Almost There....

Phone calls, faxes, planning, canceling appointments, re-scheduling appointments, authorizations, referrals, begging insurance companies to be nice......this is what the last few weeks have looked like.

We are just a few weeks away from heading north. I honestly took a "medical break" over the last two weeks. I resigned that I would do no trip planning or worrying. A few days ago, I re-entered the world of out of state medical care and the calls have not stopped.

So far, the insurance company has approved our visits with all of the Specialists we need to see. These Doctors have reviewed Ashley's records and they want further testing done. While we are there, she needs to have ten tests done. One test is being done in Florida before we leave. Some are easy, like x-rays and some are nuclear tests that take half a day.

I am going to have to make sure I pack Ashley lot of goodies for that week. I'm sure she will be sick of seeing people in scrubs.

I had the chance to speak to a mom that has a four year old with very similar medical problems. She has also been to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, so she had a wealth of information to share with me.

It was informative, but at the same time, it reminded me that until now, we have not really had to deal with Ashley's disability. Once we start this process, her life will never be the same.

I know in my heart that in the long run, these procedures and appointments will eventually help her in her quality of life, but I hate to put her through this.

I found out from this other mom, that the daily bowel clean-out takes anywhere from one to two hours a day. We will have to figure out when to schedule this into our day and also figure out how to get a little antsy girl to cooperate.

I keep trying to tell Ashley a little about our trip. One day in the car, she saw an airplane and asked when Mommy and Ashley were going on the plane to Cincinnati. I was shocked at her question because I had not even spoken to her directly about the trip. She had just been listening to all the conversations that I was having.

She knows she is going to see a Doctor and she knows that after we go to Cincinnati she will be able to use the potty like a big girl. I figured I would wait until we actually get there so explain how her potty experience will be a little different.

The Lord continues to amaze us with his faithfulness. I was just telling my Pastor the other day that I can't wait until Ashley is old enough to grasp all the ways the Lord has had His hand on her life.

When I have more time, I'll share more about all the faithful things the Lord has done for us in the planning and execution of this journey.

Still Trusting in Him,

Lori