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| Outside, enjoying the end of summer |
Tom is scheduled for another Evaluation Under Anesthesia (EUA) in September. All of Tom's initial surgeries were done by Dr. Capone at Beaumont Hospital in Detroit. Dr. Capone is an infant retinal specialist and we were very lucky that our insurance company allowed us to go out of network to see him. It has been a year since Dr. Capone last saw Thomas, so we decided to have him perform the next EUA.
I called and scheduled the EUA with Dr. Capone's office only to hear back from them that our insurance denied it! Dr. Capone's office and our retinal surgeon here in Pittsburgh both sent letters explaining the medical necessity of Thomas being seen by Dr. Capone. Luckily, we received a letter in the mail just days later telling us the EUA in Detroit has been approved!! We are so happy!
Not only are they experts in Detroit, but they have a Pediatric Retinal Research Laboratory. I want the people at the forefront of retinal medicine and innovation to know Thomas. I want him to be in their mind when new treatments and interventions become available. That's why it's so important for us to go to Detroit.
Thomas has grown and changed so much in the past year. Last summer we were at the height of Tom's food refusal which caused him to get a g-tube in September of 2010. I got Tom's portrait taken last July and he could not sit up well without help. We had to do the pictures lying down and he was 10 months old at the time. Looking at Tom walking around at the same time this year is unbelievable. I have to believe it's the proper nutrition and hydration he gets through the g-tube that has allowed him to make such advances. And he has a wonderful physical therapist through our local early intervention services.
We are also looking forward to Thomas' 2nd birthday in September. And it's going to be Tom's tubiversary - he got his g-tube on September 8, 2010.
September is going to be a busy month!
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doncha have a love/hate with EUAs???? I love to find out an update on Elsa who is usually miss wiggles at the fairly unproductive office visits. But the older she gets the harder it is...no more sleepy newborn being passed to the arms of a nurse. She is way wiser now, I guess so are we.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to take a look back and see how far you have come in the last few years!! Loving watching your progress. And happy early birthday Tom.
Holly
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI just started reading your blog a couple months ago after learning about Thomas' eyes and that he is seeing Dr. Capone. My son is seeing Dr. Capone as well and has had 4 vitrectomy surgeries. Your blog gives my family so much insight and so many resources - thank you.
I am hoping you could take sometime and send me an email or I can send you one with some questions I have. Whichever you prefer. My address is mosmib@yahoo.com. My son is seeing Dr. Capone in mid-Sept again as well.
Thomas is an extraordinary boy. His journey is inspiring and I am looking forward to reading more.
-Mosmi
I'm glad to read an update on Tom and I'm so glad he's growing and doing well! I know how you feel about getting certain drs approved thru insurance. I'm so thankful that Christian is still able to see all of his specialists in FL. I hope everything goes well with the EUA!
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