Hi George,
It's Barbara. I too am sad for you and your wife. I have been in your situation and there's nothing scarier than being without money. I don't know what part of the country you are from, but I know in most large cities, they have convention and trade shows. They have union and non-union companies. Most of them start out at $11.00 an hour. This is what they call a hidden industry. You may look into it. The work is hard, but we carry for each other. Look in the phone book under conventions and search out the different decorating companies. I love my job and have worked my way up to journeyman (woman.) This is all I can come up with as far as an answer to getting some money.
Good luck, George. I know you will work something out, cause you sound like a go-getter. I'll check in tomorrow to see how you are doing. Don't give up. Some of the pain clinics also prescribes Suboxone or Methadone. You might call around to see if any of them are taking cases on pro bono meaning free.
I hope you work things out. Let us know.
Barbara