Guest guest Posted April 28, 2000 Report Share Posted April 28, 2000 Tina, Hi, We take Christian to see Dr. Herzenberg in Baltimore. We live at the very top of NJ. If we could drive straight through the trip takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. Many of the trips took a lot longer with a nursing baby about 6 to 6 hours 30 minutes. It was hard, it was exhausting but well worth it. I'm a stay at home mom with Christian and his two older sisters (3 and 5). When we first looked into going to land it seemed impossible. Who would watch the girls? How could we afford it? We just made up our minds to do it and things started to fall into place. I think we had go down about 8 times before Christian was in his shoes. This is really a worst case scenario, there is at least one " extra " trip in there because Christian's foot had really over corrected at one point and we had to put him in a soft cast to let that release before his tenotomy. A couple of times Ed could go with me but for most of the trips I went on my own. I would leave the night before his appointment and stay over at the Holiday Inn (there is a small discount for Kernan Hospital patients, I think my stays were about $56.00 including the taxes). Dr. H tries to see the babies first, so I would have an early appointment and then drive home that day. I would pack lots of snacks and breakfast foods that I could eat in my room and lots of bottled water. The only meals I bought were a couple of dinners, $6.00 - $10.00 from a pizza place that delivered to my room. There is also a Mc House in Baltimore for I think $10 a night. I have lots of tips for traveling with a small baby and other ways to cut costs. As far as the cost of treatment the casting room charge was usually around $160.00. We did need some xrays which were about $30.00 each. To be honest I don't know what Dr. H's fees are we haven't gotten any bills from his office yet and I haven't asked for them but I would if you want me too. My mom was able to take off from work a couple of times to watch the girls and Ed stayed home with them a couple of times and I had friends who helped occasionally too. I guess I just want you to know that when there's a will there really is a way. Ask me any question, if there anything I can do let me know. The money thing, it's just paper and beleive me we don't have a lot of it and we owe everyone but we have what we need and simply decided that Christian needed this form treatment. I would suggest you ask the Dr.'s at Shriners how many patients they have seen for clubfoot and how many surgeries they need to perform. I have lots of hints for dealing with insurance companies too. Also check your state taxes, we were able to meet the threshold for medical expenses (its lower than federal) which included our hotel stays, meals, and mileage, etc... It didn't add up to lot but every little bit counts. I hope this doesn't sound preachy, it's not meant too, just some words of encouragement from someone who's been there when the obstacles seem insurmountable. Donna Blevins passiton@... fryfamille@... wrote: > > Hi Pam! > > Thanks for the posting - I just got a chance to respond. > > We don't know if it's a boy or a girl - that's one thing we can be surprised > about! I've talked to Dr. Herzenberg in land - that's the closest > Ponsett Method doctor around and he's over 6 hours away. I just don't think > that financially we can swing going to land - I know that sounds terrible > and I've seen all the people on this website who have sacrificed so much to > get the Ponseti treatment, but physically and financially I don't think I > could do it. We have a Shriners hospital here in Erie and have heard a lot > of good things from people whose kids have clubfoot and have had them treated > there. Part of the problem, of course, is that we can't make a complete > decision until we see the severity, etc. once the baby is born to determine > what needs to be done. > > It's so good to hear that is doing well and that you're happy with the > treatment you've gotten for him. I " ll say a special prayer for you and him > tonight! > > -Tina > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Get paid for the stuff you know! > Get answers for the stuff you don’t. And get $10 to spend on the site! > http://click./1/2200/2/_/675489/_/956949436/ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2000 Report Share Posted April 29, 2000 Thanks, Donna - I guess I'll make my final decision after the baby's born when I see how severe the clubfoot is, if there are other problems, and all of those other unknown things . . . I will be in touch with questions, though Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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