Jump to content

Menu

mommytobees

Members
  • Posts

    880
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by mommytobees

  1. I'm glad! I hate to add to your anxiety, but I'd rather you take this seriously. If it is MS, the sooner you start treatment, the better off you are. If you do not have MS, the sooner they figure out what you do have, the better.

     

    As for reading about MS, let me tell you about my son. 

     

    His dx was a year ago tomorrow. We had been in the hospital for days and the MS dx was a relief. It wasn't lymphoma. What led to his hospitalization: nausea, vomiting, a numb from knee to toes, and a funny gait. The numbness was written off as a pinched nerve. The vomiting and nausea was due to a "bug". His gait steadily got worse, but no one thought to do a neuro exam until the admitting ED doc did one. That led to a CT, which led to them moving us to direct observation, which led to a transfer to a Ped's hospital, and so on. 

     

    If you look at MS (not Pediatric MS, which does have a separate list of symptoms), no where do you see nausea/vomiting, the problem that took us to the ED (IV rehydration, 2nd time in 24 hours after vomiting for 6 days). The gait might have led to a neuro exam, eventually. 

     

    My point is that no one person presents with MS in one way. It all depends on where the lesions are located.

     

    As for losing your mind, I totally understand!

     

    Kris

     

    Kris,

     

    This was a very valuable post for me.  I had thought an MRI would be all the same - I'll read more on MS protocols.  The general practice MD did ask about familial ties to MS.  I have none.  Honestly I just have NO other symptoms of anything - no tingling, no pain, no discomfort, no inflammation, no......  anything in any place - no neck discomfort, back discomfort, hip discomfort, etc.  Just this slow downhill decline from a leg that behaved oddly when cold to a leg that behaved badly when tired to now a leg that behaves "off" as much as "on" lately.  

     

    I swear, when it's good, I think I'm losing my mind.  And when it's not good, I wonder if I'm making it that way with anxiety. :p

     


    SaveSave

  2. Oh, honey! {{{hugs}}}

     

    Okay, like ktgrok said, this sounds like foot drop. As she also said, you can have this for many different causes. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/foot-drop/basics/causes/con-20032918

     

    Facts first:

     

    • Weakness: Muscle weakness can cause problems such as  foot drop (which causes toe drag), “vaulting†(a compensatory technique that involves raising the heel on the stronger leg to make it easier to swing the weaker leg through), compensatory hip hike, trunk lean or circumduction (swinging leg out to the side). Weakness in both legs is known as paraparesis; weakness in only one leg is called monoparesis. Weakness can often be compensated for with the use of appropriate exercises and assistive devices, including braces, canes or walkers.

     

    http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Walking-(Gait),-Balance-Coordination

    Also on that same page is information about gait disturbances. Have your husband look at them with you and see if you can determine your gait disturbance.

    They make braces to help (http://www.braceshop.com/braces-and-supports/ankle-braces/foot-drop-braces.htm) and medical insurance WILL cover them, IF you have a dx of _____ with a reason supporting the need for the brace. But, it'll likely be a fight. However, if you think about it, a brace is cheaper than a hospital stay or a repeat hospital stay.

     

    Were I you, I would ask your Primary for an order for an MR w/contrast, WITH MS PROTOCOLS. Since you aren't going to have to pay for it (if I understand your insurance correctly), I'd cut to the chase and go straight for the MRI. If you have to pay for a big percentage, then you can go cheap and get a CT. If something were to show up, then you can go back and get the MR. The "with MS protocols" is simply a set of time frames. It doesn't hurt if you are NOT looking at MS, but it changes the enhanced lesions significantly.

     

    ETA: I wanted to add...the MS protocols are important to determine if a lesion is active or not. So, this is important MS or NOT MS. If you have a lesion somewhere in your brain, it will show up as a spot on the image. After the contrast, the spot will have a doughnut shape enhancing the lesion, think of it like a target, a circle with a dot on the inside. If the spot doesn't enhance, then it is an old spot. I have 4 spots that do not enhance and have stayed unchanged for years. My son's MR's aren't so easy. 

