Well, I was told this day would come. It's just a little sooner than I anticipated or was prophesied to me, but hey, I've hit my deductible for the year, anyway, and who knows if I'll even be able to afford healthcare next year, so what the hell. I'm having foot surgery! Wooo
About a year or so ago, all the feeling in my Frankentoe came back and at first it wasn't much of anything. It meant the 24/7 buzzing was pretty much gone, but at times would come back like my foot was falling asleep. No big deal. Then it started itching sometimes. Okay, that's fine. Then it started feeling crawly every so often. Still not a big deal at all. Then it started burning. Oh, hey, I remember this feeling. This is still fine. Then it started throbbing. I mean, I haven't felt it for 5 years, what's a little pain to make up for lost time, yeah? Then it started burning and crawling and throbbing all the time. And aching after I walking for more than an hour. And it was keeping me up at night. And giving me back problems. And just generally being a giant asshole.
So I started wearing compression socks every day, and getting Cortisone shots every other week, and I got new shoes and in-soles. And then I rolled my ankle for the billionth time and my podiatrist said that we were just slapping Band-aids on the problems.
Apparently my big toe bones are still not aligned properly and one of my sesamoids (a pair of little pea-sized bones on the bottom of your big toe that absorb all your weight when you walk) is rotated and not even touching the ground when I walk and the other one is taking all the weight when I walk and there is a ton of scar tissue built up where they previously shaved down my bones on the ball of my foot and my ankle also has a ton of scar tissue and my "ligaments are shot." That's a direct quote, btw
And if you have scar tissue and calluses on the ball of your foot, that means bones are rubbing together. And those bones should not be rubbing together. So that means things are mis-aligned. And for all I know, they've been mis-aligned for 5 years, because I couldn't fricking feel them. Or something slipped at some point. Again, hell if I know, I couldn't feel it. Maybe that's what caused me to start feeling things again, for all I know.
So they're going to go in and repair the big toe again. And while we're at, it fix the ligament tear from 2 years ago, and just go ahead and reinforce all the ligaments in that ankle, since they just keep going out, one by one.
And that's the latest chapter in this 10 year foot saga. I'm told this fix should last me "about 10 years," so expect an update about the next venture in about 7 years...
I'm hoping they can just 4-D print me a new foot by then using my own spit.
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Monday, October 23, 2017
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hallelujah Healthcare Reform!
Two months ago, I voiced some of my opinions on the healthcare in our country. Two years ago, I wrote about my frustrations with being denied insurance repeatedly.
I'm happy to know that our president and the majority feel the same way, as today marked the passing of Obama's new health care reform law.
The biggest clincher in the new law, for me, is the fact that now insurance companies cannot discriminate or deny coverage to those with underlying conditions. Obviously, those are the people who need it most, and instead we have been repeatedly kicked while we're down.
I was just venting to my dad and best friend last week about how trying to stay on top of my medical bills is a full time job, in addition to actually BEING sick, which is another full time job, on top of my actual job. What happened to taking care of the sick and injured?
I'm eager to see how this all unfolds and I hope things turn for the better.
I'm happy to know that our president and the majority feel the same way, as today marked the passing of Obama's new health care reform law.
The biggest clincher in the new law, for me, is the fact that now insurance companies cannot discriminate or deny coverage to those with underlying conditions. Obviously, those are the people who need it most, and instead we have been repeatedly kicked while we're down.
I was just venting to my dad and best friend last week about how trying to stay on top of my medical bills is a full time job, in addition to actually BEING sick, which is another full time job, on top of my actual job. What happened to taking care of the sick and injured?
I'm eager to see how this all unfolds and I hope things turn for the better.
Friday, April 27, 2012
I need help climbing onto this soapbox...
I don't care if you're a Democrat, Republican, or Flying Purple People Eater. It doesn't matter if you voted for Obama, or if you will vote for him again. Say what you want about our healthcare system- you are entitled to your opionon, and most of what you say, I probably agree with. However, if you are against Obamacare or healthcare reform, I'd really, really like to hear your reasoning, because if it weren't for Obamacare, I'd probably be dead.
