Mystery Solved, Mostly
Greetings to everyone.
Ever wonder what happened to the data from Xavier's first Pulse Ox study, the study where Apria "lost" the data (actually, Apria claimed there was no data even though Xavier spent 18 hours on the device)?
It all started with Rebecca wanting to pin Apria down on a time to come collect their oxygen tanks. We knew it would be today, but that's about it. Finding what she thought was Apria's number on one of our receipts (the receipt for the meter used in our first Pulse Ox test--the one with "no data"), Rebecca called.
The number was not Apria, but a family in Thornton. They have a three year old who was scheduled for a Pulse Ox study in the same timing as Xavier. In speaking with the family, Rebecca learned Xavier's results were applied to their son. We also learned that their son was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia because of the mix up.
The family have been battling insurance and Apria over this, saying the Pulse Ox data was not correct and it should have indicated a problem. Insurance is denying claims because of the data. Apria denies there was a mix up in the meters. The family even have a lawyer on the case to help.
As it turns out, we have the carbon of the work order, the one signed by Rebecca when she drove in to pick it up. (Apria would not deliver the meter to our house because our insurance would not pay for a delivery. Yet, Apria sent us by special courier the second meter and sent a courier to pick up the meter. We thought then the special courier was because they "lost" the data the first time and didn't want to lose it again).
The carbon actually has the family's name on it (names we thought were doctors at the pediatrician's office we haven't met yet). Rebecca gave the work order number to the husband and he went down to Apria armed with this knowledge.
So, Xavier's data was not lost, just applied to the wrong baby. Rebecca and I think the reason Apria claimed no data was available from Xavier's oximeter was because the meter never got rented out, yet was still assigned to Xavier.
We are praying that Father will heal this family's son and restore the family's expenses. We believe this case of calling "the wrong number" was really God moving to make things right.
Awesome is our God. We thank you for your prayers, which touch lives we don't even know about, yet we are connected to by unseen threads.
Growing and Growing
Greetings everyone.
It's been two weeks since Xavier was in a doctor's office. Today, it was his pediatrician. Nothing but good news.
Weighing in at 5 pounds 12.2 ounces (2613.8 grams), he measured in at 19 inches (48.26 cm). In two weeks Xavier has added 11.1 ounces and 1.8 inches.
No blood was drawn today. Dr. Abbey still has not seen the lab results from Children's done two weeks ago. However, Xavier's stools are darkening and getting some spinach green in with the dark mustard. I've heard of colon cleansing, but Xavier is doing a liver cleansing! The doctor said Xavier will be on his Ursidall (aka Actigall, his liver/bile supplement) for another two months.
Speaking of liver functions, Xavier will be on his higher-calorie formula for another three months, then probably transition down from his 26 calorie to 22 calorie mixtures. Given his growth, the 26 calorie is doing him well. He is even getting some chub on his thighs and upper arms to match his growing double chin. I told Rebecca it's both exciting and sad to see him put on some chubbiness.
The exciting part is he is growing and will have some fat this winter. The sad part is he is losing his "miniature person" look, which is part of his fascination.
Great is our God Who has done such wonders for us and through your prayers!
Mom is dead-tired, but Xavier is ready to go. That means for mom to get some sleep in the mornings, Xavier gets to cuddle. He stays calm and quiet when cuddling, and mom gets her ZZZs. Here, Xavier still wears the sticky pads used to hold his cannula in place.
It's Official: Room Air!
Hello to everyone.
Yesterday, Xavier's pediatrician called to discuss Xavier's oxygen. Due to technical difficulties with Rebecca's phone (it was dying after soaking in chicken grease, but that's another story), Dr. Abbey left a message. He thought Xavier should remain on oxygen for another two weeks.
We listened to the message and decided to leave Xavier off his O2 until we spoke with Dr. Abbey. He was so much happier without his cannula, and a lot less fussy.
Rebecca went to bat for Xavier today. If the doctor had a good case, we would return Xavier to his oxygen. Xavier's stats, Dr. Abbey reported, were not as good as we thought. Xavier spent 90% of his time on the meter at an oxygen level of 85% or higher. Dr. Abbey likes to see a 90% at or above 90%. Rebecca made our case, and Dr. Abbey agreed we could take Xavier off his O2.
So, Xavier is officially off his oxygen and breathing "room air." Glory to God! We also learned that oxygen is considered a prescription drug, so the doctor had to write a prescription to have the oxygen equipment picked up.
Also exciting, Xavier is outgrowing his preemie clothing. We find ourselves at a point where we cannot find clothing to fit him. Too small or too big, but we can't find the just right.
Xavier's next checkup is Monday afternoon, so we will get a new weight on him. Also, more blood will be drawn to check his liver workings.
We have entered into an interesting phase with the insurance company that is paying for Xavier's delivery and care. Just for the night of his delivery the bill is over $516 thousand. For some reason we cannot understand (we got the bill after customer service closed for the week), they don't seem to realize Xavier's "nature of injury" was being delivered into the world. We are working to clear this confusion up as fast as possible!
Thank you all for your prayers.