We were informed by officials with the TEFRA program that Cassie has met the first two out of three requirements for her medical needs to be fully funded by Medicaid.
First, since TEFRA only looks at the financial status of the individual seeking coverage, that requirement has been satisfied,
Second, it has been determined that there is a medical need.
If it wasn't so sad a situation, I guess it would be funny. After two months we have proven that Cassie has no offshore holdings or Money CDs stashed away somewhere. And, yes, she is sick.
Now, all we need do is wait another 3-4 weeks to find out if she is actually "disabled."
In the mean time, the rash that was supposed to be associated with an anti-seizure medication she no longer takes - - has come back again. She has also been running a fever on and off for the last few days.
We took her to the doctor on Friday, and they took both blood and urine samples, as well as ran some additional tests. We hope to know better what is going on re. the fever on Monday or Tuesday.
In the mean time we have decided to go ahead with scheduling her for a 3 or 4 day stay at providence Hospital in Anchorage. The purpose of this will be to have her constantly monitored via EEG. (but the fever must be gone before they will admit her). They want to build up more data to determine if the seizure activity is localized to a particular activity of the brain. As I understand it, this appears to be the case with what tests have been taken over the past 4 5 years, but continuous monitoring will really tell this better. It all has to do with determining if Cassie is a candidate for brain surgery (if all attempts at medications continue to fail) as well as strengthening our case with TEFRA, should we need to contest if they rule against the disability issue . This is unlikely, but these test results would be just what we need to change their mind if that's what they decide.
Kris and I are really, really frazzled at this point. Each day starts out with uncertainty and ends in exhaustion. But we know that it's your prayers and God's Grace for holding us all together.
In no particular order:
-We are thankful for those who have stepped in to cover our Sunday school responsibilities at church. (Cassie has missed the last two Sundays in church. Since Kris and I both teach classes, we have had to "tag team" our responsibilities,)
-We are thankful for Alaska Christian College and their support and understanding as Kris misses days of work (right now, her vacation days).
-We are thankful for the friend who called down to the state offices in Juneau and rattled someone's cage for us
-We are thankful for Tyler and Chelsie, our other two kids, who have been very understanding
-We are thankful for extended family who are keeping in touch
-We are thankful that, despite her troubles, Cassie was able to sing with ACC students at the Native Musicale in Anchorage 2 weeks ago (she "signed: as well)
-We are thankful for the many people at our church, in our community, and you, our prayer partners, for the prayers offered for Cassie
-We are thankful for the local hospital and ambulance service, and their patience as we seek TEFRA coverage for the bills we have already sustained
-We are thankful for our family doctor, who is allowing us to pay for Cassie's visits in installments
-We are thankful to the Lord for his sustaining power
If I can borrow some words of Paul,
2 Cor 4:7-9"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Well, maybe not the persecuted part. But we can sure relate to the rest of it, especially the "treasures in jars of clay" part. Tyler and I went out yesterday and shot up some clay garden pots (don't tell Kris
Trying to find some routine in the midst of "day to day",
Gary
