Medicine = Candy?

Kyle does not like taking medicine, especially if it's liquid.  He would never be able to take a pill either.  We do know he likes his gummy vitamins.  When it comes to medicine, we are hesitant to try them with Kyle because we know he won't take them.  The doctor suggested Benadryl that comes in strips that melt on your tongue.  I couldn't find that type at the store, so I bought a chewable Benadryl.  I wasn't sure if he would take it, so I made a big scene with it.  I asked (Kyle's) Daddy if he wanted some CANDY!?  Of course, that catches Kyle's attention.  Shannon and I make a big production out of the candy.  As Shannon is opening up the "candy" he pretends to bring it to his mouth and Kyle snatches it out of his hand to eats it right up!

We do what we have to do to get him to take Benadryl so his hives will go away! 

Went to doctor

We sent Kyle to school yesterday, even though he still have hives. I also sent him to school with a note letting the teacher know about his hives and if needed, we could come pick him up. The school nurse only comes in on Wednesdays and they decided that we should take him home.  Kyle loves school so much, he didn't want to leave, so he was unhappy for a few hours after we got home.

I called to make an appointment for Kyle yesterday and she was able to fit him in this morning at 9am.  Luckily he is still on Medicaid, but since moving here, we hadn't set him up with a new doctor.  The doctor confirmed it was hives and recommended Benadryl.  I also asked for a doctor's note since the school asked for one.

I chose the same doctor that both Shannon and I have already been to.  He recognized me immediately, probably because he's asian and there are not a lot of asians around here!  

Surgery

Shannon had his surgery yesterday!  He was gone from 11am and didn't get home until 8:20pm or so.  While he was gone, it was just Kyle and me!  We had fun!  I read a book and wrote a review, did two loads of laundry and did some cleaning here and there. 

Before coming home, they stopped at CVS for a prescription (vicodin) and a few other things.  Shannon had called me about 3 hours after his surgery and said he would need ice packs.  So I took Kyle for a walk and we went to Walgreens to get two ice packs.  They happen to be "buy one get one 50%" so I paid under $5 for two of them.  I also used $3 in Register Rewards. 

It sounds like Shannon will be recovering for at least 5 days.  Thankfully we don't have any obligations, such as school, work, etc.

Our couch is scheduled to arrive today!  I am so excited! 

I just learned something!

A few weeks ago, I noticed that after my workouts, I get red in the face and it has never happened before!  I drink water during and after my workout, just because I  know I need to stay hydrated.  I have also noticed that I get a little more sweaty during my workouts too.  I thought it could be the weather, but I workout between 6am-8am or so.

Out of the blue, I decided to look up one of the medications I have been taking for a month and read the side effects.  I don't like taking medications because of the long list of side effects and the dependency of a doctor and pharmacy.  Here is the side effect that caught my eye: This medication can cause decreased sweating. Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather, saunas, or during exercise or other strenuous activities since heatstroke may occur.

When I clicked on "heatstroke," two of the things listed caught my eye:
Sweating that may be heavy or may have stopped.
Skin that may be red, hot, and dry, even in the armpits.

I did noticed an increase in sweat during my workouts and my face is red afterwards!  Scary!  I am just glad I know why both things were happening to me. 

A refill

Earlier this month, I mentioned having to pay $3 for medication.  Well, I had to get a refill, so I called my doctor to see if I could get the "generic" form of the medication.  Anyway, I went to pick up my prescription and was told by the pharmacy that there isn't a generic form!  So, I had to pay another $3!  Oh well, $3 is much better than $188.99!!! 

