Mixed Bag

Sooo... lots happening, and this is more for family and friends that care to read it, so feel free to skip this post if you aren't interested in our mundane daily life.

Sadie
Took her in again Friday, still running low grade fever. Was diagnosed with (sigh) an ear infection. Isn't that why I went in the first place? This time her pulse ox was 99, where it should be. She's very congested, so perhaps that's something to do with it. To clarify everything we're going to her cardiologist Friday. Hopefully we can get some answers and (cross your fingers) a clean report.

The Harlie Fundraiser
I'm happy to report that the total raised was $56,000!!! Thanks to all of you who sponsored my run or donated and to you guys who went the extra mile and did some fundraising yourselves. Big props to my sister-in-law Kim for her Kaiser group, Jamie and the Ashland Jaycees and my friend Jen in sunny CA for going the extra mile to get donations. (Not that I wasn't touched by everyone who gave - your gifts were incredibly generous!). Harlie seemed to enjoy the occasion, and I know her parents are very, very happy, grateful and relieved. She's gearing up for a Nissen surgery later this month, and jaw surgery in June, so keep her in your thoughts/prayers.

My First 10K
In context with the Harlie fundraiser, I ran my first 10K. I did not train before hand, and I really, really wish I had. I meant to, just didn't quite get there. I managed to get through in 1 hr 22 min, and was disappointed that I hadn't pushed myself earlier on. I stopped and walked around half a mile in mile 2, and I think I could have made it without stopping in hindsight. I'd just never run 10k before, so I had no clue how my body would handle the later miles. Turns out that this fat butt still likes to run, and once I got going again in mile 3 at a good pace, I was ok. Slow, but jogging. I was pumped up by the time I crossed the line, and kind of got teary just knowing that I'd done something I'd never done before... on my own. Next year I hope to recruit a few to run with me. In the meantime, I'm thinking I should get back into running and try the 5k next month. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy long runs. Thanks to Amanda for letting me snag your bib. Hope you feel better soon and can get back to running.

Insurance, Insurance, Insurance!!!!
SADIE IS INSURED AGAIN! After months of being uninsured (and previous months on only a "supplemental" plan), we finally found a company to insure her! I won't say who it is, because I don't want to jinx it (they clearly coded her wrong in their system, but I'm not saying a WORD!). But we're covered, and covered pretty well in terms of insurance options available. A recorded message called Thursday with the news and I cried. Seriously. There's a first - crying over a pre-recorded phone message. I'm becoming a total sap these days. It's just in time, as we have to get Sadie into the cardiologist next week, which isn't cheap.

The agent who worked so diligently to find insurance we could afford and that would accept Sadie is Tammy White. I'm putting in a shameless plug here for her - she went 10,000 miles beyond the call of duty to help us out. She also has a child with a CHD. If you've been screwed by insurance like we have, I highly recommend her:

Tammy White
Vice President/Benefits Specialist
Chas. Lunsford Sons & Associates
800-777-5773

I'd be remiss not to say here that I owe not only our insurance solution, but also the balance billing removal to a local "heart" mom and friend, Christy Davis, who is the co-coordinator of Mended Little Hearts here in central VA. She's given me advise that has literally saved our family from financial ruin, and I can't thank her enough. Christy, I owe you... BIG time!! Thank you, thank you.

I have more, but will save for later dates, as some (such as the Sadie's heart tissue donor) take much longer to tell. Thanks for checking in!