Medical Update: 5/2/07

While I’ve not had nearly enough time to keep my blog updated this week with all the things that are going on, I have tried to jot down some things as they were happening…for what ever opportunity that I had to post a new blog. Here’s an account of what our week has been like with Sydney’s tummy troubles. And this-of course-is a follow up to my post from last week entitled, "Little Lies" Click here to read that one first.Turns out it wasn’t a lie at all…that is, until she told me it didn’t hurt because my child hates medicine so much that she’d rather be in pain than take it…you must give me a break. I think it is evident from reading this week’s accounts that I’m long overdue for one…

Friday, April 27, 2007
Well...last night Sydney told my mother-in-law, Angie, that her tummy was hurting and begged her not to tell us because she thought she'd get into trouble after she told us otherwise earlier in the week to avoid taking medicine for it. Angie let me in on the situation and when I left work today I called the doctor and asked her if she had time to see (or at least talk with Syd) about her tummy issues. They wanted us to come in and they'd see her.

When we got to the doctor, they told us that Sydney's insurance was inactive and that we had to pay out of pocket for the visit. That was fine, but you know it would have been nice to have been notified that there was none before we got there....perhaps from the insurance company….just a little common courtesy and an explanation of what the heck had happened. But no, that would have been much too easy I suppose.

The pediatrician said she felt some sort of lump in her ovary region of her right side. She said that it could be a number of things, but that most likely it was either a fairly large bowel obstruction, intestinal blockage or an ovarian cyst. What? I had no idea that ovarian cyst problems could be happening at such a young age, but apparently so. I did have my first cyst problem at 11, so I’m not terribly surprised if that is what’s happening. They want her to have a CT-Scan next week to find out exactly what it is. From there they will decide whether it’s something that will/can be treated (possibly with surgery or meds). They are scheduling it first thing Monday morning and calling me with when it will be.

Syd, while not saying she's scared of the CT has been very teary today and I know deep down she's hiding fear of what its going to be like. I did explain to her what it was like and that I could be there with her, no needles, etc, etc, so I think it will be fine once we actually get there to have it done.

The doc's office advised me to get the insurance company on the phone and find out why and when they cancelled her and get it fixed so that we don’t have to pay the ct-scan out of pocket. Well, when I got home and got them on the phone, they told me that she has not had any insurance since June of 2006..again...what? I am shocked as to why I didn’t receive any notice of this...for real. And then they proceed to tell me that it could take as much as 45 days to get her re-instated and I still got no answers regarding why she was cancelled... Someone owes me an explanation that's for sure.

I’m feeling horrible for thinking she was making this up...but that's a whole other story that could take days to really tell.

Monday, April 30, 2007
And the bad news keeps pouring in here. First off I want to say that I’m praying for everyone & their specific situations that are happening right now…. I also have to say that I’m slightly medicated right now so I apologize in advance if I’m rambling (or even totally incoherent) at this point. I took my anxiety meds tonight when the kids went down after an entire day of nervousness and a lot of tears.

As for us, we're still waiting to hear from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for when we're going in for the CT-Scan. At this point they are also saying that there is a possibility that she may be in overnight or maybe longer depending on how the scan results come out. Pediatrician said this afternoon that they mentioned admitting her for observation for at least one night to see if there are any changes and a second scan to monitor what's happening. She's still having the tummy troubles and they seem to be much more frequent in the occurrences of the pain she's having. We're supposed to be finding out for sure in the morning as to when we'll be going in. I have to say that I’m really terrified by now... And both physically and mentally - I’m exhausted.

I went to the insurance office to find that what happened with Syd's insurance was an error on their part. The real story is that she was cancelled at the end of October 2006 because they didnt input a bunch of paperwork that they'd sent me. I returned it personally to the office before it was due and they never did their job... a bunch of bs...but I’ve refilled the paperwork to get it re-started. It will still be a long process. I have to go back there Wednesday morning (if we're in town at that point) to speak with a case supervisor and hopefully she can fast track us toward where we need to be.....hopefully-but we'll see.

Everything is so up in the air right now. I went out to the cemetery this afternoon after I left the insurance office and sat at my father in law’s grave and just cried and prayed for over an hour before going home. I just couldn’t go home to my girls feeling so broken. I know jerry looks down and protects us from heaven and I really needed an ear that would just let me get my emotions out, if you know what I mean. The stress of all this has been so overwhelming for me.I will be going into work tomorrow morning and I will pass on any info I get regarding when we are headed to Atlanta.

I know that is the best place for kids in the state but I’m so scared this is going to be a big deal and may even require surgery. Plus I have graphic work that I’m ready to call the girl on and tell her due to all this that I just can’t get it done. I'd really hate to do that but my family is on the forefront right now....and I really have to get cracking on the birthday party stuff for grace as her party is June 2nd and I’ve not even gotten together a guest list or decided whether or not I’ll re-do her invite. I still have to order all the deco and stuff too…but enough rambling...

Tuesday, May 1, 2007
9 am-
I have the appt. with the insurance administrator tomorrow morning at 7:30. I'm calling the doc's office at lunch AGAIN if I haven’t heard anything by then...this is getting ridiculous. The scheduling lady keeps telling me that she's waiting for doc to tell her which one of the children's group of hospitals to send us to...but that is insane. They are the same hospital; just a few blocks apart...what difference does it really make..? I'm getting very agitated with them as it's one simple question that needs to be answered and is holding us up big time...a bunch of crap if you ask me....and I’m just about ready to let them know what I think of it.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007
11:30 pm-
Its after 11 and I should be doing the dishes. Things are really piling up around here but I had to sit down a minute and try to get some thoughts out of my head...

We go to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Friday at 11:30 am for the initial testing/observation. I got the news around lunch today. I'm not working after lunch on Thursday just to rest and relax and try to manage my house some before we go...just in case. They told us to pack for overnight stay just in case it’s something they want to monitor or needs immediate surgery. Eh, what? Hopefully not though...

Please continue your prayers for her; this week has already been stressful enough as is.... I'll let you all know when we get results if I’m not around much before then.

And then I babbled out this to a special friend in an email....I think so many of this understand this thought right now...so I’ll share.

"...You know, a mother always knows that they love their child...but on those days where all feels lost, you always manage to find just one more reason to love your children. And you go on and then tomorrow comes. Really it does...You never realize how lucky you truly are in your life until true devastation and fear sets in...I’m terrified at the whole thing, just the unknown. I'm no good with the unknown...”

Thanks for all your concern. It means a lot...I must get to those darn dishes. Then feeding hour rolls around and suddenly its morning. So now we just wait… More updates to follow when they come.

May 2, 2007
10:00 am
So my meeting with the insurance administrator went well this morning. I actually think that she will have sydney's coverage back up tomorrow if not this afternoon. She apologized numerous times for the mistake and others not doing their jobs and told me she'd call if she needed anything else. Cross your fingers that i dont hear from them. This time, no news is good news...

And one other thought-
Its so funny that those people who are supposed to be your 'best' friends, those you are closest to, who you depend on most in these types of situations for support. From my experience this far, its some of those people who are there for you the least. Certain ones of my girlfriends who havent even picked up the phone to call and see what's happening...they know who they are...and they have really shown me what they are all about. I've received more prayers and words of encouragement & support from other friends-most of whom i dont see or talk to on a regular basis and my babycenter friends. Those people are much appreciated. Maybe i should re-evaluate my relationships with others when i find an extra second.

ta ta for now.