Last time I updated you we had received word that Garren's Medicaid would be extended to the end of August. Since tomorrow is the last day of August, I'm sure you're wondering what's going on? Well we have one more month! Because some of the paperwork is still in process, they are extending Medicaid coverage through the end of September. As far as I'm concerned, they can keep processing paperwork as long as they want!
We are also in the process of applying for CAP-C, which is a county level version of Medicaid (at least that's how I understand it). This extra month should buy us enough time to get through the approval process for this. Our prayer has been for uninterrupted nursing coverage for Garren, and so far that has been the answer - Praise God!
Last week we took a family vacation to the beach. Garren has been begging to go to the beach since he came home from the hospital last summer. Finally we were at a place where we could make it happen. Even though I missed a lot of time with my family due to a major church issue that I was dealing with, we had a great time.
The kids are back in school. Garren is going 5 days a week now. He has been assigned an assistant again this year. But this time Garren is mostly on his own. The assistant doesn't sit next to him in class, and doesn't escort him between classes. Garren is getting back into the social life of a high schooler. Nancy and I are very proud of the progress he is making. The other night I found out he was texting with some girls! Awesome! That's my boy!
We still continue to pray for Garren to swallow. Some encouraging news. Nancy spoke with a speech therapist a couple of weeks ago who said that she had worked with a patient several years earlier with a similar problem as Garren. She said that after 3 years, the patient started swallowing again. That gives us hope. And hope is what we all need, right?
Thanks for your prayers.
August 30, 2012
August 09, 2012
Medicaid, Moving On, and a Fire in the Oven
It's official. We got the letter in the mail yesterday:
"Medicaid for Garren will terminate effective 08/31/2012..."
What does this mean? Up until now Medicaid has been covering the costs of night nursing, medical supplies, and therapy. Our primary insurance will cover 20 therapy visits a year , and since I've been able to work with Garren at home we will be able to stretch those visits out. Nancy has already started scouring the internet for paces to buy food and other supplies at the lowest prices possible. As far as the nights go - once Garren goes to sleep, he doesn't need much attention. The big issue is that since he is unable to swallow, he could aspirate on his own saliva while sleeping. But recently he's been coughing less and less, so we are going to take turns sleeping in his room. If he needs something one of us will be right there to help.
Throughout the last 18 months, we've rejoiced when things were taken away: when they took out all the tubes and wires as they moved him out of PICU; when they took the trach out; when we cut nursing back to only nights; as we removed machines and devices from his room because they were no longer needed. We looked at those moments and were encouraged because it meant Garren was progressing. And now, we have yet another aid being removed. Our tendency is to look at this as a bad thing. But somehow I think this may be a good thing. Maybe we don't really need Medicaid any longer? Maybe this is what it takes to push us, to show us how much farther along Garren really is than we even think?
Philippians 4:19-20 says "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
This promise has proven true over and over during the last 18 months. We have never once been in need. Medical expenses, pay reductions, car problems, school expenses - these have all been taken care of in amazing ways. So we can rest assured that God has whatever is next under control. He will supply every need of ours.
So I left Garren at home alone yesterday afternoon. Nancy was with her parents, and I took Kelsey with me to work. My phone rang and it was Garren calling from home.
"Dad!"
"What's up Garren!"
"O, never mind, it's ok now."
"Garren, what do you mean never mind? What's going on?"
"O, well, I was cooking some chips in the oven, and they caught on fire. But it's ok now, the fire has been extinguished."
My mind was having trouble comprehending what I had just heard. Fire? Like a real fire? In the oven?
"Garren - is the oven off?"
"Yes"
"And the fire is out?"
"Yes"
"What were you doing?"
Apparently Garren had found a recipe on the internet that he wanted to try out. But, according to him, "It didn't work out so well." We made a new rule - no cooking when you are home alone! We are thankful that Garren is so adventurous, and that he and our home are all ok!
"Medicaid for Garren will terminate effective 08/31/2012..."
What does this mean? Up until now Medicaid has been covering the costs of night nursing, medical supplies, and therapy. Our primary insurance will cover 20 therapy visits a year , and since I've been able to work with Garren at home we will be able to stretch those visits out. Nancy has already started scouring the internet for paces to buy food and other supplies at the lowest prices possible. As far as the nights go - once Garren goes to sleep, he doesn't need much attention. The big issue is that since he is unable to swallow, he could aspirate on his own saliva while sleeping. But recently he's been coughing less and less, so we are going to take turns sleeping in his room. If he needs something one of us will be right there to help.
Throughout the last 18 months, we've rejoiced when things were taken away: when they took out all the tubes and wires as they moved him out of PICU; when they took the trach out; when we cut nursing back to only nights; as we removed machines and devices from his room because they were no longer needed. We looked at those moments and were encouraged because it meant Garren was progressing. And now, we have yet another aid being removed. Our tendency is to look at this as a bad thing. But somehow I think this may be a good thing. Maybe we don't really need Medicaid any longer? Maybe this is what it takes to push us, to show us how much farther along Garren really is than we even think?
Philippians 4:19-20 says "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
This promise has proven true over and over during the last 18 months. We have never once been in need. Medical expenses, pay reductions, car problems, school expenses - these have all been taken care of in amazing ways. So we can rest assured that God has whatever is next under control. He will supply every need of ours.
So I left Garren at home alone yesterday afternoon. Nancy was with her parents, and I took Kelsey with me to work. My phone rang and it was Garren calling from home.
"Dad!"
"What's up Garren!"
"O, never mind, it's ok now."
"Garren, what do you mean never mind? What's going on?"
"O, well, I was cooking some chips in the oven, and they caught on fire. But it's ok now, the fire has been extinguished."
My mind was having trouble comprehending what I had just heard. Fire? Like a real fire? In the oven?
"Garren - is the oven off?"
"Yes"
"And the fire is out?"
"Yes"
"What were you doing?"
Apparently Garren had found a recipe on the internet that he wanted to try out. But, according to him, "It didn't work out so well." We made a new rule - no cooking when you are home alone! We are thankful that Garren is so adventurous, and that he and our home are all ok!
August 04, 2012
Medicaid...The Latest
Thanks for your continued prayers. We continue to be baffled by the system. It seems every time we talk to someone we get a slightly different answer, with a slightly different possible outcome.
Earlier this week, Nancy spoke with someone who was able to look at Garren's record in the database. According to the computer, there is no indication that Garren's Medicaid coverage will end. We submitted Garren's re-enrollment application, which is currently under review. We are told that Garren has coverage at least until August 31st, or until the review is complete and we receive a letter stating otherwise. So for now, we still have night nurses, for which we are very thankful.
I will keep you updated on the latest. Thanks for continuing to remember Garren in prayer as he continues to heal.
Earlier this week, Nancy spoke with someone who was able to look at Garren's record in the database. According to the computer, there is no indication that Garren's Medicaid coverage will end. We submitted Garren's re-enrollment application, which is currently under review. We are told that Garren has coverage at least until August 31st, or until the review is complete and we receive a letter stating otherwise. So for now, we still have night nurses, for which we are very thankful.
I will keep you updated on the latest. Thanks for continuing to remember Garren in prayer as he continues to heal.
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