To be a nun with previous mental health issues

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JoyfulLife said:
Wow, it’s rough out there. The program I’m on with the state is actually Medicaid, but a form for younger people. It switched over from another program name.

I’m so happy to see you discerning. I was secretly hoping you would return to discerning all along. 😃 And what a fabulous order to discern, at that!

What are your thoughts about the SsEW catechetical instruction apostolate? I told Cherie on that famous thread about how I didn’t necessarily feel called or able to be a head teacher, but I do feel called to the spiritual/catechetical apostolate in some sort of way. She gave a fabulous answer about how they’ll find something for me to do, even if I can’t be a head teacher.
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LOL, ok, now I know who started the whole mess of me discerning again. No wonder the Holy Spirit has been bugging me! :tsktsk: :nun2:

I have some small issues with the catechism instruction, but I’ve done it before. Once, I helped my mom and then I got my own class of preschoolers for CCD. As long as I am taught how to do it properly (since I haven’t done it since my reversion), I don’t think I would have a problem but I would prefer to be something other than lead teacher. I am more comfortable as an assistant. 🙂
JoyfulLife said:
I’ve been looking at the state insurance for Alabama, in thinking how it would work if I ever entered. medicaid.alabama.gov/

It appears that for 20 something women aren’t provided insurance, only birth control support! Awful. I’m very blessed in my state, very. 🙂 Anyway, I’m emailing someone in one of the departments to ask if there is anything I might have missed and for any recommendations of what supplemental thing to use for BC/BS for the expensive copays. I’m thinking that I might qualify for SSI as I might be considered disabled mentally, even though it is episodic and controlled by medicine. My councellor suggested that one. I read somewhere that “disabled” could get insurance, and being that I’m on psychiatric medication, I’d think they would help somehow.

These are things I would think Sister would think about when I tell her someday. I’d like to know they wouldn’t have to foot much for my medicines. I don’t even know what the copay would be if I left state and didn’t have my state picking up copays anymore, so I emailed BC/BS to find out. I sure hope these things don’t hold much against me. 😦

I’m also on some supplements you have to pick up from a vitamin store, such as iron, a multi, melatonin for sleep, etc. I’m thinking I should print up a sheet of my supplements/medicines to show Sister…
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I’m wondering what Sister will think of supplements? One of the questions I have for her is relating to feminine hygiene products. That’s for our personal discussion, though, and I plan to ask her when I meet her.
 
The Holy Spirit’s been bugging you about discernment? 😉 All things are possible with God. 🙂

Yeah, I have no idea…

I’ll let you know what I find out about these things, and for all those that may ever discern the SsEW.

A Franciscan Sister I knew was on iron supplements. I can’t remember if it was prescription or over the counter, but they were fine with that. They also had some feminine cleaning products if I recall correctly; they kept them in common in the main bathroom they shared.

I tend to get tired and dragged out easily without supplementation, so I especially need a certain multi vitamin/mineral, which is about the same price as Centrum but boatloads better quality and strength. They’d have to order from online, mail catalog, or there is a physical store branch about 12 miles from the SsEW (Vitamin Shoppe – cheap prices.)

I’m experimenting with some new supplements, so I’m not sure just yet exactly what I will be on consistently. But I did add up a yearly total for the current supplements and it would be nothing compared to the possible copays for my two precription drugs. I’m afraid of those. They could run a together total of around $50-120… per month!

I’m wondering what supplemental insurance is out there for 20-somethings. Maybe AARP or something… :confused:

This is all making me nervous of what Sister may say… I hate coming to her with so many needs. 😦
 
As one who has been in the convent, feminine products are supplied where I was…
 
Shoshana said:
As one who has been in the convent, feminine products are supplied where I was…
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Oh, I know they must be in some way! 😉

I was wondering if the ones I buy from the health food store would be OK because I cannot use the commercial/national brands. I break out because of the chemicals used in production. Seventh Generation has become my new best friend, and Natracare is good too. 👍
 
DaughterOfMary6 said:
Oh, I know they must be in some way! 😉

I was wondering if the ones I buy from the health food store would be OK because I cannot use the commercial/national brands. I break out because of the chemicals used in production. Seventh Generation has become my new best friend, and Natracare is good too. 👍
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Code:
Just a question: can your parents supply these for you?
 
