Okay, so the title is a joke. I saw it on a t-shirt and threatened to give it to my brother, but I wanted to warn you that this is going to be a post about health insurance.
Last year for a period of time, I did not have health insurance. I went back to school and had to go part time at work. I voluntary went off of my employer health insurance because I thought I was going to be able to find health insurance. I'm healthy with no real medical problems outside of the normal things.
It turns out this whole process was much harder than I anticipated.
Almost three years ago now, I was diagnosed with systemic iritis. It is a condition that involves swelling, redness, and irritation of the eye. It is commonly related to auto-immune disease, especially when it is systemic which means that it was in both eyes. My optician was concerned that I may have the beginnings of lupus. He believed that it was related to my contacts, but because it was systemic and the specific type of iritis, pars planitis, he wanted to be thorough. I went to have all of the necessary blood work done and fortunately everything came back normal. I took the prescribed eye drops, did follow ups with my optician, and stopped wearing contacts. Within a couple of weeks my eyes were back to normal and I haven't had a problem since.
I didn't think much more of the whole thing until I started looking for health insurance.
At first, it seemed I had a lot of offers, then slowly but surely I started getting rejection letters. All of them, about 10 in all, except for one stated a pre-existing condition as the reason for the rejection. The one that did not approve me that wasn't related to a pre-existing condition was because of my job as a radiation worker. Apparently to that particular insurance company, being a radiation worker has the same safety rating as being a firefighter. I still don't get it.
Anyway, after a lot of phones calls, emails and letters, it was finally brought to my attention that the fact that I was tested for lupus was considered pre-existing. I explained that my blood work came back normal and my physicians, the optician and my general practitioner, would both be willing to testify on my behalf that I did not have lupus. This fell on deaf ears. The only insurance I was eligible for was over $700 a month. Considering that I was a student and working part time, this wasn't really an option for me. So, I didn't have health insurance for a while.
Luckily, I managed to stay relatively injury free and only needed to go to the doctor a couple of times. Also, I worked around some very understanding doctors who would write me a prescription for antibiotics when I had strep throat.
The reason why I am writing about it now is because I just added up all of my bills for my ankle. Now, I injured myself on hospital grounds, so all of my healthcare related to the fall is covered on workman's comp, so I'm not paying a dime for it. For some reason though, I got itemized "explanation" bills for the injury. My air cast alone was $300. To date, all total is almost $1500. That's right $1500 for a broken ankle that didn't even require surgery. This includes the ER visit and two visits to the orthopedic doctor. It also includes three sets of x-rays and the professional fee that you pay for the radiologist to read it.
Here's my point, had this happened this time last year and not at my place of employment. I would have been almost $1500 in the hole. Breaking my ankle was an accident, pure and simple. Trust me, there's no way I would have done this voluntarily. A lot of people my age who aren't employed by companies who don't offer health insurance have trouble finding affordable health insurance. A lot of times, we think we are invincible. We're too young, too healthy, etc. I would have never guessed that I would break my ankle by falling down the stairs.
The fact is, life happens. When it does, we need to do our best to be prepared. I feel like as human beings, we have a responsibility to make sure everyone has access to adequate health care. If I had fallen last year it is very likely that I wouldn't have gone to the doctor right away and made my situation worse. I would have been afraid of the $1500 hospital bill.
To everyone who is worried that Obama's health care plan is an abomination, I say take a walk in my shoes last year. I dare you to spend hours and hours on the phone with insurance companies banging your head against the wall with no help in sight. You be the one who cringes in your car every time someone gets too close or you have to stop suddenly. Every time you get a cough or your throat hurts you be the one to look at your bank account to see if you can afford the $150 doctor's visit. You be the one that can't even go to the employee clinic at the hospital where you work because you don't have health insurance.
I'm not saying that his health care plan is an end all to the problem, but it is a step in the right direction. The members in Congress who are trying to repeal it have obviously never been in a situation like mine.
Before you get on the opposition to health care train ask yourself, "what would you do if you were denied basic access to health insurance?"
A couple of good websites/articles:
-http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/hlthins/data/incpovhlth/2009/tables.html
-www.whitehouse.gov/realitycheck/
-www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/jan/20eric-cantor/health-care-law-job-killer-evidence-falls-short
-http://www.healthcare.gov/center/reports/preexisting.html
-http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/138195-key-gop-lawmaker-drums-up-support-for-repealing-key-health-reform-provision
If you get a chance, look up John Adams and the 1798 passage of a law with health care mandates. One website you can link here.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
My Progress
Have you ever had to deal with a whiny, sick person? You know, the one who only bitches about how they're stuck in the house and are going stir-crazy? They also try really hard to convince you they are perfectly fine and can do things they've been specifically told not to. Like going to the gym for example. Yeah, that person is me. My roommates and co-workers are getting frustrated with me. I get yelled at no less than ten times daily because I won't sit down.
