Rainy Thursday

Every week a new bill comes in. Right now, Marigold has no coverage at all medically. She should, but because of circumstances that I could not control during labor she doesn't. Marigold, my husband, and I live in Canada, just a few miles away from the U.S. When I was in labor I went to a local hospital (that doesn't deliver) and they told me that there were some complications and that I needed to get to the nearest hospital ASAP. The nearest one just happened to be in the U.S. I am not a Canadian through birth, but through my parents, which means that Marigold cannot take up citizenship from me. In order for her to become a Canadian I need to prove that I can support her financially and pay insane fees and fill out piles of paperwork. So long story short, Marigold can't get covered in Canada because she is not a permanent resident or citizen, but she can't get any coverage where she was born because she doesn't live there. Then comes another issue...  I cannot work right now because Marigold NEEDS to be breastfed. There is less phenylalanine in breast milk than in formula. Marigold has a mild case of PKU, and doesn't need any diet intervention right now as long as she has no formula. I've tried finding a job where she could come with me, or where I could pump enough for her but it just is not possible where I live. If I were to go back to work she would need to have part breast milk, part formula, and then have some PKU formula since her phenylalanine intake would be too high supplementing with regular formula. The cost of the PKU formula, and childcare for her while I would be at work would cost $100+ more than I would make working full time.

I'm just venting and hoping that you might pray that my husband will find a better job than what he has right now so that we won't have to worry about her bills and care much longer. Unfortunately we have realized that we won't be able to live here, where I grew up and where my family is for many reasons. Including our lack of confidence in Marigold's clinic, the cost of her PKU needs, uncertainty of whether she will be able to take up citizenship anytime soon, and the lack of good jobs here for college-educated people.

Please just keep us in your thoughts, and thanks for reading this and praying for us.