When I was deathly ill, hacking up what looked like bloody pudding and bleeding from every orifice, Uncle Sam pulled the rug out from under me, washed its hands, and left me to die. I had to resort to selling everything and living out of my car, while working, despite being in no condition to do so. I was denied food stamps and welfare. I was denied insurance. Because my illness is so rare, and since most people simply drop dead from it rather than live with it, it is not a recognized disability, so I was denied that, as well. Only by literally selling my body to science could I afford my treatment.
Then, Obamacare came in and saved the day, just in the knick of time, helping pay for the two surgeries I needed within six months time. It paid for 90% of my care and saved my life. But, I guess you're right, the $20,000+ my family and I have paid out of pocket isn't much less than the $750,000+ my care has cost in just two years. I could've just split the difference by working some overtime, while I had swelling in my brain, failing kidneys, fluid-filled lungs, a paralyzed foot, etcetera, right? Sure, no sweat!
What if I was your child, and you had to put a second mortgage on your home to pay my medical bills? Would you support Obamacare then?
What if you were me, and you had to decide whether to eat this week or to buy your medicine. Would you want healthcare reform then?
What is it going to take? How many people have to die before we change our healthcare system?
How many more stories like mine, and like these, will it take?
Sometimes, I'm so overwhelmed, I joke that paying the doctors to keep me alive is going to be what kills me.
I am the 99%
...Okay, can somebody help me climb down, now?
When I was deathly ill, hacking up what looked like bloody pudding and bleeding from every orifice, Uncle Sam pulled the rug out from under me, washed its hands, and left me to die. I had to resort to selling everything and living out of my car, while working, despite being in no condition to do so. I was denied food stamps and welfare. I was denied insurance. Because my illness is so rare, and since most people simply drop dead from it rather than live with it, it is not a recognized disability, so I was denied that, as well. Only by literally selling my body to science could I afford my treatment.
Then, Obamacare came in and saved the day, just in the knick of time, helping pay for the two surgeries I needed within six months time. It paid for 90% of my care and saved my life. But, I guess you're right, the $20,000+ my family and I have paid out of pocket isn't much less than the $750,000+ my care has cost in just two years. I could've just split the difference by working some overtime, while I had swelling in my brain, failing kidneys, fluid-filled lungs, a paralyzed foot, etcetera, right? Sure, no sweat!
What if I was your child, and you had to put a second mortgage on your home to pay my medical bills? Would you support Obamacare then?
What if you were me, and you had to decide whether to eat this week or to buy your medicine. Would you want healthcare reform then?
What is it going to take? How many people have to die before we change our healthcare system?
How many more stories like mine, and like these, will it take?
Sometimes, I'm so overwhelmed, I joke that paying the doctors to keep me alive is going to be what kills me.
I am the 99%
...Okay, can somebody help me climb down, now?
Friday, January 28, 2011
FAQ
For those who want to know and for those that have asked and received the JA or SA responses...
Key:
JA =Jackhole Answer
SA =Succinct Answer
IA =In-depth Answer
Q1: What's with the cane?
JA: What's with your face?
SA: I have a hurt foot.
IA: I have nerve damage in my foot and it helps me walk properly so I don't either: a) limp profusely b) walk on my foot incorrectly (usually on the outside or tiptoe) or c) fall on my face. That sometimes happens anyway...
Q2: Why do you wear a brace?
JA: I stepped on a land mine in Viet-Namn.
SA: I have nerve damage in my foot.
IA: I was in a car wreck 4 years ago and took the impact with my right foot, which traveled up my back, injuring the nerves in my L4, L5, S1 and S2. I've had problems with my back and foot ever since and am prone to hurting them. They've progressively gotten worse and I've known for a while I would probably need surgery, but I didn't have insurance for the past 3.5 years. Then, the Aspergillosis caused an auto-immune response in my body and thus attacked the weak spots, causing weakness and pain in my foot. (The high amounts of glucose and side effects from some of the medications I'm on also contributed) This makes it hard for me to lift and flex my foot and also causes my foot to drop down or curl under. The brace keeps it flat, stabilizes it, and provides a platform under it, so when I lift my leg my foot comes with it, rather than flopping downward.
