I'm writing this on Sunday, August 29
The worst part of the procedure occured on Tuesday, 8/6. On Monday morning nurse Kara called and I mentioned that I hadn't taken a bowel movement since the day before the procedure. She recommended that I take a laxative, and it seemed like it would be no big deal. That evening I took a dose of over-the-counter laxatives that I picked up at Walgreens. I felt well enough to walk over.
I awoke Tuesday morning, and felt I had better get down to business. I then spent from approximately 430am till 11am on the toilet in a close approximation of agony. I was in such pain that I wasn't even able to get to the phone to call the clinic until almost 730am. A nurse suggested that I attempt to 'dig out the blockage' because even if I were to visit the emergency room, this is what they would do. I didn't even know that this was possible, but I was able to clear the blockage with my finger, and finally got things moving. Later I found out that the anesthesia and the procedure itself tends to shut down the colon, and this will make for a severe case of constipation. The exit is blocked by constipation, and the laxative has created some raging, watery stools, and it creates a big problem. This was the most sick that I have ever felt, and I honestly thought that I might have to call for an ambulance. However, by early afternoon, I was feeling not bad at all.
On Thursday, 8/8 I walked downtown to the library, and the next day I went back to FitClub for the first time. I took the Accord since I hadn't driven it since before the operation. I actually was able to do a 30" bike ride, with reduced resistance, One Hour Old Style Cross, 30 Walk on Tread, and 45" Cross. Just a shower with the water aimed away from the incisions. Absolutely no ill effects, but I had taken a few of Dr. Floyd's pain pills for insurance.
On Monday, 8/12 I had a 930am follow-up appointment with the surgeon's assistant, and he said that I really shouldn't begin biking or jogging for another week. But, I could continue the mild FitClub workouts, and all of the walking that I cared to do. From the clinic I stopped at R&M Cycle and bought a flashing light for the bike, did the grocery shopping, and then walked over to FitClub after putting away the groceries. A two hour 'lite/mild' workout.
I really enjoyed walking to the club, and I plan to do this whenever I can. It's really only a ten minute stroll, and unless it's too cold or raining, I should be able to only use the Accord for shopping and the odd trip out and about.
Tuesday, 8/13 I walked downtown and then straight to FitClub for a two hour workout. The doctor had ok'd me to use the pool and whirlpools on Monday at the visit to the Springfield Clinic on 1st and Carpenter.
On Wednesday, 8/14 when I walked to the FitClub I felt some moisture on my left thigh when I got out of the locker room and ready to start the workout. The incision had opened and I was bleeding, but I managed to walk back home with no problem (used a patch of Kleenex to stop the flow). I got on the phone with Kara, and we decided that it would not be an over-reaction to swing by the clinic. I got there in twenty minutes (about 3pm) and she had one of the resident doctors take a look. He said that all of the purple discoloration was merely blood trapped under the skin, and it was seeping out through the cut. It was a tiny bit uncomfortable, but he squeezed a lot of this out, and it really cut down on the discoloration and swelling. They were could not have been nicer, and the nurses gave me a bunch of bandages and band aids. No mention of fee, but the doctor did ban me from the pool and whirlpool until the incision is completely healed.
On Thursday another two hour visit to the FitClub, and on Friday, 8/16 another walk to the library, and then over to the FitClub. The wound seems to be on the mend, and there is really not much blood on the band aid.
(The walks to the library are straight out Monroe and back. The first couple of times I got out in front of Remax, and walked on the grass at the far north side of the street. Then, I experimented with going out through Monroe Gardens, down Gaylord, and then Farragut. This is an area of the city that I had never been, and I plan to incorporate this into some of my running routines. THE WALK IS ALMOST EXACTLY TWO HOURS. A very pleasant waste of time)
On Monday, 8/19 I did the first jog since the procedure. Just 30" and south around the old eye clinic/Lynn/Law/bowling alley. Then I got on the bike for the first ride to the library. The road was closed near Illini Golf Club, and I had to detour a bit, and came home via Monroe.
