to get your hopes up, they get smashed. In many ways lately but the one I'm talking about now is my bum wound. At the last appointment with my surgeon, he said the fistulotomy was healing wonderfully. I was happy, it was all good. This morning something didn't feel right, it hurt and I looked. Good thing I did as it sort of looked like a purplish blood blister type of thing. I rang the doctor and he said to come in. I figured I was going to see him next week so I'd just go today instead. Long story short, he doesn't know quite what it is. He did cauterize it though. Turns out the middle part of the wound is healed, and on one end it's taking longer, which we knew. But the other end has opened up. He said it doesn't look infected, which is definitely good, but depending on how it looks next weed (I have to go back on Friday) he may put me on antibiotics.
I realise I sound very defeatist at the moment, but why can't anything in my life just be simple and easy? I'm at my wits end.
15 August, 2008
12 August, 2008
An accident waiting to happen -
That's what I am. It's incredible how accident prone I am. Sunday I was out w/ my little nephew, and to make a long story short, he was playing on a "child size" house at a farm, slipped across one of those slat type bridge things, hurt his elbow and was crying. So I ran up the "steps" - more like a plank with notches in it - to pick him up and as I did - WHACK! There went half my head into the v. low "child size" ceiling/roof. People kept asking if I was okay because it was so hard and loud. So now I'm slightly concussed. I took off from work yesterday because it hurt to just go a few feet from the bed to the loo. Still sore when I move, so trying to take it relatively easy, but still - at work you are on the computer. I'm not meant to do too much reading or watch too much telly, but I'm sort of stuck here at the office. I'm frustrated as well as I can't do any real physical activity until this swelling goes down. Nope, didn't go to a doctor. The last time I had a concussion - which was definitely worse than this one - I went to the doctors, they examined me, had me do a CT scan, and nothing showed up. I'm so over seeing doctors this year that I am just sorting myself out. There's really nothing they can do anyway. Hopefully it doesn't take as long as last time to wear off, I believe it was about 6 weeks or so.
As for the hips, they've not been happy. I thought I packed my Mobic from the office to go to the island on Friday, but it wasn't in my bag. I figured I must have left it here in the office by accident, but it's no where to be found. I hope it wasn't nicked. The hips are definitely missing the drugs and the pool. I have more Mobic at home but I can't really do much about the pool, so praying for a v. quick recovery.
As for the hips, they've not been happy. I thought I packed my Mobic from the office to go to the island on Friday, but it wasn't in my bag. I figured I must have left it here in the office by accident, but it's no where to be found. I hope it wasn't nicked. The hips are definitely missing the drugs and the pool. I have more Mobic at home but I can't really do much about the pool, so praying for a v. quick recovery.
01 August, 2008
weekly update
Last Saturday was lovely, I had a nice long lie in and then did nothing all day except make pancakes! I hadn't had a day like that in ages and it was just what I needed. Sunday I went to the pool and then my parents came in for a bit. The brought in this neck massage thingy I had gotten a few years ago and I've been using it to try to loosen up the knots in my neck. It seems to help a bit, though I'm still tight and also getting the pins and needles down the arm.
I went to Dr. Meng, the rheumatologist on Monday for my three month check-up. She feels I should increase the Mobic and take more Tylenol. I told her that the Mobic is irritating my stomach even with the acid-reflux meds, but she still seems to think I should do it even for a little bit. I'm very weary though. I rang up the insurance company as well to ask what I could do about getting to see the chiro again. They gave me the run around saying that I should have the chiro call to speak to their clinical one and explain the whole situation. I asked his office to do that and haven't heard back so don't know if they did. I will try again on Monday and see where to go from there.
Tuesday I went to the pool and had a good workout. Wednesday night I destroyed my body. I went to see Aimee Mann, who was fab, but it was standing room only and by the end of the night I thought my body was going to break apart into pieces, especially my hips and back. That and very little sleep left me a bit funky yesterday, so I did not go to the pool. I just had no energy so went home and relaxed - just what I needed. My left hip is still pretty miserable right now but at least the right one (touch wood) seems to be okay. And thankfully I've remembered to make the Mobic this week.
