From: Mary.Frost@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Mary Frost)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: 390 miles R.T.
Date: 18 Nov 92 21:21:54 GMT
Reply-To: Mary.Frost@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/41.0 - American SITE ADANe, Norman OK
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25703

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> Quoting Wayne Briggs to Mary Frost <=-

 WB> After our car was hit & totalled 6-90 & the dog attacked me 8-90, my
 WB> health insurance coverage ended at the enf of 1990. We cashed in my
 WB> retirement plan & borrowed money for 5 sugeries in 91 & other medical
 WB> care.

 I have no idea why so much pain, heartache, grief hits a person or family.
 I read the book "When Bad Things Happen To Good People" several years ago.
 It is by Harold S. Kushner.  He was a young Rabbi whose young son had a
 terrible disease that would rapidly age him and he would die very young.
 In the Bible it says that it rains on the just and the unjust.  I take
 that to mean that the rain falls on all, not discriminately only on "good"
 people.

 WB> Texas Tech. Medical School in Lubbock refused to treat me, because I
 WB> was out of county.

 I do not understand the cost of medical help.  Right now here in Oklahoma
 there is a young woman that needs a bone marrow transplant.  She has no
 insurance and the surgery is "$200,000.00"!!!   Isn't that obscene?
 Friends had a walk-a-thon and raised about $40,000.  The girl could possibly
 die before $200,000 could be raised.

 I have insurance that pays fair, but we always owe several hundred dollars
 after surgery.  It is so frustrating to have so much income go to doctors,
 hospitals, etc.  But, I am so very thankful to have insurance and not have
 the terrible time you and many others have getting medical treatment.

 WB>  However, the hospital wanted $27,000 in advance.

 There are only a few people in this world that could afford to pay $27,000
 in advance to a doctor or hospital.  Especially a person who cannot work
 or has insurance.

 WB> years. However, the amunt & frequency have dimished to two trips a
 WB> week in Abilene area, and once a week to Dallas. Outpatient Pain
 WB> Clinic is at Parkland in Dallas, other medical care involving tests or

 Wayne, do you enjoy music?  When I feel very bad, I enjoy listening to
 classical music.  It can be very soothing, in fact, it has been proven
 that babies sleep much better that listen to classical music.  I wish
 that I had known that when my children were babies.  I started violin
 lessons when I was 40 (three years ago) and played until Jan of this year
 when I started having so much pain in my wrist.  I hope to be able to play
 again after the surgery on my thumb.  It is supposed to be the hardest
 instrument to learn - and I believe it!  I took piano lessons as a child
 but only once in a while and not consistently, and even played in church,
 but it had been a long time ago.  I had always
 loved classical music, but was a little embarrassed about it because
 no one that I knew did.  I believe if I had had the opportunity as a kid
 to learn the violin, I would have done well.

 WB> If I have another MSRA infection, my only hope for treatment

 Wayne, what is MSRA infection.  I take it to be an infection is a wound,
 am I right?

 WB> red to grey-green 2 AM Monday to bursting open Monday PM after the
 WB> office nurse kept me waiting 7 hours, while routine outpatients were
 WB> being seen.

 My sister is unable to work and has two young children and she is treated
 so callous when she goes for medical treatment because she is on medicare.
 She is a diabetic and has had back surgery, needs more, and had a stroke
 about a year ago.  She has a very hard time getting a doctor to treat her.
 I've seen how she has been treated like a second class citizen by both
 doctors and medical help.  It is a humiliating experience.

 Did you talk to the doctor about waiting 7 seven to see him?  Often times
 the doctor is unaware how the patients are treated by his help if no one
 speaks up.  You deserve the best care no matter the circumstances.  I hope
 that Bill Clinton can help the medical system.

 WB> Mary, thanks for your support. Charlotte had a mamagram yesterday  -
 WB> she has had pain & other changes for 4-6 weeks & only recently would

 I hope the best for Charlotte.  I too have cystic breast disease and have
 had three biopsies.  There are many medical treatment now for breast
 cancer.  I know that doesn't make it easier to think about.  It is a
 terrible fear of mine.  She must get medical treatment and advice if she
 is having lump and nipple changes.  Don't let her put off treatment at all.
 Stress does take a toil on a person - especially in the weakest part of
 their body.

 WB> My stump is
 WB> healing so well that flesh as compleatly covered up stainless steel
 WB> clamps & sutures plus most of the nylon sutures. This resulted in
 WB> increase discomfort since Thursday. Friday night I went back to
 WB> sleeping pill & finally 15 mg. Loratab & was unable to sleep at all. I
 WB> called the Parkland E.R. RN & told her I was 11 days since surgery &
 WB> had full external closure 6 days ago. She said she thought perhaps the
 WB> sutures needed to come out & I should  drive the 195 miles & come in.
 WB> I  stopped twice for coffee & for a rest from vibration. By the time I
 WB> got there, the day shift came on. The ER Director declined to contact
 WB> my doctor or others on the same surgical team. He said with a shoulder
 WB> disarticulation, he would rather leave them in a week or two extra
 WB> than run the risk of removing them now.

Wayne, is the ER Director a nurse or a physician?  Possibly you could have
called the doctor's office and had him paged to call you before you made
the trip or after you talked to the ER Director.  I don't think most doctors
would want someone making such an important decision in the treatment of the
major surgery that you just had.

 WB> typed "Thanks for your support", I became aware that I wanted some &
 WB> why. Thank you.

 I am so glad that you wrote to me.  I haven't got on the conference for
 a while.  My son turned 21 and my husband and I had our 25th anniversary
 last week.  Also, my daughter moved back home, she has had quite a reverse
 in her nursing.  It is very stressful and I have been very depressed.  I
 also have severe migraines that had been fairly controlled the past 18
 months with Calan.  It doesn't seem to be helping as much now as it did.
 I've also hurt so much in my hip, knee, and ankle.  Well, I just needed
 to whine for a minute I guess.  At least I know that you don't mind
 listening.

 I hope to always be able to give support.  I like to think I am a very good
 listener and don't mind giving my opinion - if asked!

 Have you thought about keeping a journal?  I do at times.  I may write in
 it a lot and then not for months.  I wish I was more consistent.  You never
 know, you may have a book waiting to be written!  I need to stop this
 message before it becomes a book.... talk to you later,  Mary

 WB> 2-1-93 Medicare is to be effective. It would be nice to be back to
 WB> work then.

 WB> -!- MacWoof Eval:08Oct92
 WB>  ! Origin: 5126 Meadow Dr,Abilene, TX 79606 915/691-0722
 WB> (1:392/26.3@fidonet)

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