(credit to u/axrevolutionai for suggesting I make a full post for this)
This is a big one, for multiple reasons.
I am disabled, and live with my mother and stepfather, paying rent from my Social Security disability checks. To their perpetual credit, the house is paid off and they say I'll always have a home here. I am forever grateful for that. Anyway...
My stepfather needed triple (which became quadruple) bypass surgery. He was driven to the hospital early this morning, before sunrise.
However, as my mother was driving him, she turned too soon, and got two tires over the edge of the driveway. They had to call a tow truck, which had to call another to help. And because they couldn't afford it, I had to pay for them, well over $300 worth that I can't afford right now either.
Then it got worse. On the way there, they passed some homeless guy, who got so angry at them for whatever reason that he threw his flashlight at their car, and not only caused serious scratches on the door, but the back panel of a side mirror got completely dislodged, exposing the wiring. Normally Dad would go to a junkyard for a replacement part, but he's currently in the hospital, per above.
I'd share photos, but I don't want to risk self-doxxing.
On top of all this, while the surgery did go very well (thank God), he is currently intubated on a fucking VENTILATOR, for reasons I do not understand. He is expected to be in the hospital for five to seven days. I'll be visiting him once he wakes up.
We don't know what we're going to do. Can GME please fucking go TO THE MOON! already?! That's my only backup plan, and I bought in (over ten shares) because I was desperate and I trust YOU guys! Hell, even if I sold right now, it wouldn't be instantaneous--Computershare would snail-mail me a physical check, and having never done this before, I don't know if the taxes on that income would be deducted for me, or I'd have to make note of this on my 1040 or 1099 later.
Is it possible to duct-tape the back of the mirror in case we have to go somewhere when it rains? We have the car under a carport right now, so there's that. Normally Dad would order and attach the new one, but, well...
Oh, and the car's not insured. Insurance was cancelled a month or two ago because we can't fucking afford anything right now. Because of all of Dad's testing and preparation for this surgery.
Oh, and the warranty on the car has expired because it's about four years old.
God, I'm so frustrated right now. I feel powerless. Please pray for my family's well-being.
Mods, I apologize for the rant. Delete this if you must. But I don't know where else to turn.
(Update: He is OFF the ventilator!)
u/winn is correct, however, I suggest buying Gorilla Tape. It's stronger and more water resistant. The pool construction company I work for here in FL uses it for just about anything, including taping up exposed wiring on the pumps we use to keep the holes dry after they get dug while waiting for the gunite crews to shoot the pool in.
You can also try Flex Seal's tape. That stuff is the most water resistant of the tapes I know of. But it's also the most expensive.
Lowe's, Home Depot, and Walmart sell both brands.
I hope your step-dad gets better. I will pray fo his speedy recovery.
Can confirm the Flex Tape. The front bumper area got pulled off my old Nissan Versa about 10 years ago after a move when U-Haul gave us the wrong car trailer. I used Flex Tape on it and it lasted at least 3 years until I moved again and had to sell the car. It had a few more things wrong with it that would not pass the inspection in my new state and since it had almost 300k miles on it I just cut my losses. The tape was amazing though.
Thanks for the info, I will try the flex tape. My jalopy needs a bandaid here and there. Cheap plastic bumpers couldn't handle the raccoons that ran right out in front of me recently.