The MHMR journey was a short lived journey.  So many factors play into whether Heath will be accepted or not.  Right now the answer is no until I get a letter from Cobra saying it runs out in April and that still may not be enough.  If he's not eligible for medicaid when Cobra runs out he may not be accepted or he may be accepted on a case by case basis depending on the waiting list because MHMR accepts medicaid patients first.  He may not be eligible for medicaid if Jeff keeps his job through next year, which we still don't know if he will, because Jeff makes too much money, which is the main reason we can't put the kids on CHIP.  What doesn't make sense to me is if Jeff gets a job with insurance but there has been a lapse for Heath and we have to wait for the insurance to cover Heath's pre-existing condition, then MHMR said they would be able to cover Heath during that time.  I think I'll go bang my head against the wall and see if I can pound my throbbing headache away:).    

I'm going on a journey and hope you will join me in this educational experience.  Our Cobra insurance runs out in April.  No private insurance will insure Heath.  The insurance companies claim he is "high risk".  Yes, he is "high risk" if he's not on his medications.  Do they not realize this?!  He's been insured with one company since the day he and Alex were born. They won't insure him privately either.  How frustrating.  (more)

I've waited a week to post this because Heath has been all over the place with his moods.  I think of it as channeling surfing and never knowing what you'll see on the next channel.  I knew what was making him like this but wanted him to tell me because he gets mad when I know what's up and then he won't admit it.   (more)

I waited to post after the holidays because as Elizabeth says, if I post and say Heath is doing well, it comes back to bite me in the butt big time.  We have three big events during the holidays:  Christmas, my birthday and New Years Eve.  So Heath's anxiety level is pretty high during this time plus when all is over, he's ready to go back to school. (more)

Happy holidays to all.  Many people love the holidays, including me; however, it can be very difficult and very trying to those with mental illness.  Their routines have been disrupted and anxiety is very high.  I know from experience that my sister and Heath want things to go their way and if it doesn't, they're upset for sometime.   (more)

Okay, I'm bragging so please forgive me.  In the "Guide Live" section of the paper today is an article about The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert.  Alex sings with the Children's Christmas Choir.  His cast is the one shown in the picture.  On the second page where the kids are standing, he is on the second row, second from the right.  If anyone wants to catch the show, his cast performs tonight, 19th and 20th.  Like I said, I'm bragging but so proud of him!!!! 

I like that Elizabeth feels comfortable sharing her feelings on this blog; however, I would like to correct something she wrote on her post.  We are not starving to death.  We, like many families, have had to cut back drastically on eating out.  I budget groceries in every week, so we have plenty of food to eat.  It may not always be what she wants to eat or likes to eat:). She is correct that our dental insurance is lousy, but they have had their teeth cleaned this year and she will be getting braces soon, which our dental insurance doesn't pay for. (more)

Elizabeth has been keeping a rant log:).  I'm not sure whether this is a good thing or not. She's asked to write some of her thoughts on my blog.  Please remember that what she writes is from a 14 year old perspective.  

Hey, all. Okay, so background info, one day at lunch I went on this whole, huge rant. I don't know what I was mad about, but I do know that I was mad. So, here it is.  

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     My husband Jeff and I have three children.  Elizabeth is 14 and Heath and Alex are 12.  With the kids being two years and two minutes apart, I feel I know a little something about kids.  I do wish Elizabeth had come with a manual after she was born because, then, I had no idea what to do.  However, by the time the boys came along, I was more comfortable and confident in my parenting skills. (more)

I did jinx us when I said Heath was doing well.  I don't think he'll get to go down on his meds in February.  Oh well.  It's been pretty busy around here and is going to get more hectic this month.  We have two choir concerts, a band concert and Alex's DSO Children's Christmas concerts all within three weeks.  Oh yeah, and a Vocal Majority concert I'm chaperoning with the choir kids.  Also, we got a new dog.  She is beautiful.  I'm working on training her.  Sorry this is so short but I need to get back to another project I'm working on.