I know in theory that I need to sit as much as possible, but it's really hard. I feel a lot better and have virtually no pain. The only way you even know I have an injury is because I have an air cast on my right leg.
The good news is that I am about three weeks ahead of schedule on my healing. The orthopedist was impressed at how well I am doing. My left ankle (the sprain) is much more swollen than my right, but it doesn't hurt at all. My right only hurts at night. I'm now allowed to take my air cast off night, but the ankle is really tender. I can't say that it hurts, it's just tender and will wake me up if I move it in the wrong direction.
The only possible set back I may have is that I can't feel two of my toes on my right foot. They're the two toes next to my big toe. They're actually the reason why I don't wear my cast at night anymore. I move them as much as I can, but it's difficult. They do have good blood flow, so any permanent damage is going to be nerve damage. I honestly think that once I take my air cast off for good, my toes will be fine.
So, I'm doing really well. I'm still really tired at the end of the day, but every day is better. I'm getting out a little more which helps a little. I'm tired of being stuck in this house and listening to everyone else's adventures. February 5th is D-day. That's the day the air cast is coming off for good. I can't wait.
I still have high hopes for 2011.
I know in theory that I need to sit as much as possible, but it's really hard. I feel a lot better and have virtually no pain. The only way you even know I have an injury is because I have an air cast on my right leg.
The good news is that I am about three weeks ahead of schedule on my healing. The orthopedist was impressed at how well I am doing. My left ankle (the sprain) is much more swollen than my right, but it doesn't hurt at all. My right only hurts at night. I'm now allowed to take my air cast off night, but the ankle is really tender. I can't say that it hurts, it's just tender and will wake me up if I move it in the wrong direction.
The only possible set back I may have is that I can't feel two of my toes on my right foot. They're the two toes next to my big toe. They're actually the reason why I don't wear my cast at night anymore. I move them as much as I can, but it's difficult. They do have good blood flow, so any permanent damage is going to be nerve damage. I honestly think that once I take my air cast off for good, my toes will be fine.
So, I'm doing really well. I'm still really tired at the end of the day, but every day is better. I'm getting out a little more which helps a little. I'm tired of being stuck in this house and listening to everyone else's adventures. February 5th is D-day. That's the day the air cast is coming off for good. I can't wait.
I still have high hopes for 2011.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thank God for good parents
This breaks my heart. I cried the first time I read it then immediately said a prayer for my fantastic parents. Do me a favor. If you decide to read it, read the whole thing. Don't stop halfway through.
I wish someone, somewhere had been able to help this man. That someone could have helped him ease his pain.
I wish someone, somewhere had been able to help this man. That someone could have helped him ease his pain.
Friday, January 7, 2011
"The Fall"
Before I even begin writing about "The Fall", I just want you to know that I am terrified that I am going to end up with cankles (you can see pictures here and here). I'm also worried that I'll never be able to wear cute shoes again.
Last Thursday began like every other day. I went to work and had a fairly decent day. I was in an excellent mood all day. I had plans for every day that weekend. I was also incredibly excited that I actually had New Years Eve and Day off. It would be the first in six years. Sara and I had bought tickets to a party. I had a cute dress and was planning on wearing my new ridiculously cute boots. I had made an appointment to get my toes done and my eyebrows waxed. Life was good. I just knew I was going to start 2011 off in a really good way.
As I was leaving work, I put my headphones in and was listening to The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name". I was in a great mood. I took my normal route out of work and just as I am going down the stairs to catch the shuttle bus, I feel my left ankle pop. I have to admit, that was a pretty frightening moment. I knew something bad had just happened, but I wasn't sure what. I've replayed this moment in my head a lot and I still don't know what caused my ankle to pop. I think I just hit the stair the wrong way, but I just don't know.
