I have had quite a few people ask for updates on the bills/insurance situation.
My response?
JESUS IS THE JAM!
Here is why:
We received the bill from the hospital with the total charges listed as $179, 551.96. Our insurance got their crap together (after we clarified that Phoenix is, in fact, covered) and paid $125,518.19 ... about what we excepted.
But then there was a glorious little line item labeled "contractual adjustment." Do I know what that means? No. But I love it. Because it knocked the bill down another $53, 865.59.
Which leaves a grand total of $176.00 for us to pay out of pocket.
Say it with me people ... THANK YOU JESUS!
Thank you all so much for praying with us! God just continues to confirm that Phoenix was born on His timing and in His way!
We would love for you to continue to intercede for our financial situation, as there are more bills to come.
- We will be billed separately for the doctors' services (And have no idea what that will look like)
- We still have quite a bit of cash to shell out for her home oxygen
- Phoenix needs a special vaccine (synagis) to protect her from RSV. In normal kiddos, RSV manifests itself as a cold. But if Phoenix contracts this fairly common virus, it could seriously mess with her fragile lungs. Because it is considered a pharmaceutical, our out-of-state insurance doesn't cover the upfront cost. Though we will get reimbursed for 80%, we have to come up with the $1500 for the shot.
So Josh and I are working hard to pinch the pennies around here. Amanda Cole, an awesome friend and financial guru, helped us to create a bangin' budget and is helping us navigate our financial waters.
Sometimes being on a budget sucks ... hard.
But here are some awesome things that have already come of it:
- I am getting really good at couponing. I can't believe I ever paid full price for paper towels, toothpaste, shampoo, over-the-counter drugs, and tons of other things. Sunday afternoons you can find me drowning in a sea of newspapers, and Mondays I make the rounds with Phoenix to several different stores to grab some rockin' deals. Check out http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ if you want to learn more!
- Josh and I have started cooking dinner together almost every night! One of my favorite things about growing up was the way our family prioritized dinner together, and I am thrilled that Josh and I are starting to do the same thing. It has been a really fun thing for us to do together, and my oh-so-picky husband has really branched out .. and liked it!
- Phoenix is finally big enough for her cloth diapers! After some early mishaps (I didn't realize they needed to be washed first in order to be absorbent), I am now really excited about CDing. Disposables are really the worst thing you can do for your budget and for the environment, and she just looks so dang cute in cloth! We are still working on getting Daddy as excited ... but I think he just has a strong aversion to dirty diapers in any form.
- I have re-discovered the library. Working at a bookstore for the last 2 years prompted me to always purchase books I wanted to read ... and sometimes they were lame. [[Once, one book was so lame that I intentionally threw it in the pool. Thanks for the encouragement, Katya]] And sometimes the books were good but not something I would ever read again. So why own any less-than-awesome books (especially since I am still lacking a bookshelf)? Plus, you can borrow cookbooks ... which has been very helpful in our new cooking adventures.
It is Phoenix's four month birthday today, so tomorrow I will post the pictures (since I can't get them onto my computer right now).
Thank you for praying for us ... we are so blessed by the presence of our awesome girl.
PS -- My baby smiles now ... and it pretty much melts my heart. She is very selective with her smile moments, which only makes me treasure them more.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pictures and Videos
The title says it all -- here is a snippet of our lives from the last couple of weeks:
Much love!
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| Ready to fight |
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| Crazy eyes |
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| First try at the Bumbo! |
Much love!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Weaning
Just wanted to clarify that Phoenix has NOT said goodbye to her oxygen tank ... yet.
Her oxygen needs have fluctuated a lot in the past few days -- sometimes she needs a full 1/4 liter (very rarely more), but then last night she hung out for 30 min with no supplemental oxygen at all. You should have seen Josh's face last night ... he was literally beaming. She seems to need the least oxygen when she has just eaten and when she is laying on her belly (especially if she is laying on one of us).
So PLEASE keep praying for continued healing for her lungs ... we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
We are still believing for her to be done with oxygen by the beginning of October, so leverage your prayers accordingly!
Her oxygen needs have fluctuated a lot in the past few days -- sometimes she needs a full 1/4 liter (very rarely more), but then last night she hung out for 30 min with no supplemental oxygen at all. You should have seen Josh's face last night ... he was literally beaming. She seems to need the least oxygen when she has just eaten and when she is laying on her belly (especially if she is laying on one of us).
So PLEASE keep praying for continued healing for her lungs ... we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
We are still believing for her to be done with oxygen by the beginning of October, so leverage your prayers accordingly!
Monday, September 19, 2011
3 > 2
I love that there are three of us.
At one point today, the babe was freshly bathed and propped up on Josh's knees in bed, with me curled up under his arm. It doesn't get any better than that, people.
Sure, there are moments when I feel like our run as honeymooners was cut too short, but I love the way that God has orchestrated our crazy life. Instead of getting to love just one person with all that I am, I have two people in my life who have stolen my heart. The more, the merrier I say.