While at Walgreens, I bought a few things.  They were either on sale or free.  I only used 2 coupons and still saved almost $19!!  Here's what I bought:

 

Huggies ~ on sale for $8.99

Total: $8.99

Arizona Green Tea ~ $0.99 each.  Used Walgreens coupon 2/$1
Total: $1

Pantene Conditioner ~ $4.99  Used a coupon from Pantene
Total: FREE

Finesse Shampoo and Conditioner (BOGO FREE) ~ $3.99 for both*
Total: $1.99 after $2 Finesse rebate

Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics ~ 2/$3
Total: FREE with $3 in Register Rewards towards next purchase

(Not pictured)

Walgreens brand Wet Cleaning Clothes (for the Swiffer) (BOGO FREE) ~ $3.99
Total Savings: $18.95

I saved how much?!

My last prescription was ready at Walgreens yesterday, so we all jumped in the car to pick it up.  I would have walked, but it was super hot and humid outside.  If I attempted to leave, Kyle would have wanted to go with me and walking with him slows me down, which means more sweat and more time in the hot sun! 

I only had to pay $3 for my prescription since we have Medicaid.  When I opened my wallet, I saw that I only had $2 and then I checked the other slot in my wallet and saw that I had $5, otherwise, I would have had to use my bank card for a $3 purchase.  As I was walking away from the counter, I looked at the paperwork that was stapled to my bag and it said, "With your insurance, you saved $188.99."  I was shocked at how much this medication costs!  All I could think was, "thank goodness for Medicaid."  If I didn't have Medicaid, I would have looked for an alternative herbal remedy. 

When I got back to the car, I told Shannon how much I "saved" and all he could say was "holy sh*t" or something to that effect. 

When we returned home, I took a pill and I took another pill this morning.  I don't think it has started working yet because there haven't been any changes.  I hope this does start to work soon!

My appointment

I had my doctor's appointment this past Thursday.  It was a long awaiting visit, since I haven't been to the doctor since 2007!  Since I was a new patient, they wrote down as much of my medical history they could.  Then they asked what issues I had wanted to discuss with the doctor (there were 3). 

Anyway, I am little surprised at how eager the doctor was to write me a prescription for medication.  I think our society is way over-medicated!  I suppose I am not on medication mainly because I haven't had medical coverage since 2006 or so.  Even when I did have medical coverage, I rarely used it.  The doctor didn't even question my wanting a prescription for an inhaler (for my asthma).  He also wrote me a prescription for birth control and one other medication.  I am pretty sure if we were in California and I asked for a prescription for medical marijuana, he wouldn't even question that!!!  So crazy! 

I ended up filling my prescriptions at Walgreens since it's less than 2 blocks from us.  I was able to get two of my prescriptions, the third one wasn't covered by Medicaid and they need to get authorization for another medication from the doctor.  My birth control cost $32.99 and the inhaler cost $44.99 -- I only paid $3 for the inhaler.  Thank goodness for Medicaid! 

I am happy to have Medicaid and a "regular" doctor.  Shannon and I have both been seen by the same doctor. 

Food Stamps update

When we went grocery shopping last Sunday, our food stamps had already been re-approved, but we were unsure how much it had changed.  We received a notice in the mail of our new amount in food stamps...it's been DOUBLED!!!  

The snow has been crazy here.  It hasn't snowed in the last 2 or 3 days and the snow on the ground is slowly melting, but it's also icing over.  School was canceled on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and now today (Thursday). Since it hasn't snowed, we plan on taking Kyle to therapy today!  He hasn't been to therapy in about a month now! 

Since Shannon and I are both unemployed, I decided to apply for full coverage of Medicaid for us.  Kyle is already covered on Medicaid.  Shannon and I are already covered on the "family planning" side of Medicaid.  I mailed our application in yesterday's mail and they should receive it today.  I am not sure how long it takes for them to process the application. 

Trying something different

Kyle's preschool teacher called me on Friday afternoon and wanted to let me know that they are going to move him in the other preschool class.  There are more kids in that class and he'll be able to be around more boys and there will more opportunity for him to observe/hear other kids his age talking!  Plus he already knows the teachers and the kids in that class, they are also on the same schedule as far as "recess" time.  I asked his teacher if he will still receive speech therapy and she said that he would as he receives it twice a week.  The teacher said the speech therapist is really good, she gets down on the floor with the kids.  Plus he receives speech therapy at a separate location that is paid for by Medicaid.