Anyway, the left ankle popped, which threw me completely off balance. I remember thinking that I couldn't fall on my right knee. Every time I've fallen, I always hit the right knee. I didn't want that to happen again. So instead, I stuck my right foot out. I instantly felt pain and hit the ground. I sat there for a minute trying to figure out what happened and attempting to collect my things. I managed to stand up and sit on a ledge that was close by. A couple of patients who witnessed the whole thing came to check on me. At this point, I still didn't realize how hurt I really was. Someone went and got help and a volunteer with a wheelchair came to take me to the ER. I insisted that I could stand and that if I just waited a few more minutes I would be able to go home. I must have looked in rough shape because he very calmly knelt next to me and said, "I'll tell you what. You have two choices. You can either voluntarily go with me to the ER, or I'm going to call a Rapid Response." Now, let me explain a Rapid Response. A Rapid Response is something any person in the hospital can call if for some reason they believe a person is in need of immediate medical attention. This is used for a variety reasons, but involves no less than twenty people. That was the last thing I wanted, more humiliation. I obviously went voluntarily with the man.
As I was being wheeled to the ER, it hit me. The pain, the fact that I was really hurt, and that my New Year's Eve was going to be a bust. I started crying and shaking. By the time I was in triage, my blood pressure was 84/45 and my heart rate was 42. I was begging to lie down. I felt like I was either going to pass out or throw up. The minute I was in the back and the nurse saw my left ankle, he gave me 10 mg of Oxycodone and ordered bilateral ankle x-rays. In radiology, I felt like I was getting better. In fact, after the pain meds, I thought I was going to walk out of there and have my weekend back. At some point, I texted Meg who came and was there when they delivered the bad news. The right ankle was broken (the lateral malleolus to be exact) and an obvious left sprained ankle with asymmetric joint space. The asymmetric joint space had the ER doctor worried about major ligament damage and spoke with me about possible surgery. I had no weight bearing restrictions on the right ankle and LIMITED weight bearing on the left. And there went my weekend.
I spent the rest of the weekend on the couch upstairs. I tired really hard to stay in the vertical position with my feet up. It was tough. Standing up was by far the most difficult thing. The stairs were tough at first, but once I learned how to work them, it wasn't a problem. Standing up, definitely the worst. It was the fact that I knew it was going to hurt. It took me like 20 minutes to convince myself to stand up. Everything is more difficult and there are a lot of things I never even thought about, but that I will no longer take for granted. Like putting my feet up on the bed, for example.
Anyway, I followed up with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday. He was impressed at the improvement on my left ankle. I could actually balance on my left ankle alone. I don't even have to wear an ace bandage on that foot. My right ankle still has about another month of recovery ahead. Luckily, I was put in an air cast with very few restrictions. I still have to lie down as much as possible when I'm at home (with my toes above my nose), use my crutches when I walk down long hallways, and I have to sit when I shower. He let me go back to work the next day. I could've probably used another day off of my feet, but I had no leave left. Off to work I went.
I really do feel a lot better. I am still not strong enough to do something like grocery shopping, but I'm hoping by next weekend I will be. My left ankle has virtually no pain. My right only hurts when I bang it into something or take it out of my cast. I'm only allowed to take off my air cast when I take a shower or put on my pants. I go next week to have a x-ray to make sure nothing has slipped and just to check on my progress.
I still have high hopes for 2011. Like I said, 2010 wasn't the greatest and I'm hoping the messed up ankles were 2010's one last attempt at screwing me over.
Last Thursday began like every other day. I went to work and had a fairly decent day. I was in an excellent mood all day. I had plans for every day that weekend. I was also incredibly excited that I actually had New Years Eve and Day off. It would be the first in six years. Sara and I had bought tickets to a party. I had a cute dress and was planning on wearing my new ridiculously cute boots. I had made an appointment to get my toes done and my eyebrows waxed. Life was good. I just knew I was going to start 2011 off in a really good way.
As I was leaving work, I put my headphones in and was listening to The Ting Tings "That's Not My Name". I was in a great mood. I took my normal route out of work and just as I am going down the stairs to catch the shuttle bus, I feel my left ankle pop. I have to admit, that was a pretty frightening moment. I knew something bad had just happened, but I wasn't sure what. I've replayed this moment in my head a lot and I still don't know what caused my ankle to pop. I think I just hit the stair the wrong way, but I just don't know.
Anyway, the left ankle popped, which threw me completely off balance. I remember thinking that I couldn't fall on my right knee. Every time I've fallen, I always hit the right knee. I didn't want that to happen again. So instead, I stuck my right foot out. I instantly felt pain and hit the ground. I sat there for a minute trying to figure out what happened and attempting to collect my things. I managed to stand up and sit on a ledge that was close by. A couple of patients who witnessed the whole thing came to check on me. At this point, I still didn't realize how hurt I really was. Someone went and got help and a volunteer with a wheelchair came to take me to the ER. I insisted that I could stand and that if I just waited a few more minutes I would be able to go home. I must have looked in rough shape because he very calmly knelt next to me and said, "I'll tell you what. You have two choices. You can either voluntarily go with me to the ER, or I'm going to call a Rapid Response." Now, let me explain a Rapid Response. A Rapid Response is something any person in the hospital can call if for some reason they believe a person is in need of immediate medical attention. This is used for a variety reasons, but involves no less than twenty people. That was the last thing I wanted, more humiliation. I obviously went voluntarily with the man.