     

    You may not have MS. There are other explanations for what you are dealing with, however, if your insurance will cover the MR with little to no cost to you, I think you should plan ahead. If you go into the Neuro appointment with MR records that show NOTHING abnormal, YAY. He'll look at something else. If your MR images show something or doesn't show something, then you don't have to wait the 1-2 weeks for the MR and the radiologist to read it and the Neuro to get them and then get back to you. Even with the best of times, it takes us 2-4 weeks from the ordering of an MR to get the results from the Neuro. I've taken to requesting the MR disc and radiologist report 24 hours after the MR.

     

    {{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} 

     

    Please remember that there are other things, but I would take this seriously and be on the quick side. 

    Kris

     

     

    So, the local family doctor fit me in right away and I went Wednesday morning.  He sees absolutely no issues whatsoever and referred me to a neuro.  I have an appointment in early November. I hurt my toes this last weekend by essentially stepping on them, if ykwim?  (As in you take a step but the toes drag a bit so you put your weight down on them and they bend under the foot.)  Then, that week, I realized how often I drag my toes, because I injured one of the toes and I'll bet I drug" them 3 times more by yesterday. Then,  Wednesday night I "tripped" twice.  It was late and I was tired and the leg is worse behaved then.  The first trip was minor but the second was more and I caught myself on a table before I fell flat on my face.  I'm starting to be pretty sure it isn't just my imagination. :(  It's pretty sobering.  I think I would have told you I was probably in the best physical shape of my life this summer.  
     

    So, because of that little trip incident, I called the neuro and asked to be put on a cancellation list.  She suggested my family doctor request imaging so that it's done before I go in.  So I guess that's the next step.  Thank you all for the prayers.  This is starting to be more "real" and I don't like it much.  Hoping to turn out a complete and total hypochondriac.

     


    SaveSaveSaveSave

    SaveSave

    • Like 4
  3. We have had this talk with her. She didn't really have an answer. We asked her think about it and give us a plan and we'd help with the plan if she needed. So far she is choosing to ignore this conversation. ;-)

     

    If she doesn't do it this year she can't do it next year. She will not have the skills.

     

    I just don't see how she can go to school, play a high school sport, work 4-10 hours a week and practice 20 hours a week (or travel out of state 1-2 weekends a month).

     

    Ahhhhhhh!!! okay, your 16yo sounds like my 18yo! 

     

    Were I you, with this last little bit, I would do nothing. Tell her that when she brings you a plan, you'll discuss it again. And then, I would do nothing.

     

    Kris

  4.   the issue is this child will work herself to her death if we let her. We had issues last year with her over committing and really, really stressing herself out. I'm trying to decide if the amount she would need to earn is reasonable. By my calculations every penny she earns would go towards this. At what point would you say no, it's too much? I don't want to influence answers so I'm not saying how much, (yet).

    She would never sacrifice school, but the other things, well....she knows that if she doesn't have money for a tournament she can't go. I did loan her $$ for the first tournament because it came up kinda fast. She has repaid that and has $$ saved.

     

    My question is how much do you think is reasonable for a teen to be expected to pay?

     

    Hmmm, I don't think the question had a numerical answer. I think instead it has a _time_ answer.

     

    How much time is she allowed to commit to work per week?

     

    Since you already think she tends to over commit to whatever, I would have her sit down iwht you and spell out what you think is reasonable. You have $X, and need to earn an additional $Y. That is H number of hours per week, every week. Do you think this is something you can handle? (yes) What about last year when you were so stressed out? (no) I don't think you can either. I know it is hard to decide you cannot do something you really want, but what if you saved to do it another time? (is that an option?)

     

    Kris

    • Like 2
  5. I'm a strong believer in finding a way to say "yes", but it has to work for the entire family.

     

    Cost is double. Daughter, we can only afford $X (X can be what you currently pay or it can be any extra you are willing to put into it). (IF this next part is an option to your family...) We put $H to presents during the year; we are willing to put 1/? of H towards this cost IF you want us to. You are responsible with coming up with the rest. 

