Saturday, February 7, 2009

Down the rabbit hole...

Here's the word on Jamie's heart, actually two: Quadruple bypass Here's another one: ASAP (maybe technically that's four) So...here we go. I'm already overwhelmed by lists. What do do next. Who to call. How to cope with the 4000 things that have to be done: phone calls. A zillion of those. Scheduling everything. The budget. OMG. We don't have awesome insurance. In fact, we took a gamble and LOWERED our insurance a couple of years ago. So now...our out of pocket for this is going to be pretty high. Today's is Zel's 2nd birthday. Next week we start kindergarten round-up at the FIVE schools we're trying to get into. That's five times 2-3 meetings with each. So...that. Jamie will be out of work for 6-10 weeks. I can't take time off. Because? Money. So we're figuring out who can come help out with his needs. Hopefully his mom. And we're getting 2 opinions next week on surgery options, but it's pretty clear: there are five blockages in his coronary arteries. Waiting, as the cardiologist put it, is like adding a lot of "the unknown" to our choices. Frankly, I liked it when THIS was "the unknown".

18 comments:

Unknown said...

I am here to help in any way that I can. I can make meals and watch the kids and clean and do laundry. Please use me that is what friends are for. I love you and I will see you this afternoon.

Anonymous said...

Rebekah, I'm so sorry! Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I can have food delivered. :) Just let me know what you all like to eat. And happy birthday to Zel!

Simplicity said...

You know, I really just started popping by recently, but I really like your positive energy and your incredible love for your family!

Those things will get you SO far! The great thing is that this is a surgery with a very high success rate and going forward your lifestyle changes can be focussed on keeping him healthy. Also, an appreciation of precious time will be acknowledged.

There's support everywhere and they'll pop their heads out as you need them.

Leah Perlingieri said...

uh. mah. gawd.

put me in for some casseroles as well. what else can i do? i can come and clean your house a few times a month as well.

i KNOW your family will be stronger for this in all regards when it is all said and done.

Leah Perlingieri said...

OH AND...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET ZEL!!!!

Irish Gumbo said...

Rebekah: I'm sorry I am on the East Coast, otherwise I'd be on your doorstep with a big pot of gumbo for you.

Oy, I'll set up some prayer flags for you and Jamie and the kids. Simplicity is right, it does have a very high success rate (my Da had it done 2 years ago, doing great), so ther's that. Good luck, and blessings on you all.

Karen Compton said...

OMG! How scary for all of you! Please let me know what I can do. Like Joi said, that's what friends are for. And please let us know when the surgery is scedule so that we can pray for you/send blessings/think really positive thoughts.

Amy *aka willa* said...

Sweet Jesus, Rebekah and Jaime!

Call in the troops girl. We're circling the wagons for you guys.

Let us know what you need, how you need it and when.

We are THERE! Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

Oh my. I'm in for meals, laundry and cleaning. I can also help with shuttling kids to/from school. My heart aches for you Rebekah and Jamie. Your community will rally around you and support you in anyway we can.
xo xo

Captain Dumbass said...

Wow! Well, I'm not going to offer to help cook, since all I can do is grilled cheese and I'd imagine cheese and anything fried is kinda off the list now.

Happy B'day Zel!

zeldabee said...

Jeez, Rebekah! I'm going to stop complaining right now!

Let me know if there's anything I can do. I can surely get on a meal train, at least.

radishly said...

Put us on the list of food cookers, house cleaners, kid watchers, and laundry doers. In fact, give Jamie my cellphone number and I'll set the ringer for Mr. Waffles to "assistance bell". Good for 1-2 rings a day on Wednesdays & Thursdays.

Happy birthday sweet Zel. Thank goodness you're around to help bring some light and warm fuzzies right now. And, holy crap you're two!

UrbanHippieMama said...

I am focusing so much positive loving energy your way. Please keep us updated, and I, too, want to help in whatever ways I can. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Zel and Happy HBAC day to you...it seems like just yesterday I dropped food on your front porch and lingered to try and hear a hint of her sweet birth. Xoxo

Jenn Crowell said...

I know I'm across the river out on the westsiiiiide, but please add me to your meal-makin', woo-sendin' army of community to help you get through this.

Thinking of you ...

Squirky said...

Grilch and I, too, are here to help you guys with whatever you need whenever you need it! Call us anytime. Anytime!

Jason, as himself said...

Oh, yikes. Double yikes. You've all got your hands very, very full. I wish you the best throughout this whole ordeal.

nicole said...

Thinking of you, Rebekah and Jamie...and Happy Birthday Zel!

Jstar said...

Scary news. I second what everyone else has said. I'm also going to say save a receipt from every single drs office copay, and all your hospital bill paperwork. I'm doing taxes right now for my '08 appendectomy and we had to pay a lot out of pocket (crappy ins.) I don't know if the total will tally up to be a tax deduction but better prepped than sorry.

Thinking positive thoughts for all of this.