A couple bits of info for ya:
1. We aren't doing much breastfeeding these days. It continues to be a stressful experience for both of us, and it always ends with a bottle anyways. Am I sad that we can't figure it out? Yes. Do I feel guilty about it? No. Anything that makes life easier on both of us seems like a win to me, and I am going to keep pumping to make sure sister gets the good nutrition she needs.
I realized that I have the choice to cherish her birth and all it entails, or continue to grieve it. So I choose to love it ... NICU, hospital bills, bottle-feeding and all. Because it gave me my girl.
2. Phoenix's lungs are slowly getting better. When she first came home, she was needing at least 1/2 liter of oxygen per minute (often 3/4 or a full liter) -- now she spends the majority of her time on 1/4 liter and even some on 1/8. Holla!
Josh and I have been asking God to heal her lungs so that she can be off oxygen by the beginning of October ... would you join us in that specific prayer?
At one point today, the babe was freshly bathed and propped up on Josh's knees in bed, with me curled up under his arm. It doesn't get any better than that, people.
Sure, there are moments when I feel like our run as honeymooners was cut too short, but I love the way that God has orchestrated our crazy life. Instead of getting to love just one person with all that I am, I have two people in my life who have stolen my heart. The more, the merrier I say.
A couple bits of info for ya:
1. We aren't doing much breastfeeding these days. It continues to be a stressful experience for both of us, and it always ends with a bottle anyways. Am I sad that we can't figure it out? Yes. Do I feel guilty about it? No. Anything that makes life easier on both of us seems like a win to me, and I am going to keep pumping to make sure sister gets the good nutrition she needs.
I realized that I have the choice to cherish her birth and all it entails, or continue to grieve it. So I choose to love it ... NICU, hospital bills, bottle-feeding and all. Because it gave me my girl.
2. Phoenix's lungs are slowly getting better. When she first came home, she was needing at least 1/2 liter of oxygen per minute (often 3/4 or a full liter) -- now she spends the majority of her time on 1/4 liter and even some on 1/8. Holla!
Josh and I have been asking God to heal her lungs so that she can be off oxygen by the beginning of October ... would you join us in that specific prayer?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Well, Shoot.
Its been a rough evening at the Cash household.
Normally, getting the mail is one of my favorite parts of the day -- if you send me snail mail, I will love you forever!
Today, however, we got a nice little letter from our insurance about Phoenix's hospital stay.
And we are still reeling.
The number?
$179, 525.96
You know what I call that? BIRTH CONTROL.
So we freaked out. Then we realized that the insurance had covered exactly $0 -- that is not right, of course, so we will be calling them first thing on Monday morning to get that straightened out. They had processed Phoenix as "BG Emily Cash," which I guess our insurance didn't recognize as being the same person. So they are going to cover a good chunk of that.
But we are still pretty overwhelmed.
Just look at how Phoenix responded ...
In all seriousness though, here is how you can help:
1. PRAY! Pray that the insurance situation would get solved quickly and easily, pray for continued healing of her lungs (so we can stop paying for home oxygen), pray for us (especially Josh) to give the pressure/burden of her bills to the Lord, and pray that He would help us find a way to pay for it all!
2. I would love to help us make some money, but right now it isn't super feasible with her still on oxygen. So if you know of any work that I can do from home, PLEASE let me know!
3. God has so graciously used so many of you to help us with the bills we have already received (for my c-section, my two hospitals stays and her home oxygen care) -- but I obviously can't pretend that we don't need more help. If you feel prompted, we would be beyond grateful.
Thank you all for walking with us in this crazy season!
Normally, getting the mail is one of my favorite parts of the day -- if you send me snail mail, I will love you forever!
Today, however, we got a nice little letter from our insurance about Phoenix's hospital stay.
And we are still reeling.
The number?
$179, 525.96
You know what I call that? BIRTH CONTROL.
So we freaked out. Then we realized that the insurance had covered exactly $0 -- that is not right, of course, so we will be calling them first thing on Monday morning to get that straightened out. They had processed Phoenix as "BG Emily Cash," which I guess our insurance didn't recognize as being the same person. So they are going to cover a good chunk of that.
But we are still pretty overwhelmed.
Just look at how Phoenix responded ...
In all seriousness though, here is how you can help:
1. PRAY! Pray that the insurance situation would get solved quickly and easily, pray for continued healing of her lungs (so we can stop paying for home oxygen), pray for us (especially Josh) to give the pressure/burden of her bills to the Lord, and pray that He would help us find a way to pay for it all!
2. I would love to help us make some money, but right now it isn't super feasible with her still on oxygen. So if you know of any work that I can do from home, PLEASE let me know!
3. God has so graciously used so many of you to help us with the bills we have already received (for my c-section, my two hospitals stays and her home oxygen care) -- but I obviously can't pretend that we don't need more help. If you feel prompted, we would be beyond grateful.
Thank you all for walking with us in this crazy season!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
3 Month Birthday!
I know that today was full of sorrow and sober rememberance for many Americans, and it makes me just that much more thankful for my sweet girl and her miracle life that we celebrated today.
She is officially 3 months old, which (of course) warrants some more pictures!
