2/6/26

 My stress level went from threat level midnight (very bad) to baseline. I am not sure there is much difference but it feels better. I was able to make contact with the Medicaid office. I spoke to this wonderful woman that listened patiently regarding Ethan’s medical issues and directed me on what options were available.

We are going to go through a renewal process and get him back into Medicaid. I verified it is retroactive and we can purchase his medications, and get refunded once the application is renewed. 

Apparently we were sent a renewal form (lost in the mail). I did not see it and figure it is lost in the mail somewhere. I feel so much better.

Then the calls started coming in. Our gal at the heart failure center had our back. One lady made a call to the pharmacy to get things situated for Ethan’s medications. 

Another lady called me and said that the renewal form the First Lady told me about would delay Ethan’s care by weeks. 

Lady number 2 did it with me on the phone in 10 minutes. She said Ethan didn’t qualify for Medicaid, but does qualify for what is called an Essential Care Plan. This plan has co-pays but they are manageable. It is designed for people that work but have expensive medical bills. This is exactly what we needed!

I had another lady call and request we fill out a financial assistance form from the hospital. This would help with the co-pays as long as Ethan qualifies.

 These are all steps for Ethan to take towards financial freedom while working. He can have some taste or normalcy. This is exactly what I wanted for him and what he needed.

The Heart team really showed up for the win!

Everyone I spoke with I thanked profusely. 

Ethan’s paperwork should have been processed today and we should have an insurance number by Monday. We can take that number to the pharmacy to get Ethan’s medications. It will also be retroactive so we don’t have to worry about the echo, EKG and other testing and appointment he had on the third. 

On top of the busy medical week. Paul and I had two college friends pass away. One lived in Colorado. The other was in Syracuse. Aging is really stupid!

Paul has burned his candle at both ends and now has the upper respiratory funk. Ethan is staying in his room with his air purifier on. 

I have been wiping knobs, handles, surfaces, spraying the couch with Lysol disinfectant….Ethan has increased his hand washing (however he is already quite diligent). We have hand sanitizer out and if anyone sneezes, coughs, blows their nose, they have to either wash their hands or use sanitizer.

I had lunch with a friend today. It was over two hours because we chatted so much. It was good catching up with her. 

This evening I made sure to finish up my work obligations.

Tomorrow I get to be a vet nurse. Yay! I am excited to see my old coworkers and help some pets out. After work I will head to the Red Cross. Today I made sure I drank as much as possible  hydration is key. 

Then I can relax and have a minute to get caught up.