out for you.

Maybe call Hospice in your area. Someone there might have some advice for you. Just a thought........

I can't imagine how hard this is.....
but I care.
[img]http://www.sherv.net/cm/emo/heartbro...oken-heart.gif[/img]

Keep hanging on, I can't imagine one of my kids going through something like this.

If you search in the web site for your city, sometimes they will have a list of organizations that help people, or even go to a local church, even if you are not a member, a lot have programs to help those in need. Someone recently posted a program that you can buy food for half the price as well. Every little bit helps right now.

Call that hospital social worker from home, tell him you need help. You don't drive.........where are you, I'll come drive you if you are anywhere close to me.
Hugs,
Sharon

lol thank you...No i am in Pa..and Im about an hour outside of Philadelphia, which is where she is right now...Just trying to figure things out, without loosing everything else in the mean time.

It's a sad fact but it's the same here too... sometimes you have to stand in the middle of the busiest corridor and just scream and cry until someone comes. And don't stop until someone who can give you some answers gets there. I can't believe they're too busy to talk to you!

Sending heaps of love and hugs from here, it's the "not knowing" that makes it so hard. If you have a plan you have something to focus on, but when they have no idea what's wrong, it's so much worse.

Jamie, where is your family? Where is your mom? best friend? Do you have any help or support at all? any sisters?
I just don't know what to say, but I wish I could help. I know you were stressed before this happened. I would do like mimisharon suggested, and call the social worker. Somebody at that hospital, deals with these issues all the time. Still saying prayers, sweetie.

Jamie I went online and there is a Compass site that may have programs that may help you and your family. Th problem with some of these programs it takes time to get through the red tape.
I suggest you look at it yourself and see if there is anything that might fit your situation. If they do not have anything that works for you I would call and talk to someone there and they may be able to point you to the right offices that can help. There is always help out there it is just a matter of finding it.
We have a Compass here in Iowa that has helped me and my daughter with answering questions and finding people to help.

It is a place to start anyway!

https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/CMHOM.aspx]https://www.humanservices.state.pa.u...ass/CMHOM.aspx[/url]

Jamie, your daughter will probably be taking a step forward and 2 steps back for a while...and this is a normal thing that happens...hang in there, she sure sounds like a fighter, you all are in my prayers!!

I would call the caseworker first thing in the morning and ask him to please call you ASAP and then maybe you can get some questions answered by phone. Also find out if you can make an appointment during the times you can get to the hospital. They should be able to tell you if there is a Ronald McDonald house close, if there are funds to help with travel, call your local Social Service office, too. Keep asking each place, if you can't help me, do you know of anyone else that can. Here we have a poorly advertised number that has info on most all county, city, state and federal agencies, we dial 211. Check that number in your area, see if it works.

Amma Ronald McDonald house was going to be my suggestion too. Local Churches and the red cross or salvation army maybe.

And Jamie your case worker is there for you. Don't worry about catching him when he isn't busy. Let him or her worry about how he will fit you in.

I was also thinking Ronald MCDonalds house. Every large hospital has programs , you just have to make them listen to you! Also neighbors, let them know what you are going through. Morgan's friends families and her teachers from her school. A lot of people will be glad to help, you just have to ask. Still keeping you both in my prayers.

Another thing to start on right away and you can do it from home is apply for social security for her, the disability program. Also as others have said the Ronald McDonald house. Also start calling your congressperson and senator, they all have help lines that can help you, guide you and offer assistance. They also should have contact info on the internet, but you might have better luck calling and talking to them. Believe it or not they all have specific staff to help individuals with their problems, so use it.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

And believe in the power of positive thinking, even when it seems so hard. When my brother had a tumor on his brain explode (?) he spent weeks in the intensive care and months in rehab and was told he would never walk again, but eventually he took a few steps. Sorry so long
Sharon

Jaime, I have no suggestions other than what others have said. But please know that I am thinking of you and praying for you and so wished I lived closer so I could help you out!

