Sunday

November 20, 2006

let us know how it goes. Positive vibes coming your way.

NHMom to AbnEm...

December 3, 2006

Yes, Dr. Bradford has officially retired, although he tells me that he’ll assist on surgeries for awhile when patients insist on it. Both Drs. Hu and Berven are excellent revision surgeons.

--

On 12/3/06 11:19 AM, " Carol " <dcvaughan@...> wrote:

Anyway, I wanted to say that I don't think that Dr. Bradford is

practicing any more at UCSF (can you confirm this, ?) I don't

see him on the list of surgeons there any more. The doctors to see

there are Serena Hu and Sigurd Berven. (this was for ie's e-mail

from Cam)

December 3, 2006

-My bad....sorry...I meant Berven.....both begin with B's!

Cam

December 5, 2006

Hi Carol, For what it's worth, the research I did on insurance is that most insurance companies only limit for pre-existing conditions if you go with the PPO instead of the HMO (I could be wrong) but that was the case for me... Hope this all works out for you! Ken.Carol <dcvaughan@...> wrote: Well, I'm glad I'm feeling better after spending all day Friday in bed throwing upand with a headache, too! Still have a runny nose, so

don't know what exactly this is----some weird combination of symptoms!!Anyway, I wanted to say that I don't think that Dr. Bradford is practicing any more at UCSF (can you confirm this, ?) I don't see him on the list of surgeons there any more. The doctors to see there are Serena Hu and Sigurd Berven. (this was for ie's e-mail from Cam)Also, I talked to on the phone Wed. evening and we had a good "chat". My thoughts and prayers will continue with you, as the weeks go on!! I also wanted to direct this question to K., as I think she is the only one to have had insurance changes during the time of revision surgery. (If there's anyone else out there that has, please chime in) I attempted to call our new insurance on Thurs. to ask them some questions about whether they cover pre-existing conditions for major medical and also about chiropractic coverage, but they couldn't

give me ANY information because our coverage doesn't start until Jan. 1!! I know they have gotten our enrollment form. I sent it in almost 3 weeks ago. The gal told me to call back Friday to talk to someone else (don't remember the name) who might have more info., but then I was sick all day. I just got the feeling that they may not cover surgeries for pre-existing conditions for 12 mos. When I spoke to Ann (Dr. Hu's assistant) on Thurs., she said that could be the case, and then I got really worried that I may not be able to have the surgery in March like I've scheduled it!! I know that if I sign up on the insurance that's available to me at my work (open enrollment ended Thurs) it wouldn't have done me any good, either, as they have that 12 mo. pre-existing clause, also. I really hate to have to wait until 2008 to have this surgery!! My daughter is graduating from HS in June that year, and the senior yr is so

busy along with grad party preparations--don't know how I could pull that off being in a brace, etc!!!! Insurances now-a-days have gradually gotten to the point where they cover less and less and have more exclusions, and I am just very glad that we have one that covers 90% instead of the usual 80%. I don't bother to sign up for the one at my work because it's 80-20 and you have to pay out AT LEAST $500 for a major surgery. It's not that much $$ with my husband's insurance. I really think I'll get very depressed and also feel like I might chicken out if I don't do it in March--and have to wait until 2008!!! Very discouraging!!Carol V. (CA)

Have a burning question? Go to Answers and get answers from real people who know.

December 5, 2006

We signed up for PPO....but I figured if I signed up for HMO, then

I'd have to start all over again with the Dr. train....appointments,

referrals, etc. etc... I hope that the condition is covered. I spoke

to a receptionist at a dr's office (not Dr. Hu's) and she said

that " pre-existing " clause usually only applies if a person has been

off of insurance for awhile--any where from several months to several

years. She said that since we have been on insurance (even tho it's a

different company) because we have all been insured thru my husband's

insurance, it should cover all pre-existing conditions. I sure hope

she's right. I seems I'll have to wait after Jan. 1 to find anything

out. We're not " in the system " yet.

