The field trip was good. It's actually an impressive zoo for being in the middle of nowhere. Lions, tigers, and even bears, oh my! Jack was acting rather strange. I know most kids do when their parents are around, but he kept wanting me to hold him. He's 6 years old, about 60 pounds. I'm not going to carry him around the zoo. I should have threatened to get the stroller out for him. Knowing my luck, he would have thought that was great. Otherwise, he spent most of the time wrestling with the other little guy in our group or straying away into unchartered territory. Oh well, it was still fun.
Olivia's had a productive day. She's pooped twice, had a bath, had her tube re-taped twice, made some vent changes, weaned down a little on her nitric oxide, gotten some blood, puked once (didn't know that was even possible on the vent), and re-started one of her medications. If she decides to go along with the master plan, the doc wants to extubate on Friday. At first I thought it was kind of silly to extubate when she would be put back on the vent for surgery on Wednesday, but apparently it's better to have her breathing on her own when she goes in for surgery - keeps her lungs in proper working order.
***Note: you are not allowed to read this part if it's going to make you think we need money, a benefit, charity, or anything of that nature. If we ever do need such assistance, you'll be the first to know! I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the matter. So don't read any further if you think you wouldn't be able to control yourself.
So, we got "the call" yesterday that Olivia has pretty much reached her lifetime maximum and we need to start looking into other options. I applied to have Olivia put on public aid, but I don't know how they decided if she qualifies. Nobody seems to know what happens when a child runs out of insurance. Doesn't somebody have to help pay, or do we just carry millions of dollars worth of medical debt to the grave? She is covered by the Department of Specialized Care for Children for anything heart related. But, her last 3 admissions haven't been cardiac. This one will be after it's all said and done, but who know about the first 2 1/2 weeks of our stay. Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions or similar circumstances?
By the way, did anyone actually skip the above paragragh, knowing full well they wouldn't be able to control themselves?
5 years ago
6 comments:
It's always interesting to see your kid in action on field trips, isn't it? Ethan will barely acknowledge my presence. Gavin will cling like double-sided tape.
As for the insurance stuff, have you tried the lottery?
K~
Glad to hear Olivia is remaining stable. As far as insurance, check with OSF Charity Care. It will cover up to 100% of the medical costs at any OSF hospital as long as one does not have insurance coverage and has applied for public aid. Even with public aid, we have patients who also are getting a percentage of Charity Care.It is for people without insurance or who fall thru the cracks. Since OSF is nonprofit, they are very generous with their Charity Care. Check with the Business Office and they can give you the paperwork on it. One can not even begin to imagine what Olivia's bills must be. Good Luck, Kay
Oh My! Okay, I knew that I probably should not read the final paragraph, but could not help myself!!!!!
There have to be parachutes out there SOMEWHERE for kiddos with extordinary health issues and I am sure someone in the cheering squad will have a connection to help you out.
It sounds like surgery is scheduled, so we will continue to pray for you all AND the doctors!
Mike and Linda
I'm sure the insurance part of this is a nightmare. I know we ended up paying thousands for McKenna's birth and hospital stay when she had the flu and both of those were short hospital stays comparatively speaking! We will specifically pray about this part of it for you and I'll let you know if I come up with any other info.
Too funny about Jack and the field trip. Kids always do act different when there parents are around. I remember going on a fieldtrip once with my class and one of my fifth graders hid behind a dumpster for over an hour refusing to come out as his mom cried because he was being so terrible (that really helped). Once I figured out what was going on, I went behind the dumpster myself, gave him one of my teacher looks, and he hurried his little self out of there. At least I had a good story to tell when I got home that night :)
Julie,
I talked with Suzanne this afternoon....She is to give you my email addy. I feel like I know you from reading!
Call your DCSS case worker and ask about the medical card issue. She should be able to point you in the right direction. Another person to talk to would be the social worker there at OSF. If you want to "bounce" any ideas off me feel free to.
Mary Genandt
i know you probably don't know me (i know Judy and Amy) but i just wanted to let you know that i will continue to pray for and your family. both for financial assistance, and olivia's health. God will supply us with all our needs, He is so faithful!
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