The best of times, the worst of times.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Gary, that is awful. That woman and her kid lucked out by not marrying a jerk like that.

James, I am glad to hear that your daughter is doing better.

Eekee, you don't remember that guy? I even remember his member name but maybe shouldn't mention it (???) It was not that long ago. He had a hot blonde fiancee from Ukraine (big surprise) and he was (from his icon photo) holding on to her and smiling like a cat that just ate the canary.

I wont mention the name but the initials were perryandelana.

[Codeblue009 3]

Olya got her visa and flew here Kazan-Frankfurt-Chicago with her children on the 24th. No questions at POE, just opened the envelopes, looked at the passports/visas, and did the fingerprints! Their flight was late due to having to avoid the iceland volcano eruption. It was a good thing we had already decided it was not worth chancing the connection in Chicago which was less than 90 minutes. We had decided I would meet them there and we would make the 7 hour drive north rather than wait 10 hours for an uncertain next flight north.

On the way north the 2 year-old vomited once. No big deal, they all had restless stomachs after the airline food. We arrived home and tried to sleep but she vomited twice more. She was fine Wednesday but vomited again that night. Thursday morning she had a seizure. Olya was terrified! I wasn't doing much better! We spent the day in the hospital where they found dehydration, low blood sugar, and fever. After IV fluids she was discharged at 5pm. At 6pm while happily playing outside she fell and had a second seizure! More sheer panic and back to the ER. She stayed in the hospital this time and began strong meds for epilepsy. All the tests that could be done locally were done and no answer was found. She needs referral to a major children's center soon for specialist evaluation and more testing. For now she is doing well but suffering major side effects (sedation, incoordination) from the meds. At least we hope it is only the meds!

I have a good income but we are talking some major expenses here. Of course I want everything done for her, what could be more important?! But we decided that since we were planning marriage anyway why wait? We got the 3 day waiting period waived and a marriage license Friday. A clergy friend performed the wedding right there in the hospital room. Now the 2 year-old has insurance! But it was not what we had wanted, certainly! Maybe we will still do the ceremony in July.

This has been the most intense and excruciating emotional roller-coaster I could ever imagine! Olya was convinced her daughter was dying. We have both lost children in the past so we share that awful knowledge already that nobody should ever know. Now we face an uncertain future. It remains to be seen whether this stress will bind us more tightly together or threaten to tear us apart.

The point I hope to make here is that the risk so many of us take of having our fiancees going without good health insurance while our marriages are pending may be a very foolish risk. The last thing any of us needs during this is a great deal of added financial stress if the unthinkable should happen. I hope none of you out there have to endure what we have faced the last few days (it seems like years!).

But if you do I hope you have the insurance coverage you need. The risk is not worth taking!

I pray that Olya's child has a speedy recovery and I agree with you on the matter of having good insurance for the ones you love. There is more to consider than filing for a visa to get them here. Life can turn complicated in a hurry. James, I am praying for you and Olya and I hope this will bring you both closer together. God Bless you all!

[jrmejia 31]

Thanks for the advice and I hope things turn out to be much better for you guys!