Carol V.

> Well, I'm glad I'm feeling better after spending all day

Friday in

> bed throwing upand with a headache, too! Still have a runny nose,

so

> don't know what exactly this is----some weird combination of

> symptoms!!

>

> Anyway, I wanted to say that I don't think that Dr. Bradford is

> practicing any more at UCSF (can you confirm this, ?) I don't

> see him on the list of surgeons there any more. The doctors to see

> there are Serena Hu and Sigurd Berven. (this was for ie's e-

mail

> from Cam)

>

> Also, I talked to on the phone Wed. evening and we had a

> good " chat " . My thoughts and prayers will continue with you,

> as the weeks go on!!

>

> I also wanted to direct this question to K., as I think she

is

> the only one to have had insurance changes during the time of

> revision surgery. (If there's anyone else out there that has,

please

> chime in) I attempted to call our new insurance on Thurs. to ask

them

> some questions about whether they cover pre-existing conditions for

> major medical and also about chiropractic coverage, but they

couldn't

> give me ANY information because our coverage doesn't start until

Jan.

> 1!! I know they have gotten our enrollment form. I sent it in

almost

> 3 weeks ago. The gal told me to call back Friday to talk to someone

> else (don't remember the name) who might have more info., but then

I

> was sick all day. I just got the feeling that they may not cover

> surgeries for pre-existing conditions for 12 mos. When I spoke to

> Ann (Dr. Hu's assistant) on Thurs., she said that could be the

> case, and then I got really worried that I may not be able to have

> the surgery in March like I've scheduled it!! I know that if I sign

> up on the insurance that's available to me at my work (open

> enrollment ended Thurs) it wouldn't have done me any good, either,

as

> they have that 12 mo. pre-existing clause, also. I really hate to

> have to wait until 2008 to have this surgery!! My daughter is

> graduating from HS in June that year, and the senior yr is so busy

> along with grad party preparations--don't know how I could pull

that

> off being in a brace, etc!!!! Insurances now-a-days have gradually

> gotten to the point where they cover less and less and have more

> exclusions, and I am just very glad that we have one that covers

90%

> instead of the usual 80%. I don't bother to sign up for the one at

my

> work because it's 80-20 and you have to pay out AT LEAST $500 for a

> major surgery. It's not that much $$ with my husband's insurance.

>

> I really think I'll get very depressed and also feel like I might

> chicken out if I don't do it in March--and have to wait until

2008!!!

> Very discouraging!!

>

> Carol V. (CA)

>

> ---------------------------------

> Have a burning question? Go to Answers and get answers from

real people who know.

>

December 6, 2006

Carol,

In my experience with switching insurance companies, they covered my

pre-existing condition (non-scoliosis-related) as long as there was no

large lapse in coverage. The lapse requirement varied, but ran from

31-63 days. So as long as I could prove that I had been covered

previously (which was no problem, the old insurance company

automatically sent a letter when coverage was discontinued), the new

insurance company covered everything fine. I don't know if this is

something that varies state-to-state or by company, or if surgery has

different considerations, but I wish you the best. I too had the

problems getting any specific answers out of my new insurance company,

until our coverage date began. Quite frustrating when trying to plan

ahead for things!! Good luck!

>

> Hi Carol,

>

> For what it's worth, the research I did on insurance is that most

insurance companies only limit for pre-existing conditions if you go

with the PPO instead of the HMO (I could be wrong) but that was the

case for me...

>

> Hope this all works out for you!

> Ken.

>

December 10, 2006

It has been my experience that the 12 month lack of coverage for pre-

existing conditions is only for people who have not had insurance.

Once I have had insurance and then changed companies, there has been

no problem.