By this time, I think that it is all pretty much behind me. There are still some stitches of some kind that are kind of like pen marks. The incision is healed over although it is kind of hard, but I no longer even use the band aid.
But, I have elected not to resume the Nautilus workouts until one month has passed. So on October 2nd, I plan to resume some limited weight exercises.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Friday, August 2, 2013
POST-SURGERY
I spoke with Janny yesterday evening, Th 8/1, about the arrival change from 830am to 845am, and that she was authorized to make a pickup at County Market Pharmacy, Fairhills.
She arrived at eight on the dot, and we got to the clinic about 815am. Waited about a half hour in the second floor lobby, and then nearly an hour in the pre-op waiting room. I was dressed in backless dressing gown, booties, and shower cap. A male nurse took the vital signs, and a female nurse set up the intravenous drip. No sedatives yet, just a neutral solution. I downplayed the fact that I had about the equivalent
of two large cups of coffee before 7am, but thiswas OK's by what the clinic's office told me yesterday even though it contradicted what was written in Dr. Ellison's material. It seemed that we were locked in, and had I confessed to having Thanksgiving dinner that morning, I think they would have still been good to go.
They had me walk from the pre-op area to surgery, and I held the drips in my left hand and clenched the gown shut with the right hand. I walked into the room that looked like the scene for a 'lethal injection' drama. The male nurse had picked up some blankets, and these actually had come from some kind of a heated chamber. Felt nice. I was only conscious for a couple of minutes, and didn't wake until the procedure was complete.
The next recollection was back in the pre-op room, and I vaguely remember that Janny was present with the male nurse. I told him the I wanted to take a leak, and this probably sped up the process, and I got dressed and then hit the john. A completely normal urination, and no pain or blood, so everything seemed ok. He wheeled me downstairs and Janny brought the car around. He almost loaded me into the wrong vehicle. I remember that his name was Bob, and the first male nurse was Regis. Can't remember name of the female nurse.
Janny drove to Fairhills, and I had to remove the booties and put on the flip-flops in the parking lot. No problem walking into the store, but I stood because the chairs seemed far too low to comfortably sit upon. Got the prescriptions filled with a minimum of hassle, and the stool softeners and downers cost a whopping ten bucks! I'll see if I can check at a later date if my deductible had been met and whether or not the insurance paid and how much.
She dropped me off without coming inside, and I spent the afternoon skimming through books and listening to music. I knew that I would retain very little, so I just looked at an Utne Review, a bio of Marianne Faithful, and TRANSFORMER about Lou Reed.
Janny called about 330pm and told me that Joe and her were out checking out garage sales, and she had neglected to leave my 'post-op instructions' with me. I told her to drop them by whenever it was convenient, and I was reading in the living-room. She showed up about 6pm and Buddy greeted her at the screen door. She didn't come in, and Joe was in the car on the drive.
At 615pm I put CONTEMPT by Jean-Luc Goddard on the Blu-ray, and started watching. I had taken a few of Dr. Floyd's pain pills, and decided that beer might be better than the pills. The downers seem to promote constipation, and this is the last thing I need. So the beers will act as a stool softener, and will keep me hydrated better than diet soda. Part of the prescription was for a stool softener, and I took one when I got back from the pharmacy.
When I finished the first beer, I walked down to the mail box and mailed Jamie's RSVP for the wedding. I wanted to make sure that the beer would not induce any nausea, or any odd symptoms. It did not, so I think that I will save the pills for daytime use for as long as necessary. The beer will also act as a diuretic and give a better relief to the discomfort. However, the only pain seems to be in my shoulders, and no where did I read about this odd complication. I wonder how they went about securing my head and upper body when they inserted the breathing tube for anesthesia. The anesthesia doctor mentioned that later this evening I might feel a tenderness where they inserted the drip for the morphine. I feel nothing so far.
When Janny called about stopping over with the post-op materials, she suggested that I schedule the post-op office visit with Dr. Ellison. I'm booked for Monday, 8/12 at 930am.