Daughter, Cherie said that you have to pay your own insurance for I think the first 3 years, and I suppose your own copays, too. If my Dad agrees to pay for that AND the supplements for those 3 years, do you think the Order would be open to my supplements, because by the time they would pay for all of that, we’d both be sure I’m a fit in their order?
 
JoyfulLife said:
Daughter, Cherie said that you have to pay your own insurance for I think the first 3 years, and I suppose your own copays, too. If my Dad agrees to pay for that AND the supplements for those 3 years, do you think the Order would be open to my supplements, because by the time they would pay for all of that, we’d both be sure I’m a fit in their order?
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Wow! 3 years!?!? I thought it would only be for 1 year like I’ve heard about some others. I’m really going to have to save up money. I am really praying I get a job soon. Sr. Louise still doesn’t know that I have depression, but she did allude to the fact that it would be good for me to apply after I finish my Associates degree this year because I will be 28 in July and their cut-off age is 30. I may need longer than that to raise enough to pay health insurance and medical expenses.

You ask a good question. I think they might be open to it if they knew you were serious about pursuing a vocation in their order. If I was able to pay for my antidepressant with money that I saved for medical expenses for those first 3 years, I might have a better chance, too. I think both of us are going to have to have a serious talk with Sr. Louise and/or Mother Mary Gabriel about our concerns.

Man, I really hope I can get to Alabama soon! I put in several job applications today, to Starbucks and Panera Bread, and my mom suggested that I put in one to a Dairy Queen around here that is really nice. I have also considered applying to McDonald’s in our Wal-Mart store as that place is REALLY clean and the people there are very friendly. Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for me to get a job soon! 🙂
 
Wow! 3 years!?!? I thought it would only be for 1 year like I’ve heard about some others. I’m really going to have to save up money. I am really praying I get a job soon. Sr. Louise still doesn’t know that I have depression, but she did allude to the fact that it would be good for me to apply after I finish my Associates degree this year because I will be 28 in July and their cut-off age is 30. I may need longer than that to raise enough to pay health insurance and medical expenses.
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You ask a good question. I think they might be open to it if they knew you were serious about pursuing a vocation in their order. If I was able to pay for my antidepressant with money that I saved for medical expenses for those first 3 years, I might have a better chance, too. I think both of us are going to have to have a serious talk with Sr. Louise and/or Mother Mary Gabriel about our concerns.
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Man, I really hope I can get to Alabama soon! I put in several job applications today, to Starbucks and Panera Bread, and my mom suggested that I put in one to a Dairy Queen around here that is really nice. I have also considered applying to McDonald’s in our Wal-Mart store as that place is REALLY clean and the people there are very friendly. Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for me to get a job soon!
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I will have to double check my long PM with Cherie to make sure she said 3 years, but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is.

Wow. I hit 28 this year, too! 🙂 Cherie seemed to think they can work things out if I enter after 30, as long as I feel called to their order.

Yeah. We’ll have to have some really good talk('s) with her/them.

I’m short on money for things too, and I’ve been hoping to get an under-the-table job. Do you have any ideas of where to find one? ex. dog walking, babysitting, housecleaning, errands, odd jobs, etc.

Wouldn’t it take a long time to save up enough at places like McDonalds? BTW, I love Starbucks. They are so professional.

God bless you.
 
I checked and it is three years until first vows. If someone can’t afford it, apparently something is worked out.
 