His teacher also said he's a very happy boy this year.  I asked her if he's eating and drinking his milk and juice and she said yes!  She said he'll eat everything, which is surprising to me!  LOL  She said the kids are learning to open their own cartons of milk and juice.

I am really excited for him to be put in this classroom.  Since he doesn't have siblings, this will be a great way for him to see other kids talking.  He is already imitating other kids and us.  He's been learning how to do different exercises in occupational therapy and speech therapy.  His therapist says she only has to show him once or twice and after that he knows how to do it on his own.  For example, if she wants him to sit on the swing a certain way, all she has to do it show him once or twice and he will do it all by himself after that.

Open House

Yesterday, Kyle's school was having an Open House from 12pm-6pm.  Kyle and I went straight to his classroom to talk to his teacher.  Meanwhile, Shannon went to get us some takeout for dinner.  Kyle started whining as we got closer to his classroom.  He whined the entire time I was trying to talk to his teacher.  Kyle will be going to school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday until the end of September.  By then, we will have a new IEP meeting and then we can discuss his school schedule. 

Kyle's Medicaid is still not approved, our "new" caseworker sent it to her supervisor for final approval.  Once that is done, we will resume his Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. 

Kyle starts school tomorrow!!!!  I am so exciting!  I set the alarm for 5am so I can snooze for at least a half hour.  We have to leave the house by 6:30am or so because his bus will pick him up around 6:42am.  Shannon and I plan on going to Walmart tomorrow while he is in school.  I feel like we're "living on the edge" -- going to the store without Kyle!  It's like our marriage before Kyle was born!  This should be exciting!  It reminds us of what our life was like before him!  LOL 

New Video, Therapy, and Groceries

I posted a new video the other day.  It can be viewed here.  I can't wait to make more videos, I love sharing the products I use!

Kyle seems to enjoy therapy!  He has Speech and Occupational Therapy every Tuesday.  The therapists are really nice and he seems to get along with every therapist that has worked with him.  While Kyle was in therapy yesterday, Shannon and I went to Walmart.  We did a quick trip and bought all the non-perishable foods on our grocery list. I also bought a little box of baking soda for cleaning, I use it to clean/scrub the tub and bathroom sink.  While we were waiting in line to checkout, I picked up two workout tanks.  I hope to start a new workout program soon.  I've been wanting to change up my workouts since rotating my workouts is getting old. Plus new workout clothes adds to my motivation!

We recently applied for food stamps, so we probably won't be approved (or denied) until mid-September.  We are still waiting to hear whether or not Kyle will be approved for SSI.  We turned in all the necessary paperwork, so now we wait.  Shannon had to reactivate his unemployment, just like everyone else who was on unemployment.  He was not approved for unemployment so he is in the process of trying to get that reversed.  We had a little issue with our Medicaid, to where Kyle was denied.  When I called to ask why (knowing that I had sent in the necessary paperwork), I was told that our caseworker is no longer there.  It sounds like she made a lot of mistakes and she forgot to renew Kyle!  LOL  It sounds like there are many other cases like ours because the lady told me that she had a lot of other files to go through. 

Kyle goes back to school on August 25th!  I can't wait!  We haven't had a chance to get more school clothes, but I do know he will need additional pants and shirts since he will be going 4 days a week. We are limited to doing one load of laundry a day and my MIL and I take turns every other day.  But when it rains, we are unable to do laundry because it floods their septic tank to where they are unable to flush their toilet.  Their septic tank isn't working properly, to get it fixed would cost $20,000 or so they've been told.  When we use too much water, such as doing too many loads of laundry, the septic tank overflows and it starts to smell like raw sewage!

Busy Day!

I feel like today was a busy day!  First, I received a call from the Social Security office.  They wanted to do the application for Kyle over the phone.  That call took a little over a half hour!  Now we just have to drop off some paperwork and sign a form or two and then he can submit his application for SSI. 

