FINALLY !!!

Hi everyone !!

Sorry for the delay in posts, my Internet was out for about a week.

On a good note, I passed my medical coding exam ..... FINALLY! I have been studying for this exam for a little over a year. My first attempt was 3 days after mom passed away ... let's just say, I wasn't all that focused on an exam where you had to sit for 4 1/2 hours and color in bubbles. In any event, took the test again Monday evening down in Phoenix through AHIMA, and did quite well if I do say so myself. I do believe that raise in the works now. So I am very pleased with that accomplishment. My next phase of the job will be to work for a couple of years under my new title "Certified Coding Assistant" and then I can test for the Certified Coding Specialist. That is going to require ongoing education and continued learning. I am also looking into going back to school (after seeing how the transplant pans out) to acquire my BA in Health Information Management with a background in IT. That was one area of my exam that I passed with a 100%!! Having been part of the so-called implementation team that got our new system up and running with employees at the clinic, I really enjoyed this aspect of the work. I was truly touched by all the emails that were in my box this morning when I got to the office congratulating me on my accomplishment, from the CEO, Doctor, therapist, and almost everyone from all aspects of the clinic, even a few people I have never met or encountered. A good feeling all around. So now I have to master my craft.

Okay ... enough about work.

The date for the yard sale is set for December 12th on the clinic grounds in Prescott AZ. A storage unit was donated with Hilly's salesmanship, and multiple cans are going in to a few of the local businesses. The girls at work have had a container on the counter for a couple of weeks. We are still waiting on the newspaper and hope to get an article published in the very near future advertising for the yard sale as well as educating the public. I enclosed the letter that was written by Hillary, with a little help from my friend/boss T., to use as a proposal letter in efforts to raise awareness and help with the fundraising process. She is a really incredible soul and a remarkable woman!! Hillary has been working hard in her efforts as well as working and going to school. She will conclude this semester in about another 6-8 weeks, beginning the nursing program in January. She has been a true support and totally encouraging of this transplant journey. A remarkable young woman, destined to make her mark on the world as well.

I have some work to wipe out here tonight, so I should really get cracking as I could so go to bed right now. A huge relief has been lifted with the passing of my exam, which has really dumped on the fatigue. I think I have been on auto-pilot for many months. One hurdle down, who knows how many more to go ... seems to be a never ending task in my life.....LOL .... so I need ALL the beauty sleep I can grab!!

THE LETTER:


DO YOU KNOW A STEEL MAGNOLIA? WELL I HAVE AN IRON MAGNOLIA, PLEASE READ, LISTEN AND HELP IF YOU CAN………

My name is Hillary Tyler, I am the daughter of Eliza Tyler, who has been a type 1, insulin dependent diabetic for over 37 years (Doctors see this as a miracle). Over the last several years, my mother’s awareness of her blood sugars has become severely diminished due to her condition. To the point, of being scary, she no longer can tell when her sugars are getting low. She has ended up in the intensive care unit, and now is a persistent challenge. It takes continuous monitoring of me and friends to make her aware of her blood sugar. If we are not relentless in our efforts to come to her rescue, especially when her blood sugar levels are severely compromised, (the scary part) she reaches a point where she is no longer able to function safely. Remember Julia Roberts in the Beauty Shop? Think about if that was your Mother, Sister, or Friend.

Recently however, she became aware of a clincal transplant trial that could potentially lessen the frequency of these episodes and perhaps even eliminate them (our ultimate goal!!!) She is eligible for an Islet Cell Transplant, which is a cutting edge technology to hopefully change the future for type one diabetics. In the process of this Islet Cell Transplant, the doctors will use an intense drug therapy of steroids to kill off her body’s immune system before transplanting the donor cells into the portal vein of her liver. They will then transplant donor islet cells into her body up to three times, if the first time is not effective. This is a long process, approximately 18 months, and she will have to be monitored closely by the doctors of the Islet Cell Transplant in San Francisco…….pre-transplant, during the transplant and post-transplant. She must return to the hospital for follow up visits once a week for at least the first month after the procedure, and several more times over the year following to monitor the results of the transplant.

Through this process, all medical expenses are paid (thank God for research dollars!!), but transportation, food and lodging are not, therefore, while the transplant is a great and wonderful and life saving procedure, the dollars only go so far. My Mother and I can not afford the many road trips to San Francisco, let alone the days of stay she will need covered during these procedures and follow-up. From our house to the Islet Cell Transplant facility it is 11 hours and 22 minutes driving, 749 miles, cost of gas one way approximately $113.00. Average cost of one day stay in a decent hotel, $150.00. So, just for one trip to San Francisco is approximately $1000, and she has many trips required for this transplant to work effectively and appropriately to save her life! As family and friends of my Mother, we are working to develop several community fundraising activities, both to help pay the way, and to spread community awareness of this breakthrough technology (Islet Cell Transplant) for the many type 1 diabetics. It would be greatly appreciated if we had your support in this journey of hope, whether it is funds, services or perhaps use of facilities in our attempts to support my amazing Mother through her exciting life changing and life saving voyage.

Please find it in your heart to help my Iron Magnolia, My Mother!

Thank you so much for your time and support.