As I was being wheeled to the ER, it hit me. The pain, the fact that I was really hurt, and that my New Year's Eve was going to be a bust. I started crying and shaking. By the time I was in triage, my blood pressure was 84/45 and my heart rate was 42. I was begging to lie down. I felt like I was either going to pass out or throw up. The minute I was in the back and the nurse saw my left ankle, he gave me 10 mg of Oxycodone and ordered bilateral ankle x-rays. In radiology, I felt like I was getting better. In fact, after the pain meds, I thought I was going to walk out of there and have my weekend back. At some point, I texted Meg who came and was there when they delivered the bad news. The right ankle was broken (the lateral malleolus to be exact) and an obvious left sprained ankle with asymmetric joint space. The asymmetric joint space had the ER doctor worried about major ligament damage and spoke with me about possible surgery. I had no weight bearing restrictions on the right ankle and LIMITED weight bearing on the left. And there went my weekend.
I spent the rest of the weekend on the couch upstairs. I tired really hard to stay in the vertical position with my feet up. It was tough. Standing up was by far the most difficult thing. The stairs were tough at first, but once I learned how to work them, it wasn't a problem. Standing up, definitely the worst. It was the fact that I knew it was going to hurt. It took me like 20 minutes to convince myself to stand up. Everything is more difficult and there are a lot of things I never even thought about, but that I will no longer take for granted. Like putting my feet up on the bed, for example.
Anyway, I followed up with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday. He was impressed at the improvement on my left ankle. I could actually balance on my left ankle alone. I don't even have to wear an ace bandage on that foot. My right ankle still has about another month of recovery ahead. Luckily, I was put in an air cast with very few restrictions. I still have to lie down as much as possible when I'm at home (with my toes above my nose), use my crutches when I walk down long hallways, and I have to sit when I shower. He let me go back to work the next day. I could've probably used another day off of my feet, but I had no leave left. Off to work I went.
I really do feel a lot better. I am still not strong enough to do something like grocery shopping, but I'm hoping by next weekend I will be. My left ankle has virtually no pain. My right only hurts when I bang it into something or take it out of my cast. I'm only allowed to take off my air cast when I take a shower or put on my pants. I go next week to have a x-ray to make sure nothing has slipped and just to check on my progress.
I still have high hopes for 2011. Like I said, 2010 wasn't the greatest and I'm hoping the messed up ankles were 2010's one last attempt at screwing me over.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Everyone should have a dog like mine. No really.
I know I talk a lot of crap about my dog. I even have two whole posts dedicated to crap he's eaten, but let me tell you, I have one fantastic dog.
First of all, Rocky is a mama's boy. He in general follows me around and will come check on me periodically whenever I'm not in the same room. Ever since my accident, he's barely left my side. When I first came home on Thursday, he was really excited to see me, but Meg and Sara played defense for me so he wouldn't hurt me anymore than I already was. That night after everyone went to bed, Rocky paced, whined and would not lay still. About 3:00 am, I woke up and had to use the restroom. It took me an hour to do this (keep in mind, I had to go up a flight of stairs). When I came down the stairs, Rocky had positioned himself on the opposite side of my pillow. That night we shared the pillow. This is basically how we stayed for three days. Every time I get up, he gets up and watches me. When I go up and down stairs, he either stands at the bottom of the stairs and watches me or he'll follow me up one stair at a time. I'm painfully slow going up and down stairs. Right now, I have to take showers in the upstairs bathroom so I can sit. Rocky waits for me outside the shower. When Sara was rewrapping my bandages. He stood next to me and never took her eyes off of her.
He definitely knows that my feet are the problem. He doesn't get to close to them. When he wants to get some love, he'll stand just beyond my feet and lean as far as he can in. He only gets close when I encourage him. He has only attempted to jump on me once and that was when I walked in the house with the air cast on.
Don't get me wrong, he still goes and greets everyone when they walk in the house, and if any of my roommates offer to feed him or take him outside, he's gone. But for the most part, he's been next to me this whole time. I've only heard him whine once since all of this started. I cannot explain how much I've appreciated his company. I only hope I can repay him one day.