A few days ago, I received a job lead on facebook about a "front desk" position at a hotel in our city.  A friend on facebook updated her status about hotel front desk openings at a hotel near Charlotte, NC.  I responded to the comment asking where the hotel was located.  Then, I received a message in my inbox (from a complete stranger) saying that a hotel in our city is hiring for front desk agents.  I wrote him back thanking him and he then responded telling me that he's the General Manager of the hotel!  So we stopped by the hotel today so I could fill out an application.  When we got home, my in-laws said I received a call from the hotel wanting to schedule an interview!  I was surprised they called so fast, considering we just came directly from there!  I called the lady who called me for an interview and scheduled an interview with the General Manager for tomorrow morning!  When I came in to fill out the application, I was told that it's a "part time position" and I would have a rotating schedule ranging from 7am-3pm, 3pm-11pm, or 11pm-7am!  I am not thrilled about the graveyard shift!  I guess it depends on the pay to see if this type of schedule is worth it! 

In today's mail, we received a letter from Social Services saying that Kyle's Medicaid will be terminated on July 31st because we failed to return the necessary paperwork!  After I had a few minutes to process the letter, I promptly called Social Services to find out why.  I was told that our caseworker is no longer working there.  The person that I spoke with looked at our file and realized that we did return the necessary paperwork and she will reopen our file to process it.  In other words, she has several other cases that need to be reopened since the old caseworker is no longer there.  Thankfully, Kyle's Medicaid will be renewed! 

I got lost at Walmart!

Today was Kyle's Occupational Therapy evaluation!  It lasted about 2 hours!  The first hour or so was for the therapist to ask Shannon and I about Kyle and going through the survey we filled out.  Meanwhile, Kyle had a chance to play in the room!  It was a nice size room with a padded floor (like you would see at a gymnastics studio).  It also had big plastic balls, cardboard bricks and all kinds of things to build with.  It also had a soft swing that Kyle was playing with.  He was pushing it so it would swing back and forth.  He would push it to make it swing and then duck so that he would swing over his body and head!  He loved running around the room and play with the swing. He had so much energy too!

The last 45 minutes was for the therapist to do some "standardized" tests to see where he was at with motor skills so that she could set some goals to work on with him for future therapy.  Shannon and I decided to leave property and ended up going to Walmart.  We had Subway and then I went shopping and bought Hanes underwear, slippers, and liquid plumbr. I ended up getting lost in Walmart because it had a different layout!  It was a beautiful store, but I had to ask where something was! 

Next week is Kyle's Speech Therapy evaluation at the same location!  Once that is done, we'll set up weekly therapy sessions one day a week.  They are going to schedule his Occupational and Speech Therapy back-to-back so that we don't have to go there twice a week.  I am really excited for him to have Occupational and Speech Therapy.  I look forward to seeing him improve and hopefully start talking more with us!  I would love to be able to communicate with him.  I am so glad that this therapy is covered by Medicaid too.  We're still waiting to hear whether or not Shannon and I will be covered with Medicaid too.  

I also mailed in our application for food stamps yesterday.  That whole application process will take about a month to be approved or not! 

Yesterday, I received a surprise in the mail.  Somehow I am on Marlboro's mailing list and I don't even smoke.  They sent me a metal water bottle thing.  It's really nice and a nice color of red!  It was funny that I got this because I thought about buying one from GNC because they had some on display on their "clearance" table. It looks like the one below without the keychain clip. 

Slow Day

Today I worked 9:30am until 2pm.  It was a slow day and time seemed to go by so slow.  I hate the job!  I miss Walmart because it was usually busy and that made the time go by fast. 

We ended up not going to Walmart after I got off of work.  We are going to wait until my next day off, which is Friday to go. 