She arrived at eight on the dot, and we got to the clinic about 815am. Waited about a half hour in the second floor lobby, and then nearly an hour in the pre-op waiting room. I was dressed in backless dressing gown, booties, and shower cap. A male nurse took the vital signs, and a female nurse set up the intravenous drip. No sedatives yet, just a neutral solution. I downplayed the fact that I had about the equivalent
of two large cups of coffee before 7am, but thiswas OK's by what the clinic's office told me yesterday even though it contradicted what was written in Dr. Ellison's material. It seemed that we were locked in, and had I confessed to having Thanksgiving dinner that morning, I think they would have still been good to go.
They had me walk from the pre-op area to surgery, and I held the drips in my left hand and clenched the gown shut with the right hand. I walked into the room that looked like the scene for a 'lethal injection' drama. The male nurse had picked up some blankets, and these actually had come from some kind of a heated chamber. Felt nice. I was only conscious for a couple of minutes, and didn't wake until the procedure was complete.
The next recollection was back in the pre-op room, and I vaguely remember that Janny was present with the male nurse. I told him the I wanted to take a leak, and this probably sped up the process, and I got dressed and then hit the john. A completely normal urination, and no pain or blood, so everything seemed ok. He wheeled me downstairs and Janny brought the car around. He almost loaded me into the wrong vehicle. I remember that his name was Bob, and the first male nurse was Regis. Can't remember name of the female nurse.
Janny drove to Fairhills, and I had to remove the booties and put on the flip-flops in the parking lot. No problem walking into the store, but I stood because the chairs seemed far too low to comfortably sit upon. Got the prescriptions filled with a minimum of hassle, and the stool softeners and downers cost a whopping ten bucks! I'll see if I can check at a later date if my deductible had been met and whether or not the insurance paid and how much.
She dropped me off without coming inside, and I spent the afternoon skimming through books and listening to music. I knew that I would retain very little, so I just looked at an Utne Review, a bio of Marianne Faithful, and TRANSFORMER about Lou Reed.
Janny called about 330pm and told me that Joe and her were out checking out garage sales, and she had neglected to leave my 'post-op instructions' with me. I told her to drop them by whenever it was convenient, and I was reading in the living-room. She showed up about 6pm and Buddy greeted her at the screen door. She didn't come in, and Joe was in the car on the drive.
At 615pm I put CONTEMPT by Jean-Luc Goddard on the Blu-ray, and started watching. I had taken a few of Dr. Floyd's pain pills, and decided that beer might be better than the pills. The downers seem to promote constipation, and this is the last thing I need. So the beers will act as a stool softener, and will keep me hydrated better than diet soda. Part of the prescription was for a stool softener, and I took one when I got back from the pharmacy.
When I finished the first beer, I walked down to the mail box and mailed Jamie's RSVP for the wedding. I wanted to make sure that the beer would not induce any nausea, or any odd symptoms. It did not, so I think that I will save the pills for daytime use for as long as necessary. The beer will also act as a diuretic and give a better relief to the discomfort. However, the only pain seems to be in my shoulders, and no where did I read about this odd complication. I wonder how they went about securing my head and upper body when they inserted the breathing tube for anesthesia. The anesthesia doctor mentioned that later this evening I might feel a tenderness where they inserted the drip for the morphine. I feel nothing so far.
When Janny called about stopping over with the post-op materials, she suggested that I schedule the post-op office visit with Dr. Ellison. I'm booked for Monday, 8/12 at 930am.
Monday, July 29, 2013
PRE-SURGERY
Sunday, July 14,2013 When I looked in the mirror I noticed a bulge, lower abdomen left side. About the size of an egg, sliced laterally. No pain or tenderness, but I was thinking 'hernia' right off the bat. However, that's after I thought that there was an imperfection or bulge in the mirror.
On Monday morning I called Dr. Ellison's office to schedule an appointment. He was on vacation and I got a slot in early August, but they said I could begin calling next Thursday at 8am. He would be back, and I could see if I could book a cancelled appointment.
