Ask Heavenly Father

I realize it has been a long time since I have updated the blog.  I don’t know why, but every time I have started typing, I have not felt like writing anything.  Chalk it up to writers block.  I thought I would give you all (at least those of you still here) an update.

Little Angel is doing so good.  The doctors are so happy with her health.  She is growing like crazy.  In the last month or so she is sitting up by herself and is working on using her hands and legs.  She loves to be with her mom and sisters.  They take very good care of her.  In the last month or so, her heart has checked out and shows no ill signs of the hypertension she was born with.  The cardiologist said we would not need to be seen for 6-9 months.  The pulmonologist said that her lungs sound really good as well.

Little Angel will be getting a cranial helmet.  Since she was born, she has favored looking to the right thus causing her head to not form in the correct shape.  We have been trying for a couple of months to make sure she is facing to the left if she has to lay down.  Now that she is sitting, we try to have her sit up as much as possible.  She will have to wear the helmet for 3-4 months.

Unfortunately, our insurance has denied our claim for the helmet, so we will be selling advertising space on her head (helmet) .  Having Alea has opened my eyes to some of the issues of healthcare.  I thought I had a valid opinion before Little Angel was born, but I must admit, I have become a little less opinionated about most things over the last 7 months.  I certainly don’t base my opinions from things I hear on the news regardless how fair and balanced they may or may not be.

The doctor at Primary Children’s said they rank the severity of needing a helmet on a scale from 1 to 10.  1 being least severe, and 10 being the most severe.  Little Angel’s head ranked at a 9.  Research shows that if it is not fixed now, it may need to be fixed through surgery later.  Research also shows that if not treated it could cause hearing and vision issues (If interested in the research let me know I can send the articles to you). 

Our insurance considers it to be a cosmetic treatment just as it considers braces to be a cosmetic treatment.  When I found that out, I was surprised the insurance company didn’t include a copy of Carli Simon’s famous single.  I understand that there are cosmetic advantages that will come from this treatment.  Little Angel is more alike than she is different, her head shape does not need to contribute to her differences no matter how vain the insurance thinks that makes her.

I have had this post in my head for some time, but I have hesitated in sharing it.  I have struggled between sharing too much of our challenge that people may think we are a charity case, or that I am seeking pity. Our family has been very blessed, and Alea will get the treatment she needs.  These helmets are expensive.  We are appealing the insurance’s decision and are hoping they will understand that the helmet is medically necessary.  If not, we will make it work. 

This has caused me to stop and think about the state of healthcare in this day and age.  In no way do I want this blog to be a political blog, but my perspective has been changed.  Regardless of which side of the argument you fall on, there is one point that should be agreed upon by all.  Something needs to be done.  What if there was no way we could make it work?  What if Jodi and I were working two jobs just to make ends meet, and a helmet was not an option.  I am sure there are people in that situation.

I have heard both sides.  The government should step in and help everyone without insurance, while the other side cries that this is socialism taking hold of America.  I find myself somewhere in the middle, understanding that changes need to be made.  In church today we learned about charity. 

While the politicians argue about what is right and wrong about our healthcare, I would encourage you to consider what YOU are doing to help those in need.  Charity doesn’t come from the government, it comes from us.  If you are able and are not doing anything for those who need, I would encourage you to pray and ask Heavenly Father who you can help, and how you can help them.  It may be He answers telling you to send support to earthquake victims in Japan, or He may answer telling you to help the family down the street.  When you receive that answer, do what He asks you to do.

Our family is very lucky.  We have great support from family, friends, and neighbors as we are able to meet our needs.  I am sure that there are those in this world who could use the help, some of them being much closer than Japan.  Our little angel is opening my eyes to this every day.

Mosiah 4:26

“And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.”