Cranio Cleft Team Appointment at UCSF

I did not write about our insurance problems that we have had recently. To make a long story short, our insurance (which we upgraded to the best upon Lily's homecoming because we knew she would have so many appointments to go to) was no longer being accepted at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital (Stanford's children's hospital). We went to 2 appointments in October (plastics and audiology, you remember) and received a tremendous bill for them. When I called to find out what was up, I found out that Lucille Packard was not contracted at that time. Yes, even though my husband works at Stanford, as a physician mind you . . . our own child was not covered at the children's hospital. So I made an appointment at UCSF which is covered and a preferred provider. In the meantime, the contract has been renegotiated between LPCH and our Anthem Blue Cross - but I think that this whole experience left such a bad taste in my mouth that we decided to just go to UCSF.

Also - they were able to get Lily in this past Monday for her cleft team appointment. I called Thursday, and the appointment was Monday. Amazing!

Anyway, Monday was crazy. I was zapped afterwards, but boy was it productive and high yield. I had to send the 2 older boys to a friend's house at 7 am so that they could get a ride to Chinese school which does not start until 8:30. Then, Dave and I took Lily and Aaron (poor guy had to accompany us) to SF. The appointment was at 9, and we got there in plenty of time. Lily saw the speech therapist, the social worker, the nurse practitioner (she runs the show!), the plastic surgeon, the ENT doctor, the orthodontist, and the geneticist. Crazy, huh? It was great, though. She had to have a blood draw for one more test - a chromosomal ray (not sure if that is the official name) which basically maps out her chromosomes. If you remember, please pray for those results (which should be ready in 2-3 weeks). I hope that her cleft lip and palate are just structural issues and there are no accompanying problems with them.

Everyone was very informative and nice. After the blood draw, it was 2pm! We headed to the foodcourt on campus and ate at Panda Express. Then it was off to pick up the boys and then to piano lessons.

By this time, it was time to go directly to Dave's colleagues home for trick or treating (separate post if I can get motivated). So it was an exhausting day - but I am so glad that Lily got to be seen by so many specialists all in one fell swoop.

Also - the next day the administrative assistant for the plastic surgeon, Dr. Hoffman, called and told us that Lily's palate surgery is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd. I have to say it was a relief to get that scheduled (I know it needs to be done), but also I am getting nervous!