When I called on Thursday they were supposed to call me back, but I never heard from them until Friday at 10am. The nurse talked to the doctor, and he said that since I was having no symptoms, it was probably OK to wait until the scheduled appointment in August. After a couple of calls, I got an appointment for Monday, August 2 at Dr. Ellison's office out by the Honda motorcycle dealership.
NAUSEA PROBLEM
Beginning right after I noticed the hernia, within thirty-six hours I began to experience symptoms of nausea. The next night I awoke from a sound sleep, and felt like I was going to throw up. Several times during the next day and a half I would feel that I might vomit. I thought that I might be getting an ulcer, or (more importantly!) that the hernia was dumping toxins into my stomach. And this could be a very real possibility if the hernia had become strangulated or if there were internal complications.
From my journal Su 7/21/13
"Tomorrow doctor's appointment and Nausea will be an issue. Do I have an ulcer? Why is this happening when I first noticed the swelling? Are they connected".
I did not bring this up with the doctor, and on Tuesday I connected the real cause of the problem. I was using salad dressing that was obviously spoiled. I had watched a German documentary called OUR DAILY BREAD which was about the mechanization of the European food industry. The bonus features required a computer to play them. I couldn't get it to work (I should have 'opened' the drive), so I checked out You Tube to see if someone had posted them on that site. When I was watching videos about Food, I checked one about how huge batches of tainted food is sometimes introduced into the food chain. I got to thinking about what might be in my own fridge, and I zeroed in on the blue cheese salad dressing. I had been thinning it with water to make it last longer, and I must have been using one particular bottle for weeks. When I opened the bottle it smelled like the bottom of a garbage can that had been left out in the sun all day. PROBLEM SOLVED.
I ate much less during the periods of nausea, and I was back to normal by the end of the week. I never actually vomited, but came very close.
1015 appointment Mo 7/22/13 At that time I was considering postponing the surgery until I turned 65 and qualified for Medicare. I had no idea what my coverage was from ATT and part of the visit was to get someone from his office to settle this issue.
He saw me and immediately determined that I had a hernia, and because of my level of activity, I should have the procedure done soon. Although it might not give me a problem for the next thirty years, or I could have a flair up later today. I spent a bit of time with one of his clerk/nurses (Kara) discussing what I should ask my health insurance representatives and generally how to handle the billing procedures. She admitted that much of the shenanigans that they pull really borders on criminal, and one common gambit is that certain insurance companies pressure people to buy 'secondary' policies that cover no more than the regular Medicare coverage.
Dr. Ellison made an appointment for me to visit with a surgeon at Springfield Clinic, 800 N.1st on Thursday, 7/ 25 at 1115am. Dr. Kristopher Mitchell is the surgeon. 4th floor at clinic.
On Wednesday I called my insurance and found that I have a $500 deductible and they pay 80% and I pay 20% up to $2,000. In other words, I pay NO MORE than $2,500. It's not really addressed on the website. Later I did find a way, but this seems to be the biggest and most important question that you could have, "WHAT IS MY END"?
On Thursday I took the bike over to the clinic on first street, and was knocked out by the beauty of the building and its stunning location. His office's waiting room has one of the most scenic views in Springfield. He had plenty of information about the procedure but nearly nothing about the cost. He actually had no idea what the fee would be either, and actually admitted that he was also 'curious'. Nurse Kara helped out immensely, and after a couple of days of 'phone tag', I finally got confirmation about the 80%-20% split. She deserves an 'A Plus' for customer service, and she has really made the 'puzzle of health insurance' a lot more understandable.
Monday 7/29-
The surgery is scheduled for Friday, August 2nd at 1030am. I have to arrive by 830am at what they call 'the main campus' between 6th and 7th. Since I have to have an chest x-ray, lab work, and an EKG sometime before the procedure, I decided to visit the Springfield Clinic's location on Wabash this morning, and then head to club south after the tests are completed. I have been told that it is a 'first come, first serve' deal, so I will bring a book (BLACK HILLS).
