GOOD NEWS!!!

So...happy news...there was apparently a miscommunication awhile back between my nurse & the insurance company. After I pay a certain amount out of pocket, they will cover Mayo! I did not get that in writing, however, so my Grandpa wants me to call them back and get it in writing so they cannot come back & deny my claim. I guess he would know the correct way to handle it as he was President of a ReInsurance company for years! So, I think I'll take that advice and give them a call tomorrow and get the confirmation!!! It would make all of us feel better to have it. My doctor is working on getting me referred to Mayo. He is sending me to a Dr. Hauser! I will hopefully be seeing him soon.

Through the Oley Foundation that I am a part of (which is a foundation for those with GI issues, tube feedings, etc.) I have gotten in touch with others who have gone to Mayo for testing and treatment as well. I even met a lady who is going to come and meet me there if our schedules cooperate. I would love that. I love meeting new people & we've been e-mailing, so it'd be nice to have a face with to a name!! Also, the president of the Oley Foundation e-mailed me and got me in touch with Dr. Darlene Kelly who is at Mayo as well. She is a GI specialist, but she also has her PhD in Nutrition. She gave me Dr. Kelly's e-mail address & she and I have been corresponding. She doesn't specialize in the GI area that I need, but she does with nutrition and I would LOVE to have a consultation with her (you know a real one where she didn't tell me just to 'talk to my intestines' as the one in Des Moines did--haha). I am AMAZED that these world class physicians are so willing to e-mail and correspond and help a patient they have never met. I really do feel blessed with wonderful people on my side. Even my physicians in Des Moines who have tried the best they can with the resources they have! SO...I will let you all know soon when I will be going.

Yesterday, Dad, Troy, & I went to the State Fair (pictures will be posted in a later post--I don't have them uploaded yet). We had a great time walking around the Fair, looking at exhibits, & PEOPLE WATCHING! Always a guaranteed good time at the Fair. I cannot wait until I can 'eat' my way through with all the fair food.

Today, I went to take some pictures & then come back to play with my new photoshop program. I enjoyed it immensely. It's been awhile since I've done much photography & I forgot how much I LOVED it! I had a blast! :) I was tromping through cornfields, it was fun! Anyway...these are some of the photos I took. Some of them have obviously been edited on my new photoshop program. I was loving figuring out how to do new things & using different techniques. Here are a few...ENJOY:




Taking a picture of me taking a picture in my side view mirror of my car--just for fun











Sunflower--turned crazy--thanks to Photoshop

This picture with the blurred oad in the background reminded me of a journey, so I added the word!

This is my favorite. I caught several pictures of this little bee & the sunflowers. I liked him so much I decided to make him bright & to stand out against the background!!