>

> I also wanted to direct this question to K., as I think she

is

> the only one to have had insurance changes during the time of

> revision surgery. (If there's anyone else out there that has,

please

> chime in) I attempted to call our new insurance on Thurs. to ask

them

> some questions about whether they cover pre-existing conditions

for

> major medical and also about chiropractic coverage, but they

couldn't

> give me ANY information because our coverage doesn't start until

Jan.

> 1!! I know they have gotten our enrollment form. I sent it in

almost

> 3 weeks ago. The gal told me to call back Friday to talk to

someone

> else (don't remember the name) who might have more info., but then

I

January 28, 2007

I'm the same way. I want my tomatoes, cukes, and dressing all kept seperate so they don't soggy the lettuce. There's nothing worse then eating a soggy salad. My son brought me and his dad home some of those 100 calorie snacks. They was pretty good. But the price you pay for that small amount I bet was high. I didn't ask. But I was just thinking of buying a tupperware or rubbermaid box and make up some 100 calorie snack bags of my own. Put them in baggies and then put the baggies in the tupperware box to keep them fresh. One of the snacks was those cheese nips...those will be easily seperated from a large box into 100 calorie bags. But they had these Resses bags thaat had a mixture of cereal and m & m's and peanut butter chips. I don't think I would ever get the calories right to mix a bag like that. They was really good. I'm going to try and take the time and find some snacks that will be easily converted into single serving snacks that all are 100 calories or less. Anyone have any ideas?

Hubby thurs night made 8 premade salads. So we grabbed 4 for lunch on the road. NOW if you would of asked me about making salads ahead of time. NOT possible. BUT if you remember cherry tomatoes so salad doesn't get soggy. REMEMBER no cheese or baco bits to get soggy. NO salad dressing at time of prep. IT can work. So I am so excited about this. He bought the glad plastic containers perfect for salad. He made some turkey ones, plain ones, and chicken ones. So it will help I believe. I can even make up little bags with baco bits and croutons and just add. YUMMY... So that is my SAHM tip of the day premake your lunches. With me I graze before choicing lunch and it kills me.

NH. 246.6

January 28, 2007

Something that I've started doing again -- should never have stopped doing it -- is that whenever I go grocery shopping, I don't put the produce away right away. I spend some time cleaning & chopping & putting the fresh veggies & fruit into bite-sized pieces. I put them all in containers in the fridge. I have found that I really don't eat salads. For some reason it just doesn't happen. But I do put a bunch of the veggies & fruits in a soup bowl and have them on hand all day. I find myself kind of "grazing" on them the rest of the day -- until supper time. Sometime around 3:00 PM I will have a some kind of shot of protein, but I really don't seem to be missing my lunch. So, I seem to be down to two "meals" a day -- but seem to be eating all day long!Jase04567@... wrote: With me I graze before choicing lunch and it kills me. DaciaDeaf Lutheran Missionssouth Wisconsinwww.DeafJesus.org For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

January 28, 2007

Something that I've started doing again -- should never have stopped doing it -- is that whenever I go grocery shopping, I don't put the produce away right away. I spend some time cleaning & chopping & putting the fresh veggies & fruit into bite-sized pieces. I put them all in containers in the fridge. I have found that I really don't eat salads. For some reason it just doesn't happen. But I do put a bunch of the veggies & fruits in a soup bowl and have them on hand all day. I find myself kind of "grazing" on them the rest of the day -- until supper time. Sometime around 3:00 PM I will have a some kind of shot of protein, but I really don't seem to be missing my lunch. So, I seem to be down to two "meals" a day -- but seem to be eating all day long!Jase04567@... wrote: With me I graze before choicing lunch and it kills me. DaciaDeaf Lutheran Missionssouth Wisconsinwww.DeafJesus.org For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

January 28, 2007

Hey Sandy do you have a BJs or Cosco. I get 24 bags for $8 and sometimes can get a coupon at the front desk of bjs. I just discovered the cheetos, doritos and sun chips ones. 30 for $10. OOOO and cheex mix carmel and chocalate was 24 for $7. If you think you are going to binge these are great. SWEET, salty, and crunchy. ONe bag is enough.

