Things are really moving!

Oh wow! Things are REALLY moving! 

Our whole team is starting to get excited and nervous at the same time!!  Let me share what is happening.

1) I think we have now all gotten our shots (this was a big deal.)  We are supposed to all have Hep A, Hep B, and Tetanus along with Typhoid and some other exotic sounding shot. (The last two are optional.)

I was really concerned about my insurance covering them, and accoring to the call I made, the 1st three are completely covered!  The typhoid might be, it depends on how it is submitted, so I will talk to my doctor next week about it and the anti-maleria pills and generic antibiotic it is suggested that we take. 

Ok, not for my shot story :)

Mostly I can think it is funny but it also includes a list of oh nos!

So I had already called my insurance on most of the vaccines, but not on the typhoid.  I called this morning and was told, well, it depends on how they submit it!  Apparently, if it is submitted as a "injectible drug" it's not covered unless I pay my deductable first (hah!) but it is submitted as a vaccine, it is.  Ok - I just thought I would ask how they would submit it.

So I went on the Walgreens Take Care website and told it I wanted an appointment.  It asked what shots I wanted and I put in the A, B, Tetnus, and Typhoid.  It popped back up with an appointment slot for 11:20 today at the walgreens at 95th and Book.  This seemed to be a good sign.

When I got there, they didn't have any record of my appointment.  Since there wasn't a wait they helped me fill out the paperwork .  When I did both the Hep A and Tetnus consent forms asked if I had ever had a reaction so some Aluminum Sulfate.  I don't know that I have, but I do have an allergy to antibiotics made with Sulfa.  So - that set the RN off because she didn't know if I could have the two shots!

After 15 minutes of discussion between the RN and the Walgreens pharamcist they decided that because I had never had a reaction to a tetnus shot before (2 times before) and because the antibiotics don't use the same medicine as the shot - it was ok.  BUT, they wouldn't give me all three shots in the same limb.  So - after all of that, I walked out with one shot in each arm and one in my left leg.  They also told me what my total would have been without insurance (OUCH!)

As an end to the story - I have had absolutely NO reaction to the Hep A or Hep B.  My Tetanus site is swollen and red, but that is normal for me and there haven't been any changes or worsening.  If I remember correctly from 10 years ago, it should start to go down in the next day or so.

2) Late this last week I received an update on my funding.  May I just say that it is SO awesome how God is working through all of you!! 

As of the last email I received, I am over the goal and sitting around $3300!  This overage helps to cover some of the extras we are paying for on the airline tickets and some necessary expeditures that we had not originally planned for!

Some of those expeditures will include one hotel night (our flights actually get in on Friday night because we couldn't figure out how to arrive on Saturday in the time AIM suggested without paying for much more expensive flights.  It should also help cover anything with the shots that insurance doesn't cover as well as extra expenses once we arrive in Thailand.

Speaking of funding, I OWE many you Thank You notes.  They are in process and should go out very soon.  Please do not take my delays as a lack of Thanks!  I know that this trip would not be possible without all of the people who are supporting us.  We know that beyond the funding there are prayers easing every step of the way as well as the words of encouragement that keep coming in!

3) I want to share another site with you.  One of the other women going with us, Amy, has her own website http://marchingthroughlife.org/.  Each Thursday she will be sharing a little more about the trip and when appropriate including thoughts from us.  I will try to remember to link to her on Thursdays - but if you get a chance, I suggest you stop by and say Hi to Amy.

4) Finally, I had mentioned that we would be working with our Church Chili cookoff and doing a Thailand table. 

Here is a view of our table with some of the trip attendees (me, Rachel, Christine, and Amy).  Rachel made an amazing Thai Chicken Chili.  Christine, Rachel, and I all worked to decorate the table telling people about our trip.  <Note: Rachel WON the prize for the "best" table/chili!>


So what is next?   The magic date is May 23rd.  I still have a doctors appointment to take care of last minute items.  In addition we have some training sessions and final questions that need to be answered.  (Things like clothing, will our credit cards work :), and other minor items...)


With much love,