Yesterday was a SHOCK

Shock, yes that's what it was like.  I'm still not over it but we will deal with it! On Friday at about 4:00 Bob's team leader call him here at home. He terminated his employment at American Express as of that time. He was told he fell below the 5% matrix he must maintain. This was in March and they received these numbers that day. Bob did the math and called them back because he was not below but at the 5% mark. HR said the they have to no go below 10% and he signed a paper saying that. Bob did not remember signing any paper like that. And they are always saying  "don't go below the 5%".

Bob has come home daily telling about people that have been fired for ticky-tack reasons. There have been several stories. Bob has not been worried because he has done nothing wrong. OH WELL - there goes that theory!

I felt so bad for Bob! He looked like he had just given me the death sentence. I have to have TPN (feeding tube food - about $1500 a bag that I use daily) or have this small intestine transplant that I should be leaving for in 2 weeks. The Insurance was already approved! We will have to get a new job asap and pay for cobra insurance so I can still have the operation.

So if you know of any opportunities for Bob, let us know!

Somehow, someway, we WILL get through this. We are letting the Lord lead us.  He knows the big picture.  We just know the here and now!

Pittsburgh called! 5-12-09

I got a call from Jocelyne from Cigna. She told me everything was in and I was totally approved with the insurance. I asked what I'm to do next. She said my referring Doc would send a request to UPMC for and evaluation. I called Dr. Shapiro's office and told them that Jocelyne called and that they were to request me to go to UPMC. But of course, they were used to this but I wanted to know what I need to do. They told me to get all the records I can for anything I can think of!  Within 2 hours, UPMC called me. After several question she told me she would get all the info from the Dr.s and the hospitals.  So I don't have to get as much info as I thought.  She Said it takes about a week to get all the info. then she calls and makes an appointment for me in Pitts.  Dr. Kareem is out of town until the end of May.  Appointments for evaluations start on Wednesdays, so possibly June 3rd will be my appt.

I called Pitts. Bishop Johnson and he is checking in to a place for us to live in Pitts for our duration. I have about 3 and 1/2 weeks. sounds like a short amount of time!

Hope all goes well!!

From Sue

Got it! 5-10-09

I got the call on Thursday from Dr. Shapiro's office that they faxed in my letter I have been waiting for now for 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah! Now the waiting game is for the transplant nurse to call and set up an appointment for my transplant evaluation.  That takes 10 to 14 days in Pitts. My Mom and Dad will meet me there. I got 2 web cams for Mother's day so we can see and talk to each other while I'm gone. I have no idea how long it will take to make the appointment in Pitts.

I have a couple of people to talk to here about places to stay in Pitts.  Barb is from there and Mike worked there for some time. We are also going to go through the area Bishops to see if they know of any places to stay or rent.

It's getting closer! I did go to the Dr. on Thursday and found out I don't have swine flu but I got put on antibiotics for strep throat. Its Sunday and I do feel better. I did get to the point where I would rather spit than swallow because my throat hurt sooooooo bad!

I also found out that once you have a transplant, they don't want you to have elective surgeries, tattoos. or piercings!!! SO - I need to have that boob job complete with piercing and tats before the transplant!LOL!

Chat Soon,

Sue

Still waiting!!! 4 May 09

I'm still impatiently awaiting the day my very great, awesome, intelligent, amazing Dr. writes my letter of medial necessity for the transplant. Once he gets around to that , it will only take 1-2 days for the transplant nurse to call me and set up my appt. for the evaluation in Pitts. That takes 10-14 days and then they let me know if I am on the transplant list. My Dr is so busy that this could take weeks. In fact it has been 3 weeks so far. I'm not good with waiting and not knowing what is going to happen when! I need a place to stay in Pitts. but I don't know when!!!!! If anyone know anyone with a mother-in-law suite or appt. that we could rent from - oh - 4 months to 18 months, just let me know! It would be nice if it were close to the U. of Pitts Hospital. You know, less than an hour drive!

Oh the times are frustrating. I had no idea how mentally taxing the death of Bob's brother, Don, was going to be on our entire family. I tried to be a comfort and not a burden this past week and then I fell apart today. I literally could not move this morning! Not only that, I know I had to be here for the home health nurse to come draw blood and change the needle in my port. So I just crashed!!

On the night before Don's funeral, We got a call about uncle Dan. He found out he had pancreatic cancer a couple of weeks ago and the Dr was giving him 10-12 hours. So on the day of the funeral we got the call that he had passed away too! Dan was a favorite to Bob too. His funeral is on Friday. This sure pulls at your heart strings!!