Shannon's unemployment hasn't been renewed yet.  Meanwhile, we are going to be "surviving" on my pitiful minimum wage paycheck.  I really think unemployment needs to be changed to encourage the unemployed to go out and get jobs!  I don't know if more incentives need to be offered to employers to hire those who are current unemployed or incentives need to be offered to colleges to encourage people to go back to school.  Something needs to change!  I already know that the people on unemployment are turning down job offers if it pays too low.  Why get a job when you can make more on unemployment? 

On Friday, I plan on doing some catch up.  I need to call the company that offers Speech & Occupational Therapy and set up an evaluation for Kyle.  I really want him to get into this therapy that can help him learn and thrive.  He is really trying to "talk" and communicate.  He knows how to say "no" and even uses it occasionally.  Other times, he likes saying "no no no" in a sing song voice.  I also plan on filling out the application to apply for food stamps!  We miss being on food stamps and that really helps us financially.  We are now waiting to see if Kyle will remain on Medicaid.  This time, I also applied to add Shannon and myself on it. 

So much to do, and so little time, especially with having to work so much.  I can't rely on Shannon to make the phone call or fill out paperwork because he will always make up an excuse or take 8 weeks to finally get to it. 

Did I interrupt your nap?

I had to call our local Social Services Department and the "operator" transferred me over to someone without telling me why. I thought it was rude. She could have explained to me that she was not the one to help me but would connect me to someone who could. Either way, I thought that was rude of her. The next person she connected me sounded rushed and rude (just like the operator). I didn't like that both ladies never said their names! Anyway, that call is done and over with!

Then I had to call Kyle's pediatrician's office to make a "4 year old checkup" appointment. The lady said that he's not due for one until June 25th. Considering my son turned 4 in January, I asked why. She said that insurance only covers one visit a year. So then I told her about my concerns we have with Kyle. We want to see if we can get referrals for a hearing test, possibly see a psychologist, etc. She was more than happy to schedule an appointment for my concerns and thankfully medicaid covers that! We have an appointment for next week -- that was quick!

Kyle won't have summer school and we're hoping we can get him further help and see if there are more programs out there for him. While he LOVES going to school and we love it too, the school doesn't let us know what's going on or how we can work with him. He sees a speech therapist once a week and that person doesn't even inform us of what they are working on or how we can help him. Plus the speech therapist is there to work with all the kids in his class, not just him. In other words, we have no idea what is going on at the school. I am not complaining about his schooling, he loves it and he loves riding the bus, so that tells us something! If Kyle doesn't like something or he feels uncomfortable, he won't go near it or he'll start whining. Instead, when he sees the school bus, he will literally run towards it!

Long Day Followed by a Day Off

Kyle and I had a late start this morning. We both woke up around 10 AM. I didn't have to work until 2 PM, so I am glad I slept in a bit. I had breakfast and lunch with him as always, just later than we normally do. My work day went by really fast. I started out at the express lane where we sell tobacco products and then I was moved to a register with a conveyor belt (which I prefer).

I came home to find out that Kyle was approved for Medicaid...finally!!!! I think we had to wait almost 2 months for this! Now we can get him back on speech therapy! I will be calling his speech therapist tomorrow to set something up. Kyle also has his full evaluation for the preschool this Friday.

I am off tomorrow. I plan on doing laundry since I am scheduled to work 7 days straight without a day off. We also have to go grocery shopping, we are out of food and I am also needing food to bring to work. I am also planning on making different things for breakfast for Kyle. He's so picky with what he eats but when we find something he likes, we like to make it for him.

Mailed Out

Kyle's speech therapist called today, she realized that we never received a copy of her report from his initial therapy session. She went over it briefly with me, just explaining the main points and once we receive it, she will go over it with either of us. I also told her that Kyle has a screening next week with the preschool!

She also asked about the Medicaid and it reminded me to get the application filled out and sent out. I spent this morning getting it filled out and making sure I had everything included. It's been mailed out, they will probably contact me for more info though, since the application came with a huge packet to fill out. I wasn't sure what needed to be filled out. I was procrastinating with the Medicaid application!

I am enjoying my second day off in a row!! I also took a nap yesterday afternoon! LOL I work tomorrow and then I have another two days off!

