Share. Connect. Love.
As we get ready to make this move with Gracie, Debbie and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Paul, our church, Renatto, Scott, and all the people who made the Sunday fundraiser happen. Debbie, Emily, Gracie, and I truly feel blessed to have the support of the community and so many people far and wide that have been touched by Gracie's situation. We are grateful for all the wonderful people who have reached out to help our family.[...]
Tomorrow morning Gracie leaves Cottage Hospital for the next chapter in her story. At around 9:30am, she and Bill will board an aircraft specially designed to accommodate her medical needs, taxi out to runway 7/25, and take off. With wheels up and a turn to the east, they will be headed to Denver. Debbie and Emily will follow shortly after on a commercial flight.[...]
The benefit luncheon yesterday was amazing. Via Maestra 42 did a fantastic job on the food, the Madrigals sang during the first hour (sorry if you missed that, it was wonderful!), and that Debbie was able to make it to the second and third hours made it extra special.[...]
Hello all,
I've been waiting to publish this post to make sure I had the correct details from Bill, but I have very good news: Bill spoke to a physician from Blue Shield yesterday afternoon, and he was told that they should be covered for Gracie's stay at Craig Hospital. There was some discussion regarding who covers the air transport for Gracie, but Craig Hospital is already contributing to that expense, so even if the Fishers has to pay for that, it's manageable.[...]
Debbie called me yesterday shortly after they learned that Blue Shield had denied insurance coverage for Gracie's stay at Craig Hospital. After things had been progressing so well with a review by Craig (a nurse came out to evaluate Gracie), coordination with an air ambulance to take her there, and subsequent admission into the hospital, to be denied coverage by Blue Shield was a punch in the gut, to put it lightly.[...]
Gracie is looking forward to the NG tube (her feeding tube) being removed from her nose. They will be replacing it with a PEG. This is procedure where a flexible tube is inserted through her abdominal wall directly into her stomach. It eliminates the need for an NG tube (they effectively do the same thing), and will remove the discomfort of having a tube up one's nose.[...]
In a decision is that is scary, exciting, and hopeful all at the same time, we have decided to take Gracie to Craig Hospital, in Denver. Craig specializes in spinal cord injuries, and is a great facility. A nurse traveled from Craig to access Gracie, and we really believe is the right place for Gracie to start her rehabilitation.[...]
Benefit Luncheon
Just a reminder, there is a benefit luncheon next Sunday, January 25th, at the First United Methodist Church in Santa Barbara. The first seating at 11:30am is already full, but is room at the 12:30pm and 1:30pm seatings. Ticket prices are $25 for Adults and $10 for age 10 and below. All food donated by Via Maestra 42 (excellent food!). Please contact the church at 963-3579 or via email at [email protected] to get tickets.[...]
I have a cute story for you... Gracie's senior class voted her most likely to receive a Grammy, and some of her friends from Santa Barbara High School came up to tell her the news. It was a wonderful, lighthearted moment, and some much appreciated sunshine in her day. Gracie is a third generation student at Santa Barbara High School.... I went there, as did my father (Gracie's grandfather).[...]
Both Gracie's doctor and an expert that has been consulting on her case had hoped that after her seventh plasmapheresis Gracie would have been strong enough to extubate her and for to breathe on her own. Although she has improved, it is unfortunately not enough to allow her to be off the ventilator. Because prolonged intubation can lead to secondary complications, her doctors have decided that it is best perform a tracheotomy today.[...]
