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[Guest guest]

Hello - I'm so sorry that many of you here have had horrible things

happen due to mold - it's something that people don't realize until

it knocks at your door. I'm really glad to have found this site,

though, because I'm hoping to find some info, and maybe some comfort,

if there could be any. I apologize now, because I know this will be

lenghty and weepy. Here's my current situation.

In February of this year, my 3 year old son had a cold, and the cough

would not go away. It occurs mostly at night, and when he wakes up.

We couldn't figure out why, and took several visits to the ped. and

tried different things. Finally, an allergist diagnosed him with

asthma and said it seemed like the allergic type. Did skin tests,

turns out he's allergic to mold. He's currently on Flovent, Nasonex,

and Singulair. We thought it odd, because no one in our families

ever had asthma or allergies. We were planning some remodeling,

anyway, so we started on the kitchen and bathroom, thinking maybe

there could be leaks causing mold. We found very small amounts, and

got rid of them, but he continued to be sick. We moved on to his

room, where the carpet at the edge of his wall was musty and we tore

it out, bleached the tiles below, aired it out for a few days, and

put down new pad and carpet, and painted the walls. Still coughing.

So our room was next. Finally, found visible mold in my closet

behind a suitcase along that same wall, and a horrible smell coming

from a crack between wall and floor.

I called in a mold company to inspect - said the wall was dry at the

time, but noted the visible mold. Took air samples. Also said our

attic is full of mold because isulation was blocking our soffit vents

(which also caused the shingles to fail, so we need a new roof as

well). We are waiting for the results to find out if the mold is

toxic, and what their recommendations are. He said the mold in the

walls was caused by lack of insulation leading to condensation.

This house is owned by my mom, who inherited it. We rent, just

paying enough to cover taxes. We had an insurance guy out, and they

won't cover one red cent. He did, however, point out another

contributing factor, which is that our cement has settled and rain

water is now running toward our slab from all directions, which

increases dampness.

I'm terrified. I want to take my son and run, but we've nowhere else

to go. My husband thinks I'm overreacting, but it's easy for him to

say, because he works outside and out of town often, and doesn't have

to be in the house as much, and doesn't have to hear little guy

coughing. Other than the cough, he seems healthy, however, there's

another mystery. He was born with a cleft lip, and developmental

delays, which also don't run in either family. Has the mold been

around for years and caused this? I don't know if that can be

answered, and if so, I know I can't afford it. My dog also has

degenerative myelopathy, which I think has been caused by the mold. I

am also suffering some symptoms of exposure, but I think I'll be fine

once this is taken care of.

So now we need mold remediation, a new roof, new walls and

insulation, new carpet, new concrete outside, etc. Just the cost of

the test pretty much wiped out what was left of our savings. And,

winter is coming. I've been on the phone with various local

agencies, and none of them know of any assistance we might be

eligible for. One guy from the county said he would see what could

be done, but I'm afraid to get my hopes up. The cost of the repairs

are going to equal about one quarter of what this house is worth, and

we weren't even planning on staying in this town.

I'm just a wreck. I'm so scared, and I'm crying all the time, and I

know it's not productive, and isn't good for my son to see, but it's

hard to help it. Does anyone know of a place to turn for help? Or a

good arsonist for hire (just kidding, kinda)?

Sorry to be so long winded.

Glor

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry to hear about your problems. To think people say mold isn't a big

deal. The insurance company will cover a " pipe burst in your home " .

Where do you live?

[Guest guest]

Illinois, far southern suburb of Chicago, thanks.

>

> I am so sorry to hear about your problems. To think people say mold

isn't a big deal. The insurance company will cover a " pipe burst in

your home " .

> Where do you live?

>

[Guest guest]

Glor, Just wanted to offer you some support. My husband, also, works

out of town most weeks, so he doesn't have to see/live with all the

dust, fibers & stuff coming out of our vents. I'm a crazed woman over

all this, too. I have twin 7 y/o boys & I've been so sick since living

in this house. I've had 2 companies out that gave me reports, long

lists of fungi & bacteria, but not where it's coming from or what to do

about it. I'm looking for a company, too, that can look where I can't

see, like behind walls, under wood floor & in my air system. So, I

know how you feel & I know how upsetting it can be, esp. for the kids,

although I'm trying so hard to regain my own health, also. If you ever

feel like talking, feel free to email any time! Hang in there, you'll

get it taken care of!