You can check out her 2 month pictures HERE -- can you see a difference? Her legs are definitely chunkier!
And, to end your Sunday right, here is a little ditty that has been sung quite a bit around our house since Josh and I watched "Hello Dolly" the other day.
She is officially 3 months old, which (of course) warrants some more pictures!
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| Pulling her cannula out |
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| Phoenix and her dragon --- mythical creature friends |
You can check out her 2 month pictures HERE -- can you see a difference? Her legs are definitely chunkier!
And, to end your Sunday right, here is a little ditty that has been sung quite a bit around our house since Josh and I watched "Hello Dolly" the other day.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Three Things
Because the pictures are everyone's favorite part, we will start with that:
Nothing is really too new in these here parts ... just doing life with our sort-of-newborn.
I am really starting to grapple with the notion that my days consist of: feeding the baby, changing her diaper, cleaning her up, doing dishes, pumping, and doing some laundry. As I'm sure most of you know, I didn't quite expect to be living the stay-at-home-mom life quite yet, and I am still coming to terms with it. At the end of the day, all I can really say is that she will live to see another day ... that's it. Because somedays I don't even get a shower.
Case in point?
Today when Josh got home, he asked: "Did you take a shower?"(Cuz my hair looked wet)
My answer: "No. My hair is just that greasy."
Honestly, it's all a little unfulfilling at this point, seeing as she doesn't even really make eye contact with me.
So, I have decided to start prioritizing a few things that are unrelated to the baby -- I need to do a couple of things for my own sanity every day. Although nothing can really be unrealted to the baby anymore: my emotional, physical and spiritual health will have an impact on her.
I am quite the dreamer, so usually my goals are ... shall we say ... ambitious. But, seeing as showers are a triumph these days, I am trying to be a bit more realistic.
So, the three things I want to do every day are:
1. Meet with God
- I have a tendency to have way too many expectations for spending time with God, which usually just leaves me feeling like a failure. No grand expectations this time ... I may only whisper a desperate plea for energy, or sing a worship song while feeding the babe. Or I may spend an hour in incense-gilded prayer. Either way, I will meet with Him.
2. Use my mind.
- I have watched a lot of TV on Netflix the last few months ... like a lot. Like all of SYTYCD, all of Mad Men, all of the Bachelorette, quite a few documentaries, and two seasons of Friday Night Lights (so far). A girl's got to do something while pumping, or when nursing takes an hour. But it sure isn't workin' out my brain. So whether I complete a sudoku puzzle, write a poem, or read a challenging book, I will not let my mind become mush.
3. Take care of my body.
- I already know that I am not going to start training for a marathon anytime soon .. or ever. But I want to make an effort to do small things to take care of myself ... like go for a walk, do lunges around the kitchen, or eat carrots instead of pudding. And I want to take great care of my diabetes EVERY DAY.
Tomorrow marks day one ... anyone with me?
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| Fancy girl hated her bow |
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| Going Out |
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| Think they are related? |
 | ||
| Bundled to survive the arctic air in our house |
I am really starting to grapple with the notion that my days consist of: feeding the baby, changing her diaper, cleaning her up, doing dishes, pumping, and doing some laundry. As I'm sure most of you know, I didn't quite expect to be living the stay-at-home-mom life quite yet, and I am still coming to terms with it. At the end of the day, all I can really say is that she will live to see another day ... that's it. Because somedays I don't even get a shower.
Case in point?
Today when Josh got home, he asked: "Did you take a shower?"(Cuz my hair looked wet)
My answer: "No. My hair is just that greasy."
Honestly, it's all a little unfulfilling at this point, seeing as she doesn't even really make eye contact with me.
So, I have decided to start prioritizing a few things that are unrelated to the baby -- I need to do a couple of things for my own sanity every day. Although nothing can really be unrealted to the baby anymore: my emotional, physical and spiritual health will have an impact on her.
I am quite the dreamer, so usually my goals are ... shall we say ... ambitious. But, seeing as showers are a triumph these days, I am trying to be a bit more realistic.
So, the three things I want to do every day are:
1. Meet with God
- I have a tendency to have way too many expectations for spending time with God, which usually just leaves me feeling like a failure. No grand expectations this time ... I may only whisper a desperate plea for energy, or sing a worship song while feeding the babe. Or I may spend an hour in incense-gilded prayer. Either way, I will meet with Him.
2. Use my mind.
- I have watched a lot of TV on Netflix the last few months ... like a lot. Like all of SYTYCD, all of Mad Men, all of the Bachelorette, quite a few documentaries, and two seasons of Friday Night Lights (so far). A girl's got to do something while pumping, or when nursing takes an hour. But it sure isn't workin' out my brain. So whether I complete a sudoku puzzle, write a poem, or read a challenging book, I will not let my mind become mush.
3. Take care of my body.
- I already know that I am not going to start training for a marathon anytime soon .. or ever. But I want to make an effort to do small things to take care of myself ... like go for a walk, do lunges around the kitchen, or eat carrots instead of pudding. And I want to take great care of my diabetes EVERY DAY.
Tomorrow marks day one ... anyone with me?
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