Happy Family Day

Today is Ontario's Family Day.... a day set aside by our provincial government encouraging us to spend time with our family, tightening the bond, strengthening our relationships......

.....hmmmm....

Jake slept in until after noon.....

Jon was up fairly early but just went back to bed to "take a nap" (that was a few minutes after noon).....

Jared slept in a little bit, then did his Math homework, and is currently in the rec-room playing hockey on the XBox.....

I had breakfast and got dishes loaded in the dishwasher......

And it just doesn't feel like "Family Day" without Blake here with us.

So what's on the agenda for the rest of the day? Likely nothing. Think we need to bring in some firewood for the woodstove..... I need to knock down some cobwebs (where on earth do those things come from? YES, by the way, we DO live in a pig sty)..... I need to scrape off about an inch of dust off the furniture in this house.... I meant to get recycling out to the roadside, but assumed they wouldn't be running because of the holiday; however, I was incorrect and the truck came and the truck went and my recycling is still sitting in the woodhouse! Ooodles of it.

It IS nice, though, to have a day of just lazing around.... the weekend was so busy with hockey games. Jared had Rep games in Stirling (win), Picton (win), and Lindsay (loss); Jake had a late game last night in Picton (win). What am I going to do when hockey season is over??? I enjoy it so much. Very proud to watch those boys out there!

With regards to an update on Blake's health, he is feeling great. Says he's not in any pain or discomfort. I am relieved when he tells me that.

I received a call from the Specialist's office with some "temporary" "bad" news. She indicated the authorization for the financial coverage of Blake's medication was not approved for Remicade... the good ol' government doesn't want to fork out money for Remicade; they'd like Dr. D to put Blake on a different medication (one that is not so expensive, but ultimately not as effective either!). However, Dr. D wrote them back and said that other medications have been tried and that Blake's condition is severe enough that he insists on Remicade for Blake's treatment.

We will AGAIN play "the waiting game" until the review panel takes a look at Dr. D's letter and once again makes a decision. Please pray that the hearts of the folks on the panel are compassionate and that they approve Remicade for Blake.

Once again, in order to alleviate any confusion, and just to clarify the process that we're experiencing.... We applied to the Ontario Government's Trillium Drug Program to pay for medicines that Blake needs. Trillium HAS approved Blake and will reimburse for any meds that he needs EXCEPT Remicade. In order for Trillium to pay for Remicade, they need a Section 8 approval from the government. Once the government authorizes it, we can administer Remicade to Blake and Trillium will pay for it.

Trillium CANNOT pay for the Remicade UNTIL the government says so. And THAT is what we're waiting for. So please continue to ask the Lord to stir the hearts of the folks on this government review panel, that they will approve Trillium to cover the cost of Blake's Remicade. And from what I understand, it is not a one-time thing... apparently this is something that has to be reviewed every few months (grrrreeaaat!!!!).

Sorry, I thought we lived in Canada. [insert sarcasm]

Anyways, gang, I'd better get this Maple Leaf butt in gear and get some tidying up done. I hope you're all having a relaxing Family Day!