Friday, April 4, 2008

April 4, 2008 ~ Weekly Update #28

There is so much news to share with you; I’m not sure where to begin!

Finally… the reason behind at least some of my problems may have been discovered.

With God’s help my doctor was able to get me in for a sleep study test on Wednesday, March 26th. I say with God’s help because I saw my doctor on Friday, March 21st, by Monday morning I not only received insurance and medical group approval but also had an appointment for the sleep test.

The results… I have an extremely mild form of apnea, so mild as to be called borderline apnea.

However, my blood oxygen levels fell to 83% while I was sleeping; apparently this isn’t such a good thing. That said, once I’m able to start on oxygen I just might gain some of my life back.

It was determined that for now I will only need oxygen at night. The idea is that even though the apnea is mild I will still be put on a CPAP machine to take some of the strain off of my heart and lungs. The oxygen will be filtered in thru the CPAP machine throughout the night.

I am so excited… my doctor told me that this just might be the reason for my migraines, and is most probably the reason for my slurred speech, forgetfulness, fogginess, lack of concentration, memory loss, falling, & dizziness, etc.

However, can you imagine how wonderful this will be if I can gain some of my life back! I might actually be able to do something more than get up, go to the couch, and then back to bed. Hurrah!

I was given this news on Thursday, March 27th, that meant that I had Friday, March 28th, and Monday, March 31st to receive approval and delivery for the necessary equipment. In case you forgot, March 31st was the last day I was covered under my health insurance.

The authorizations didn’t come thru in time. Tuesday I began contacting oxygen companies inquiring as to hardship pricing for a CPAP machine and oxygen. The prices were all much more than I could ever afford. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. My prayers turned to asking God to take the situation, because it was more than I could handle. I asked my Heavenly Father to provide in a way that only He could.

Wednesday, April 2nd I decided to call my contact at SSA (Social Security Administration). I left a message letting her know that it had been determined that I now require oxygen. I requested help in expediting the Medi-Care benefits.

My wonderful neighbor and friend, Dawn had provided me with many avenues that I could explore. She has what seems to be an endless supply of knowledge and has been such a blessing for me in patiently helping to walk me step by step thru most of this paperwork. I had begun to explore some of the options that Dawn had provided but at this point I was beginning to grow very weary both mentally and physically.

At about 4:30 Wednesday afternoon my SSA contact returned my call.

She informed me that my Medi-Care had become effective as of April 1st, 2008. She continued on saying that they just hadn’t had a chance to get the paperwork out to me yet.

Now, in case you missed it, let me spell this out for you… my Cal-Cobra benefits were exhausted on March 31st, 2008. Without my knowledge, with only my Lord knowing, my Medi-Care benefits were activated as of April 1st, 2008.

PRAISE THE LORD! SHOUT HALLELUJAH! SING PRAISES TO THE KING!

Just in case you haven’t yet, I do hope that you will join me in dropping to your knees for a moment and giving thanks to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for once again meeting my needs.

This truly has been a time of waiting upon the Lord and trusting with everything in me that He would not fail me. No matter what the circumstances, as a child of my Lord, my only job was to trust in Him. To have faith that He will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory!

(Philippians 4:19KJV
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.)

Shall we chat about Medi-Care for a moment? If anyone has information that you might like to share then please forward it to me. I was loaned a copy of the 2007 Medi-Care book (remember I haven’t received any paperwork yet), this is all so very confusing! Medi-Care A, B, C, and D? Is there a Medi-Care book for Dummies out there?

The money… it should be coming soon… it’s not the correct amount, but at least I know that a check is on its way. Jeralynn and I were at the SSA office this morning attempting to straighten out some of the confusion that I am now certain is all just a part of the process. Eventually I will receive the correct amount of money, but for now I am grateful for the swiftness in receiving anything.

Oh, and by the way… the review that may or may not have taken place… the one in which the courts decision could have been overturned without cause… that is now a thing of the past. PRAISE THE LORD!

And now for something that I wouldn’t normally share, but apparently most of you already know so here goes… Today, shesa my birthday!

I honestly believe that God allowed the timing for all of this to fall into place on a very special day for me. Today, April 4th, my birthday! Next to my God sending His Son to die on the cross for my sins; my Lord has blessed me with the greatest birthday gift I could be given. What seems to have been a very long chapter in my life is finally starting to come to a close, and with a happy ending at that.

It has been a very long road, rest assured it’s far from over and I’m certain it will continue to be an interesting journey. How wonderful to look back and see what God has done in the 45 years of my life.

A few friends treated me to lunch yesterday and presented me with a very loving gift. I was told the idea of this gift originated with my friend Bobbi (her and Stan are currently in Oregon and will be back in September – I think). I was told a couple others took over the job of completing this wonderful idea before it was given to me. (I was even told who you were but I don’t remember… I’m counting on the fact that once I’m on oxygen I will regain my memory! I really am counting on that!)

The gift… it was a scrapbook album given to me from my church family; it was filled with wonderful letters, encouraging notes, pictures, and special scriptures. I can’t believe all who took part in this, and it was all done without my knowledge, even our youth group took time out of their busy lives to write me notes. The emotion was overwhelming to me, I was absolutely speechless, I can’t put into words the gratitude I feel towards all who contributed to this wonderful book that I will always treasure.

After reading it over and over again, I felt as if I had been to my own funeral and received a ‘Year Book’ all in one. What a wonderful, humbling, experience!

Prayer requests:
God will grant wisdom and direction in making insurance decisions.
Once the oxygen treatment begins that my life will be improved.

Love to you all,

Diana

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