JoyfulLife said:
I checked and it is three years until first vows. If someone can’t afford it, apparently something is worked out.
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Yeah, I sent her a PM too with some questions that have been plaguing me. I will probably try to save up as much as I can, but I am not going to go crazy over it. The Sisters are very accommodating it seems to those who cannot afford to bring much money with them. I was mostly worried about health insurance because of the fact that if I have it then my antidepressant and asthma medication will be much cheaper. Because of what I learned about them, I really think it’s important that I get there ASAP since I feel I might have a calling there. 🙂
 
I sooooooo hope that you, myself and Tally enter there! Three phatmassers! 😃 🙂

I am THRILLED about what I just found out! I contacted several organizations and learned this…

managedrxplans.com/ …this company is a pharmacy where you have it filled and mailed to you. They provide your medicine WITHOUT ANY COPAYS! I wrote my meds to them to see if I qualify. You might do that, too.

Also… an email I got says “To locate manufacturer patient assistance programs you may want to visit www.needymeds.org to research by generic or brand name the medications you need financial assistance with.” <<<<I checked and both my medicines are on the list for “low or no cost.”

If Sister is okay with my condition, the medicine copay should no longer pose a problem if these work out for my meds. I’m so happy about this! 🙂 So, after three years are up, and the Sisters have to take over payments, they wouldn’t have to pay copays on my meds. The prices of my supplements are nothing compared to up to $120 a month or $1440/year! IF and only IF I stay on these certain supplements, it could be up to about $100-200 a year for supplements, which is wayyyyy cheaper than prescriptions.

Daughter, knowing my issues, are there any questions you think I should ask Cherie or Sister? Anything I might need to know? I’ve asked so many… It seems like I’ve always got more… lol
 
JoyfulLife said:
I sooooooo hope that you, myself and Tally enter there! Three phatmassers! 😃 🙂

I am THRILLED about what I just found out! I contacted several organizations and learned this…

managedrxplans.com/ …this company is a pharmacy where you have it filled and mailed to you. They provide your medicine WITHOUT ANY COPAYS! I wrote my meds to them to see if I qualify. You might do that, too.

Also… an email I got says “To locate manufacturer patient assistance programs you may want to visit www.needymeds.org to research by generic or brand name the medications you need financial assistance with.” <<<<I checked and both my medicines are on the list for “low or no cost.”

If Sister is okay with my condition, the medicine copay should no longer pose a problem if these work out for my meds. I’m so happy about this! 🙂 So, after three years are up, and the Sisters have to take over payments, they wouldn’t have to pay copays on my meds. The prices of my supplements are nothing compared to up to $120 a month or $1440/year! IF and only IF I stay on these certain supplements, it could be up to about $100-200 a year for supplements, which is wayyyyy cheaper than prescriptions.

Daughter, knowing my issues, are there any questions you think I should ask Cherie or Sister? Anything I might need to know? I’ve asked so many… It seems like I’ve always got more… lol
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I’m so glad you posted about the GSK Bridges to Access program. I’ve been looking for a way that I can pay for my asthma medication because I need a refill and didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. Both my antidepressant AND asthma medication is made by GSK. I’m going to apply for the program and see if I get accepted. I need to make an appointment with the county health clinic to get a new prescription since I think the old one expired.

I have been thinking about other questions, and, frankly, I cannot think of anything more to ask Cherie at this time. I’m hesitant to ask Sister Louise a bunch of questions because she knows my history and I don’t want her to think I’m flighty. I want to wait until I meet her in person and be pretty sure I want to apply before asking her a dozen questions. I know the most important ones are if they would take me on in spite of the fact that I have manageable depression and asthma. I’m praying hard that they would take me with my medication!

That really would be cool if three Phatmassers entered about the same time. We’d have to get to know each others’ names so we would recognize each other when we get there. 🙂
 
DaughterOfMary6 said:
I’m so glad you posted about the GSK Bridges to Access program. I’ve been looking for a way that I can pay for my asthma medication because I need a refill and didn’t know how I was going to pay for it. Both my antidepressant AND asthma medication is made by GSK. I’m going to apply for the program and see if I get accepted. I need to make an appointment with the county health clinic to get a new prescription since I think the old one expired.