     

    Are grandparents willing to contribute? If they are, require her to ask.

     

    Rather than telling your 16yo if she can or cannot do something, give her the tools to make the choice herself.

     

    Kris

    • Like 16
  6. Um, have you had a neuro exam, just the basic one that most doctors are qualified to give? I think you need an MRI or at minimum a CT of your brain.

     

    Everything you just said, described my 18yo son a year ago...right before he was dx'ed with MS.

    Kris
     

     

     

     

     

    Could this year just freaking end already? :(

     

    I'm so freaking over it.  

     

    But something isn't quite right.  And I am having a hard time overcoming my fears and going to the doctor.  My gait is off.  No pain, no discomfort, no swelling, nothing.  But I can no longer run and coordinating my legs to do stairs is something I have to actually *think* about.  That can't be great can it?  It's been like this for a while.  At first, when we moved back from Oregon, it was during the winter and I thought some muscles in my right leg must stiffen up due to the cold or something.  But then it didn't really go away but it was sporadic.  Now it's not cold and it's not sporadic.  It's daily.  I cannot coordinate my legs to run at all.  

     

    I have to go to the doctor this year - we've met our out of pocket and if it's just nothing then better to know now with no deductible than start all over next year, kwim?

    But I honestly feel almost superstitious (and I know it's SO stupid) about going to the doctor in 2016.  Ugh.  I don't even know where to go.  I called everywhere and am having a hard time finding a family doctor.  I've never had one - just an OB.  And I'm actually pretty worried and not telling anyone I'm really worried, but it's starting to show up in my walk.  DH asked yesterday if my shoes fit okay because I walked "off."  That's concerning.  It's not all the time, just sometimes, but I do notice it daily now.  :/  Maybe I'm just a hypochondriac, it's in my head, and I'm just focusing on it.  That would be awesome, yeah?

     

    Sigh.

     

    I hate this freaking year.

     


    SaveSave

    SaveSave

    • Like 2
  7. You know, one of the best things about boundaries and setting them is being able to rely on the boundary. 

     

    In this case: you owe him ZERO explanation. Nada. Simply saying, "no" is perfectly acceptable. You don't owe him an explanation. 

     

    And, I got to practice this today, too.....I had to address boundaries with my exh just this afternoon. It is my responsibility to _tell_ him the medical things that are going on. It is NOT my responsibility to make sure he understands what that means. Even more importantly, if you fail to ask any questions it is even LESS my responsibility. I am not a mind reader. I have to remind myself that the only response is facts: A happened on this date, and B happened on that date. 

     

    good luck and your ex is being a jerk.

     

    Kris

     

    • Like 1
  8. a-day 2012: the day I realized I couldn't stay married anymore

    11 Mar 2011: Tohoku earthquake (We lived south of Tokyo.) 

    7 Jul 2005: 7/7 bombings 

    26 Dec 2004: tsunami in south Pacific (We lived in HI.)

    11 Sept 2001: all of it

    3 May 2001: child born

    12 Oct 2000: USS Cole

    23 Apr 1998: child born

    August 1997: Princess Di dies

    17 Jan 1994: Northridge quake

    June 1993: Lorena Bobbit (Sorry! I know I shouldn't....but I remember it.)

    17 Oct 1989: San Fran earthquake

    1 Aug 1981: MTV started (My next door neighbors were teens who babysat me. I remember it very well; school started the next week.)

    • Like 1
  9. I haven't yet read the whole thread but fully intend to as I can relate to this topic. When my Aspie son was that age, he had no idea of what he wanted to do in the future. The future was so far in front of him that he couldn't even relate or grasp he needed to have an end goal for after high school. Throughout high school, DH and I talked to him about college. We led him to believe that it was the best option for him because without a degree, he wouldn't be able to make enough money to support himself. I used his older sister as an example. She's struggling and actually has a pretty good paying job. Anyway, he finally did graduate high school a year behind peers, and did indeed begin college. He took two classes each semester for the first year. He was adamant about going only part time. The transition into school was really rough. It took him a few weeks to really settle down into his classes and homework schedule. We didn't ask him to work because he didn't feel he could do both.

