Actually, I need more like a month. Technically, that might be what summer was, but I was still working then. I need a month where I don't have to think about anything but getting our house and lives in order. Specifically, I need a month to take care of business for Oli. I haven't done horribly; in the last few weeks I have ordered, gotten, and started using his cone enema. I have ordered and gotten his forearm crutches. I have talked to the insurance company twice, and left a few messages for the billing department at Children's Specialized (which never calls back). I have met with Case Management, a follow up service to early intervention. I have talked twice with his school physical therapist. But each of these items off of my list is just a link in the chain...there is so much more...and he needs me to get it done:
1. Medicaid: I need to get secondary insurance. We need SSI or Medicaid or something. I don't even know what -- that is how far outside of the process I am. I should have started the process a) when I knew Oli's benefit for PT was going to run out and b) when it was summer. But nope. When I met with Case Management last week, they gave me the number for our local SS office and DDS (disability services) and told me about a Medicaid loophole we might be able to use. In importance, this task rates a 10 out of 10. In terms of being confusing, this task rates a 10 out of 10. So it sits untouched, at both the top and bottom of my list. Since I am a master of both procrastination and denial, your guess is as good as mine as to when this will get done.
2. Ditto to DDS.
3. Figure out existing insurance: We are still working on an appeal for more PT visits for Oli. This one really isn't my fault -- Children's Specialized just got the August bills over for them to reject, so we could only kick off the appeal process in the last few days. I found out yesterday, and called Children's Specialized right away. Of course, Oli's therapist, who has to start the ball rolling, is away until 10/11, so this is something that stays on my plate.
4. Figuring out the cone enema: I might have bought it, but I have no idea how to use it. That's not entirely true -- I have tried it following the directions, but it isn't working out too well. I contacted CHOP and they gave me the contact information of a mom who loves the cone enema for her daughter. I need to find what I did with her email address and then e-mail her asking for help. I also need to contact the company and make sure it is latex free. The whole line is supposed to be, but it looks like there is a rubber band around the tip of ours. Of course.
5. Sign Oli up for swim lessons: or some sort of physical activity. He only gets school PT, no outpatient, and he needs something. The neurologist recommended swim way back over the summer, but Oli still isn't swimming. Add it to the list...
6. Get new AFOs: He has grown out of his little braces. But this should be easy. I made an appointment for next Tuesday. We just have to get there.
Did I mention the house? Laundry? Floors? Cobwebs?
Luckily, because I am a master of both procrastination and denial, we have still been doing our usual day to day stuff. School, work, dance, karate, church, shopping, going out, hanging out. And I know it is good to have balance. If I could just have a month where I didn't have to split my attention between work and home, I feel like I might be able to catch up. I think the best I can do is work on my balance, and realize that no matter what, all is way better than nothing.