Tonight I am going to the island for the weekend. Staying at my brothers tonight and tomorrow my SIL and I will take my favourite boys to the beach, so long as the weather is good. Fingers crossed, it's not looking good at the moment.
August looks pretty laid back which is good. I will start in earnest my gym visits again next week. I just finished the required 50 for the 6 months to get reimbursed from the insurance company, and get to start the next six months on Sunday. I am going to get every cent from them especially since they won't pay for my PT or chiro now.
Happily I found out I have 13 days left to take before the end of the year. 2 are automatically put aside for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and so it's really 11. I am looking forward to going to Holland in October or November to stay with my good friend who is having a baby this month. (I am voting for the 26th even though it's a week after her due date! :-) ) After that 6 days left to figure out what to do with. Yay!
Of course I just said the right hip was being good and it's just started a lovely stabbing pain! Argh!
Still haven't heard from Dr. Kelly's office after they left that message to cancel my last appointment. Since I'm so sick of doctors I'm waiting to see how long it takes them to realise they've not seen me for a follow-up in ages. I am definitely doctored out! I so wish I had a somewhat "normal" body! I'm so over this humpty dumpty thing.
I went to Dr. Meng, the rheumatologist on Monday for my three month check-up. She feels I should increase the Mobic and take more Tylenol. I told her that the Mobic is irritating my stomach even with the acid-reflux meds, but she still seems to think I should do it even for a little bit. I'm very weary though. I rang up the insurance company as well to ask what I could do about getting to see the chiro again. They gave me the run around saying that I should have the chiro call to speak to their clinical one and explain the whole situation. I asked his office to do that and haven't heard back so don't know if they did. I will try again on Monday and see where to go from there.
Tuesday I went to the pool and had a good workout. Wednesday night I destroyed my body. I went to see Aimee Mann, who was fab, but it was standing room only and by the end of the night I thought my body was going to break apart into pieces, especially my hips and back. That and very little sleep left me a bit funky yesterday, so I did not go to the pool. I just had no energy so went home and relaxed - just what I needed. My left hip is still pretty miserable right now but at least the right one (touch wood) seems to be okay. And thankfully I've remembered to make the Mobic this week.
Tonight I am going to the island for the weekend. Staying at my brothers tonight and tomorrow my SIL and I will take my favourite boys to the beach, so long as the weather is good. Fingers crossed, it's not looking good at the moment.
August looks pretty laid back which is good. I will start in earnest my gym visits again next week. I just finished the required 50 for the 6 months to get reimbursed from the insurance company, and get to start the next six months on Sunday. I am going to get every cent from them especially since they won't pay for my PT or chiro now.
Happily I found out I have 13 days left to take before the end of the year. 2 are automatically put aside for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and so it's really 11. I am looking forward to going to Holland in October or November to stay with my good friend who is having a baby this month. (I am voting for the 26th even though it's a week after her due date! :-) ) After that 6 days left to figure out what to do with. Yay!
Of course I just said the right hip was being good and it's just started a lovely stabbing pain! Argh!
Still haven't heard from Dr. Kelly's office after they left that message to cancel my last appointment. Since I'm so sick of doctors I'm waiting to see how long it takes them to realise they've not seen me for a follow-up in ages. I am definitely doctored out! I so wish I had a somewhat "normal" body! I'm so over this humpty dumpty thing.
25 July, 2008
some good, some bad
I tried to take it easy this week to recuperate from the previous few weeks. Tuesday I went to the pool, and was so tired. It's amazing how missing 5 days in a row made me feel out of shape. Then again, it could be because I was so exhausted. I tried to go yesterday but whomever is running this place decided it wasn't such a good idea, as there was one obstacle after another. (The ladies changing rooms were closed, then no showers, etc). So instead I met my friend that just moved across the street on 34th and we hung out on the roof having cheese and wine. Not a bad way to enjoy the lovely weather last night. Wish every summer night was that lovely. No humidity and a nice breeze - perfect!