     

    ...

     

    So now I'm going to read this whole thread. Who knows? My ds may decide to go back to school after realizing what a low paying job is, but he can't really make choices without understanding the different options. He's a late bloomer himself. I think we pushed him into college too soon. We had the best of intentions. It just didn't work out.

     

    Nightelf, may I make a suggestion?

     

    I would ask your son to take 1 online class. 

     

    Why? What would your argument be? 

     

    a) The class is online. It changes the stress level. Yes, there IS a stress level.

     

    b) I love dreams. Even dreams that fail are GOOD THINGS!! Allow him the opportunity to learn all of the skills, one small piece at a time.

     

    Now, I don't have a lot of time...I have 2 essays due tomorrow (and I haven't started either yet--- :glare:  :leaving: )... but, http://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees/bachelors/bs-in-game-programming-and-development SNHU is a decent university and has an online program. Yes, this is an expensive alternative, but the point is to get his big toe in the water...online. Look at your local school's online catalogue. You might have a course to do there.

     

    Sometimes, small successes create motivation to do something you otherwise would never try.

     

    Kris

    • Like 1
  10. I don't have time today to read all the responses....so if I'm repeating, please forgive him.

     

    My ds18 is ASD (Aspie) too. I've known for years, since about 14, that he was going to need a reality check. A huge one.

     

    I started talking to him about expectations and boundaries. Mine. His. Later, after my divorce, his father's and so on.

     

    My expectations: after graduation/around 18 you will:

    ~ Work full-time: your work can be school OR a job

    ~ Pay rent: _I_ will cover your "rent" if you go to school full-time and get decent grades. Why? Because _I_ find value in your education (why we HS'ed in the first place---he is currently in online school). _I_ am allowed to choose where my money goes, just like you are. If you school part time, then you will work the other part time AND pay rent to that percentage. (50/50 school/work = 50% rent)

    ~~Rent will be 25% of your income. 

    ~ Within 2 paychecks, you will pay ALL of your bills. Cell, insurance, gas, whatever.

     

    I've reminded him over and over what the rules will be.

     

    Over the past year or so, he has come to mental terms with the abstract. Over the past 6 months, he has been trying to find a job, with no luck. SO, what does that mean for his future.... IF, after he graduates, he can't find a job, he is required to volunteer at the animal shelter for his employment.

     

    Let me also note that there is a huge change for my son. He was dx'ed with multiple sclerosis last year. So, he cannot do any job outside about 9 months of the year (we live in the Phoenix area). (Heat will cause a pseudo-relapse of MS.)

     

    My expectations have had to change, however, I haven't told my son that. I've told my son that it is even more important that he choose wisely. He has to go to college. He has to have health insurance.

     

    HTH,
    Kris

     

     

     

    • Like 2
  11. Honestly, your friend needs step up and be proactive and stop being reactive to this situation. (because that's what it sounds like from your post)

     

    He should be insisting that ALL of the children need to get into counseling. He only has the right to get his two, but IF wife wants him back in the marriage, she needs to agree to counseling for her kid too. (Personally, if I were step mom, I would be taking my kid to her own therapist.

     

    First, to determine IF anything has happened to the 7yo boy. Children that young who are NOT hypersexualized play "doctor" and "show me yours, I'll show you mine" because they are curious. Hyper sexualized children emulate what they've seen/done.

     

    Second, to determine IF something happened between the step siblings. Again, there are innocent things that can and do happen between two, non-related children. 

     

    If they sweep this under the rug, they ruin many different relationships.

     

    Kris

    • Like 3
  12. I am pretty sure that this is the first time the Hive has been unanimous lol.

    For clarification, someone on Facebook asked her if she REALLY meant 3 am. She said yes; he finally relented and did his school work at 2 am and she let him up from the table when it was done.

     

    I will likely call. My husband is the one who thinks I shouldn't, but he also thinks nothing is ever his business. My supervisor said that I don't technically have to call because I didn't witness it at work, but that I should.