Last Saturday I went over to the Brandenburgs for Jamie's birthday and Jon and Whitney's anniversary( 5 years). Janny said that she would take me to the surgery, and keep an eye on me. Sometime this evening after the tests have been done and the workout is over, I'll call her back with an update.
715pm, Monday 7/29- Wrap-Up of the Clinic Visit
I decided NOT to go to the clinic on Wabash because I felt it would be beneficial to visit Dr. Michell's office. Took the Accord, and arrived about 845am at the clinic on 800 1st. and before I headed out, I spent the early morning on the living room PC checking the news sites, and then I began this blog about the hernia operation. A cool sunny day (unfortunately it would have been ideal for a bike ride) , and the plan was to hit club south as soon as the visit was over.
I went to the 3rd floor and had the blood work and EKG done. I probably didn't wait five minutes, and I had brought BLACK HILLS with me, but I really didn't have time to read more than a couple of pages. I spent no more than fifteen minutes there, and then went down to the second floor for a chest X-Ray. This didn't even take five minutes.
I went back to Dr. Mitchell's office on the fourth floor, and talked to Kara about the procedure. She was the one who tracked down the insurance information. I still haven't contacted Blue Cross, but I think what she told me is true. I have penciled in a phone call tomorrow to talk with the ATT insurance people. One Fun At A Time.
She went over the basics of what I can expect on Friday, the morning of the operation. I will be having the procedure done at the clinic between 6th and 7th, second floor, East-side. I plan to bike down before Friday, and locate the exact place. She talked about 'black scrotum' and using frozen peas for relief. Blood in urine and black stools and swollen testicles....and, this was only the worst possible case. She said that the fact that I have no symptoms probably means that I will have an easy recovery. The doctor said that he didn't feel that I had a problem on the right side, so I most likely will not need the double procedure. If I do, it would mean a much longer recovery time.
I did the workout at club south, and stopped at County Market for supplies ($56), and when I got home, I called Janny for the update. She will pick me up on Friday at 745am, and she said that Joe might be available to help take me home after the surgery. I hope that this is not necessary. When I was talking to her on the phone Joe came home and said that the guy in his office had my same surgery done on Friday and he was back at work today. That was good news, because this guy was in his 50's, and if he can bounce back in a couple of days, I hope that I can do the same. With that being said, I will be doing 'narcotics' for at least three days....
830am Tuesday, 7/30/13
I got a call from Kara with Dr. Mitchel saying that my EKG was 'borderline', but they called Dr. Ellison and he felt confident that I could go ahead with the procedure. I asked Kara if possibly the EKG test might have been poorly administered. She said that might very well be a factor, and also if I had been nervous or had drank any coffee. Of course, I was apprehensive and borderline terrified during the test, and I had drank almost a whole pot of coffee before arriving. She also told me that my blood-work was 'a little off'. She said that had if I ingested so much as a single mint, it could throw the test results off, but I specifically asked if I should fast before the visit, and they said this would not be necessary. Yet how could they expect a 'normal' reading if any food or drink whatsoever would taint the results? Makes No Sense At All
530pm Tuesday 7/30/13
When I got back from this morning's workout, I called Blue Cross to confirm the information that Kara had gotten about my coverage. I have an automatic $500 deductible, and the insurance will cover 80% up to $2,000, and then anything over two grand, they cover 100%.
Since I will need prescription drugs after the operation I wanted to find out if I had any coverage. I understood that my new Blue Cross plan did not have pharmacy coverage, and this is true. However, I do have coverage through Caremark. The clerk gave me their number, and I talked to Caremark. On Friday I will give the druggist the toll free number, and then they can check on the extent of my coverage. The pharmacist at County Market will tell me only what I owe, and I don't have to be reimbursed at a later date. I don't know why I don't have any cards, but the clerk at Caremark said that she would send them to me. They probably will not arrive by Friday, but I suspect that the only reason the drug store uses the card is to get the number to call the insurance.
On Monday morning I called Dr. Ellison's office to schedule an appointment. He was on vacation and I got a slot in early August, but they said I could begin calling next Thursday at 8am. He would be back, and I could see if I could book a cancelled appointment.
