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UPDATE for prayers for 18 year old Erin (brain injured child)
self | 9-9-06 | self

Posted on 09/09/2006 6:07:58 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA

Erin Monsell is an 18 year old girl who suffered traumatic brain injuries in a car accident about a year ago. My original post is http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1692767/posts

The parents have been fighting with the insurance company (Anthem) for proper care. The Kluge (pronounced clue-ge) Center, at UVA has indicated that they could rehab her to independent living within 60-90 days. Anthem has stated that she is not worth rehabing and placed her in a nursing home.

Last week, without any real reason as to the decision, Medicaid approved a transfer for 21 days to Kluge! This is nothing short of a miracle.

Here is the mom's email about the move

Erin transported well. Was a little anxious upon arrival. She does not want us leaving the room. If any of us leave, she indicates that one of us has to stay. Unfortunately, we all had to leave this evening as her father had to go home, her brother had to go to his new home, and Randy and I had to go grocery shopping and dinner. She fretted that we all left, but seemed to fair the separation pretty good. She is still anxious, but it is understandable in the new digs.

Please continue to pray for Erin's healing and that we have a very successful 21 days. It is crucial that she progress, so that we can be approved for another 21 days. We are still fighting the insurance company as they still refuse to pay. Medicaid has afforded her the opportunity to be here the next three weeks. The doctor who performed the "peer-to-peer" with the so-called doctor at Anthem indicated that he was on the phone with the man for 45 minutes and it was "like beating [his] head against the wall." He said that the Anthem "doctor" was real good about spouting off regulations and the like. You could see the frustration in his face at remembering the useless conversation with Dr. Clapp last Friday. The third appeal is due to be heard next week. We'll see. Dr. Clapp,. who came on board with Anthem when Erin was still in Children's Hospital, has said "no" to everything to do with Erin's continued care. We need to pray for that man. Thank you all for your continued prayers for Erin.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Virginia; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: prayers
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Thanks to those of you that contacted me through Freepmail with suggestions--I forwarded all of them to the mom. In addition, I know that Sen Allen and Congressman Goodlatte (Erin's congressman) have been contacted and both have made inquiries.

Erin has 21 days to make progress. In addition, she has a stubborn case of E. Coli that is being treated for the 5th time and she is fighting that as well as rehabing.

1 posted on 09/09/2006 6:07:59 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: Corin Stormhands

If appropriate, please place on VA ping list. Thanks


2 posted on 09/09/2006 6:09:18 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: SoftballMominVA
Prayers up, for sure!

With faith you can move mountains bureaucrats--or God then persuades others to do the moving, or circumvent them.

Cheers!

3 posted on 09/09/2006 6:15:30 AM PDT by grey_whiskers
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To: SoftballMominVA

It is a privilege to intercede in prayer for Erin's mom on Erin's behalf. Prayer is powerful! I have witnessed miracles through the power of prayer. When I pray, I pray in faith that Jesus performs miracles today as He did 2,000 years ago because He is a living God. Praise His Holy Name!!


4 posted on 09/09/2006 6:27:44 AM PDT by helpisontheway (another four years with GWB!)
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To: SoftballMominVA

Praying in agreement with all others


5 posted on 09/09/2006 6:30:06 AM PDT by VRWCTexan (History has a long memory - but still repeats itself)
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To: SoftballMominVA

life bump!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1697568/posts


6 posted on 09/09/2006 6:37:30 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: SoftballMominVA

The sad truth about insurance companies is that they make money by collecting more than they pay. It is a business.


7 posted on 09/09/2006 6:40:52 AM PDT by ItisaReligionofPeace
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To: PGalt
Perhaps the saddest thing about Erin's situation is that she is not a vegetable, far from it. The therapists that worked with her believe that her brain is largely intact, but she has lost the ability to deliberately control her muscles. She has excellent control from the neck up and can operate switches and response to complicated questions.

She was making good progress on her therapy, but she developed an undetected urinary tract infection that put her in severe pain. She did not make any progress during the 3 weeks of the infection and Anthem is using the therapy notes from that time period as justification for denying therapy.

For the last several weeks she has been in a hospital bed, in a nursing home, with no stimulation from the staff other than a diaper change and readjustment every 3 hours and what the mom and dad can provide before and after work.

We are praying that Kluge is able to do what they believe they can and that Erin progresses substantially in the next 3 weeks.

8 posted on 09/09/2006 6:43:53 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: SoftballMominVA

If it hasn't already been started, as whether it might be appropriate to begin therapy with donepezil (Aricept) the centrally acting, reversible acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor. Although its main therapeutic use is in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, it has been shown to be very helpful in the treatent of traumatic brain injury.


9 posted on 09/09/2006 6:50:54 AM PDT by yevgenie (Q. What is the first sign of AIDS? A. A pounding sensation in the ass.)
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To: SoftballMominVA

Thanks for the additional information. BTTT.


10 posted on 09/09/2006 6:52:55 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: yevgenie
Thanks, I will forward that to the mom

I'm sure she is NOT on it though, the last I heard she was only on meds to treat her infection and to keep her comfortable.

11 posted on 09/09/2006 6:53:52 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: SoftballMominVA
She and her family are in my prayers. About 12 years agao, a friend's son was in an accident and suffered terrible brain injuries. The doctors said he would be a vegetable and also be crippled for life and pushed my friend to take his son off life support. He prayed and decided not to do it.

Four years ago, the young man got his Bachelor's degree and is able to walk with a cane.

God is so good and in His Universe, all things are possible.

God Bless

12 posted on 09/09/2006 7:26:59 AM PDT by trebb ("I am the way... no one comes to the Father, but by me..." - Jesus in John 14:6 (RSV))
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To: SoftballMominVA

prayer bump


13 posted on 09/09/2006 7:28:02 AM PDT by Tribune7
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To: SoftballMominVA

Thanks for the update. Will continue to pray for Erin and her family.


14 posted on 09/09/2006 7:32:56 AM PDT by knittnmom (...surrounded by reality)
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To: SoftballMominVA
Anthem has stated that she is not worth rehabing and placed her in a nursing home.

Sounds like Anthem needs to become the FORMER insurance company of any FReeper with a heart.

15 posted on 09/09/2006 7:40:30 AM PDT by IronJack (ALL)
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To: trebb
What an amazing story!

I'm so glad the father followed his conscience and God's bidding.

16 posted on 09/09/2006 8:23:48 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA
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To: SoftballMominVA
Anthem has stated that she is not worth rehabing and placed her in a nursing home.

this is just ridiculous! erin and her family will be in my thoughts.
17 posted on 09/09/2006 9:35:05 AM PDT by leda (Life is always what you make it!)
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To: SoftballMominVA

Many prayers for her that she gets the help she needs and recovers.


18 posted on 09/09/2006 9:37:22 AM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: IronJack; Anthem

I don't know Anthem well, but still I find his sentiments surprising. Is this true, Anthem?


19 posted on 09/09/2006 9:40:02 AM PDT by TAdams8591
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To: SoftballMominVA

Good news. Keep us updated.


20 posted on 09/09/2006 6:18:19 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Cheney X -- Destroying the Liberal Democrat Traitors By Any Means Necessary -- Ya Dig ? Sho 'Nuff.)
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