The last two days I have treated myself to a homemade green tea mask. Lately I have had problems with pimples! So, I finally bought some tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has many uses, so I can't wait to try them! I was going to purchase tea tree oil through one of my home businesses but it was $24+! Instead, I found the same size bottle for about $8 on another site. I am trying tea tree oil for my pimples because I have tried the "store bought facial cleanser" products but they really didn't work for me. I really like that tea tree oil is all natural. I also love products that have multiple uses, like tea tree oil.

Screening

I received a call back from the Preschool. Kyle is scheduled to have a screening next Wednesday afternoon. I am not sure what their process is, but I think they said it was a 3 month thing! Shannon was the person who talked to them yesterday and then they called today and I was home to take the call and make the appointment.

I am assuming that after their screening they will have a better understanding of where he should be assigned within their preschool.

We were referred to this place by Kyle's speech therapist. I still haven't mailed in the Medicaid application. I am a little confused since they are asking for a "certified" birth certificate. I am not about to send Kyle's original birth certificate in the mail!

Saturday

Yesterday was my day off. I had a chance to relax and even take a nap in the afternoon. I did some cleaning and a few loads of laundry.

Shannon did a load of laundry for me today as well. I had an 8 hour day with an hour lunch. I have a 9 hour day tomorrow that I am not looking forward to it. Although, I am glad that I have 3 days off this week. As for pain, I am still feeling it after working so long. I did find that if I take an ibuprofen before work, I don't feel as much pain after work. Sad, but true!

I had to buy some things after work today. I needed more snack foods for my lunches that I bring to work. I also bought a few other things. I still don't have a lunch bag, many people use an insulated lunch tote. I haven't found one that I like. They has some out for "back to school" but they all have kiddie stuff on them.

Kyle's leap frog DVD arrived today! I've been playing it for him ever since I got home. I didn't pay a dime for this DVD, since I had enough amazon gift cards to get it. It was well worth it. He seems to like it. We don't have a DVD player, so I've been playing it on my laptop.

Kyle also has some new toys from his Grandma. This past week, she bought some race cars and a little race track and today Kyle had some new toy trucks.

As for his speech therapy, it's on hold for now. It turns out we have to reapply for Medicaid! UGH! Medicaid is also changing their policies that all applicants must submit a birth certificate, which is good I guess. I am confused with the application process because she included an application plus a big packet of other papers to fill out. So I may have Shannon go in with the paper to apply. In the meantime, Kyle's speech therapist called yesterday and gave me a number to a preschool with the school distract to get him a full evaluation. She said to keep on them because they get many referrals. His speech therapist also said she would call again and go over her report with us.

Til 10 PM?

I have to work until 10 PM tonight. I hate working so late! I am looking forward to tomorrow's schedule and then Friday. I only have to work 5 hours tomorrow and then I am off Friday. Although, Friday will be another day for me to catch up on laundry and cleaning. I need to have Shannon help me with cleaning around here, since I hate having to do it one day a week while he's home all day.

I am getting sick of the color blue! I have to wear it at work and then I see fellow employees wearing it. The good thing about having a uniform is that I don't have to pick out something new to wear each day.

I did have something good happen yesterday. One of the "co-managers" said that I was doing a great job and she has seen how I am with the customers. She has also asked me a few times in the past how everything is going, which is good. Even the "customer service managers" ask how I am doing. Fellow cashiers are very helpful, which I appreciate.

Speakability called yesterday wanting to schedule a therapy session and Shannon told them the issues we are having with medicaid. I guess their insurance/medicaid rep called and left a message and Shannon didn't get the message until after 5 PM. We're going to wait until we get ahold of medicaid to call Speakability back. This morning, I called medicaid and left a message and they still haven't returned my call. I still have no idea why they need to talk to me (and only me), Shannon tried talking to her but she can only talk to me. Hopefully we can get this all straightened out so we can start Kyle's speech therapy.