When I called on Thursday they were supposed to call me back, but I never heard from them until Friday at 10am. The nurse talked to the doctor, and he said that since I was having no symptoms, it was probably OK to wait until the scheduled appointment in August. After a couple of calls, I got an appointment for Monday, August 2 at Dr. Ellison's office out by the Honda motorcycle dealership.
NAUSEA PROBLEM
Beginning right after I noticed the hernia, within thirty-six hours I began to experience symptoms of nausea. The next night I awoke from a sound sleep, and felt like I was going to throw up. Several times during the next day and a half I would feel that I might vomit. I thought that I might be getting an ulcer, or (more importantly!) that the hernia was dumping toxins into my stomach. And this could be a very real possibility if the hernia had become strangulated or if there were internal complications.
From my journal Su 7/21/13
"Tomorrow doctor's appointment and Nausea will be an issue. Do I have an ulcer? Why is this happening when I first noticed the swelling? Are they connected".
I did not bring this up with the doctor, and on Tuesday I connected the real cause of the problem. I was using salad dressing that was obviously spoiled. I had watched a German documentary called OUR DAILY BREAD which was about the mechanization of the European food industry. The bonus features required a computer to play them. I couldn't get it to work (I should have 'opened' the drive), so I checked out You Tube to see if someone had posted them on that site. When I was watching videos about Food, I checked one about how huge batches of tainted food is sometimes introduced into the food chain. I got to thinking about what might be in my own fridge, and I zeroed in on the blue cheese salad dressing. I had been thinning it with water to make it last longer, and I must have been using one particular bottle for weeks. When I opened the bottle it smelled like the bottom of a garbage can that had been left out in the sun all day. PROBLEM SOLVED.
I ate much less during the periods of nausea, and I was back to normal by the end of the week. I never actually vomited, but came very close.
1015 appointment Mo 7/22/13 At that time I was considering postponing the surgery until I turned 65 and qualified for Medicare. I had no idea what my coverage was from ATT and part of the visit was to get someone from his office to settle this issue.
He saw me and immediately determined that I had a hernia, and because of my level of activity, I should have the procedure done soon. Although it might not give me a problem for the next thirty years, or I could have a flair up later today. I spent a bit of time with one of his clerk/nurses (Kara) discussing what I should ask my health insurance representatives and generally how to handle the billing procedures. She admitted that much of the shenanigans that they pull really borders on criminal, and one common gambit is that certain insurance companies pressure people to buy 'secondary' policies that cover no more than the regular Medicare coverage.
Dr. Ellison made an appointment for me to visit with a surgeon at Springfield Clinic, 800 N.1st on Thursday, 7/ 25 at 1115am. Dr. Kristopher Mitchell is the surgeon. 4th floor at clinic.
On Wednesday I called my insurance and found that I have a $500 deductible and they pay 80% and I pay 20% up to $2,000. In other words, I pay NO MORE than $2,500. It's not really addressed on the website. Later I did find a way, but this seems to be the biggest and most important question that you could have, "WHAT IS MY END"?
On Thursday I took the bike over to the clinic on first street, and was knocked out by the beauty of the building and its stunning location. His office's waiting room has one of the most scenic views in Springfield. He had plenty of information about the procedure but nearly nothing about the cost. He actually had no idea what the fee would be either, and actually admitted that he was also 'curious'. Nurse Kara helped out immensely, and after a couple of days of 'phone tag', I finally got confirmation about the 80%-20% split. She deserves an 'A Plus' for customer service, and she has really made the 'puzzle of health insurance' a lot more understandable.
Monday 7/29-
The surgery is scheduled for Friday, August 2nd at 1030am. I have to arrive by 830am at what they call 'the main campus' between 6th and 7th. Since I have to have an chest x-ray, lab work, and an EKG sometime before the procedure, I decided to visit the Springfield Clinic's location on Wabash this morning, and then head to club south after the tests are completed. I have been told that it is a 'first come, first serve' deal, so I will bring a book (BLACK HILLS).