     

    Okay, 1: your husband needs a (figurative) smack upside the head. (That is also abuse!)

    2: Call!! This isn't worth your job and/or future in that career.

     

    3: forced wakefulness is torture. I don't care what the US government says about it re: prisoners, but I believe that it is torture. To do it to your child is abuse.

     

    Kris

    • Like 12
  13. I'm a mandatory reporter and I believe that means you have to report ANYTHING even if it isn't in the course of your employment/licensing arrangement. 

     

    I do not like spanking, but true palm-on-bum spanking is not physical abuse. (psychological yes)

     

    I believe that the hot sauce/ hot peppers is abuse.

    I believe forced wakefulness is abuse. (was that 3am or 3 pm?!?!?)

     

    I do not like the lack of heat, but that isn't abuse.

     

    Kris

  14. I give my kids crackers, applesauce, dried fruit, cured meats, jerky, etc.

    I don't eat anything when we travel. I fast.

    Unless one is diabetic (on meds that reduce blood glucose) there is no reason there is no reason we can't fast for 12-18 hours.

     

    That isn't true.

     

    My mom is on medication for RA and she can't fast more than 6 hours, max.

     

    I am not diabetic or pre-diabetic (they keep watching my labs), and the longest I can fast is overnight from 8pm to 5am. At that, I'm starting to get sick and needing to eat when I get up.

     

    There are many reasons people can't fast for more than 6 hours and they are natural. Typically, I eat a small meal 6 times a day. 

     

    Kris

  15. {{{hugs}}}

     

    We have a cat that had the exact same injury. We decided to have the surgery.

     

    That was 4 years ago. I can't say I regret the surgery, because my son is happy with his cat. (Personally, I can't stand the cat; he's a pain-in-the-bum animal.) BUT, he hurts. Low level pain that occasionally flares up. He is lazy as heck and while he isn't overweight, he isn't healthy.

     

    I wouldn't do the surgery again. 

     

    Kris

  16. Have you spoken to JAG or IG about that?  (Not sure what the Navy calls them)  I'm definitely not saying it's impossible, but it wouldn't make sense for the military to allow GIs to willy nilly remove dependents.  (I realize ex-spouses are removed, but with the 20-20-20 rules, ex-spouses retain their medical and I can totally see a vindictive ex-spouse trying to remove them from DEERS.)  Anyway, not at all saying you're incorrect, it's just something I've not heard of happening, and it seems odd that it would be allowed by DEERS, so I would encourage you to get JAG/IG input if you haven't already.

     

    Oddly enough, I've received mixed answers. JAG doesn't know. I've contacted DEERS office, but since I'm not the member, they won't talk to me. Go figure!! The Personnel office at the local AFB was a bit more help, but again, one says yes and the other says no.

     

    We are waiting to see what happens. I pray that the idea of his parents getting PO'ed at him is enough to prevent it. 

     

    Kris

  17. Actually, if he is a biological child of an AD service member, I don't believe he can be dropped before age 21.  When I married an AD servicemember (prior to Tricare being around), they actually backdated my two kids (from a previous marriage) to the date my husband joined the military.  In DEERS STILL, my kids show eligibility date from the date he joined, my date shows from our date of marriage.  

     

    Not sure how it works once he's 21 (if he can be dropped) if he's in full time school (normally covered to age 23 if in full time).  Once he isn't in school full time, whether at 21 or 23, he can be part of Tricare Young Adult, WITHOUT the servicemember's permission.  Premium for my son in Colorado a year ago was about $165/mo for TYA.

     

    The problem is that his father can remove him from DEERS at any time after graduation. This isn't that the military/Tricare will remove him, this is that his father has been a jerk. The insurance is fantastic; the parent providing it is not.

     

    Kris

  18.  

    If we'd gone without insurance or health share then we'd be out more than 100K - IF we could have paid for treatment as not all of what was done would have been done.  Considering NONE of our needs were based upon diet or exercise or smoking or anything "preventable," I definitely see "going without" to be super risky - a real risk.  I never recommend that to anyone personally.

