Wednesday, April 26, 2006

The impatience is kicking in

I'm tired of waiting. Yes, I know my social worker just got back from vacation yesterday, but I want my homestudy write-up NOW! She's supposed to send me a rough draft so I can check all the details (names, address, ssn, etc.), then send it to corporate for a final check, then get it notarized and send a copy to CIS. I'm still waiting on an invitation to get fingerprinted from CIS, too. Once they have my fingerprints processed (not sure how long THAT takes) and have my homestudy in hand, it supposedly only takes 4 weeks. That's what THEIR sheet said. They sent me a sheet and a receipt for the money I gave them last week. But no appointment yet.

I was reading some posts about VN adoptions and saw mention of vaccinations. I checked with CHI's director and she said yes, go ahead and get started on those. I'm hoping if I hadn't mentioned it, they would tell me soon to do those! One of them (Hep B) takes 6 months to complete the series. I have to have Hep A & B, polio, tetanus/diptheria, typhoid, MMR (done long ago), and malaria (only if we are assigned one of the two outlying orphanages). So, I called my doc and asked if he could do these for me. Nope-call the health department. I called the county health department. They rudely told me they don't handle international vaccinations and I needed to go to the Venderbilt Travel Clinic. I called them and they don't take insurance, but what choice do I have? I just hope my insurance will reimburse me. They couldn't even tell me prices. If it weren't Vanderbilt, I'd think it was shady, but...it's Vanderbilt! I called a couple other places, but they were just doctors offices and I'd feel more comfortable with Vandy. When I asked them how much the shots were, they said they couldn't tell me specific prices, but they range from $2 to $500/shot. Nice. I hope I don't need that $500 one!! Our appointment is May 12. Fun times!

Oh, and I think we've decided on a name. But I'm not sure yet, so don't hold me to it. Dylan Alexander. I've only told mom so far and she knows a little boy with the name and he's a terror, so she's not too fond of it, but maybe I can change her opinion of the name with my sweet little boy!

8 comments:

HawkOwl said...

Surely your regular doctor can do Hep A/B and DTP, right? They're pretty standard shots. Then you're only out the typhoid and malaria.

Good name, though. I'm a fan of Alexander. :)

Stephanie said...

My doc has a private practice and they don't keep those on hand. Apparently Hep B is not a common vac. Oh well.

HawkOwl said...

Crappy. I got mine at the university health center with my last DP shot (years ago, obviously). They had big piles of DTPs stacked right there. The nurse didn't even have to get out of her chair! And they had posters all over the joint recommending Hepatitis shots (don't remember which).

Trying to get a rabies vaccine to volunteer at the SPCA, though, what a wild goose chase that was! Good luck getting those exotic ones.

HawkOwl said...

Oh, and I'd better reply to your comment here than on my blog. See, venting is also a banned activity. If he finds out even what I did write on my blog, much fighting will ensue. Blah! But thank you so much for offering. I really appreciate you being there for me, especially when you have so much on your plate already. :)

Anonymous said...

From LostMystic76:
As far as the shots go, your health insurance won't cover vacinations for travel. What I would do is get the list of shots you need, then google them to see which ones are considered routine. For the routine vacinations, just call your primary care physician and make an appointment for your annual checkup and request those vaccinations (that should at least help you with some of the cost). Good luck! I'm so excited for you!

Nicole - Raising Animals said...

We JUST got our shots yesterday and we ended up needing Hep A, Hep B, Tetanus, and Typhoid. My husband was in Iraq last year so he already had most of his and just needed a booster for his Typhoid...I, on the other hand, needed all 4! When we left the travel clinic, our bill was $495. I was amazed at how much the little stuff costs.
Good luck! Any idea of where your little one will be coming from (province, that is..)?

Stephanie said...

No, we won't know which province until we get our referral, but CHI works in 3 provinces, all in the south. Vinh Long, HCMC, and Kein Ghang (pretty sure I butchered those spellings!).

Nicole - Raising Animals said...

That's great. We almost went with CHI, they're a great agency.