Wednesday I went to the chiro where they tried to sort out this tingling down my arm. My doctor even cracked my bad, which he rarely, if ever, does. That's what a mess it was. After the bad news was dropped on me - my daft insurance company has decided to NOT let me go to the chiro anymore - just like they did with my PT for my hip. We had a long talk and it seems United Health that owns Oxford now just lost a HUGE lawsuit and so they will be denying everyone and everything.
See: A Guide To Insurance Company Denials and Medical Loss Ratios
Pretty ironic when Ann Fleishauer, the Director of External Communications lets the OptumHealth website make this statement:
"About OptumHealth: As one of the nation's largest consumer health services companies,
OptumHealth makes health care easier and better for employers, health plans, public sector entities and the 61 million people with access to its services. The Company's goal is to optimize health, well-being and financial security, while lowering benefit costs and helping consumers
make informed decisions about their health through standalone or integrated services. OptumHealth is a company of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.OptumHealth.com"
(OptumHealth, which is the in-house division that deals with UnitedHealth and Oxfords coverage for PT, chiropractic, etc.)
The last thing OptumHealth (previously ACN)/ UnitedHealth seems to be doing these days is making health care easier and better. All they are doing is taking away services so that the higher ups and investors are making a lot more dosh. It's all for profit, which, when comes to health care, is NEVER a good thing.
These links explains about the lawsuit:
UnitedHealth sued for racketeering
Hospitals Sue Groups For Health Racketeering
UNH: 4,000 job cuts, $895 lawsuit payout
It's no secret that health care in this country is a mess and it needs to be changed so that everyone is covered. I don't profess to have the answers, but am paying attention to all that is going on. One thing that sounds a bit iffy to me, since it has profit orientated insurance companies involved, is the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign.
Some interesting articles about all of this:
AHIP CEO busted by outraged American - with damning audio
AHIP Murder By Spreadsheet Deceive America Tour
Sure, the insurance industry wants to hear from you. Sure.
Fights Over Health Claims Spaw a New Arms Race - Insurers and Doctors Try for Upper Hand; Firms Help Both Sides
The Truth About "Healthcare for America Now"
Ok, sorry to go on about that but when you're in my situation you get worried about these nasty tactics the insurance companies do.
Other than that, Wednesday night was brilliant, saw George Michael at the Garden and he was amazing! I was dancing and afraid that would be a bad thing in the long run but thankfully my hip has not gotten too bad from it, even though it was hurting before the concert. When George is singing you just can't help to dance!
Yesterday I saw Dr. Aranoff for another post-op check up. He was very excited and surprised about how well I've been healing and in just 5 weeks! He said this procedure is always more risky with women in that area because of the thin muscle. Thankfully that seems to be okay and now I just have to see him once every month until it's completely healed. That was very good news!
Wednesday I went to the chiro where they tried to sort out this tingling down my arm. My doctor even cracked my bad, which he rarely, if ever, does. That's what a mess it was. After the bad news was dropped on me - my daft insurance company has decided to NOT let me go to the chiro anymore - just like they did with my PT for my hip. We had a long talk and it seems United Health that owns Oxford now just lost a HUGE lawsuit and so they will be denying everyone and everything.
See: A Guide To Insurance Company Denials and Medical Loss Ratios
Pretty ironic when Ann Fleishauer, the Director of External Communications lets the OptumHealth website make this statement:
"About OptumHealth: As one of the nation's largest consumer health services companies,
OptumHealth makes health care easier and better for employers, health plans, public sector entities and the 61 million people with access to its services. The Company's goal is to optimize health, well-being and financial security, while lowering benefit costs and helping consumers
make informed decisions about their health through standalone or integrated services. OptumHealth is a company of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.OptumHealth.com"
(OptumHealth, which is the in-house division that deals with UnitedHealth and Oxfords coverage for PT, chiropractic, etc.)
The last thing OptumHealth (previously ACN)/ UnitedHealth seems to be doing these days is making health care easier and better. All they are doing is taking away services so that the higher ups and investors are making a lot more dosh. It's all for profit, which, when comes to health care, is NEVER a good thing.
