I'm kinda sorta coming out of a really Lowwww period. Lots of emotional pain, fear, and frustration since Paul's passing.
Someone, somewhere in the GM benefits system made an error that cost me the Life insurance Paul had since 1981. It appears his ex-wife, the slut, is getting it. Her own daughter is so embarrassed and ashamed at what her Mom is doing to us. She knows me well, and knows I deserve it, but has decided this is a windfall brought about by the moon and the stars, and that somehow "It was meant to be." Huh? He despised her. Thank you GM and your stupid inability to keep your benefits departments together. In a cyber second someone can push a wrong button and completely change the landscape of a family's life. They kept switching benefit management companies, and lost docs. So someone went back to whatever they could find in old files. In this case, it wasn't the right ones, but since ERISA (poor Paul wasn't even Union), morals and spousal rights are out the window. Our copies were destroyed in a basement flood. Ugh! It's about killed me, and writing it all down again is starting to get me back to that horrendous hurt and anger the kids and I have been going through. This B.... has been married twice since divorcing my husband, and takes all she can get before moving on to the next. Well........her own daughter thinks she is trash over this so I suppose I should at least feel some vindication in that.
Also effective January 1, I am losing most of the health benefits for myself and the kids that was promised, by contract, in Paul's retirement agreement with GM. Government and bankruptcy courts keep giving them license to go back on every promise, obligation, whatever.....for people who were with them nearly 40 years.
I was going down, down, down financially, and pretty depressed. I haven't worked due to caregiving in over 5 years, but kept my LPN license current. I knew I couldn't get back in to acute care which was my favorite setting, because many acute care hospitals get rid of LPNs by attrition or layoffs. I was laid off in 2003. Nursing homes were about the only option.....and based on what I've just come out of that venue wasn't appealing to me. I thought the Life insurance would keep us afloat, and that I could possibly go back to school to finish my RN. I have only 3 quarters to go.....and it would have opened so many doors for me. I just had NO IDEA where my family's future is headed, and what would happen to the house. I mean, I woulda squatted til they dragged me out kicking and screaming...but I had to wonder if we might ever reach that point. I have even prayed for the b....'s heart to soften, and let the life insurance default to the estate......but that is really a stretch. Hope she blows it.
Well, I kept praying for us too, of course. For a miracle....show me the plan.
Tho' I had some doubts I checked with the local CHHH (Community Home Health and Hospice) website about 6 weeks ago to see if they hire LPN's. Just one was listed for "relief" status in the hospice center. No guarantee of hours. Saturday I hit the lowest, Sunday I determined He was telling me I'm supposed to go a different direction, Monday I called the hospice office because the jobs postings were now missing from their website. I also wanted to know their policy on hiring LPN's not recently active. The Angel on the line asked me if I honestly thought it wasn't too soon to go into the hospice care center after losing my DH. She asked if I'd be interested in a temporary position in another capacity while the current person was on maternity leave. She told me a little about it and it sounded interesting, but I am not really up on administrative stuff. But...she said she was just talking to the big boss a half hour before I called and they were discussing the possibility of putting an LPN into the position. He has a sort of "team model" that he wants to implement. Thinks someone with nursing background would do well in it once learning some of the other ropes. It sounded much like the kind of position I used to tell people I'd like to do in my later years, but that it would normally require an RN or BSN to get that kind of position.
Long story short, the Angel talked to the boss and called me right back. The boss asked her to have me come in that day to interview. Couldn't same day so went in Tuesday morning. It's all weird, but the interview with the boss and two RN's went super well. Next morning, Wednesday I receive an offer of employment, and a choice of taking the part time temp Intake Coordinator job they initially called me in for, or the Full time permanent position they are creating if I'll take it. I TOOK IT!!!!! And it has benefits. I will begin my new position August 3rd as "Home Health Intake LPN." I'll receive the referral calls, check eligibilities, insurance authorizations, visit the home, hospital, or doctors office to assess patient and family needs, help coordinate the services, and do some nursing stuff. I've said before, my options as an LPN were probably limited to shift care through an agency, or nursing home. That didn't appeal to me after this long haul with Paul's AD which immediately followed caring for my Mom until she died. Wasn't anxious to go into that same kind of work, but my license level I feared would only allow just so much.
So, this is exciting, this was a gift, and this begins.......Life after AD
New Realm how wonderful this job came about for you, angles work in misterious ways, and may the B---get what`s coming to her what comes around goes around, may it bite her in the a====.Gail
New Realm, I've been reading a lot of threads since arriving here a few weeks ago, and I've been wondering what was happening to you. That is so unfair about the insurance, unbelieveable. But many congratulations on the job -- it sounds great -- and thanks for letting us know. It really is good to hear that you are picking up the pieces and that there may be life after AD for some of us!
