Chapter 13 two problems

I am currently in a chapter 13 and have 2 more years to go to pay this off. I filed in December of 1999. My payments to the trustee are deducted from my pay and so I have never missed a payment. I own my home and am grateful that I was able to keep it. When I originally went to see this attorney I was only one month behind on my mortgage payment but the lawyer that I saw told me not to make another payment since I would be paying the bankruptcy anyway. I was so despairing at this time about my debt situation that it sounded like a good idea. So I took his advice, as he was a lawyer so when a person hires a lawyer it is a good idea to take their advise. I am so sorry for this now that i could kick myself. I would like feedback on this. Please help.

I live in Texas and the weather here in the summer is extremely hot. Well, last summer my air conditioner went out. With my BK payments to the trustee I have no disposable income so I wasn't able to get it fixed. I am a single mom, so my son and i lived in this heat with window fans and all to keep barely! cool. I wrote my lawyer 2 weeks agoas this is how he has requested his clients do with questions and etc. to see what I could do. So far no response and no response from a phone call inquiring about this. I know that no one here can give legal advice but what would a person so in my situation-- like how does one get major expenses done while in ch 13 BK.l