Ruby woke up this morning with goopy eyes and a wet cough. Which bought her a one ticket to see Dr. Dan (her pediatrician). Good news is that it's not in her lungs. Bad news is that she has an ear infection. Really though, I'll take an ear infection over other bad news we've received. We have some eye drops and a script for antibiotics. Hopefully she will be on the mend soon.
Another issue we've had is that our health insurance wouldn't pay for a Synagis shot for March. Apparently we are only allowed five a year and she's had five. Even though her Pulmonologist is recommending she get it. We're too concerned, but it's frustrating. I'm nervous about dealing with the insurance about next winter's shots since she's supposed to get them next winter, too. The shots are expensive but 6 months worth of shots is less than ONE DAY on ECMO. Through out everything this the first time our insurance has declined something. We've been lucky in that respect, but it's still frustrating.
I know cold and flu season is technically over here in Texas, but it's not in Philadelphia and we're headed there very soon. I'm going to spray everything down on the airplane with hand sanitizer.
Other CDH parents, did you have trouble getting the synagis for the second winter before your baby turned two? If so how did you get the shots covered? I feel the need to start preparing for a fight :)
Dakota turned 1 on December
Dakota turned 1 on December 25th, and since then we could not get a synagis approved!!! Up till that point they approved one every month, even all through summer! But as soon as she turned 1, they asked to see her records. We sent them along with a letter from the pediatrician and the surgeon stating that they believed she needed the shot, but so far, no approval. Dakota was more than 7 weeks premature and on ECMO!!! Fortunately, but unfortunately for this case, the pediatrician's records shows Dakota has been a healthy girl since she came home from the hospital *knock on wood*. But we'd like to keep it that way! Grr! The wierd this is they send the shot for January before realizing it may not get approved. So Dakota got a shot in January. And they sent too much ... so Dakota got 1/2 a shot for February. But the payment for it is in limbo land. I see on the insurance statement that it keeps being submitted, and it is under review. I assume I will eventually get a bill for it in the mail. I would really like to get her at least 1 shot, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen. Luckily we are in southwest Florida and it has gotten very warm here and all the snowbirds go back in two weeks.
Insurance is so frustrating, isn't it??
Hugs,
Jennifer
Mom to Dakota 12-25-2008 RCDH survivor