Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Pause .....

Sorry there’s no new entry today (I remember the days when posting twice a week seemed like a lot, now I feel weird if I miss a day) but Tuesdays are usually difficult for me to get on the computer. It’s the day I volunteer at the kids school from 8-3, then rush home for snacks and homework, leave again for soccer practice (Kendrie) soccer practice (Kellen) and basketball practice (Kellen) all three at different times in different places. Home by 7:30, make a delicious late-dinner for my family (Ha, how about mini-pizzas, because they’re quick, and nothing says “I love you and care about your nutritional health” quite like slapping some cheese on an English muffin), finish homework, baths, then story time, because I am a devoted parent, except unfortunately last night I actually fell asleep sitting up on the sofa with “The Boxcar Children” propped in my lap. At 9pm. Seriously. 9 pm. I think I need to have my thyroid checked or something. Today’s not looking much better, since I’m proctoring writing tests at the school in the morning, then splurging with part of our income tax return to have cruise control put on Blaine’s truck and will be at the dealers all afternoon. Wow, cruise control. We are wild and crazy when we get some extra cash in our hands, aren’t we? Quick jaunt to Jamaica? Big-screen TV? Boob lift? No, cruise control.

Add in to this the fact that Blaine is in Seattle this week so I’m doing the solo parenting gig for a few …. Wait. What? He’s NOT in Seattle this week? "But I thought this was the follow-up visit he has had planned for months, to get his second post-radiation MRI of his head, meet with his oncologist, meet with the surgeon, and have the CT done of his lungs for that stupid, stupid mass in his shoulder????" Well, that was the plan anyway. He was supposed to leave Sunday, but we were contacted late Friday afternoon and informed that his Tricare referral-authorization had expired the day before. And since it takes them 3 to 5 working days to push through a new authorization, he wasn’t allowed to go to Seattle. So the whole thing will have to be rescheduled, with all the doctors and all the tests, once the new authorization is approved.

What-the-fuck-ever.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shew! I just read the past 4-5 posts. Gut-wrenching. I think that sums it up pretty well.

That was also interesting...an orthopedic surgeon saying he has lung cancer. Very Interesting....

Good luck with his followup appt...when he finally gets to go there.

cakeburnette said...

Good God...Tricare just sucks royally sometimes, doesn't it? I actually had a good 78th Med Grp/Tricare story this week, though. I'm proctoring the same test today, hope it isn't the worst thing I've even done. Give Blaine & the kids a big hug & "hello" from the Burnettes.

Anonymous said...

How dreadful to hold up Blaine's examinations for some stupid admin problem, surely they could have gone ahead and sorted out the admin afterwards? That must add stress for him, all the waiting, I'm so sorry to hear that.

I love the pictures of all of you. It's funny, I really thought that Brayden looked liked you, I would never have guessed that she is adopted. It's marvellous that you and M have such a great relationship, great for Brayden.
Take care,
Love Angela

Anonymous said...

Yeah, we are feeling that Kristie. Travis' referral expired this week and we have a "new" PCM who wouldn't give him a new referral without seeing him first. Apparently, the fact that Travis hasn't been cured in ten years of this s*&^ isn't good enough for him to just give us a new referral.

www.caringbridge.org/fl/tehlebracht

kim-d said...

I just do not believe this. Apparently, because you and Blaine had such a remarkable adoption experience, some other important thing had to be sacrificed. That would be poor Blaine's medical realm. I mean, really! Even factoring in government/military SNAFU crap, this is getting sad! So now your stomach gets to churn a while longer. And Blaine? He just gets to endure a while longer. DO.NOT.BELIEVE.IT.

Anonymous said...

Damn insurance. Crazy. You are supermom. Mini pizzas and all.

Anonymous said...

I was going to give you crap about finishing your novel but now I feel bad. OK, no too bad. I'll stil do it. I have to start off by saying that some weeks I feel like we are an episode of "Becoming the Escoes". Singing the butterfly song together.... loudly..... on our girl power CD while riding in the car... check. Finishing off the Escoe famous ice cream cake ( our favorite thing in the world)..... check. Me listening (and singing) the the High School Musical CD in my car... ALONE.... check. I think we are getting the hang of it. SOOOOOOO... I say tonight you should order pizza and let the kids do their own damn homework and tell us more more more. I just can't wait. Thinking of you in cold Minnesota......

