Friday, March 28, 2008

Back in School! :)

You know the joke that the state requires you to pass a test in order to drive but there is no training required in order to have children. Well I don't think PCMC agrees with that philosophy because in order for us to take Charlie home, Rob and I are required to have a certain amount of education on Coops care. I have been watching videos, reading handouts, discussing things with nurses and taking TESTS! I thought I was done with school. I wonder what would happen if I failed the tests would they keep Charlie? Well, I’m happy to say I passed today’s test with flying colors and now it’s up to Rob to keep up our score for the Christensen Team. Afterwards we are supposed to pass it off with the g-tube lady in person. They take this stuff pretty seriously but I'm glad they do.

Today has been a really good day except for fighting with insurance companies. Coop is scheduled for surgery on Monday and UHC waits until today to say the expedited process takes 7 days. Dr. Warren’s office has been on the phone with them for hours throughout the last week getting them the required paperwork, medical necessity letters, MRI reports etc. with the surgery date noted on every page and there was never any mention that it takes 7 days. Sherry in Dr. Warren's office has asked for supervisors, a peer to peer review and even made lawsuit threats to push it through. I’m glad she is on our team. Dr Warren wants to keep him on the schedule and see what we can figure out between now and Monday. It may come down to calling it an “emergent” surgery where they get authorization after the surgery. But an $80,000 surgery is a big risk for them to take but there is no other time slot for us to move to.

Charlie has been awake for the majority of the day and sort of fussy but there have been many times that his has been just calm with his eyes open. He “worked out’ at the gym and practiced bending positions like sitting cross-legged while being supported by Janine. He also practiced initiating head movement while being rolled onto one side or the other. He did really well and then came back for a long snuggle with me in the rocker. He slept for a couple hours and is now back to his awake slightly fussy state. His feeds have been turned up by 2 and are now at 34cc/hour. Randa, one of our favorite nurses, is back for her 4 day stretch and said she sees improvement in his wakefulness over the past week. I think when Rob comes in later today he will notice it too.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Way to go guys! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine all you have to learn to feel comfortable when you take sweet Charlie to his new home.
It sounds like you will do great! Have a good weekend and I look forward to hearing all about Charlie's surgery next week, best of luck with dealing with the Insurance Co.
No one needs that stress at such a time. My prayers are with you! :)

Meghan said...

if the ins. won't pay, let me know... i'll pick up the bill.

i also had to watch a movie and sign lots of papers promising i would take good care of my babies and not shake them before they'd let me leave the nicu. maybe they should make people watch those pre-procreation...

whit said...

Ang, you always were a good student. I teared up when you said that Coop came back for a long snuggle with you. Is he getting more snuggly? Is he mad when he is sitting at OT? I haven't seen him for so long, I feel out of touch! I'm so glad about all his voluntary movements - he has come a long way. Have a good night!

Anonymous said...

Insurance companies can suck to deal with. I know I'm dependent on them to feed my kids but it all sucks none the less.
B

Anonymous said...

Ang, I feel your pain sweetie! If we need to have an insurance calling marathon one day and you need help...let me know(I can relate). It's great to hear improvments. We have only stayed away cause Jada got diarrhea again this week and we don't know why (labs negative again), so we didn't want to risk anything even in the slightest! I will call first of the week and keep checking your sight and praying!! Love you all tons!

THE COX FAMILY said...

Angel- This is the third time I've tried to post a comment and I think I have major issues with this process this evening or maybe its just to late for me. So If you get another comment somewhere from me that says pretty much the exact same thing I apologize. It's been a couple of days since I've been able to read and I'm so happy that cute Emily was Charlie's float nurse. If you get a chance to see he again tell her hello from me. I was wondering how you put together that she knew Danielle and I. Well I will try to come see you and your sweet Charlie as soon as I can. Ella and I have had a little cold So I will call you. Miss you and talk to you soon.
Lacie