Hugs, Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Thans so much, Cheryl. I'm so sorry you aren't well. I'm surprised

the companies you had out weren't able to identify where the mold is

originating. I hope you will be able to solve your situation and get

better soon. Thanks for the offer for email - I will probably take you

up on that if I get some free time - right now I just feel like I can't

sit still for long. I feel like I should be doing something,

anything. Thanks again for the kind words, though. Glor

> feel like talking, feel free to email any time! Hang in there, you'll

> get it taken care of!

> Hugs, Cheryl

>

[Guest guest]

I am going to add my 2 cents. Listen to your instincts!

If you believe you and your children are at risk by staying in that house,

then find a way to get out of there. In our situation, our insurance company

told us our house was safe to live in. My instincts told me otherwise.

Luckily, I listened to my instincts and got my family out of that toxic house.

We learned much later that the house was still toxic---the insurance company had

the test results and they knew it was still toxic and they were lying to us the

entire time.

beandippyone <Beandippy@...> wrote:

Thans so much, Cheryl. I'm so sorry you aren't well. I'm surprised

the companies you had out weren't able to identify where the mold is

originating. I hope you will be able to solve your situation and get

better soon. Thanks for the offer for email - I will probably take you

up on that if I get some free time - right now I just feel like I can't

sit still for long. I feel like I should be doing something,

anything. Thanks again for the kind words, though. Glor

> feel like talking, feel free to email any time! Hang in there, you'll

> get it taken care of!

> Hugs, Cheryl

>

---------------------------------

Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with Autos.

[Guest guest]

I am certain that your story is similar to those of many in this

group. Your intuitions seem correct to me-you do need to leave if you

can. You are not over reacting! My family lived with mold in the

attic (we didn't know it was there) for 4 1/2 years. It made us all

sick. The remediator and tester encouraged me to see our doctor--she

did not mince words and told me we needed to leave " now. " It was one

of the most difficult things we ever did, but also one of the best-it

permitted us to start healing.

You said you are a tenant-you should not be responsible for paying

for repairs. Can you find somewhere else to live? If you can't, a

HEPA air filter in your son's bedroom (and other rooms) might help.

Also, bleach is not a good choice for cleaning mold. I think hydrogen

peroxide is better but others probably know more than I do.

--- In , " beandippyone " <Beandippy@...>

wrote:

>

> Hello - I'm so sorry that many of you here have had horrible things

> happen due to mold - it's something that people don't realize until

> it knocks at your door. I'm really glad to have found this site,

> though, because I'm hoping to find some info, and maybe some

comfort,

> if there could be any. I apologize now, because I know this will

be

> lenghty and weepy. Here's my current situation.

> In February of this year, my 3 year old son had a cold, and the

cough

> would not go away. It occurs mostly at night, and when he wakes

up.

> We couldn't figure out why, and took several visits to the ped. and

> tried different things. Finally, an allergist diagnosed him with

> asthma and said it seemed like the allergic type. Did skin tests,

> turns out he's allergic to mold. He's currently on Flovent,

Nasonex,

> and Singulair. We thought it odd, because no one in our families

> ever had asthma or allergies. We were planning some remodeling,

> anyway, so we started on the kitchen and bathroom, thinking maybe

> there could be leaks causing mold. We found very small amounts,

and

> got rid of them, but he continued to be sick. We moved on to his

> room, where the carpet at the edge of his wall was musty and we

tore

> it out, bleached the tiles below, aired it out for a few days, and

> put down new pad and carpet, and painted the walls. Still

coughing.

> So our room was next. Finally, found visible mold in my closet

> behind a suitcase along that same wall, and a horrible smell coming

> from a crack between wall and floor.