     

    But this isn't solely about someone going without. This is about the next step as well. This is about how we live our lives. Anyone who lives their life with no health insurance is taking a huge risk, but so are the people who rely on their current health insurance plan, that includes cost share programs like Sam.

     

    What happens if/when the Impossible or Improbable happens?

    What happens if you run out of money?

    What happens if you are unable to make your insurance payments?

     

    The Impossible happened to my family. Last year, my 17yo son was dx'ed with a very rare form of MS. The CDC lists it at 3 in 1,000,000 and only 10% of those individuals are dx'ed under the age of 20. His current health insurance is through his father, who is AD Navy. However, his dad can drop him at any time. I cannot provide him with health insurance right now, as I'm a full-time student. 

     

    He must have insurance. His medications and vitamins cost OOP $65 per month, plus his DMT MS drug is $2100 per month pre-insurance. That is just maintenance. Any relapse and we are talking at minimum several thousand for in-home steroid therapy. Add in additional costs: PT, MRI's of brain and spine (he has 4 lesions on his spine), and what not.

     

    What happens in the future?

     

    Kris

  19. Because I also have an uncle (veteran) who has to deal with our VA system.  Like Canada (from IRL examples with my step mom), I just don't see where the gov't does a great job either.  I think those outside the gov't can do better for the majority of the people - when health care insurance/coverage is NOT for profit.

     

    I addressed the poor in my post that you quoted.  Yes, they would need to stick with gov't programs.  As others have attested, sometimes those are decent and sometimes not.  Nothing is perfect for everyone's needs.

     

    There is a huge difference between the VHA, Medicaid, Medicare, Tricare/Champus, SCHIP (federal state children's programs), and the IHS (Indian Health Services) systems. Huge! The VHA has been having loads of problems, for multiple reasons/excuses. However, you do not see those same problems happening in any of the other areas.

     

    Are there problems? Yes! Absolutely. I have a heck of a time with UHC, who currently services Tricare West region and am filed a formal complaint today for a change in management and failure to notify their members. I know many people in IHS who have complaints. And so on...

     

    However, when we get to the nitty gritty of the problems: VHA has issues that none of the other groups do.

     

     

    One out of six federally funded and run health care programs have serious problems. How is that the government doing a subpar job?

     

    Kris

  20.  

    Since the idea of Samaritan Ministries is that it is Christians helping Christians, it's hard for me to swallow that this organization has so many exclusions - it really is Christians helping some Christians, but not all. In many cases, the US Government is more compassionate. 

     

    I know I pipe in with these observations frequently, it is something I feel strongly about. My desire to show the downfalls of the program has taken on new meaning since my son was recently diagnosed with kidney disease. 

     

    I agree.

     

    I've been trying to figure out my DS18's future medical healthcare coverage.

     

    I've contacted dozens of different companies and agencies, including Samaritan. Samaritan was almost insulting. It is healthy Christians covering other healthy Christians who might run into a health crisis. 

     

    Kris

    • Like 5
  21. It doesn't surprise me at all. The home is insured, the trees aren't. The insurance is for catastrophes, not everyday occurrences that could be anticipated. Homeowners are expected to keep their property and landscaping in good repair. Our insurance won't pay for home damage caused by sick, damaged or dead trees. It's our responsibility to remove them. If we don't and it falls on our home, causing damage, then the insurance company will not pay because the damage was preventable. We are also then subject to cancellation because we are failing to maintain our property in such a way as to minimize damage to our structure. 

     

    This!

     

    I knew, because I looked into what it would cost to remove a 50' pine, that tree removal might bankrupt us. So, if there was an incident that would cause damage to the tree, thus making the tree a hazard to our or a neighbor house, I wanted the insurance to pay to take it down.

