Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Waiting


The scanned photo above is something that screamed out at me yesterday when I looked through my mail. It was part of a larger dental postcard -- besides wondering who responds to dental advertisements, I had to laugh out loud at the idea of free IV sedation. I'm wondering if I could get some -- without the dental implant surgery, of course.

It's been over three weeks since Sophie received the diagnosis of ESES and was prescribed the treatment of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin).

We are still waiting for our insurance company, Anthem Blue Cross, to approve the treatment. Since the diagnosis, I'd estimate Sophie's seizure frequency as anywhere from one large one to five large ones each day, accompanied by the usual small clusters throughout each day. Extreme fatigue, weight loss and excessive drooling are hallmarks of ESES for Sophie, and these continue. Please don't comment with suggestions to get the doctor to expedite this process. We're doing everything we should be doing and THIS IS THE WAY OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WORKS.

I read in the paper today that villagers in Afghanistan with medical problems are being helped, in extraordinary ways, by our soldiers. It's all part of the Hearts and Minds program. So while we're busy spending billions of dollars bombing the hell out of an insane and evil regime, as well as thousands of innocent people, we're picking up the pieces by helping them with their medical issues. At best, this is wonderful; at worst, it's absurd.

Conservative bloggers are going at it with the Al Gore/massage scandal because we have time for that, here in the greatest country on earth. The governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour (hailed during Katrina as an effective manager of the disaster and an avowed supporter of the federal government run by his political colleague Bush), is ragging on the Obama administration's response to the oil spill as its greasy claws begin gripping the Mississippi coast. The Supreme Court gave another boost to the ridiculous right to bear arms amendment of our constitution.

I am looking for encouragement -- anyone? -- to not just throw up my arms at this silly, sad country of ours?

I'm waiting.

10 comments:

  1. Honey, I am not that woman.
    It's all just as absurd and wrong to me as it is to you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wish I had encouragement. I just feel angry and helpless.

    I am sure you are doing everything humanly possible to move this forward and it's shameful that Sophie has to suffer and you have to find yourself trapped in this insane system.

    Hugs to you all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sophie is in my prayers, always....

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm behind in commenting,
    but never am always here.
    I wish I could step in with something wise and witty.

    I do.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've got nothing. I've thrown in the towel and given up, I'm more sorry to say than I can convey. Remember when Bush told the Iraqi people they would have universal healthcare? I almost choked.

    I am rooting for you and Sophie. Good luck with your insurance company. You'll need it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. My best friend recently had surgery, approved by Blue Cross (or blue curse as I call them) they paid the first bill and refused the rest.
    True story. Time is long past for torches and pitchforks. Thinking of you and Sophie and wishing a plague upon the houses of those who are indifferent to the suffering of others. Not charitable but honest.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is insane that Sophie has to sit around and wait for authorization for something like this! Obviously she needs it, the problem is affecting her severely and daily, what's the question? I hate insurance companies. :(

    I just finished reading Carrier. WOW. Thank you SO much for sending it to me, I will be passing it along to friends for sure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know Americans who are nice, sane people but the country as whole presents itself to the world as a crazy bunch of right wing nutters who belief in Creation and will fight to the death for the right to carry a gun.

    You're one of the nice, sane ones Elizabeth:)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My dear friend,

    I pray that your wait will not be much longer.

    C'mon Anthem Blue Cross, shake a leg! Sophie has an amazing mother, but she also needs you.

    Oh--never mind the drawing. My kindle is adequately dressed.

    ReplyDelete

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