Durable Medical Equipment

Yesterday we submitted several written prescriptions for durable medical equipment to a provider. A hospital bed rental, hospital bed tray, raised toilet seat with arms, shower seat, walker, lift chair and portable male urinal. Some items are rentals and others are purchases. We'll see what's covered and what's not...

Good news! Jamie at Medi-Fair called this morning to let us know all the durable medical equipment except the lift chair was approved. The hospital bed is an electric twin size bed, 80" long, which comes with a mattress cover. Standard twin size sheets will fit the bed. Our deductible is $100, plus $2.79 for a portable male urinal. A total of $102.79 is due at delivery. What a relief!

They'll come to set up MJ's room before we leave for the hospital. Some providers told us they must wait until MJ is discharged before setting up. Since we'll be out-of-town it's good to know MJ will have what he needs all ready when he gets home.

A member on the National Scoliosis Foundation forum suggests purchasing a LaFuma recliner, a 'doctor recommended' zero gravity chair, which relieves pressure on the spine. LaFuma recliners are portable, indoor/outdoor and half the price of a lift or hip chair. We ordered one. The chair should be here soon.

Day filled with many blessings

Every day is a blessed day, and today is filled with many blessings.

Last week MJ's service coordinator applied for financial assistance to some community organizations to help us pay the $1,750 to stay at the hospital's guest residence for a week. A non-profit agency awarded us $500.00 in a check made out to the hotel.

Yesterday I called our local chapter of the Autism Society of America and spoke to Gonyea, mother of an adult child with autism. She called this morning to tell us we are awarded $500.00 to help pay for our expenses.

Today I finished the train quilt MJ will take along to the hospital. He helped me pick out the train and railroad tracks fabric.

Last night we received a bill for $6,448.00 for the MRI. This amount must be a mistake since the MRI was pre-approved by our health insurance company. The appointment for the MRI was made by Wendy, the surgeon's administrative assistant. I called her, faxed the bill to her, and later faxed it directly to radiology billing department. I just got a call from Jessica. She said they would take care of it. Wow!

I am so grateful for these many blessings. God is good!

Researchers Discover First Gene Associated With Idiopathic Scoliosis

Researchers at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, one of the nation's leading pediatric centers for research and the treatment of orthopaedic conditions, have identified the first gene -- CHD7 -- associated with idiopathic scoliosis (I.S.), the most common spinal deformity in children. With no known cause or cure, idiopathic scoliosis poses a significant health burden to the pediatric population. The condition affects approximately two to three percent of school age children in the U.S. and costs an estimated several billion dollars in surgical treatment each year.

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