I've always known I have a really good dog. But now I know I have an awesome dog. Maybe the best. Rocky is the reason people have dogs.
First of all, Rocky is a mama's boy. He in general follows me around and will come check on me periodically whenever I'm not in the same room. Ever since my accident, he's barely left my side. When I first came home on Thursday, he was really excited to see me, but Meg and Sara played defense for me so he wouldn't hurt me anymore than I already was. That night after everyone went to bed, Rocky paced, whined and would not lay still. About 3:00 am, I woke up and had to use the restroom. It took me an hour to do this (keep in mind, I had to go up a flight of stairs). When I came down the stairs, Rocky had positioned himself on the opposite side of my pillow. That night we shared the pillow. This is basically how we stayed for three days. Every time I get up, he gets up and watches me. When I go up and down stairs, he either stands at the bottom of the stairs and watches me or he'll follow me up one stair at a time. I'm painfully slow going up and down stairs. Right now, I have to take showers in the upstairs bathroom so I can sit. Rocky waits for me outside the shower. When Sara was rewrapping my bandages. He stood next to me and never took her eyes off of her.
He definitely knows that my feet are the problem. He doesn't get to close to them. When he wants to get some love, he'll stand just beyond my feet and lean as far as he can in. He only gets close when I encourage him. He has only attempted to jump on me once and that was when I walked in the house with the air cast on.
Don't get me wrong, he still goes and greets everyone when they walk in the house, and if any of my roommates offer to feed him or take him outside, he's gone. But for the most part, he's been next to me this whole time. I've only heard him whine once since all of this started. I cannot explain how much I've appreciated his company. I only hope I can repay him one day.
I've always known I have a really good dog. But now I know I have an awesome dog. Maybe the best. Rocky is the reason people have dogs.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Sending out 2010 with a bang
This past week has been interesting to say the least. Until Thursday evening happened, I had a blog partially written about Christmas and being stuck in Nashville for two extra days to get back to DC and there's no snow on the ground. Not a flake.
Then Thursday evening happened. I'll go into better detail later, but I fell down the stairs at work. This small fall, it was only about three stairs, has resulted in a severe sprain with possible ligament damage to my left ankle, which could require surgery, and a broken right ankle. Needless to say, I'm pretty immobile. The worst part is the fact that both ankles are hurting so I can't even put all of my weight on the "good" ankle to move around. The best part is I have an awesome friend/coworker, Meg, and fantastic roommates. Had it not been for Meg, I don't know what I would have done on Thursday. She woke up from a migraine to come to the hospital and completely take care of me. I needed it especially since I was in quite a bit of pain and had been given quite a bit of pain meds. My roommates are incredible. They've helped with everything and are being incredibly patient. I need to send a shout out to poor Byron, who had the task of going through my bras to find my sports bra, so I could change out of my work clothes. Sara's gone to the grocery store and fixed every meal for me so far. They've also completely taken over Rocky duties. They make sure he goes outside and gets fed. I'm so thankful I don't live by myself.
The year 2010 wasn't the greatest year for me. Don't get me wrong, some really positive things have happened. I have a new sister in law, whom I adore, and a gorgeous new niece. There have definitely been rough patches, too.
I'm hoping that 2011 will treat me a little better.
Then Thursday evening happened. I'll go into better detail later, but I fell down the stairs at work. This small fall, it was only about three stairs, has resulted in a severe sprain with possible ligament damage to my left ankle, which could require surgery, and a broken right ankle. Needless to say, I'm pretty immobile. The worst part is the fact that both ankles are hurting so I can't even put all of my weight on the "good" ankle to move around. The best part is I have an awesome friend/coworker, Meg, and fantastic roommates. Had it not been for Meg, I don't know what I would have done on Thursday. She woke up from a migraine to come to the hospital and completely take care of me. I needed it especially since I was in quite a bit of pain and had been given quite a bit of pain meds. My roommates are incredible. They've helped with everything and are being incredibly patient. I need to send a shout out to poor Byron, who had the task of going through my bras to find my sports bra, so I could change out of my work clothes. Sara's gone to the grocery store and fixed every meal for me so far. They've also completely taken over Rocky duties. They make sure he goes outside and gets fed. I'm so thankful I don't live by myself.
The year 2010 wasn't the greatest year for me. Don't get me wrong, some really positive things have happened. I have a new sister in law, whom I adore, and a gorgeous new niece. There have definitely been rough patches, too.
I'm hoping that 2011 will treat me a little better.
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