Q3: So, what's the name of your disease? What is it, exactly?
JA: Aspergillosis. Black mold.
SA: Aspergillosis. It's a black mold that is in my entire body.
IA: Aspergillosis (click the link for the full answer)
Q4: How did you get it?
JA: I won the lottery.
SA: Through a series of unfortunate events jump-started by frostbite.
IA: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Q5: How rare is it?
JA: One in a trillion.
SA: Very.
IA: There are less than 5,000 known cases in the world.
Q6: What can't you eat?
JA: Everything except watercress and water.
SA: It'd be easier to tell you what I CAN.
IA: Can I eat that?
Q7: When will you be allowed to eat normally, again?
JA: Probably never.
SA: I'm just taking it one day at a time.
IA: There's really no way of knowing, at this point, but I'll hopefully be able to add some foods back in eventually; but I'll likely always have to be conscious of what I'm eating.
Q8: You're probably used to it, by now, right?
JA: Not really.
SA: I'm getting a little better about it.
IA: I'm discovering new things I can eat and new ways of preparing food but I'm still adjusting and sometimes it's really hard.
Q9: Are you contagious?
JA: Yes, stay back.
SA: No.
IA: Not unless you have no immune system and I give you an organ.
Q10: Why can't you eat (insert any forbidden food)?
JA: I'm on a cleanse/Atkins/South Beach diet.
SA: It feeds the mold or makes me sick.
IA: Because it (probably): harbors mold, is high in glucose/sucrose/fructose/ lactose/carbs/stearic acid or is difficult to digest.
Q10b: What do you mean, you don't know? Don't you ask?
JA: I'm not a doctor, I don't know all the specifics.
SA: I just don't eat it if they tell me not to.
IA: It's a lot of information to take in and a lot of it is overwhelming or scary, so I elect not to ask and choose to be on a need to know basis. (I'm starting to ask more questions now, namely because I'm tired of other people being frustrated with me when I don't have answers to offer. You're welcome.)
Feel free to ask any further questions in the comments and I will submit them to the management for answers.
Key:
JA =Jackhole Answer
SA =Succinct Answer
IA =In-depth Answer
Q1: What's with the cane?
JA: What's with your face?
SA: I have a hurt foot.
IA: I have nerve damage in my foot and it helps me walk properly so I don't either: a) limp profusely b) walk on my foot incorrectly (usually on the outside or tiptoe) or c) fall on my face. That sometimes happens anyway...
Q2: Why do you wear a brace?
JA: I stepped on a land mine in Viet-Namn.
SA: I have nerve damage in my foot.
IA: I was in a car wreck 4 years ago and took the impact with my right foot, which traveled up my back, injuring the nerves in my L4, L5, S1 and S2. I've had problems with my back and foot ever since and am prone to hurting them. They've progressively gotten worse and I've known for a while I would probably need surgery, but I didn't have insurance for the past 3.5 years. Then, the Aspergillosis caused an auto-immune response in my body and thus attacked the weak spots, causing weakness and pain in my foot. (The high amounts of glucose and side effects from some of the medications I'm on also contributed) This makes it hard for me to lift and flex my foot and also causes my foot to drop down or curl under. The brace keeps it flat, stabilizes it, and provides a platform under it, so when I lift my leg my foot comes with it, rather than flopping downward.
Q3: So, what's the name of your disease? What is it, exactly?
JA: Aspergillosis. Black mold.
SA: Aspergillosis. It's a black mold that is in my entire body.
IA: Aspergillosis (click the link for the full answer)
Q4: How did you get it?
JA: I won the lottery.
SA: Through a series of unfortunate events jump-started by frostbite.
IA: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
Q5: How rare is it?
JA: One in a trillion.
SA: Very.
IA: There are less than 5,000 known cases in the world.