     

     

    Several years prior (to the purchase of that house), we had a neighbor (we rented, they owned) who had very bad damage to a tree during a hurricane. It damaged our detached garage (no damage to our belongings, just the building). When their homeowners insurance came out, they would not pay to have the tree removed, just have the fence fixed. Our neighbors had to come up with almost $1000 to have the tree taken out. They couldn't leave it, because if it fell it would have taken out our garage entirely. The homeowner's insurance company sent them a letter notifying them IF the tree fell and damaged the garage past 30-60 days (there was a lot of tree damage in the area after the hurricane) after the date of the letter, they would sue for negligence for the cost of the garage and legal fees. It wasn't worth the risk.

     

    Kris

    • Like 1
  22. Yes, it is my opinion.  Thank you for appropriately quoting me by name instead of just yanking a snippet out so no one knows who you are quoting unless they happen to come back and see it.  (It won't even show up when I appropriately quote you by name). 

     

    Learn how the quote feature works.  

     

     

    That was a bit rude.

     

     

    • Like 1
  23. I almost feel like this thread is saying having a mental health disability trumps having a life threatening disability.  I'm of the opinion that life threatening trumps all, and while I realize mental health problems can indeed be life threatening, there would be a much slimmer change of that on a plane flight.  And I do see it from both sides, I have a child with severe mental health issues, and I and one of my children have anaphylactic reactions to certain things (some animals and medications in my case, food in the child's)

     

    I'm not saying that (mental health trumps...), but I am saying that the way the laws are written, service animals (NOT ESA) trump life threatening allergy (you put disability...I'm not sure how that is, but I also have a migraine so my brain is a little pile of mush). And, I actually support those laws.

     

    A DAD (Diabetes Alert Dog) or a Guide Dog or a _______, all well-trained and service dogs, should have the ability to go to the movies, a restaurant, an airplane, and wherever. There are ways to accommodate severe allergies. 

     

    Kris

  24. We had a major storm a few weeks ago, and a giant tree in the yard next door split in half and the half that fell, fell into our yard.  The tree was very large, about 10 feet in diameter.  It was a bad storm that lingered, and it looked like the other half could fall with the next brisk wind.  Our neighbor was up in the tree in the middle of the storm tying giant ropes around the half that was left in order to prevent it from falling because if it fell, it would either fall on our home or theirs.  (Our houses are very close together.)

     

    The half that fell into our yard miraculously only slightly damaged our garage roof.  Our insurance company sent an agent out the next day to take a look at the damage, and we were compensated much more than we even thought we would be.  He looked at the remaining half of a tree in the neighbor's yard and how the rope was holding it up, and said that for sure the neighbor's homeowner's insurance would cover taking it down, and he really should do that before it fell onto a roof.

     

    Our neighbor did take it down within a few days because we were all so worried about it coming down, and in the meantime the insurance company was going to send an agent to look at it.  So, it turns out that their insurance company is the same as ours, and the agent was actually the same agent who came to OUR yard!  This time though, the agent took a look at it and said sorry, homeowner's insurance doesn't cover the taking down or removal of trees.  He said if the tree had actually fallen and damaged the home, then it would have all been covered.

     

    I feel angry and frustrated about this.  If our neighbor hadn't taken it down and it had damaged the home, it would have been thousands upon thousands of dollars to repair it.  Our neighbor prevented this from happening by taking down a tree that would have caused this to happen.  The same agent had EARLIER said that our neighbor's homeowner's insurance should cover taking down the tree and the removal.

     

    This is a neighbor who is extremely kind and generous, but uneducated and not knowledgable at all about how things work, who to contact, etc.  I'd like to help him.  Also, I know that part of the reason he removed the tree was so that it wouldn't fall onto OUR home.  Something seems wrong about all of this.

     

    If it isn't covered, we'd like to pay for half of his tree removal fees.  But it seems like it should have been covered.  

     

    Thoughts?

     

    I believe this comes down to their policy.

    When we purchased our house in SC, I was very specific with our insurance company (USAA) in that I wanted a rider attached to our policy for damaged trees. If we wanted the tree out _before_ it was damaged, our pocket. If a tree was damaged in any type of storm/accident/??, the rider covered it. But, we paid for that.

     

    Kris

    • Like 1
×
×
  • Create New...