New Realm, whoever said that life wasn't fair, really knew what they were talkig about. Just remember what my Mom always says, "What goes around, comes around." The ex will get hers in the end. Meanwhile Congrats on the new career! I'm so happy for you beginning your new life. Please keep in touch and let us all know how it goes out there in the real world. Love ya, S
The ex will get hers...you will just have to wait a bit.
So excited aboout your new position. Just think, given recent experiences, what richness you will bring to the position. They are lucky to have you! Good luck.
Diana, I am so glad to hear from you and that you now have a job that seems perfect for you! I hope that your new direction in life is very successful. Thank you for letting us know!
I wish there was some way to right the wrong done to you! This does make the rest of us realize that beneificary forms, wills, DPOAs, and other legal documents need to be in a bank's safe deposit box for safekeeping. However, because I just had to change the beneficiary on my insurance policy with my company, I know that they did not give me a copy of the form I signed! I think I'll ask for a copy on Monday!!!!
We love you, and hope you will continue to visit with us!
You'll bring a rich variety of training and experience to the new job. Clients will be blessed. GM has surely hurt many people with, to put it lightly, bungles.
New Realm, you know the saying, when one door closes, another one opens. Congratulations! Sounds terrific. Thanks for the update. Hope you can get that GM mess cleared up one day too.
First, let me say, it is wonderful to hear from you. However, when I read your post and many others, it is very hard for me to understand why bad things pile up and pile up and pile up. You would think Alzheimer's Disease is enough. You've shown your strength, forged ahead to do what is best for you and your family, and found a good job with benefits - congratulations!
You have also helped me and I'll bet a lot of others here, by warning of vigilence. I am going to call Sid's insurance company today to find out if the beneficiary is in order. Thank you.
Good idea, Joan, about the insurance beneficiary! I found out a few months ago that DH's mother, who has been dead since 1989, was still listed as one of the beneficiaries on a policy he had. Got it all changed in time!
New Realm, I am so glad there was light at the end of your tunnel. I hope your new job will be tremendously rewarding for you as you try to move on. As for GM, my DH is retired salary (not union). Since the GM bankruptcy, we have received several notifications. First, they are dropping my DH's Blue Cross supplement to Medicare on 1-1-10. I must find him a new supplement. And although they say they will continue to insure me until age 65, I am not counting on it. Second, they are dropping dental and vision insurance on both of us. Third, they are cutting DH's life insurance from $144,000 down to $10,000. And like you, there is nothing we can do about it. I'm sure there is more to come. It is so upsetting to DH. I am trying to keep the info from him as it rolls in and just deal with it myself. Good luck to you with everything.
Diana, Finally some good news for you to focus on!! Great!! Nothing better than being busy and getting on with OUR life!! Sounds like you really hit the jackpot and I hope you will find some new meaning to your life. Meeting new people adds so much richness to our lives. Congrats!!
NewRealm, good luck on your new career! i firmly believe what goes around comes around. payback is inevitable for this lady at some point. in the meantime you have a new life to begin. divvi
I have been worried about you since I read about your problems with GM. It is just so unfair. I too believe in Karma. I am delighted to hear about your new career! Sounds like it is just the thing you were hoping for. Congrats! And best of luck ((hug))
Diana, so glad to hear from you. I'm sorry about the trouble you've had, but am thrilled with your new job! Way to go! Those people obviously knew they had someone special sitting in front of them. Keep us posted, and best of luck! ~Di
Diana, I am so glad to hear your good news. We also have been slapped by GM/Delphi. My husband was also salary. Our Life & Health benefits were completely taken away. Now we are fighting to save his retirement. One thing I am thankful for, is my husband has no clue what happened. Good luck in your new position. As for the EX, as my mother would say "What goes around, comes around" I am sure she will get her's.
Wonderful news about the job. They know you "get it" because they worked with you when you were the caregiver. You must have fit their wish list exactly.
Thank you everyone for your congrats and your encouragement.
I start "officially" on Wednesday, July 22, for the "new hire" orientation. My "training-in-position" begins Aug. 3. I did not want to start before August. But they've been calling, and it makes sense to do the new hire stuff now.
I put a pic on my profile and icon. I feel very bad that in the midst of my job excitement I forgot to mention that my son and his wife have given me a new granddaughter, born July 6. Her name is Lauren and she joins her sister Natalie who will be 3 in early Aug.
Thanks, Diana, for sharing your story with us. It proves to us that sometimes there really are "angels" watching over us. Congrats on the sweet grandkids--they are such a joy.
i read your post with such dread wondering where the next shoe would drop. thank God for that good news. it's wonderful for you to be able to stat a new life. i wish you the best. You really opened my eyes to what's going on with this economy. what a terrible thing when you can devote so many years to a company & have this happen. just awful. please keep us updated as to how things go with the bew job & congratulations