I'm glad I found these forums. I appreciate all the positive stories and advice. My husband and I have 12 payments left on a 5 yr Ch 13. Yes, the end is in sight, but it has been an interesting road so far. Doable, but rough sometimes.
That's all, just wanted to say thanks. 
Ch13 filed 3/2009 : discharged 1/2014
You are over half way there! It will be deleted off your credit reports in 7 years if you finish that plan so keep making those payments. I filed a Chap 13 in 2005, made all my payments over a 5 year plan, it was discharged in 2011, I was able to start getting getting cards with decent limits in mid 2012, and then in Oct 2012 it was removed from my credit reports. Late last year, I leased a brand new Acura with tier 1 financing, received a Chase Freedom, and just this month I closed on a home! I still have a Chap 7 from 2003 reporting that will delete in Aug 2013. Waiting for that to fall off so I can app for Discover and AMEX!
Cards: Orchard Bank ($1100) | Cap1 Cash Rewards ($2500) | Chase Freedom ($1000) | Best Buy ($2500) | Discover It ($1000) | Barclay Rewards ($2500) | Current scores: EX FAKO: 684, CK TU: 649, FICO EQ: 680, FICO TU: 698, FICO EX: 658 Happy Homeowner Since 2/6/13! Thanks, MovingForward_2012. We're anxious to start rebuilding, and are getting a lot of helpful info from these forums to prepare is for it next year. Both of our cars are aging, and we will need to most likely replace both soon after the discharge next year.
Do you think it's too soon (now) to try to get a low limit secured credit card? We don't want to step on our Trustee's toes.
I have a request for callback from my attorney re: what thinks about us applying for low limit card now instead of waiting until the discharge. In the meantime, I submitted disputes with all 3 agencies to correct an error re: my 2nd mortgage. At this point I think my scores are as high as they're gonna be until I get/use new revolving accts.
I actually applied for an unsecured Orchard Bank car in 2009, which was 2 years before discharge and I was approved and it didn't require trustee approval. I think a secured card right now would be perfectly fine.
Thanks for the encouragement.
You're welcome. I should just mention that I needed a car loan 3 years before discharge and that did require trustee approval but I ran into no issues...it was an easy approval. Those two lines of credit put me in a great position when I was discharged. Best of luck to you. I hope your rebuilding goes smoothly.
Heard back from my attorney. He said yes, go ahead and apply now for secured cards.
Awesome! 
I had a couple of denials last night, but am going to call the backdoor numbers today. Frustrating, but I'm trying to keep my chin up. Thank you again for the encouragement.