Q6: What can't you eat?
JA: Everything except watercress and water.
SA: It'd be easier to tell you what I CAN.
IA: Can I eat that?
Q7: When will you be allowed to eat normally, again?
JA: Probably never.
SA: I'm just taking it one day at a time.
IA: There's really no way of knowing, at this point, but I'll hopefully be able to add some foods back in eventually; but I'll likely always have to be conscious of what I'm eating.
Q8: You're probably used to it, by now, right?
JA: Not really.
SA: I'm getting a little better about it.
IA: I'm discovering new things I can eat and new ways of preparing food but I'm still adjusting and sometimes it's really hard.
Q9: Are you contagious?
JA: Yes, stay back.
SA: No.
IA: Not unless you have no immune system and I give you an organ.
Q10: Why can't you eat (insert any forbidden food)?
JA: I'm on a cleanse/Atkins/South Beach diet.
SA: It feeds the mold or makes me sick.
IA: Because it (probably): harbors mold, is high in glucose/sucrose/fructose/ lactose/carbs/stearic acid or is difficult to digest.
Q10b: What do you mean, you don't know? Don't you ask?
JA: I'm not a doctor, I don't know all the specifics.
SA: I just don't eat it if they tell me not to.
IA: It's a lot of information to take in and a lot of it is overwhelming or scary, so I elect not to ask and choose to be on a need to know basis. (I'm starting to ask more questions now, namely because I'm tired of other people being frustrated with me when I don't have answers to offer. You're welcome.)
Feel free to ask any further questions in the comments and I will submit them to the management for answers.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
"the USA is the "only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not ensure that all citizens have coverage" (Wikipedia)
For 3 years, I've been trying to get medical insurance and for three years I've been told over and over and over again that I "present uncertain medical underwriting"(basically, "You actually need and will use this insurance, therefore we're not going to make money off of you and refuse to cover you") and have been denied repeatedly.
Last year, I was offered catastrophic insurance at $500+/mo that basically would cover me if I got cancer or was in a horrific car wreck and on life support. It did not cover dental, audiology, dermatology, mental health, women's health, gastroenterology, chiropractic or podiatry...all the things I needed at the time. I didn't see the point, so I passed...then, I got a catastrophic illness. Turns out, most of the care I'm recieving wouldn't have been covered, anyway; but, those ER visits (which will probably be the death of me before the black mold is) would've been covered. Oh well.
Fast forward to now: I just got approved for almost full coverage...wait for it...for: dental, audiology, dermatology, mental health, women's health, gastroenterology, chiropractic and podiatry; but not for my specialized care (nutritionist, infectious disease specialist and hematologist).
*Please take a moment to get out your Encyclopedia and look up IRONY. Does my picture look nice?
At least now I can finally afford to get my foot fixed. I love my cane and all, but I'm not ready to be such a Grandma just yet.
For 3 years, I've been trying to get medical insurance and for three years I've been told over and over and over again that I "present uncertain medical underwriting"(basically, "You actually need and will use this insurance, therefore we're not going to make money off of you and refuse to cover you") and have been denied repeatedly.
Last year, I was offered catastrophic insurance at $500+/mo that basically would cover me if I got cancer or was in a horrific car wreck and on life support. It did not cover dental, audiology, dermatology, mental health, women's health, gastroenterology, chiropractic or podiatry...all the things I needed at the time. I didn't see the point, so I passed...then, I got a catastrophic illness. Turns out, most of the care I'm recieving wouldn't have been covered, anyway; but, those ER visits (which will probably be the death of me before the black mold is) would've been covered. Oh well.
Fast forward to now: I just got approved for almost full coverage...wait for it...for: dental, audiology, dermatology, mental health, women's health, gastroenterology, chiropractic and podiatry; but not for my specialized care (nutritionist, infectious disease specialist and hematologist).
*Please take a moment to get out your Encyclopedia and look up IRONY. Does my picture look nice?
At least now I can finally afford to get my foot fixed. I love my cane and all, but I'm not ready to be such a Grandma just yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)