Last Saturday I went over to the Brandenburgs for Jamie's birthday and Jon and Whitney's anniversary( 5 years). Janny said that she would take me to the surgery, and keep an eye on me. Sometime this evening after the tests have been done and the workout is over, I'll call her back with an update.
715pm, Monday 7/29- Wrap-Up of the Clinic Visit
I decided NOT to go to the clinic on Wabash because I felt it would be beneficial to visit Dr. Michell's office. Took the Accord, and arrived about 845am at the clinic on 800 1st. and before I headed out, I spent the early morning on the living room PC checking the news sites, and then I began this blog about the hernia operation. A cool sunny day (unfortunately it would have been ideal for a bike ride) , and the plan was to hit club south as soon as the visit was over.
I went to the 3rd floor and had the blood work and EKG done. I probably didn't wait five minutes, and I had brought BLACK HILLS with me, but I really didn't have time to read more than a couple of pages. I spent no more than fifteen minutes there, and then went down to the second floor for a chest X-Ray. This didn't even take five minutes.
I went back to Dr. Mitchell's office on the fourth floor, and talked to Kara about the procedure. She was the one who tracked down the insurance information. I still haven't contacted Blue Cross, but I think what she told me is true. I have penciled in a phone call tomorrow to talk with the ATT insurance people. One Fun At A Time.
She went over the basics of what I can expect on Friday, the morning of the operation. I will be having the procedure done at the clinic between 6th and 7th, second floor, East-side. I plan to bike down before Friday, and locate the exact place. She talked about 'black scrotum' and using frozen peas for relief. Blood in urine and black stools and swollen testicles....and, this was only the worst possible case. She said that the fact that I have no symptoms probably means that I will have an easy recovery. The doctor said that he didn't feel that I had a problem on the right side, so I most likely will not need the double procedure. If I do, it would mean a much longer recovery time.
I did the workout at club south, and stopped at County Market for supplies ($56), and when I got home, I called Janny for the update. She will pick me up on Friday at 745am, and she said that Joe might be available to help take me home after the surgery. I hope that this is not necessary. When I was talking to her on the phone Joe came home and said that the guy in his office had my same surgery done on Friday and he was back at work today. That was good news, because this guy was in his 50's, and if he can bounce back in a couple of days, I hope that I can do the same. With that being said, I will be doing 'narcotics' for at least three days....
830am Tuesday, 7/30/13
I got a call from Kara with Dr. Mitchel saying that my EKG was 'borderline', but they called Dr. Ellison and he felt confident that I could go ahead with the procedure. I asked Kara if possibly the EKG test might have been poorly administered. She said that might very well be a factor, and also if I had been nervous or had drank any coffee. Of course, I was apprehensive and borderline terrified during the test, and I had drank almost a whole pot of coffee before arriving. She also told me that my blood-work was 'a little off'. She said that had if I ingested so much as a single mint, it could throw the test results off, but I specifically asked if I should fast before the visit, and they said this would not be necessary. Yet how could they expect a 'normal' reading if any food or drink whatsoever would taint the results? Makes No Sense At All
530pm Tuesday 7/30/13
When I got back from this morning's workout, I called Blue Cross to confirm the information that Kara had gotten about my coverage. I have an automatic $500 deductible, and the insurance will cover 80% up to $2,000, and then anything over two grand, they cover 100%.
Since I will need prescription drugs after the operation I wanted to find out if I had any coverage. I understood that my new Blue Cross plan did not have pharmacy coverage, and this is true. However, I do have coverage through Caremark. The clerk gave me their number, and I talked to Caremark. On Friday I will give the druggist the toll free number, and then they can check on the extent of my coverage. The pharmacist at County Market will tell me only what I owe, and I don't have to be reimbursed at a later date. I don't know why I don't have any cards, but the clerk at Caremark said that she would send them to me. They probably will not arrive by Friday, but I suspect that the only reason the drug store uses the card is to get the number to call the insurance.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)