These links explains about the lawsuit:
UnitedHealth sued for racketeering
Hospitals Sue Groups For Health Racketeering
UNH: 4,000 job cuts, $895 lawsuit payout
It's no secret that health care in this country is a mess and it needs to be changed so that everyone is covered. I don't profess to have the answers, but am paying attention to all that is going on. One thing that sounds a bit iffy to me, since it has profit orientated insurance companies involved, is the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign.
Some interesting articles about all of this:
AHIP CEO busted by outraged American - with damning audio
AHIP Murder By Spreadsheet Deceive America Tour
Sure, the insurance industry wants to hear from you. Sure.
Fights Over Health Claims Spaw a New Arms Race - Insurers and Doctors Try for Upper Hand; Firms Help Both Sides
The Truth About "Healthcare for America Now"
Ok, sorry to go on about that but when you're in my situation you get worried about these nasty tactics the insurance companies do.
Other than that, Wednesday night was brilliant, saw George Michael at the Garden and he was amazing! I was dancing and afraid that would be a bad thing in the long run but thankfully my hip has not gotten too bad from it, even though it was hurting before the concert. When George is singing you just can't help to dance!
Yesterday I saw Dr. Aranoff for another post-op check up. He was very excited and surprised about how well I've been healing and in just 5 weeks! He said this procedure is always more risky with women in that area because of the thin muscle. Thankfully that seems to be okay and now I just have to see him once every month until it's completely healed. That was very good news!
21 July, 2008
Wiped out
It's been 44 weeks since my hip surgery. I thought I was doing pretty well but the last two weeks made me feel otherwise. I have been running around more in the last two weeks than I had done since having my hip surgery, and with all that running around, my right hip has not been a happy camper. It may also be a combination of that and the fact that I've been leaning more on my right side when sitting because of the fistulotomy. Either way, the hip is not happy. Because I was going to be running around so much this weekend and it had already been hurting me, I used lidocaine patches on Saturday and Sunday. I would not have made it through without. Last night when I was able to just relax my hip was so tight. Actually they both were and my legs were very achy as well. I even iced my left hip to try to calm that side down. There were also a lot of stairs involved over the weekend, much more than what is "normal" for me.
To add to this loveliness, my right hand/wrist is acting up again and really hurting. I had stopped using the splint but really have to start again as I am not even going to contemplate another surgery right now. My neck is so messed up that I'm having tingling down my right arm and hand. Thankfully I have the chiropractor on Wednesday, though I wish it was today. On Thursday I have a check up with Dr. A for the bum. I finally had the courage to look at it a couple of weeks ago as it was really hurting and I wanted to make sure it didn't look infected or anything. All I can say is it was pretty disgusting, and big. The doctor definitely did lie when he said how big and deep it would be. I checked it again yesterday and it seems like the upper part of the incision has started to or closed up a bit, which I'd like to think is a good sign. It's hard to tell though and I don't really like looking so it's good the doctor can check this week. I've been going to the pool about twice a week and it feels fine so that is a very good thing. It still hurts to sit, especially on hard chairs, and I can't wait for that to stop, along with having to take sitz baths every day. I will definitely not miss that!
BTW - Natalie Douglas was completely brilliant with her "Cafe Society" show! If you ever get a chance to see her you should.
To add to this loveliness, my right hand/wrist is acting up again and really hurting. I had stopped using the splint but really have to start again as I am not even going to contemplate another surgery right now. My neck is so messed up that I'm having tingling down my right arm and hand. Thankfully I have the chiropractor on Wednesday, though I wish it was today. On Thursday I have a check up with Dr. A for the bum. I finally had the courage to look at it a couple of weeks ago as it was really hurting and I wanted to make sure it didn't look infected or anything. All I can say is it was pretty disgusting, and big. The doctor definitely did lie when he said how big and deep it would be. I checked it again yesterday and it seems like the upper part of the incision has started to or closed up a bit, which I'd like to think is a good sign. It's hard to tell though and I don't really like looking so it's good the doctor can check this week. I've been going to the pool about twice a week and it feels fine so that is a very good thing. It still hurts to sit, especially on hard chairs, and I can't wait for that to stop, along with having to take sitz baths every day. I will definitely not miss that!
BTW - Natalie Douglas was completely brilliant with her "Cafe Society" show! If you ever get a chance to see her you should.
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