Happy Birthday Girlbert
Post:
Earlier this week we found out that Medi-Cal denied Girlbert's application on a technicality. Happy birthday. Yes, we can appeal. Yes, we can submit a new application so all is not lost. But the cost to her in time and effort was enormous so she was a bit devastated, had a seizure, meditated, and tried to grasp the technicalities of what to do now. And of course, her creditors phone calls just keep coming. So the situation is dire but not desperate.
Today Lisa woke me with painful cramps and joint pain in her knees and feet. Maybe it's the medications, maybe it's overuse, but whatever it is the pain brings the risk of seizure. But for Lisa, it was a wonderful morning, looking out our window seeing the trees just touched by the new day's light through the mist. It was wonderful because while we had another exausting day to look forward to, for a few moments we could just enjoy each other's company. It was wonderful because it was her Birthday.
The determination against any odds to be positive is what makes Lisa shine. While it might seem irrational and delusional, she knows only too well the situation, with daily seizures, now near constant pain, risk and reminders at ever turn. Yet looking around the waiting rooms we now frequent, the grocery store, or walking down State Street, Lisa leaves a wake of people whose days have been brightened by her Shiny, Sparkly Energy.
Today, there was another side to her. She wore her "What are you grateful for?" t-shirt from Cafe Gratitude. We bought cupcakes from the Crushcake Cupcakery and she went to every technician, nurse, and doctor she has and explained how she could not possibly express the extreme gratitude she has for everything they have done and continue to do. And she passed out cupcakes.
And when I compare how she looked then to how she looked recieving this beautiful flower arrangement (and we haven't afforded ourselves flowers in a long time), I'd say she beamed with the flowers but she was simply overpowered with joy giving away cupcakes on her birthday.
As she said this evening: "Are you happy? Because that's all I care about." That is Lisa.
Comments
I'm so sorry that I missed
I'm so sorry that I missed Girlbert's birthday. I know it was a happy one because she has the person she loves the most with her...
My prayers are with you.
Diane
Dear both of you, I am
Dear both of you,
I am currently going through the CA disability process, and my biggest advice to you is to please get a lawyer right now. They will guide you through all the paperwork and do the majority for you. The catch is that when you get SSDI, they will take 25% of the backpay up to $6,000...BUT they will take so much off your plate. I am betting that they would help you with your MediCal application, as well.
I am so so sorry that you are going through this awful frustration as well. It seems so inhumane and untoward. I am wishing you both the best.
xo,
Betsy
flowers
Hi Lisa and Eric,
My husband David and I enjoyed seeing you at the party this afternoon. By sharing your story with us, we were able to reflect on our journey through my illness and the accompanying hospitals, tussles with insurance, etc. And all the wonderful strangers we met along the way, the friends who stood by us, and the constancy of love from family. But the part that really hit me during this first visit to your blog was seeing you with your birthday flowers. One of the promises David made during our wedding vows was to bring me flowers every week, because he knows they are as necessary as oxygen for me. There was one hospital along the way that wouldn't allow patients to have flowers in their rooms. So he argued to keep them at the nurses' station. My memory is so muddy from that time (the effects of the crisis situation in my brain from my illness), but when I found out later about that small act of love on his part, it just made me feel so cared for-- attending to our needs for beauty is so vital. I just called David since he's still at the house where the party was to see if you were still there, to ask him to give you one of the bouquets I arranged for the event. Unfortunately you'd already left, so I will paint a word-picture for you. Imagine a cluster of mums, in all the glorious shades of fall. If I could magically transport them to you I would.
With love and gratitude for your openness to life,
Katrina
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