Since my last post, where I ended with a few quick lines about arranging fundraising events. I have recieved e-mails, texts and phone calls about so many people willing to help us and some who have already initiated their own fundraising efforts on our behalf.... I can't expressed how touched we are. Our expectation was to go ahead and inform everyone of how our financial situation has just crumbled since Nevan got sick and ask our good friends for some much needed help through this. Without an explanation, without even asking, friends and family are pulling together to help us get back up on our feet, obviously caring enough to let us know that no explanation is necessary.... We however feel the need to fill you in anyway....
I know Craig posted some of the details about our dealings with our insurance company, EI etc, so I won't be too long winded. The order of events were like this:
1. In May Craig signed up both kids for Critical Care insurance through his employer (Toyota) benefit plan. A process which included checking off a box on the computer.
2. We bought and moved into a larger house on June 8th.
3. Nevan was showing behavioural issues indicating he was not adjusting well to my long work hours. I gave notice to my work that I was going to drop down to part time to spend more time with him. No clue at this point that his behaviour changes were from the Leukemia.
4. Craig had to go off on Short Term Disability for his Leg. In which he has a painful condition that makes it very difficult for him to be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time. All medical appointments were completed, paper work filled in and the claim was approved. Treatment: Surgery. The waiting period is 1 year to get in to see a surgeon and then another possible year before Surgery can be completed.
5. Nevan is diagnosed with Leukemia early Morning on Friday July 13th. I contacted my work and let them know the situation. I left my job so I could stay home and care for Nevan as he now needs 24 hour care.
6. Craig contacted his insurance company to collect on the critical care insurance that he signed up for in May. The insurance company took down all relavant information, sent us out a package for us to fill out, had us get Nevan's Oncologist to fill out paperwork and had us forward Nevan's medical records for review. (alot of time and effort for us to get this done considering the situation we were just thrown into). After all was done and handed in, we get a phone call letting us know that Nevan's policy is now null and void because he was diagnosed with Cancer within a 90 day moritorium they have written in the fine print (yet did not make us aware of when we signed up for this policy). I am angry that such a stupid policy even exists, but even so... The insurance company lacked the morality and common sense to make us aware of this when we initially called to make our claim. They took away precious time that we could have been spending with Nevan and the rest of our family, that the oncologist could have been tending to the other important things he does in a day, that our GP could have been seeing other patients only to turn us down for a reason that existed the moment we picked up the call and made the first contact with them. The insurance company padded their billion dollar pockets with our full premium while providing us partial coverage without fully informing us of this 'small' point.
7. This same insurance company called Craig shortly there after to 'interview' him about his leg claim only to let him know that they are ending his claim because they feel he has had enough time to 'recover from his illness'. Apparently the insurance company is legally able to disregard the tests, letters and recommendations from Craig's Drs that say the only possibly treatment is surgery, in order to form their own conclusions about what an appropriate treatment (in this case 2 weeks of rest) should be. UGHH... Now Craig is in the appeal process along with his Dr to again explain to this insurance company that he cannot work without treatment on his leg... but until this process is completed, they will not provide any payment.
8. I have applied for illness benefits at the recommendation of Nevan's Social worker. She said all her kids parents do this and collect the 15 weeks of illness benefits they are entitled do based on the fact that the amount of stress they are under is causing them to be incabable of working. I applied for this benefit along with a medical certificate from my Dr stating the situation and the immense stress I am currently under, however Service Canada has said that this will be a long shot because it is my son that is sick... not me. Our social worker was floored when we told her and has never heard such a thing. The decision is still being processed, so lets cross our fingers that something will come together here and we will be able to float for a few more months at least.
Ok, so perhaps this was a little long winded. Craig and I are just absolutely beside ourselves that on top of dealing with the stress of Nevan being so sick, we are being forced to deal with all of this financial nonsense. It seems that all of these policies are in place to give people piece of mind while they dont need help, however once they do need assistance it is only paid out if there are no loop holes they can use to get out of it. I am not sure the stress level in our house could get any higher... Thank you again to all of our friends and family who are putting in so much effort to try and bring it down.
Cute Story of the Day:
Nevan: "Mommy, I don't think I will be eating asking for any more noodles today"
Me: "That's good Nevan because I don't think I will be giving you any more noodles today!"
Nevan: " I know, I eat too much noodles and then my tummy hurts"
Me: "Yup... You can have noodles, you just have to eat other things throughout the day as well"
Nevan: "I know..."
30 min or so pass....
Nevan: "Mommy, can I have some more noodles?"
Me: "Sorry Nevan, you had a tonne of noodles today. If you want more noodles, you will have to eat something else first"
Nevan bursts out crying!
Me: "Nevan, remember we talked about this? Other foods, then Noodles for desert... "
Nevan: still crying..."That was so long ago mommy!! Look how long I went without noodles!"
ahhhhhhhh steroids!
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