I saw your posting, and am in great need of help. My hoarding became out of control in 2006. I was 36, had breast cancer, I choose to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction, however something went very wrong and the reconstruction did not go well. Over the next 2yrs I had removal and replacement surgery almost every 90 days. I would just start to get excited to go back to work, (I love my work I work with autistic individuals. It is my passion, and my dream is to open a unique autism center one day)). I had nothing much to do at this time so I began compulsive shopping, thus adding to the problem. Since that time I have also had a total hysterectomy because of cancer, and 5 other surgeries (I will tell you if you want to know), all with long recovery times and lots of time to hoard. Through this I have been able to go back to work on and off for two years. (It is not as bad as it sounds I am very lucky to have my moms support and other great things in my life. I am very good at what I do and I am finally healthy and ready to work, but I can't find my teaching materials, so I continually repurchase things. I have beautiful clothing, and jewelry, however, due to the hoarding, i can never find what I need and I am always late. I would really like to get a fresh start, and the help I need so that this does not continue to hold me down. Thank You Very Much,
jennifer bath

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Shirl -
I couldn't log a transcript of last night's chat, but found some additional local donation resources for you for zip code 60649. Please email me at Darci798@live.com so I can email those references to you. Thanks again for joining the chat and keep reading through the posts here on the message board. I do every day (and often re-read them) and some new inspiration always jumps out at me!

Shirl,
I was in your shoes about a year ago as well. Those of us still struggling through the process, as well as Cory who gives soooo much of himself, are here to help. Try to get on our Sunday evening chat and you can even request an purging buddy with whom you can have direct day to day contact. This is a tough time of year in Chicagoland... still blustery and cold, so take advantage that the support and encouragement that is available here! Remember, it didn't get to where it is overnight... it won't get fixed overnight either, but YOU can make progress in the right direction everyday.
~And you know what? If you back-slide, forgive yourself and move on. Try not to wallow in it or make yourself feel worse. You need to be there for "you" as well. You are not alone!

Shirl,
First off there isn't any cheap help out there. Most organizers charge anywhere from $75 to $150 an hour.
My best advice to you is take this on in very little steps yourself. These have to be realistic steps that even though you don't think you can do them, you can.
Please tell me what makes this so hard for you to do and we can help you work through it. You sound like you are pretty desparate but pretty serious so that might be a good mix to help motivate you a little.

I need help with my clutter ASAP! Can anyone help me or refer me to a service?

Does anyone know of a service that is not expensive to help me with the clutter in my apartment?

I live in Chicago & I am overwhelmed with all of this clutter. I need help & I need a referral service that will except installment payments.

I am extremely depressed, I have no get up & go, I have been isolating myself & I feel helpless.

I feel like I need guidance & I feel like I don't know what to do. My life is passing me by & I am not living my life like I should & I don't know what to do. Please help me. I need all the advice, suggestions & encouragement that I can get! So if anyone has a clue, let me know! I need help right away! Thanks for listening.

Cynthia,
I believe Chris or Rob from our office got ahold of you, but if not please let me know. Thank you.

Cory Chalmers
Steri-Clean "Hoarder Helpers"

Do you belong to a church group or have close neighbors that commit one day a week?

I am so sorry for you. My mom hoards too, and I am all we can afford right now.

We live in San Diego, CA and I'm looking for help with initial clean-up. Unfortunately we don't have money... I might be able to afford $50, and can commit to a payment plan, but that's all.

I can't do it myself because my 44 year old daughter has ADD and is a rage-aholic around me and messes it up as fast as I clean. I need another person involved so she behaves.

She is a major hoarder (packed to ceiling with junk) and she can't even get into the kitchen. It's very bad... even the yard and storage shed is packed.

She is ready to get evicted, but fortunately the Landlord is understanding and would like to let her stay for the sake of her 6 year old son.
(Note: CPS is aware and just said to clean the house. They are involved but not really doing anything.)

I contacted one of the Psycholgists on the 'hoardingcleanup.com' list that specializes in Hoarding issues... but he charges way more than we can afford. We are both very low income: I'm on SS Disabily and my daughter is on Calworks... Both of us have Medi-cal... (I have my own apt. - but live in San Diego too.)

I agree that the person has to learn how to not be a hoarder or they will just fill it up with junk again. That has happened many times.

She just started Therapy yesterday with a good Psycholgist for her ADD, and I informed her about her hoarding too - so perhaps a little help will be given. However, Medi-cal only pays for 15 more visits per year... That's not much. (My daughter won't read anything and will not join a blog, or cooperate herself ... Her ADD gives her many problems)

If anyone has a referral or ideas for my situation, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you