8.19.2011

NAM week 4

The last two weeks have been relatively uneventful with Graham's NAM process.  We have seen Dr. K twice.  He has adjusted the NAM, each week providing a bit more shape to his left nare, and sends us on our way.  Graham is tolerating the whole process exceptionally well.  He hasn't had any of the dreaded mouth sores, nor has he been irratable or fussy due to the NAM.  For this I am grateful.  It makes doing all of this to him just a little more tolerable.  He has, however, figured out how to get the tape off and the NAM out.  I have woken up twice to find him with the NAM hanging off his face, only attached by one side of his taping.  He tried to demonstrate his abilities for Dr. K this week at our clinic visit.    
While this process is going well and Dr. K is very pleased with our progress, we are still in waiting to hear about surgery.  We will meet with the surgeon on monday and hopefully develop a plan.  This will help immensely as I am trying to plan my return to work... which I am not crazy about.

While the NAM process has seemingly gone well for us, it hasn't been without it's bumps in the road.  We were told at one of our prenatal visits that the entirety of this process would be able to be billed under medical as even though we are being seen by a dentist, it is due to a medical condition.  Well, after 2 months we have finally received a statement showing a dental claim.  While it is fine for the time being, it's not going to be fine when we hit our very low maximum and then have to start paying out of pocket. So now begins another journey in all of this... fighting the insurance companies.  After doing a little research this seems to be a common issue with cleft lip treatment.  However, in the end, after much time, energy and bickering, the medical insurance should cover the cost of his "dental" treatments.  I don't see why it should take all of this though.  I can say from first hand experience that the parents going through this have much more important things to spend our time and energy on.

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