NH. 246.6

January 28, 2007

> NOW if you would of asked me about making salads ahead of time. NOT

> possible. BUT if you remember cherry tomatoes so salad doesn't get

soggy.

I make a week's worth of salads all the time and store them in a 2-gallon

ziplock baggie. By the end of the week the edges of the lettuce are getting

a bit brown, but otherwise it's fine. Saves TONS of time later in the week.

January 28, 2007

>

> > NOW if you would of asked me about making salads ahead of time.

NOT

> > possible. BUT if you remember cherry tomatoes so salad doesn't

get

> soggy.

>

> I make a week's worth of salads all the time and store them in a 2-

gallon

> ziplock baggie. By the end of the week the edges of the lettuce are

getting

> a bit brown, but otherwise it's fine. Saves TONS of time later in

the week.

>

I also had problems with the lettuce turning brown after a few days -

I was buying the bagged salad. So what I started doing was cutting

the salad stuff and putting into individual re-usuable containers and

then bought heads of lettuce and a bag of spinach. It does require a

little bit of putting together, but not much. I can have a salad put

together in about 5 minutes - and the produce lasts longer than it

used to.

BJ

September 6, 2009

Hi,

I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and has

many characteristics of non verbal learning disorder, and asperberger's.

There's a lot more that I'd like to say at this time, but something occured

today, and I need some ideas on how to approach it. She is very close to her

grandparents, particularly her grandfather (my dad), well, this morning, my

mother called and said that dad has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for

awhile, and she didn't want me to tell my daughter yet, but when I got off the

phone (we were at a restaurant), she asked me what was wrong... I told her that

grandpa was sick. She immediately teared up and started to cry. I got her

calmed down and distracted and things are ok.

Thing is... last week, when we left their house (and she was privy to the

conversation about the spots), she and I talked about the xrays, and I mentioned

that grandpa had worked for over 30 years in the subways of NY, and had smoked

for many years, although he had quit smoking 25 years ago...

Sorry, if I'm not making much sense here, I guess what I'm asking is... what

should I say to her? I've always made it a point to not hide things from her,

and to explain things in an age appropriate way, but I'm at a bit of a loss

here. She's in group therapy to help with the social issues, and in individual

now as well. We recently discovered that she had experimented with cutting 2

yrs ago (nothing recent) which coincided with a long term relationship of mine

going South in a big way, and the loss of a job, and she was miserable at the

one school she was in... , which really just threw me for quite a loop.

help???

Felicia

September 6, 2009

To learn more about cancer, treatments available, and possible resources to help, please reach out to the American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345 or go to www.cancer.org. Cancer information specialists are there to take your calls 24/7, every day of the year. There will not be resources specific to children with Aspergers, but there is information about dealing with a new diagnosis.

Take care,

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: girl.felicia <MoonDancerJax@...> Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:52:22 PMSubject: ( ) Sunday

Hi,I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and has many characteristics of non verbal learning disorder, and asperberger' s. There's a lot more that I'd like to say at this time, but something occured today, and I need some ideas on how to approach it. She is very close to her grandparents, particularly her grandfather (my dad), well, this morning, my mother called and said that dad has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for awhile, and she didn't want me to tell my daughter yet, but when I got off the phone (we were at a restaurant), she asked me what was wrong... I told her that grandpa was sick. She immediately teared up and started to cry. I got her calmed down and distracted and things are ok. Thing is... last week, when we left their house (and she was privy to the conversation about the spots), she and I talked about the xrays, and I mentioned that grandpa had worked for over 30 years in the subways of

NY, and had smoked for many years, although he had quit smoking 25 years ago...Sorry, if I'm not making much sense here, I guess what I'm asking is... what should I say to her? I've always made it a point to not hide things from her, and to explain things in an age appropriate way, but I'm at a bit of a loss here. She's in group therapy to help with the social issues, and in individual now as well. We recently discovered that she had experimented with cutting 2 yrs ago (nothing recent) which coincided with a long term relationship of mine going South in a big way, and the loss of a job, and she was miserable at the one school she was in... , which really just threw me for quite a loop. help???Felicia

September 7, 2009

A little over a year ago, our Poppy, who lived with us for 12 years, passed away from cancer. He lived with us since the day my son was born. He practically raised my son while I went back to work. He was with us up till the week before he passed. It is a very difficult time....

