Winter Wonderland

We are busy preparing for Christmas here in Minnesota!  We had a nice big snow last weekend - over a foot - and took Lucy out to enjoy it.  She wasn't sure what to make of it - but she couldn't really feel much cold through her super puffy snowsuit!

Because of Lucy's history, we are very careful about where we take her and spend most days at home so that her risk of getting sick stays low.  Our household is getting flu shots and vaccinations against whooping cough and her pediatrician has requested Synagis, a vaccine designed to help prevent RSV, but so far our insurance company has denied it. With her airway problems, getting RSV could be really tough on her and cause additional breathing complications.  However, it's a very expensive vaccine and difficult to get insurance to cover.  Speaking of expensive, we finally received Lucy's inpatient hospital bills - not including the costs of doctors, labs, surgeries, etc., we were charged between $10,000 and $15,000 PER DAY just to have her in the NICU!  I could not believe it when we got the final paperwork and am now, more than ever, grateful for health insurance!

In any case, when we do get the opportunity to go out, it's fun to see how much she loves to look at new things and meet new people.  Last weekend we got together with some of my childhood friends - we go way back to Pease elementary school!  Great to see Julie and Trish and their families!

We do get some visitors at the house - one of them from last week was Lucy's great-grandpa and grandma (my dad's parents).  They absolutely love their newest great-grand daughter and are so happy to have her home from the hospital and living closer in Minnesota.

We have 3 doctor's appointments next week, so we'll be busy the week before Christmas.  We are meeting with the cardiologist, neurosurgeon and ENT and are hopeful for positive reports all around.

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season and taking time to sit back and spend time with loved ones.