Cincy Here We Come

Better late than never!! Our appointment with Cincinnati's Center for Eosinophilic Diorders is August 11, 2008. At this time, that is all of the information we have. Two months somehow turned into four, and for some reason I was surprised!

What's That?.....Abigail EATS!!!!

It was a momentous occasion in the Green household today...Abigail ate!! It was so glorious that mommy just had to capture the rare event on camera. As you can see, Abigail is busy "reading" her book as she indulges herself with a piece of turkey! She ate about a third of a piece of turkey and an entire container of applesauce. I'm sure some of you are reading this thinking, this lady has lost her mind; a couple of bites of turkey and some applesauce, that's not much! For Abigail, it's monumental and I couldn't be more proud. It may not happen again tomorrow, but today is all we need!

Insurance and Office Managers

I am so completely frustrated!!! I, through much prayer and searching, have found a great doctor for Abigail. Why am I frustrated, you ask? I have been on the phone for an hour and a half trying to get Abigail's PCP switched over to this new doctor, and have still been unsuccessful. I finally called the office manager in the pediatric clinic where this doctor practices to see if she would mind adding Abigail to their medicaid system; this was no problem of coarse, until she told me that we would be responsible for our primary insurance co-payment. Abigail has been on TEFRA Medicaid since December, and not one time have we had to pay the co-pay. That is why we have TEFRA! If we had to pay $30 every time we went to the doctor, we would be out hundreds of dollars just in co-payments. We are already paying over $500 per month for Blue Cross Blue Shield, our primary insurance provider, and an additional $30 per month for TEFRA, but they don't see that. All they see is the word medicaid; it should not matter what race you are or what social class you are in, every living breathing person should be given equal, quality medical care. There is legitimacy behind my remark; I called an Insurance Analyst for Medicaid and she informed me that I was given inaccurate information and medicaid would in fact pick up anything, including co-payments that the primary provider did not cover. When I called the office manager back, she was not very pleased and said that insurance didn't even cover the full amount of the doctor's visit, and they would have to write-off the remaining balance. Isn't it nice to know that the "medical world" is more worried about the money than the person them self? I am sorry to go on a tangent like this, but it is frustrating enough having to take care of a sick child; the last thing I should have to worry about is insurance and office managers.

Abigail on Angel One

This is a picture of Abigail from Angel One on the way to Arkansas Children's Hospital on 3-24-08.

The Joy's of a Semi-Private Room

Semi-private really means that we are going to stick you in a room with a complete stranger whose poor child is still screaming at 1:12am preventing anyone from getting any sleep. Or it is because the mother let her seven month old fall out of her crib three feet off the ground and land on a concrete floor! They put you in these rooms with these situations and separate you with a piece of material hanging from the ceiling...real private! I was telling my momma that I didn't want a roommate tonight because Abigail had her bronchoscopy today and I wanted her to be able to rest. After I told her this she prayed over the phone with me that we would have a quite room to ourselves. I kid you not, the second she said, "Amen" the nurse came in to inform us that they were bringing up a two year old. God's plans are far better than our plans could ever be. Lying in the bed next to Abigail's bed is the most beautiful little boy named Elijah who has Downs Syndrome. That isn't even the best part! They are a nice christian family, and even though he is still screaming at 2am I don't mind because God has reminded me that He is in control and He has a purpose for everything. He has brought Elijah's family and Abigail's family together in this place for a reason. Let me also tell you that He allowed Abigail to rest even throughout the screaming. What an AWESOME God we serve!!!

Eosinophilic Support

If anyone is interested, I have started an eosinophilic disorders support blog. It has information about eosinophilic diorders, helpful links, and Abigail's story. I am doing this in an effort to inform more people about this incurable disease and also to let others suffering from it know that they are not alone. The link is under the "Friend" category on the right-side of this page; listed as Living With Esoinophilic Disorders.

It's Not Always Smiles and Giggles....

BUT TODAY IT IS!!!! Abigail has been having a GREAT week! Her daddy commented, "You sure are full of smiles today," and for our 15 month old, that is a rare treat. She has been quite full of herself lately, squealing at the top of her lungs! It is so nice to "see" her feeling better. I say "see" because she finally feels like playing with Mary Grace and Hannah, and they all enjoy each others company. As I am typing, Abigail is playing in the kitchen, stacking all of the plastic cups together in the Lazy Susan. If fact, all three girls are in the kitchen playing. Hannah is coloring at the table, and M.G. is doing something? at the bar. I am going to go join in on the fun!!