I have been thinking about other questions, and, frankly, I cannot think of anything more to ask Cherie at this time. I’m hesitant to ask Sister Louise a bunch of questions because she knows my history and I don’t want her to think I’m flighty. I want to wait until I meet her in person and be pretty sure I want to apply before asking her a dozen questions. I know the most important ones are if they would take me on in spite of the fact that I have manageable depression and asthma. I’m praying hard that they would take me with my medication!

That really would be cool if three Phatmassers entered about the same time. We’d have to get to know each others’ names so we would recognize each other when we get there. 🙂
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Awesome. I’m glad the program may help you already. Was GSK listed on one of the two sites I mentioned?

Recognize eachother… Wow! Awesome thought that is. It would be amazing if we three, or even two, entered. You could recognize me by the nose blowing, lol.
 
JoyfulLife said:
Awesome. I’m glad the program may help you already. Was GSK listed on one of the two sites I mentioned?

Recognize eachother… Wow! Awesome thought that is. It would be amazing if we three, or even two, entered. You could recognize me by the nose blowing, lol.
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Yes, the Bridges to Access program by GSK was listed on the needymeds website. 🙂

LOL, if I still have problems with allergies, we could both be blowing our noses.

On a side note, please pray for my friend. I just found out today through Facebook that she is home from the convent. She deactivated her account when she entered and now she has a new account. I can only assume that she is no longer a Sister since she is in lay clothes instead of her habit. I can’t imagine what she is going through. I’m trying to get in touch with her so I can be there for her. 😦
 
I got a response back from the RX company, and they accept my ADHD medicine and my mental medicine! 🙂 Now, they said they need to check if they work with my insurance, so I’m waiting on that. If this works out, this would be wonderful for whatever order I might enter.

So, then they would only have to pay, after the 3 years, my insurance and supplements. Thankfully, the sleep apnea mask isn’t helping me, so I won’t have to be on that! Eeks.

I contacted my insurance, and thank God for my supplemental state insurance because the copay for my ADHD medicine is approximately $154.00. And the mental medicine is approximately $1057.00. (Yes, that is one thousand and fifty seven dollars!) Eeeks! So, I would HAVE TO get on a program that picks up copay if I enter an order, as they sure wouldn’t want to pay that! It’s crazy high!

What do you think is a bigger deal to orders? Being on a medicine; the copays; or having a controlled mental condition? :confused:

If we both enter there and have nose blowing, it will make me sooo much more comfortable to not be the only one! 😛 🙂 🙂 :rolleyes: I will literally have to keep tissues on me at all times. I really hope the “Quercetin with Bromelain” does wonders for me. I’ll be trying that within the next few weeks. 👍

I’ll keep your friend in my prayers. That must be very difficult for her.
 
Well, hot dog! :eek: The RX program DOES work with my particular insurance. So, I can tell Sister that yes, I am on expensive medicine, BUT, I have a program that will cover ALL of the copay so you will NEVER have to pay it. My own family wouldn’t be able to afford this $1300 or so bill! So praise God for this program! Maybe God is helping me out to get in an order. 😃

I realize they would also have to pay for the monthly psychiatrist visit for getting the prescriptions, too. Daughter, have you any idea how much that costs?
 
JoyfulLife said:
Well, hot dog! :eek: The RX program DOES work with my particular insurance. So, I can tell Sister that yes, I am on expensive medicine, BUT, I have a program that will cover ALL of the copay so you will NEVER have to pay it. My own family wouldn’t be able to afford this $1300 or so bill! So praise God for this program! Maybe God is helping me out to get in an order. 😃

I realize they would also have to pay for the monthly psychiatrist visit for getting the prescriptions, too. Daughter, have you any idea how much that costs?
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Glad to hear that you were approved. I used to pay about $10 for co-pays when I would visit my old psychiatrist. I’m not sure how much it will be on the Sisters’ insurance, though, but probably around that much. 🙂
 
Next I should find out if the program would work with whatever insurance the Sisters put their Sisters on after the three years… Or do you know if they keep you on whatever insurance you have? In my case, it is BC/BS.
 
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