Introducing......

Wesley Jay!

Friday's (?) Fab Five

As predicted, I forgot to do my Friday's Fab Five post on Friday. I had a good excuse this week though. We left town on Friday, to go to Mexico Beach, FL where William participated in the Beach Blast Triathlon (another post on that later) and I barely turned my computer on for two days. When I was catching up on blogs I remembered when I read Jenni's blog (also as predicted) and figured better late than never.

Participating can be as simple as answering the questions in the comments for this post. Or, it can be as intense as answering the questions by commenting on Froggarita's blog, commenting on my blog, and posting about the event on your own blog. The only rule is that you can't use the same answer twice.

1. What is the funniest book you’ve ever read?

I have read through several Far Side books by Gary Larson. They always make me laugh real hard. I'm not sure if that counts though, so I'll also say I am America (And So Can You), by Stephen Colbert. Its pure nonsense, but totally funny.

2. What is the worst book you’ve ever read?

This is a tough one to answer, because I usually don't finish books I'm not enjoying, so I can't really say I've read them. The most recent book I didn't finish was Dead Until Dark, by Charlaine Harris. It was too racy for me, but even beyond that I kinda hated the characters, and thought the story itself was not that interesting. Kinda a disappointment, because I had a lot of friends that loved that series.

3. Who is your favorite couple?

That would be Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. Of course. And especially when Mr. Darcy looks like Colin Firth in my head.

4. What book/series would you take with you on a long flight?

Probably the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Its engaging, fun, and time passes quickly when I'm reading it.

5. What is the one book you’d have with you if stranded on a deserted island?

I should say the scriptures, but let's assume that's a given. So, I'll go with Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. It might give me ideas on how to survive.

Costco: A gift from God

So... yesterday I was really worrying about the triathlon my husband has been training for. He has been working SO hard, and he is feeling confident and ready for it. My big concern was that my being sick was gonna put a lot of stress on the whole thing and ruin the event for him. We are in the middle of our FOURTH appeal to get Medicaid to pay for the meds I need. I'm seriously doubting that we'll hear back from them in time for next week-end, and with each appeal I loose hope that they'll ever approve it.

In light of all this, William and I were thinking maybe we could just buy me some pills to help me get through next week-end, so that we wouldn't have to worry about things. I called the Walgreens pharmacy and asked them how much money it would be to just fill my Rx. That would have been 30 pills of the generic Zofran ODT, 8mg. It would have been OVER $600.00. 30 pills will get me through 10 days. Even if I just wanted enough pills to get me through next week-end I would need 9 or 10, which would be over $200.00. For 3 days. Needless to say, that's not something we could do. I was pretty despondent about that, but we just decided I'd make one of my trips to the hospital Friday morning before we headed to the beach for the triathlon, so that I'd be all hydrated and would hopefully make it through.

Fast forward to today, when I was sitting on the couch filling sick and sorry for myself because my husband was off shopping at Costco and enjoying fun samples and I can't EAT, when something clicked in brain. I'd read on one of the hyperemesis messages boards I visit that some people are able to get their (generic) Zofran at Costco for much cheaper than other pharmacies. I thought it was worth a shot, so I picked up the phone and gave them a call. It went something like this (I'm paraphrasing a great deal):

"How much would would 30 pills of the generic Zofran ODT in 8 mg be?"

"$29.78"

.......................

"I'm sorry, what?"

"$29.78"

"Can I get my prescription transferred to you please?"

My world just got a LOT better.

We picked up some pills this afternoon, and it should take about 24 hours of me taking them regularly to feel a lot better, but things have already improved.... like I've been able to eat and drink. Man alive, drinking water is fantastic. Its WAY better than having it inserted into your veins via an IV.

It would still be nice if Medicaid accepted the appeal, but if they don't, $100.00 a month for these meds is something that William and I can totally work out. I'm so happy I could cry. Well, I have cried. I'm so. freaking. happy.

I don't know how Costco does it, and I don't really care. I just love them for it.

Friday's Fab Five

I just got this idea from my friend Jenni's blog. I like it, and think it will at least give me a reason to blog once a week. I don't promise to always remember to do it though. I will probably remember as long as Jenni does, because when she does it will remind me.

Participating can be as simple as answering the questions in the comments for this post. Or, it can be as intense as answering the questions by commenting on Froggarita's blog, commenting on my blog, and posting about the event on your own blog. The only rule is that you can't use the same answer twice.

Here are the first 5:

1. Book next to your bed right now: Gathering Storm, by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. Not "technically" by my bed right now, but the book I am in the middle of. I've been in the middle of it for months now. I can't read while I'm pregnant. Its the weirdest thing because I've always been a reader and normally will be reading several books at once. The same thing happened when I was pregnant with John. Its like I just can't concentrate with pregnancy brain. In the month after John was born I think I read 20 books. It was like I was dying of thirst and found a well.

2. Favorite series: Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. When you read these books as a child you think they are written for you as a child. Then when you read them as an adult and you realize that there is so much more there, and that they are written to remind adults of special, important things.