My one thought is that if you have always been truthful to your daughter...then you should be now. Don't go into detail...but she already has idea as she overheard. If you go to the hospice house or American cancer center, you will find literature she can read and information for you on how to explain what is going on. Also there are lots of books availabe for children on dying and death.

It is going to be a difficult time for both of you ....I will not deny it. If your daughter sees a therapist, it would be good for her to talk about it. You daughter may not understand her feelings or even realize and/or connect with her feelings. And, it will be hard on her because as you said she is close to her grandfather.

Keep you eyes open...tell her teachers and guidance counselor. Her guidance counsselor might be able to help to....they need to be aware and keep an eye on her. They need to know so they can understand why she may have outbursts or why she may be quieter than normal. Talking can help.

I will never forget when my son told me that he always worried when the phone rang in school....he was afraid it was me calling to say Poppy had passed. OMG ....how stressful. For a while my son would not leave the property...he didn't want to leave his Poppy and he didn't want me to leave either....he was so afraid...I finally had to force him in the car and go to the doctors. He gave my son a prescription for Xanax to help him thru the stress...it did help.

You know your daughter the best....do what you feel is right. Talk to her, let her read some books and let her spend time with her grandfather. I had my son make a video of his Poppy. He was the camera man and I was the reporter...it was fun. Or maybe your daughter can start making a scrapbook...keep her busy...with good stuff and good memories.

Jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: MacAllister <smacalli@...>Subject: Re: ( ) Sunday Date: Sunday, September 6, 2009, 11:11 PM

To learn more about cancer, treatments available, and possible resources to help, please reach out to the American Cancer Society at 800.227.2345 or go to www.cancer.org. Cancer information specialists are there to take your calls 24/7, every day of the year. There will not be resources specific to children with Aspergers, but there is information about dealing with a new diagnosis.

Take care,

"Over-optimism is waiting for you ship to come in when you haven't sent one out."

From: girl.felicia <MoonDancerJax@ aol.com> Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2009 7:52:22 PMSubject: ( ) Sunday

Hi,I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and has many characteristics of non verbal learning disorder, and asperberger' s. There's a lot more that I'd like to say at this time, but something occured today, and I need some ideas on how to approach it. She is very close to her grandparents, particularly her grandfather (my dad), well, this morning, my mother called and said that dad has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for awhile, and she didn't want me to tell my daughter yet, but when I got off the phone (we were at a restaurant), she asked me what was wrong... I told her that grandpa was sick. She immediately teared up and started to cry. I got her calmed down and distracted and things are ok. Thing is... last week, when we left their house (and she was privy to the conversation about the spots), she and I talked about the xrays, and I mentioned that grandpa had worked for over 30 years in the subways

of NY, and had smoked for many years, although he had quit smoking 25 years ago...Sorry, if I'm not making much sense here, I guess what I'm asking is... what should I say to her? I've always made it a point to not hide things from her, and to explain things in an age appropriate way, but I'm at a bit of a loss here. She's in group therapy to help with the social issues, and in individual now as well. We recently discovered that she had experimented with cutting 2 yrs ago (nothing recent) which coincided with a long term relationship of mine going South in a big way, and the loss of a job, and she was miserable at the one school she was in... , which really just threw me for quite a loop. help???Felicia

