Word of the Day: detoxify The reason the world is going to end soon is becuase we're having a semblance of the springish season in South Texas. Usually in April, it's just a mini summer, with lots of humidity and lots of heat. The past few days, though, it's been in the forties at night and in the eighties during the day, and it's been feeling so very nice. And my allergies have been going crazy, so I definitely know it's spring. It's not going to last long, I know, but I'm trying to enjoy the season through the sneezing and the watery eyes. So we have our first prenatal appointment today. I'm going to the same clinic I went to with Patrick, the Community Mother and Child Clinic. It's an offshoot of DeTar, one of the hospitals, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with them. Instead of seeing an OB or OB/GYN, there's a nurse practitioner who checks everything and answers questions. I feel that that's all I need unless something serious happens, and then they can refer me to a partner doctor. They also help apply for Medicaid, which is the only thing that worries me. I think we make too much for Medicaid, and I'm unclear as to whether we would qualify for Parinatal CHIP, which pays for only things directly related to the child and nothing for me if I get a nonpregnancy-related sickness or ailment. I've been unreasonably obsessing about the finances of pregnancy as far as medical care goes for the past couple of days. Unreasonably because, no matter what happens, it's going to all be fine and I know this, but I can't help but worry, especially now that I'm pregnant with crazy hormones. I could barely sleep last night becuase I kept thinking of having to pay the hospital thousands of dollars for the delivery and things because we couldn't get any assistance or negotiate the price down with the hospital. I know I just have to calm down, but it's hard. **addendum** After a few, clear-headed calculations and some calm, non-frantic research, I feel a little better. If we don't qualify for Medicaid, I'm sure we'll qualify for Perinatal CHIP. In theory, I'm against government assistance of any sort. I believe capitalism should operate in a way that helps both buyers and sellers, and if people need assistance, they can use private charities or grants instead of government money, which should be used on interstate roads and national defence. In practice, though, I have to think of my family and forget my pride and idealism. Besides, I pay taxes just like everyone does, so I deserve to use some of the services provided by the government if I need to. No one can fix the mess we've made for ourselves as far as social welfare.