Day 70 - August 24 - New concerns
We can use your prayers on Monday as we go to battle the insurance company. After a lot of research over the weekend, as well as finally finding a decent support group online, we are pretty sure that none of the alternatives presented to us so far have really been in Connor's best interests. While we really want to get closer to home, ensuring quality rehab for him is a higher priority, and so we are going to be pushing hard tomorrow for a facility with a proven record dealing with SCI patients as well as one which is currently accredited (interestingly enough, Valley used to be accredited but lost it). There's a pretty good one in LA, the second best in the nation is in Seattle, and the best in the nation is in Chicago. There are also good ones in Denver and Atlanta, and we feel we need to push to have Connor moved to one of these places. These rehab centers will push him to improve and will look at possibilities and options, rather than just "care" for him by putting him in a room and hopefully weaning him from his respirator. We're told that many of these will begin rehab while he's on a ventilator, which is different from the story the hospital and Valley were telling us. We'll see, but the more we look at the situation, the more we feel that the insurance company is trying to save money rather than get Connor the care he needs.
So I would appreciate your prayers - that we would reflect Christ as we deal with the people involved; that the folks who make the decisions would be moved to support our concerns; and that Connor's needs would be met. We know God has a plan for us - and since no door has opened thus far, we're going to knock on all the ones we think are the best. Hopefully He will open one!
Additionally, we realized this weekend that Connor's feeding tube is not being used for anything other than medications, which can now be taken orally. As such, we're approaching the doctors tomorrow morning to discuss having that tube removed and getting rid of that source of infection. Please pray that God would prepare a way for us.
Love to you all,
Eric
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posted by Eric Williamson @ 11:00 PM
16 Comments
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16 Comments:
I just got an answer to prayer....that the best care for Connor would be the standard in choosing the next facility! WOW, your thinking has really clarified!
Now I'm praying with you that each person who stands in your way will empathize with Connor and bend over backwards for him!
Lotsa love.
I was filled with joy as I read your post. I'm watching your journey through this wild ride with no instruction manual and only small clues from people here and there and the leading of the Holy Spirit and I am seeing the blossoming of a wonderful advocate you are becoming for your son.
As you earn your "Honorary Medical Degree" you will learn how to question everything. You will start to look for your own paths to get to the intended destination (not just relying on the info that the insurance company or the doctors give you) A word of caution here: sometimes they are right. It becomes an interesting balancing act, trying to figure out when they are right and when they are not. And when they are not, it becomes even trickier to get your point across without making them mad. (Well, more so the doctors on that one) You might not have a medical degree but you have common sense and the Holy Spirit (who teaches us all things) to guide you.
Anyway, I can see that coming through in this post. I believe you are right where you need to be: willing to fight for what is best for Connor but yet yielding to what God has for him.
A thought about the insurance co. - You mentioned him going out of state. Make sure that your insurance co. would cover the same amount (sometimes things are different in another state). Also, I mentioned earlier that at a certain point (here in CA) Medi-Cal will kick in (usually the insurance stops paying after a certain amount of days) - Medi-Cal is only in CA. So if he goes out of state make sure you question what happens after the insurance stops paying.
A thought about the feeding tube - I'm assuming this is a surgically placed tube. I wouldn't push to take it out just yet. If Connor has a bout with illness and isn't able to eat the calories that he needs he can get what he needs through the tube. If his calorie intake gets too low his body will start consuming his muscle. At this point, you need to save as much muscle as possible since he isn't moving his own body, yet. If the tube comes out and he needs it again later, that means another surgery. Every surgery is hard on the body. It staying in won't necessarily encourage an infection in the same way that a pic line or even a trach would. Disclaimer: This is just my humble opinion which was gathered from the earning of my "Honorary Medical Degree". But in the spirit of questioning everything, I encourage you to ask your doctor what she thinks. I just wanted to point out that in the big scheme of things your energies are better spent on getting Connor placed where he needs to be.
...and I will be praying accordingly.
I'm looking forward to your next post.
Thanking God that He gave you the perfect timing of the weekend to do your research! We'll be praying all day as you knock on doors.
Sandi
Gilroy
Dear Eric, Cherie, Connor and Joelle,
We will be praying for you throughout the day, that God will bring Connor to the best care possible and that you will have peace in this situation.
20)Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
21) For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
22) Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.