> I called in a mold company to inspect - said the wall was dry at

the

> time, but noted the visible mold. Took air samples. Also said our

> attic is full of mold because isulation was blocking our soffit

vents

> (which also caused the shingles to fail, so we need a new roof as

> well). We are waiting for the results to find out if the mold is

> toxic, and what their recommendations are. He said the mold in the

> walls was caused by lack of insulation leading to condensation.

> This house is owned by my mom, who inherited it. We rent, just

> paying enough to cover taxes. We had an insurance guy out, and

they

> won't cover one red cent. He did, however, point out another

> contributing factor, which is that our cement has settled and rain

> water is now running toward our slab from all directions, which

> increases dampness.

> I'm terrified. I want to take my son and run, but we've nowhere

else

> to go. My husband thinks I'm overreacting, but it's easy for him

to

> say, because he works outside and out of town often, and doesn't

have

> to be in the house as much, and doesn't have to hear little guy

> coughing. Other than the cough, he seems healthy, however, there's

> another mystery. He was born with a cleft lip, and developmental

> delays, which also don't run in either family. Has the mold been

> around for years and caused this? I don't know if that can be

> answered, and if so, I know I can't afford it. My dog also has

> degenerative myelopathy, which I think has been caused by the mold.

I

> am also suffering some symptoms of exposure, but I think I'll be

fine

> once this is taken care of.

> So now we need mold remediation, a new roof, new walls and

> insulation, new carpet, new concrete outside, etc. Just the cost

of

> the test pretty much wiped out what was left of our savings. And,

> winter is coming. I've been on the phone with various local

> agencies, and none of them know of any assistance we might be

> eligible for. One guy from the county said he would see what could

> be done, but I'm afraid to get my hopes up. The cost of the

repairs

> are going to equal about one quarter of what this house is worth,

and

> we weren't even planning on staying in this town.

> I'm just a wreck. I'm so scared, and I'm crying all the time, and

I

> know it's not productive, and isn't good for my son to see, but

it's

> hard to help it. Does anyone know of a place to turn for help? Or

a

> good arsonist for hire (just kidding, kinda)?

> Sorry to be so long winded.

> Glor

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks and . Yes,I'd like to leave if I could. Only

problem is I have nowhere to go. We do rent, however, we rent from

my mom, and not for a profit. We've lived here a long time, and the

idea was for us to fix up the place while we saved some money and

then we could move and she could sell. But we didn't foresee having

a son born with birth defects, which prevented us from saving

anything. And we sure didn't forsee mold that could hurt us growing

where we couldn't see as a result of condensation and improper

insulation. My mom is old and poor, so she can't do anything to help

us - I wish I could do more for her. And we can't go to her house -

her basement is loaded with mold, although it doesn't seem to be

harming her. I'm just waiting for the test results to see if the

mold we have is toxic or if it's just an allergy/asthma problem. Of

course if it's toxic we'll have to find someplace to go - if it's

not, we will have to find a way to remediate and repair asap. In the

meantime, I do have a hepa filter in his room, and I sleep in the

living room. I keep the house bone dry, and spend lots of time on

the phone trying to find some sort of financial assistance. We're

not eligible for anything because we make too much, but the amount we

need for this is about a third to a half of my husband's yearly

salary. Does anyone know of any programs or other places I can call

and beg? Thanks for the kind words - Glor

[Guest guest]

, I wish someone would be so blunt w/my husband; then it

wouldn't just be coming from his neurotic wife! I won't give up

though, til I prove what I know in my heart!

Hugs, Cheryk

,

I would be more then willing to speak to your husband, if you like.

KC

> >

> > I am certain that your story is similar to those of many in this

> > group. Your intuitions seem correct to me-you do need to leave

if you

> > can. You are not over reacting! My family lived with mold in the

> > attic (we didn't know it was there) for 4 1/2 years. It made us

all

> > sick. The remediator and tester encouraged me to see our doctor--

she

> > did not mince words and told me we needed to leave " now. " It was

one

> > of the most difficult things we ever did, but also one of the

best-it

> > permitted us to start healing.

>

> , I wish someone would be so blunt w/my husband; then it

> wouldn't just be coming from his neurotic wife! I won't give up

> though, til I prove what I know in my heart!

> Hugs, Cheryk

>