3. Favorite book: Life and Death in Shanghai, by Nien Cheng. This was a tough question because there are so many books that I love. But, I chose this one because it really affected my outlook on life. I feel like every American should read this book so that they can stop bitching about how their government is "going too far" and "taking away too many freedoms." The comparison to what real communism looks like is insulting. Beyond that, Nien Cheng's life story is inspiring. She is an amazing, strong woman.

4. Favorite character: Faramir, in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This was another tough one, but I chose Faramir because he was proof that man (and not a special man that lived a super long time and hung out with elves, just a normal man) could be pure in heart, magnanimous, and untainted by the evil that surrounded him. If you've only seen the movies and not read the books this will confuse you. This was one change in the movies that I HATED.

5. Best villain: Snape, in the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling. I know its controversial to name Snape as a "villain". But he hated Harry, and Harry hated him. The fact that he also happened to by one of Harry's bravest allies doesn't change that. One of the things I love about J.K. Rowling's characters is that they show that nice doesn't equal good, and mean doesn't equal evil. Snape was a mean, bitter man. And really good guy.

Happy (Belated) Easter

John had a good time getting his basket Easter morning. He really loves getting new stuff. His basket just included a cute sippy cup, a carrot of bubbles (the bubbles were a BIG hit), a stuffed frog, and cute book of Bible stories. I still haven't let him have any candy or sweets yet, so it didn't have any of the good stuff in it. Its okay though, he didn't seem to notice.

He was, of course, madly excited about the new book. The kid is obsessed with books. I meant to blog about this awhile ago, but forgot.
And, as you can see the basket was decorated with a hat. He totally surprised us later in the day by saying, "Hat." and placing it on his head. I don't where he picks it all up, but new words are just spilling out of his mouth every day.In fact, a few days ago he brought me a book - it was actually a Pilates instruction book he'd some how gotten his hands on - and wanted me to read it to him (obsessed, I tell you.) Once I started reading it, he was less interested in it than he thought he'd be, so we ended up just examining the front cover. He surprised me again by pointing at the P and saying (are you ready for this?) "P!" Trying to figure out if he was a fluke or not I started pointing to other letters. He responded appropriately with "S!" "E!" and "T!". He could also identify I, but L sounded just like I - L is not a sound he can make yet. And A sounded more like "ahhhh". Those were all the letters we tried out (remember it was a Pilates book) but this morning he did it again while watching "Super Why" (His favorite show is, of course, about reading.). The letter S popped up on the screen (it was a super letter, a part of the super story answer, for those of you familiar with the show.) and he shouted, "S!" I guess I need to take a more vested interest in working on the alphabet with him. Apparently my 15 month old is ready for that. (???!)

Wouldn't it be nice?

I'm still sick. Its the reason I haven't posted anything in a while - on my blog or on facebook - because I get tired of saying "I'm sick." all the time.
So a quick update then: When I posted before about medications I was trying I mentioned that Zofran wasn't working as well as with my last pregnancy. What I didn't mention at the time, because I didn't think it made a difference, was that Medicaid was actually limiting how much Zofran I could get each month. At first I didn't care, because like I said it wasn't working as well anyway. But, I had kind of forgotten what a difference it makes to have Zofran in the orally dissovable form. Its a HUGE difference for me. Like, the difference between feeling sick and feeling normal.

When I was reminded of this, all of the sudden it was a big deal that Medicaid would only give me six pills a month - enough for a day and a half, for the record. (and before I get lots of comments about Medicaid and the government, please know that they are not unique in this problem. Zofran, even its generic, is an incredibly expensive mediciation. Many insurance companies limit its coverage. In all the hyperemesis research I've done, I've come across a LOT of women who've had trouble getting their hands on it. I was just lucky enough in my last pregnancy not to have that problem. And, at least Medicaid gives you the opportunity to appeal the limits.) The doctor's office I started out my pregnancy with (that's a whole other story) was so disorganized that I couldn't get them to do an effective appeal for me. I switched back to my old OB, but saddly two appeals later and the answer has still been no. We're in the process of the third appeal, and since my condition is just getting worse and worse, we're hoping that I'll eventually meet whatever criteria they are looking for. And maybe realize that paying for the meds would be cheaper than paying for me to go into triage (the ER for pregnant women) to get fluids twice a week.

So, it was in the midst of all this, that an old college friend - who is Irish, lives in Utah, but is at home right now visiting family in the UK - posted this status on facebook: "Hurray for the EFFECIENT NHS - one phonecall to the out of hours doctor, 5 mins later 3 expensive (brand name) medications on a prescription to be picked up for FREE and I'll only have to wait 5-10 mins at the chemist to get them - not drive through a chemist and be told to come back 1/2 and hour later to collect them then come back and wait another 5 minutes for them to process paperwork - HAPPY DAYS!!!!!!"

I experienced some serious jealousy. Wouldn't it be nice if someone would just give me the meds I need because I need them? Its intensely frustrating to be this sick and know there is a solution, but not able to get my hands on it.