So she is now 18. Hard to believe! She’s an adult, which now means that I no longer have automatic access to her medical records. That’s going to be a hassle to get through, but I know we can. Belinda said that she does not want to be in charge of appointments and things, understandable, since she’s about to start college. She’s signed a medical power of attorney for me, and also a HIPAA release form. We got the power of attorney printed at the Mustang Library and two of the librarians signed as witnesses, which was super nice. I made a few copies of it but now I really need to get online and upload it to all her doctors and pharmacies and insurance and all that. Sounds less than fun!
I spent a lot of that same week following up on the bed delivery. The home health company wanted to bring it to our house to show us how to do it, and then we could take it to Alva. I did not want to do that since the reason we selected this home health company is because they said they would have no issue taking it to Alva and setting it up there.
On Monday, August 4, Belinda and I both had appointments with the internist in Tulsa. With everything we had to do that week, we opted to do virtual appointments which isn’t ideal but it was better than driving to Tulsa. Belinda talked to the doctor about her headaches, which the doctor thinks are not migraines but instead two different types of headaches. She recommended a medication I’d taken before.
On Tuesday, August 5, we had one last appointment scheduled with her sweet pediatrician, but then we got so busy we forgot and missed it! Belinda was sad about that but we really just saw her last month, and I told Belinda she could tag along next time Sarah goes and say goodbye then, and that helped. That’s what Lenora had to do too, with Bennett, because I didn’t even realize at that point that their birthday would be a hard cut off. Their pediatric dentist kept them through college so I thought that was the norm.
Wednesday was our birthday! She wanted to go get birthday freebies so I took her to Mustang and Yukon. She got something from Starbucks and Ulta, and she and I both goth something from Sephora. We lunched at Chili’s and I got a free dessert, but we took it home and shared it later that week. We were too full! That night she had a few friends over and we had cake and ice cream. It was a nice evening.
On Friday, August 8, Belinda went to see her new general doctor. This doctor has been my trusted health partner for years and years, and now all three kids go to her. She has always been wonderful to me and my family and I’m very glad Belinda is in her capable hands. We discussed the prescription from the internist and Dr. Manning said that the medication could cause memory issues, so she wouldn’t recommend Belinda start taking it right when she’s about to go to college. Instead, she told us about some supplements that she wanted Belinda to try first. So we ordered those and hopefully that will help without negative side effects. Both girls went to the therapist later, so we spent about three hours at the clinic there. It was Sarah’s first time but Belinda has met with this therapist for several years. We convinced her to set up some zoom calls so she can continue with him, at least while she is starting out away from home for the first time. I’m hoping she keeps up after that, at least monthly or so, because he has been a great resource for both Lenora and Belinda. I know he truly cares about both of them.
On the evening of August 9, we all went and watched Sarah march with the high school band for the first time performing. She did so good and it was a lot of fun. The girls had snow cones and Bennett went down on the field so Sarah could teach him how to march and hold the clarinet. We got a lot of video and photos of that. Sarah really didn’t like band when she started band camp two weeks before but I think it’s starting to grow on her.
I kept texting home health and finally on Monday morning, they said they could meet us that day. We had to rush out of the house within 30 minutes and even then, we got there after they said they might get there, but they were there a little late too. We got permission for her to get into the dorms early and the guy, Ryan, was super nice. He got the bed all set up and we also took her refrigerator and microwave too. Her suitemate was there but she was in her room, and when Belinda finally knocked on the door to say hello, the suitemate had apparently left. Belinda and her suitemate each have their own private room and they share the outer area, which is the bathroom and a little entry area. We were surprised to see that they have Belinda in a handicap-accessible room, with grab bars and a permanent seat in the shower. Her disability doesn’t really require that, but I guess they didn’t have anyone who needed it more than her. Most girls in the dorm there have a roommate and then four suitemates, but for Belinda and her suitemate, it’s just the two of them. I hope they get along really well and become good friends!
Belinda had a work study interview at the college library at 2 p.m. that day, so we also went and did that. It was originally a zoom call but since we were in Alva she went in person. And later in the week they let her know she got the job! I’m really happy for her. My friends who worked at the library really seemed to enjoy it, and it was a great opportunity to study or take care of homework in the down time.
The girls got back to school haircuts on Wednesday, and now it’s Friday! Belinda wanted to finish moving in tomorrow and then I saw on facebook that there is a mandatory freshman orientation at 8:30 am tomorrow! We were planning to leave about 6 a.m. tomorrow, but now Belinda and I will leave at 5 a.m. and everyone else who is coming to help move can come later. She’ll be done with orientation about noon. She’ll also be able to turn in her FERPA form, so I can access her school records. I’m so glad I saw that post online! Belinda said she didn’t get an email about it. I’m wondering if it is because she already has 31 hours, because of her concurrent enrollment during her high school junior and senior year, but regardless, we know now. I think they would forgive her for missing but they also take a photo of the entire freshman class and I definitely want her in that picture!
She wants to come home again Saturday night, and then serve in the nursery at church before going back to Alva. She thought she would drive herself but I don’t want that. I want to go there and fuss over her before she stays there. So two Alva drives this weekend.
Oh, how I will miss her. She’s coming home weekends but I know it won’t be enough. It never is.
Well, I’m glad I got this updated. This blog has come in very handy when trying to remember facts and dates about Belinda’s medical history. Tomorrow we go to Alva.