August 26, 2008

• Follow Up

  As if there wasn’t enough drama in our lives already; yesterday, I had to take Luci and Annamarie to the doctor.  Luci has been having frequent nose bleeds and Annamarie has complained of some stomach, but mainly low back pain (I was worried about her kidneys). 

  Final diagnosis, Luci has allergies that don’t show up like most people’s (sneezing, itchy eyes, etc.) and the drainage is in her ears and down her throat.  We received children’s allergy medication samples and told to buy something to keep her nasal passages moist. 

  Annamarie simply is constipated and has poor posture.  I already knew she had a problem with not wanting to run and play (would rather sit under a shade tree) and slumps whenever she sits or walks.  Also, she doesn’t drink enough water and LOVES pasta, rice, etc. despite us serving fibrous veggies and breads.   So, the doctor looked her in the eye and told her the same things I’ve been saying – hoping a physician’s talk would make a difference.  She gave us directions to use Miralax (sp?) which is similar to a stool softener, but more of a fiber solution. 

  Then I asked their doctor about finger injuries and reconstructive surgery.  She said there are tendons all the way up under the nail beds and you need those to bend the end of your finger.  She said the hands were the most difficult type of surgery because of the complexity of tendons, muscles, & veins and how they all interact.  She also said she felt the fact Jose had worked for Jesse less than an hour before hurting himself didn’t make us liable as “Employers” and we were NICE enough to take him to an E.R. to stop the bleeding and pick up that tab, plus Jesse had given him $30 cash.  I was still not sure about what to do and prayed.

  We left to go to Wal-Mart.  I know (!!!!), AGAIN.  Shopping for my in-laws in Amarillo left my brain confused about things I thought I had just purchased for our OWN house.  JoAnn is at her mother’s and she called when I was arriving at Wal-Mart to say she needed me to take her some place to fax some papers (other mil is having problems with Medicaid paying for RX’s).  So, I decided to stop at McDonalds (AGAIN) instead of eating Wal-Mart’s chicken strips for a late lunch.  Jesse would prefer that I shop at the Wal-Mart closer to home because the prices are cheaper and I figured I could do that when I was done driving JoAnn.  We picked up JoAnn, and while she was in Kinko’s Jesse called with some good news.

  Apparently, Jesse gave Jose $30 when he left him at the E.R. to pay him for his “work time” and to help pay for any prescriptions.  The “friend chain” has reported back to us that he asked 3 other people for money to buy his medication and when THOSE people got together, they realized he’d bought more “crack” and had NOT filled his prescriptions and had more money than the $55 worth of drugs would have cost.  I guess if you nickel and dime enough people, you can become a millionaire!

  Jose CAN move his finger tips and those related to him say he has “nicked” the flesh, but it isn’t a huge wound and should heal with antibiotic ointment – one of his prescriptions (the other for pain).  The specialist, as it was explained to the family member who picked him up at the E.R., was to ensure the E.R. physician hadn’t missed anything major.  They didn’t think surgery would be necessary, but were being cautious.  In other words, a precautionary second opinion.  The family also informed us that Jose had gotten out of jail 2 months ago (drug use) and was right back on the streets doing drugs.

  Jose’s family is angry with him for “being stupid” (their words) and putting his hand under a running lawnmower and for not only “taking advantage” (their words) of Jesse, but hitting up others for cash.  Jesse has told the family he will pay the E.R. expenses, despite their begging him not to.  They have told Jose that Jesse is a wonderful person and their friend, and all of them are very angry about the financial burden placed on our family.  Many calls have been made and it came down to the family’s decision that they have all refused to take Jose to the follow up appointment and have told him he can find his own ride and own money to pay for the visit.

  So, I guess it appears that the E.R. bill (still not sure of the total amount) will be our only worry.  And, after arriving home and reading how many of you were praying for us, I realized why I had suddenly felt an overwhelming peace envelop me.  At some point in my day, still not knowing the info from Jose’s family, I just gave everything to God and, with the most peaceful and trusting faith, KNEW God would be our provider and answer.  It was wonderful!

  So, that’s how things stand now.

  Before any of this happened, Jesse had invited an aunt and uncle for dinner tonight (to see JoAnn) and I have to come up with an idea of what to serve, set the formal table (not enough room in the kitchen) AND clean house.

  I’ll have to post my picture story tomorrow, maybe.

  Thanks to each and every one of you who are praying us through this.  I have truly felt God take over as I have been able to let go!

  • 10:18 am
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