The Lifted Load

Thanks to Sugar for the above.  Sugar Shack Keepsakes  Fear has kept me paralyzed for well over a week.  I had intended to update last weekend but just could not do it.  The things that cause me the worst fear are those that deal with my children.

Joey is being carried on my Blue Cross/Blue Shield because of his depression.  He was on a temporary two year extension that is up for review this year.  I had sent in the doctor's information, etc. a few months ago, and the wait started.  I live in absolute fear that he will have no medical coverage.  I simply have no idea what we would do.  Now that he has asthma, his meds would be well over $1,000 a month.  It really angers me, not just because it has hit home personally, but generally that a country this size would have so many people with no health coverage or substandard health coverage.  I checked into medical assistance through welfare.  Joey made $6,900 last year.  The income limit is $415 a month...puhlease.

I got a  termination letter from Blue Cross the end of last week...9-5-07 was the last date for coverage.  My heart died a thousand deaths.  I called Monday praying that they just hadn't heard anything from my agency as each govt agency has their own physicians make the determination.  This was the case but still I had heard nothing from HR yet.

Of course, our HR is now at another office out of state.  It's been centralized.  No one was answering my e-mails or phone calls.  I swear I was literally stopped dead in my tracks all week bouncing between panic and numbness.  Poor Joe was nervous.  Who wouldn't be?

Anyway, we do have HR specialists at our office.  In fact a newer guy was just promoted.  I called and asked if he would check into this with our other office.  He did, and I had my answer within the hour....Joey's been extended on my coverage....huge sigh and a happy dance.  I'm not for sure how long but at least we have time to figure something out because this won't last forever.  I'll get the official letter soon. 

I felt like the most enormous load had been lifted.  I can't even begin to explain.  Life just went from black and gray back to color again.  Everything else I had fussed about just seemed so trivial compared to this.

So, Megan moved back to Pittsburgh last weekend.  She has a very nice place about three blocks from her other place.  She is still working and will do so 20 hrs a week during school.  I'm hopin she can keep up with the schedule.  She is home this weekend to say goodbye to the rest of her friends who are off to college.  We went to Red Lobster tonight.  Oy....love that place.  I had Fire grilled lobster and shrimp.  I splurged for once.

Oops...back to Joe.  He has a new OVR (pa. voc rehab counselor).  I went with him Friday afternoon.  I am very impressed with this girl.  The other lady he had for the past five years was a total waste, putting it nicely so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  He has some interest tests to do and is meeting with her again next week.

The air conditioner is fine, so they say.  It was only dragging in the mid afternoon, I had noticed.  The sr. tech checked it.  I've seen him quite a few times.  Nice guy, really.  The problem was the electric during the peak times was sagging somewhat.  My unit is enormous so it couldn't always get the electrical kick.  He said everything is fine so we'll see.

Hugs and love to all of you!  I'm slowly making my way around.  BTW:  a little bird told me Carlene HORSESHOE BEND/Carlene has a birthday tomorrow.  Carlene is such a sweetie.  I know she'd love to get some greetings.