Ps 33:20-22
May God's mercy be upon you this day. Many Blessings, Bill and Jann
Tex & Cherie - Good luck with your negotiations. We'd sure hate to lose you from CA, but certainly understand what's best for Connor comes first here. Thinking about you always.
Lisa S.
Dear Williamson Family,
You will be in my prayers today for the doors to open up for the best rehabilitation facility for Connor. My sense is that God is leading you with wisdom and I pray that He will continue to direct your words, actions and decisions as you meet with the insurance and medical personnel. May our Lord continue to bless and strengthen your resolve.
Encouraged to see you seeking what is best for Connor, not just convenient. May God be glorified & honored as you seek the best for Connor's best care. Thanking God for the medical staff that Connor has had & the ones in the future that God will provide.
'but just as it is written,
"Things which eye has not seen & ear has not heard, & which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him."
I Cor. 2:9
Have a blessed Monday!
You long to go home. You long even more for Connor's healing. Praying for your strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other, for a clear head to sort through all of the details with the insurance company, and that God will soften the hearts of those who make the decision. And STILL praying for the miracle.
I Thessalonians 3:13:
May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Sherri
I wish you all the very best. The support that has been shown is amazing and will pay off in the end. Keep trying to remain as positive as possible. Things may take awhile to get better, but rest assured they will.
I am praying that you will find
"favor" with the Insurance company, with the person who has the "power"
to make the best decisions for Connor.
God is our power; He is in control.
May all things/decisions fall into place so that you may have rest and comfort.
I pray through out the day for you all. Morning, noon, and night....and middle of the night awakened, I think of you all.
Bonnie
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of all His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” ~Ephesians 1:18-19
I will pray that the best possible care for Connor will be made available and that God will grant you clarity and wisdom as you make important decisions. You all encourage and challenge me as you continually strive to reflect Christ in all you do.
Alice Z.
I understand how difficult it is to maintain your "testimony" when dealing with the insurance situations. I had a terrible time with mine that lasted "forever" (in my opinion), and my difficulties were minute compared to Connor's circumstances. Believe me, when I tell you, I had so many people praying that the insurance company would work with me. You know what!?! They were answered too. Boy, can those people at West Hills pray! :)
Brendan and I are still praying every day. He mentions Connor every time he prays, and I know there are so many other boys who admired him greatly, praying for him too.
Did I ever tell you that my little nephew and son used to fight who got to "play the drums" when they listened to the worship music? I finally had to tell them that one could be "Connor" and the other could be "David." The great thing is that both David and Connor are such great examples to them, and I thank you for that. To have such "men" in the church for my son to look up to is still such a blessing.
Even through Connor's trial, he is still teaching Brendan how to depend on God. It's easy to praise Him when things are going well, but when things are "horrible," Connor is still praising Him.
Oh, I understand there are bad days, but he is still teaching my son in more ways than he could ever imagine.
My prayer is that God would heal him completely, and give you the grace you need continually as you head down this pathway for now.
God bless you all!
Chelle
We know your "hearts desire" was to be near home. And I know it was everyones. I guess I along with other's, assumed that in the Bay Area of all places, would have many wonderful rehab. places to go to.
Wouldn't think you'd have to go to Chicago, or other far away places for excellent care. What's wrong with our area, they need to get their act together! =0) We don't even have good Christian Colleges in this area like one would assume.
So, I know many were assuming, and hoping that this area would have excellent Rehab. centers, but I guess we were wrong. You are right in trying to find the best facility for your son. We will be praying for wisdom, strength, and the insurance company to respond well to whatever place you feel is right.
We'll continue to pray for God's hand in this situation.
Kim
Love to hear that you, Eric and Cherie have come to surrender to God and pack up and move if needed. This is wonderful to hear such positive words and a willing spirit. It certainly won't be easy but God is going with you all as you bring Him Glory in whatever facility He puts Connor. God Bless you all as your journey turns a corner, and who knows, maybe God just wanted to see if you were willing to pack up as the Isralites did many, many times and will bless you and find you a facility you haven't heard of yet in this area! We will continue to pray for the situation to be simple and clear for you. God Bless you dear Williamson's.
Hi, I just read Monday's message and I think you made the best decision. I told my husband yesterday that I hope they chose for what is best for Connor and there you did. We will pray that God will lead you to the best place and that He will take care of you and your family as well as Connor. Former Fresno resident, Marge
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