Today I have some good news!!
After 18 months of fighting with Aetna literally and figuratively, we finally prevailed. Well… technically we had to change insurance companies during open enrollment in hopes a new company would actually act ethically, but they did. After making a change to United, I was fully approved in 48 hours for this procedure and just in the knick of time! It really is amazing the difference between these two insurance companies. You pay your whole life for coverage that u assume will care for you in the event you get an illness, but the reality is that is just the time most of these companies make your life miserable when you need them to be making it easier.
I got a call on Friday from a transplant nurse from United informing me they will take care of me every step of the way, from evaluation thru all of the aftercare and even will cover caregiver expenses. It makes me feel a million times better that we won’t be needing to use personal funds (at least not an exorbitant amount) that should be used for the kids education…etc. So this process is starting off in the right direction.
My mom and I are in Chicago but I do not begin until tomorrow. I will have several appts, a vein check which was rescheduled from my last visit (sounds exciting), and MRI’s until about 8:30pm. It won’t be until Tuesday morning that I receive my first dose of chemo. I’m not too worried about it because it is a much smaller amount than what I will receive in Feb and the nursing staff is highly trained in the event of any hiccups. They also keep me overnight a day or two to make sure I am tolerating everything.
My friends/family have all been so thoughtful. I have fun little things to open every day which reminds me everyone is thinking about me and I just think that is so nice. I even have some cool led lights from Sandra to make my room look like a party. I also am snuggled in my homemade blanket from Abby. I have received a lot of texts and emails wishing me luck all week. Thank you to everyone who stopped over with well wishes and hugs, and for the wonderful thoughtful blessing I received last night which put me in the right mindset to get this thing underway:).
I already miss the kiddos but I have received a lot of text messages today and we facetimed twice so that is good. The older two both have a cell phone now so we can talk so I better get some parental controls on those quickly before they start a band on youtube or something.
Off to order something for dinner and get a good nights rest!
Jennie's MS Journey 
Hi Jennie,
So glad you are able to get this underway! Wanted you to know I’m thinking about you and sending you lots of love and well-wishes! You are one strong woman!
Heather
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Great news !! I really have admired how positive and determined you’ve been through this. We are sending Prayers and Good Vibes to you and the family 💖👍💖👍
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Jennie, as you progress through your treatments may your find solace that you are not alone.
Prayers and thoughts,
Andrew
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Hi Jenny!
Well, for starters, .you are in my all time favorite city so they must be taking really great care of you and it sounds like you are in expert hands.
I am always thinking of you. Always. Especially now. I miss our little talks and get togethers. Hurry up and get home so we can get back to our walks and talks. And we haven’t had dinner in so long. I’m craving Voyageur du Temp so hurry up!
It makes me smile to know you are in such good spirits. I mean, when are you not? Let’s be honest! We share that in common. A couple of hyper uber happy girls that can’t stop laughing. There’s just no time or energy to be negative. I admire your positive attitude. You are more than a class act and it is truly an honor to call you my friend.
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be away from your girls right now because I know they are your life. So cool they have phones to call you. Wow, technology today is insane. And if they do start a band or post a pie face showdown I’d like to be one of the first to see. I might volunteer to manage their post of 1B+ viewers and followers! Haha!
Good luck today and throughout your time in a Chicago! I know you are in the hands of he experts! I know you will keep us worry warts posted. Until then, I’ll be thinking of you and praying for a success!
Now hurry up and get home! We have lots of catching up to do! I miss our funny and deep conversations and mostly your laugh and smile…
Xoxo,
Rachel
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Jennie… this is Paula’s friend (the Asian living in the ‘south’) Judy.
I recently read all your post, in fact I read it in one sitting (and that was today). I wouldn’t dare say I know what you’re going through but know that I feel strong empathy! I was at Starbucks (of course right!) and tears started rolling down. What a great place to sit and start sobbing..haa! Who cares I thought, most of the folks in there were busy on their phone/laptop and probably wouldn’t even noticed. And then i thought to myself, I used to show up at starbucks because internet at home was down and that was like my alternative office. I’d be so busy on conference calls or typying away, I wouldn’t even know who was sitting next to me. In any case, please keep sharing your journey and know that I am praying for you and family (all the way from the South). I am thinking of you often!
You are inspiring whether you like it or not. Please do post a pix of your ‘dora’ haircut, I would love to see how cute you are! May peaceful thoughts flow through you during this challening time. Life do stink at times for sure but keep doing what you’re doing. You CAN do this! Huggsss.. judy
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Jennie….so excited to hear the wonderful news about the insurance coverage. (When working in healthcare in my “olden days,” I made a friend who worked at Untied. Your news makes me want to reach out to him after all these years and say THANK YOU! ) What a relief! Happy you are settling in. Sending hugs to you and your mom.
xoxo- sandra
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