My Best Friend

Since tomorrow is father's day, I decided to write about my hubby!  After the past year, he deserves a Daddy Award!  I knew when I met him he was pretty special, and always amazed at how he proves me right.  I do not write much about him, and should!  So here we go....
We met 13 years ago, but it took him a whole year to ask me out.  I was drop dead gorgeous and he had to work up his nerve, ok not really but sounded good!  On our first date, I had my best friend follow us because I told him, "I do not trust you and do not want to end up in a black bag on the side of the road."  I had a flare for drama.  Our next date was slightly better as we went grocery shopping.  :)  All kidding aside, he was the bad boy with the good heart I had been looking for!  I found out he was not only cool, but he had an awesome group of friends and I was hooked! And you could say the rest was history....
I never realized what a Superstar he was until this year.  I am sad to say it took Brooke's Chiari to help me understand what I have!  Watching your daughter go through what Brooke has gone through tears a parent up.  But he has been my rock and her rock through it all.  He has wiped tears, held down flailing arms and legs, and slept countless nights at a hospital bedside.  You may say ....well that is what a daddy does.  But I saw plenty of children in that hospital with no daddy in sight. 
This has not been an easy year on him for his job either, from company being bought out, to traveling for long periods, to even more job changes.  Yet through it all he has held his head up high and pushed forward! 
I am not the mushy kind.  In fact, you will rarely see us hold hands in public.  And much to my brother and sister's chagrin, we watch movies while sitting on separate couches!  And yet when I see him playing with Aidan, or letting Brooke comb his hair, or cuddling with Chan, I count my blessings!  When I see him mowing our neighbors lawn and changing her light bulbs, (she is in her 80's) I realize I got quite a catch.  So Happy Father's Day to my Best Friend!!!!

Something to Learn

I wanted to write this post to help other families.  I have tried so hard through all of Brooke's medical ordeal to do the right thing.  But today I found out somewhere somehow I messed up.  When we decided to go to Dr. B we knew he was not in our network.  But we truly felt he was the best doc for Brooke.  At that point I contacted our insurance and they agreed with us and issued a letter that stated we could see Dr. B as an in network provider.  Then when we found out that Brooke was going to have a tethered cord surgery, I called the insurance and they approved the hospital as in network.  Then that surgery was cancelled and the brain surgery was scheduled.  At this point, I called the insurance back.  They informed me I would not need a new letter because once the doc and hospital are approved as in network, we are fine.  Then before the tethered cord surgery, I called again just to be safe.  I got the same response. 

Well I found out today I was given the wrong info.  And even worse they have no record of the letters they gave me.  I became not myself on the phone, and am sad to say I yelled.  I let my emotions take over, but I was so mad!  I do have copie sof the letters and I am going to send in an appeal.  The ladies I spoke to basically said it wold not help.  I am going to try! I wish I could say this is really not that big of a deal, but we are talking around $70,000 versus maybe $7,000. 

The good news I talked with the hospital and we did qualify for financial assistance.  Which means they cut the 6 bills we have with them down.  They can also probably help with some of the doc bills.  This is a huge help and I am so thankful.  I wanted to post this so all those who are facing surgery, cover your bases.  I would suggest getting a notebook.  Write down all conversations with insurance and docs.  When they ask you your name, ask for their name too.  Write down the dates of conversations.  I keep a binder of all medical records for each child.  Even when doing all this, mistakes still get made.  You will find those shining stars who want to help you.  They actually care what you have been through.  Do not get me wrong, I am very thankful for insurance and can't even imagine not having it!  I just want people to make sure they cover their bases.

While sitting at dinner tonight, Aidan said "Mom why do people rob others?"  I explained that some do it because they need money, others to hurt others, and others have different reasons.  He said, "I think it might because they want to get rich."  Brooke answered with "But that is not what is important, God is."  Which Aidan replied with, "Yeah God wants us to store our treasure in heaven."  I smiled.  I know that I have an important job.  It is not to be rich or provide designer clothes for my kids.  It is not to fret if we eat unhealthy once in awhile.  It is not to lose my temper and become frustrated by craziness around me.  My job is to make sure my kiddos know how much they are loved and this is not our home.  That we are on journey to become closer to God and spend an eternity with him.