September 7, 2009

Good luck with this one..I am having the same type of issues now..and my son is 30. Both of his grandmothers are "not as they used to be" and he is worried. I never know what is going to set him off to the point of nothing can be done to make it right for him so I am careful when I tell him things. What you need to assess is will it be worse for you and your daughter if you withhold information. If you choose to explain the situation I would explain it when you have a lot of time to hash and rehash things that are said. We go through a lot of what ifs around here

M Hawthorne

( ) Sunday

Hi,I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and has many characteristics of non verbal learning disorder, and asperberger's. There's a lot more that I'd like to say at this time, but something occured today, and I need some ideas on how to approach it. She is very close to her grandparents, particularly her grandfather (my dad), well, this morning, my mother called and said that dad has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for awhile, and she didn't want me to tell my daughter yet, but when I got off the phone (we were at a restaurant), she asked me what was wrong... I told her that grandpa was sick. She immediately teared up and started to cry. I got her calmed down and distracted and things are ok. Thing is... last week, when we left their house (and she was privy to the conversation about the spots), she and I talked about the xrays, and I mentioned that grandpa had worked for over 30 years in the subways of NY, and had smoked for many years, although he had quit smoking 25 years ago...Sorry, if I'm not making much sense here, I guess what I'm asking is... what should I say to her? I've always made it a point to not hide things from her, and to explain things in an age appropriate way, but I'm at a bit of a loss here. She's in group therapy to help with the social issues, and in individual now as well. We recently discovered that she had experimented with cutting 2 yrs ago (nothing recent) which coincided with a long term relationship of mine going South in a big way, and the loss of a job, and she was miserable at the one school she was in... , which really just threw me for quite a loop. help???Felicia

September 7, 2009

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad.

Regarding your daughter, I would be very practical in my response. I would tell

her there is no reason to assume the worse. I would focus your daughter on

reading about ways to be a comfort someone when they are not well. And focus her

on showing that she cares about him.

However both you and your Mom may feel too emotional to be

this matter of fact way. It may be that both you and your Mom need some time to

process this news. Although for both of you

the news is the same there is no reason to assume the

worse case.

Pam

-- In , " girl.felicia " <MoonDancerJax@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi,

> I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and

has many characteristics of non verbal learning disorder, and asperberger's.

There's a lot more that I'd like to say at this time, but something occured

today, and I need some ideas on how to approach it. She is very close to her

grandparents, particularly her grandfather (my dad), well, this morning, my

mother called and said that dad has been diagnosed with cancer. We talked for

awhile, and she didn't want me to tell my daughter yet, but when I got off the

phone (we were at a restaurant), she asked me what was wrong... I told her that

grandpa was sick. She immediately teared up and started to cry. I got her

calmed down and distracted and things are ok.

> Thing is... last week, when we left their house (and she was privy to the

conversation about the spots), she and I talked about the xrays, and I mentioned

that grandpa had worked for over 30 years in the subways of NY, and had smoked

for many years, although he had quit smoking 25 years ago...

> Sorry, if I'm not making much sense here, I guess what I'm asking is... what

should I say to her? I've always made it a point to not hide things from her,

and to explain things in an age appropriate way, but I'm at a bit of a loss

here. She's in group therapy to help with the social issues, and in individual

now as well. We recently discovered that she had experimented with cutting 2

yrs ago (nothing recent) which coincided with a long term relationship of mine

going South in a big way, and the loss of a job, and she was miserable at the

one school she was in... , which really just threw me for quite a loop.

> help???

> Felicia

>

September 7, 2009

Thank you! I had a discussion with my daughter this morning about it as we were

going to go over there and have lunch. I wasn't sure what to expect,

behavior-wise from my mother (she doesn't " do " stress very well, never has), so

I wanted to prepare my daughter. She handled it very well, and I explained that

right now we just didn't have much information, and in any case, we will handle

it.

She seemed fine with it. I will let her therapist know as well though.

Felicia

> >

> > Hi,

> > I've just joined the group. My daughter is 15, just entering 9th grade, and