Miracles

So, here's the (hopefully) final chapter in the Medicaid Saga.

I received in the mail a letter informing me of my new account number and case information (so that I would no longer be identified as someone-with-Adam's-name-who-lives-in-Miami). I got all excited and went online to see my shiny new web account. I tried to get into the new account with my new number, my name, my birthday, and zip code.

'The information you have entered does not match what we have on file.'


Of course it doesn't.

So I called DCF again.

After waiting 30 minutes listening to bad Jazz music and instructions in 3 languages, I got through to a lovely young lady who informed me that I needed to put Adam's information as the payee (the one responsible for the account) instead of myself for some unknown reason. Bingo, I was in. She gave me my ID number over the phone, I thanked her, and, like a fool, I hung up.

On the web account, I had to go through all the original registration stuff (security questions, new password, new username, etc.). When I finally got in to view my account information, there was none. There was information for the baby, but nothing for me. I couldn't even find the ID number that the lady gave me over the phone.

Trying not panic, I called my midwife to give her my new ID number so she could have me on file (so I wouldn't have to pay for that doctor's visit that I thought was covered). The secretary looked me up and said, "That's not bringing up anything. Let me try your social security number." Also, nothing. She said, helpfully, "It sometimes takes 48 hours for their systems to reflect new changes, so maybe you can check in with them again on Wednesday and see if you're information is back up." Eager for any excuse not to call DCF again, I readily accepted her suggestion and moved on with my day.

Come Wednesday, there was still no change, and I became alarmed. Adam went to his prayer meeting that he has early on Wednesdays with some of the guys in our church. I read my Bible, prayed for strength, guidance, patience, and a happy ending, and I settled in for a nice long morning of talking to DCF. I called at 8 AM, and I talked to another nice young lady about the fact that my number brought up no information for me.

"Oh, you're right, ma'am, there is nothing."

"So what could be wrong?"

"I don't know, let me try something."

...la-de-dum-de-dah...

"Ok, ma'am? It looks like Medicaid approved your application, but the Department of Children and Families denied it."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I've never seen anything like this, and it is definitely an internal error on our part."

"Um..."

"So I'm going to send an e-mail to Medicaid and DCF and see if we can't get this straightened out."

"How long will that take?"

"About 5 business days."

"Oh, man... Listen, I know with your job and everything that you probably have heard every sob story out there, but I am really frustrated at this point. This is the third major blunder that has occurred with my account, and I'm seven months pregnant. I'm really at the point where I HAVE to receive medical attention, and we can't afford it. Is there something else I can do, or someone else I can call to speed this up? I really can't wait any longer and I'm having to cancel appointments..."

"No, Ma'am, you're doing everything right. If there's still a problem after five business days, it will be sent to a higher level, and no one wants that..."

"I might want that..."

"Yes ma'am, I understand, but this is all I can do for now."

"Ok, thank you for your help."

Upon hanging up, I broke down into uncontrollable sobs. If you ever wanted to know my breaking point, that is it. I prayed again, then called Adam.

Me: sobbing "Medicaid doesn't have me on file"
Adam: "I'm sorry baby."
Me: *sniffle "I need you guys to pray about it while you're there."
Adam: "Ok, baby."
Me: "And then come home because I need you."
Adam: "Ok, baby."

It was one time in my life where it was nice to have a Yes Man. The whole conversation took longer than necessary because I kept sobbing and halting and swallowing and burping through every sentence. I had sincerely fallen apart.

I climbed into the tub, as I do, and cried and prayed through a very hot shower.

Adam came home to find me in a lump on the bed, wrapped in towels and face swollen, although I had pretty much cried myself out at that point. We cuddled and talked about trying to come up with plan B. If Medicaid really didn't come through, what would we do? We discussed some options, I left a message with a social worker, and started making breakfast.

At 10 AM, I received a phone call from a number in our area code. Usually, I would ignore calls from people I don't know, but I answered because of all the calls I had out to all the numbers I wouldn't recognize. A man who sounded exactly like my father said, "Amanda?"

"Yes?"

"This is D**** with the Department of Children and Families."

"Oh, hi, yes."

"We have activated your ID number and your account is ready to go. You can use the number now, and you'll have a Medicaid card in the mail in 3 to 6 weeks. In the meantime, use your temporary card that you can print online starting tomorrow."

"Oh, my gosh, thank you."

"Your welcome. Do you have any questions?"

"Uh, no sir."

"Have a good day."

Stunned, I stared at my phone after he hung up. As I was looking at the screen, I received three texts in succession from my pastor's wife (our pastor was one of the guys at the prayer meeting that morning, so he and his wife knew about my breakdown):

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forget them." Isaiah 42:16.

The message was loud and clear. I went into happy hysterics, laughing and crying simultaneously, and we prayed in thanksgiving together over my little miracle. I spent the morning in praise of the Lord, Who had certainly moved greatly that morning to take care of me and Baby. I don't know what was done or said that got the ball rolling, but I know that God was so good to me that morning, and that He has control over all the things that I don't.

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I had all my blood tests done that Friday, and we had an ultrasound on Tuesday. I got to see my baby's face for the first time. When I think about it, I can't help but tear up. Baby looks like daddy, which I find adorable and thrilling (but I think Baby has my mouth). I have an appointment with the midwife next week to go over the results of the blood tests and the ultrasound.

We get to meet Baby face-to-face in May, two short months away.