Anonymous said...

I am speechless! I would be beyond frustrated. Hurry up and wait- again and again and again. UGH!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think I remember something in past entries about how miserable proctoring tests can be. In fact, I put your "advice" to work when my son's school called looking for some help with that particular project. I actually said no, so my question is, why did you agree to that???? The things we do for love.

And, as far as Blaine, I think you need to start writing congress! I know he's in the military, so maybe it is not the best plan. But, his care has been no better than what has happened at Walter Reid (sp?). Having just had a meeting with his care manager -- or whatever that person is called, shouldn't someone have noticed?!?!?!? I cannot even imagine how angry you must have been! I hope they are at least able to schedule the new visits quickly.

Oh, and thanks for sharing your family's story with us. I've been waiting for each installment, and I can't wait to hear how this led all the way to surrogacy.

Rene in Wilmington, NC

Anonymous said...

Your Tuesdays sound like ours - soccer for Madison, soccer for Dalton and mini pizzas for dinner. Oh, but wait, you actually make yours. We just pull ours out of the freezer and heat them up in the microwave!

And good gosh, could things get any worse for Blaine? Sorry to hear about the referral problem and hope the new one comes through quickly.

Amy said...

UNFREAKIN' BELIEVABLE! I'm so sorry for the shoddy way Blaine has been cared for. Grr. This just has my panties in a bunch this morning. (SIGH)

Leece said...

Arghhhh. How do you stay sane? My thoughts are with Blaine and his shoulder, and his lung, or not, as the case may be - isn't this considered *urgent* with a capitol UR for goodness sake? Love and prayers for you all.

Anonymous said...

Good Grief! Poor Blaine must be about ready to call it quits! Here's hoping (I know it's a longshot) that tricare can get that 3-5 days down to 1-2!

Trish, Leesburg, VA

Anonymous said...

Well, I've been getting caught up. First and foremost, please know we are thinking of you all and Blaine. Hmmm, what was that phrase we used to use on Kendrie's site? Something like WTF??? UGH. I hope people can get their shit together and get you guys the answers you need about Blaine.

Anonymous said...

Unbelievable.

Jen Muhlenbruck said...

Tricare sucks so bad sometimes. I'm so sorry. My dh is in the Marine Corps, so I know what a pain Tricare can be. I just found your blog by accident the other day and I went through & read your archives. Wow. ((( )))

Beth said...

Love, love, love reading your story. I will pray for your husband and all the related insurance bs (I'm not unfamiliar with such bs myself).

Can't wait to read the next installment. We too struggled with infertility and now have 3 children as well. God is good.

Anonymous said...

Ugh! Holy cow! Good Grief! Don't they realize what was involved in getting Blaine out here. I mean, it's not like he was driving someplace to see a doc. I agree with whoever posted about Blaine's care being no better than the **** at Walter Reid (you can insert whichever 4 letter word you want). Yeah, a well written letter to your congressman sounds good. Go for it Kristie. But don't let it take precedence over writing the next installment in "As the Escoe's World Turns". Well Ok, the part about Blaine is also part of the Escoe's World. But we need the next installment. Even though we know it was a happy ending, we need details. At least as many as you can comfortably share. Elaine in Lynnwood who discovered yesterday that she does have a google account but now can't remember the password.

BTW, does anyone besides me have a hard time with the word verification?

Anonymous said...

Wow...you said it best Kristie!
What f---ingever!
When are you guys going to catch a break with all of this??!!
On a side note....I hope you had fun proctoring the writing test. Could you come up here and volunteer at our school?! We actually have DDP in our soda machine!!
Take care and I really hope you get some news soon!
Cathy

Anonymous said...

Don't EVEN get me started about military medical practices! The Walter Reed story is nothing new. Just ask any military person or their family... I am still praying Blaine will get some "real" answers very soon.

Anonymous said...

Back from South Carolina, and yours was the first website I went to.. can't believe that Blaine has to continue to wait for answers.. WTF.

Praying things will be straightened out soon!

Rosemary in Albany NY

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristie,
The part of your blog that got to me most today was wishing/hoping that Blaine will sometime return to the "pre-diagnosis" Blaine. I've come to accept the fact that my DH will never be the same and it really can be profoundly sad. Here's hoping that Blaine can return to his previous health and happiness; he sure has been through a lot.
Blessings,
Debbie E.
Peachtree City, GA