I can't imagine going through what you are with Morgan.

Jaime, could you please PM me your address? Thanks!

I would like Jamies Addy too if anyone has it.

Do you belong to a church? Ask there. The school is another good place to ask for help.
My heart aches for you and all you are going through right now. Praying for you and sending positive energies to you all.

Jamie ~ I agree with everyone else. Rely on your family and friends. Tell them what you need ~ don't wait for them to ask. What about your husband's family? This is a part of their life too. Oh how I wish I was closer!!! I continue to pray for your Morgan, and now know specific needs that I can pray for.

Big <<<<<<HUG>>>>>> coming your way.

Rebecca

I am praying for Morgan and your family. Everyone has give you great suggestions, many of which I would have give you too. Don't be afraid to ask for help, many people would just love to be able do something to help your family.

The school would be a terrific place to start too. Her classmate's parents may be able to watch the other children and/or drive you to the hospital. They could get donations of foodstuffs, a cupcake sale, a whole lot of things and I bet they would be more than happy to help her and your family.

school has been closed for more than a week...I tried e-mailing someone at the school who worked with my son, and his learning disabilities...I dont have much time right now, and my brain is certainly mush...so Im just trying to think of little things I can do for right now...My neighbor has been amazing...she is down asking the local paper to write an article on her, and she went to a bank to try and set up a donation account fund for us...Money will be a big issue, escpecially with 3 other kids at home..gas, and food, and just the little things....My 4 yr old asked me for a DS...she told me she is scared, and would like a game to help her relax...I think because I can't get it for her right now, it makes my heart break all the more...
I did call the hospital multiple times today since I am not there, they finaly have her resting calmly...which is all I can really ask for right now/ not being there is so hard. We really don't have a single answer right now to share...because no one has any for me..sorry...

Ask too for Pastoral Care at the hospital. They can be a wonderful resource. Maybe they could be a visitor when you can't be there.

countrymaid, that's an excellent idea. There are probably candystripers/volunteers, who could drop by once in a while, just to let her know she is not alone.
It's times like these, that being so far from all of you on this board, is hard. I think most of us, would jump in our car, if only we could.

Jaime - my prayers to you and your family. If you don't have a toll-free # to the hospital, make sure that when you call the Social Services person that you ask him to call you right back so he is paying for the call instead of you. Whenever a doctor calls you, tell them that you are still waiting for help and they might be kind enough to give Social Services a kick in the ass! So good that you have a friend that you can "put to work" doing calls and requests and other tasks that you can't possibly be able to do at this point just because of sheer exhaustion and worry. She will be your energy for now. God Bless her! The pastor service could be a very good source for you if they know what your situation is. Can you camp your other children out with friends for the weekend at least so you and your husband can go to the hospital then and not worry about home for a few hours? Bet your friend could make some calls and get that to happen for you, if you don't have family nearby. Please PM me if you have Irving Gas stations near you and include your home address - I have a gas gift card I will gladly mail to you. If you have a toll-free # to the hospital, talk with the charge nurse and sometimes they are the ones with the heart that can make extraordinary things happen, too. You need all the angles (and angels) you can find now, so if you can do the hospital calls and your friend(s) can do other calls, that will help spread the load.
Please let us know if you cannot call the hospital for free, and maybe some of us could send calling cards to you if that's a need.
Our prayers for your strength!

Jamie- definitely call Ronald McDonald house. I build doll house for them to auction off for charity. if they cant help you I would be stunned.

Lisa

Ok.. here are a couple of other suggestions for you.. I used to work at an "Ask a Nurse" line and we had a book of local support groups and assistance services.. if there's something similar there, call and ask them. Check with United Way.. sometimes they can help maybe with phone bill if nothing else. contact the "Pink Ladies" at the hospital.. they may be able to help.. ours have special projects all the time.. and maybe some of those lovely ladies and gentlemen can drop in and visit when you can't be there. Also if you have local Eastern Star Chapter, contact them.. they do all sorts of good works, especially with childrens causes.