Facing Medical Procedures

Maria Marcela found an excellent link that describes Emily's condition almost perfectly.

http://neurosurgery4kids.net/tetheredspinalcord.htm

The latest situation we're facing is sorting out the surgery that needs to take place in order to untether the cord. The doctor we're now seeing happens to be 'out of network' for our insurance company, Blue Shield of CA. It's just lovely dealing with insurance companies. Anyway, what we're being told is that we're certain to get hit with at least 30% of a $28,000 doctor's fee for this surgery. And on top of that, this insurance company is notorious in not even paying the full 70% of it's share. They determine for themselves, what they want to pay, which will leave the balance to you know who to pay.

We're trying to find doctors in the network and are striking out since there are no other pediatric neurosurgeons in the area.

At this point, Emily is slated for surgery in mid August, but it looks like that will change since they told us that pre op procedures need to be done earlier than what they initially told us and we had just purchased tickets for Maria and the kids to fly up to Boston for a month.

Otherwise, life is going good. Emily is putting her hand to the test of bleeding us for any ounce of sympathy. So I'm told can be typical of a girl. She's also on course for her potty training.

We'll keep you posted.