BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 10:09 AM

It gets complicated.

Tom saw Dr. Z Wednesday morning. He had the worst scoping in his experience -- Mass General/The Voice Center are teaching institutions, so newbies (who do all the prepping for Dr. Z -- scoping, taking the correct pictures of Tom's throat, displaying them on the computer) rotate through there on a regular basis. A couple acolytes ago was one of the absolute best at scoping (anesthetizing the pertinent tissues, snaking a tiny camera down Tom's nose and into the laryngeal area). Wednesday's was by far the worst.

Anywho, she took a bunch o' pictures. When Dr. Z came in he peered at the photos, switched a couple times between last November's and today's, and showed me something I really couldn't see on the picture from November (but which he is concerned about) and how today's picture sort of snuck up on the area but didn't give a clear shot.

So...he wants to have a look with Tom under general anesthesia. But...Tom has a history of problems with anesthesia. So...Tom has to contact his cardiologist, etc. and have them give feedback to Dr. Z's office about whether this is a good idea or not, AND Tom will then have to confer with the anesthesiologist at Mass General who will make the decision as to whether this should be done.

That's the "simple" part.

Yesterday (Thursday) when Tom called his insurance (which should be a PFFS plan working with Medicare -- he had to change yet again because last year's plan is no longer available in NH) to get some explanations, he found they don't even offer his type of coverage in our area. All he has through them is prescription drug coverage. So...basically he has no insurance (for the time being until it all gets straightened out).

When it came time to choose a new plan (end of last year), because the choices are unbelievably confusing, he (again) asked for assistance from NH ServiceLink and, whether from misunderstanding or stupidity, the plan he has is the one they suggested.

This is not the end of the world, but it is an EXTREME annoyance (and time-consuming -- when Dr. Z wants the anomaly on Tom's throat attended to as soon as possible) and, alas, "just one more thing".

It's certainly not helping Tom's depression (which has been fairly under control of late) and has upped his "curmudgeon quotient" considerably. (And the cumulative effect is, too, to raise my stress level considerably.)

Good thoughts would definitely be appreciated.

Thanks!
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Silas
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 10:12 AM

Well, once again, thank goodness we live in the UK with its national health service (WITH all its faults)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 11:03 AM

Well, danged You have my best wishes to have it all sorted out, swiftly and painlessly.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: jacqui.c
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:02 PM

Good thoughts from Scarborough - I know some of what you are going through, although we have been very fortunate insofar as insurance goes.....

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:12 PM

Sorry to hear this news Tom and Linn. I'm sure it will all sort itself out. So just take a few deep breaths, maybe even try a little something alcoholic, and go with the flow.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:35 PM

It'll get sorted. Ts&Ps for you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 01:43 PM

Wish I had a magic wand. You've got all my love and support coming your way and that doesn't need any magic or wands! All will be well. Linn, take as good of care of yourself as possible, too.

Now, Dr. Z, et alia, do your stuff!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 02:33 PM

Ditto on the magic wand. I start dealing with Medicare this year although I think I will opt out and stick with my company's plan.

Zeitels will figure it out. I wonder if he realizes how many people expect him to walk on water.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 02:53 PM

You mean he doesn't?!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: fat B****rd
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 03:06 PM

Thank you BG. Best wishes and thoughts from Scotland. to you, Tom.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 03:47 PM

SINS... stay with your private plan until you see how Medicare goes. Read my last post on the Eye pain thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 07:18 PM

I guess we lucked out on our insurance.

This whole thing kinda sorta sucks, maybe. In fact, it really does suck.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: kendall
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 08:55 PM

Damn!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Jan 12 - 09:07 PM

Linn and Tom-

Good thoughts augmented with various curses, and appeals to various animistic gods resident in the Gurage Agar of Ethiopia in 1967-68 (they appreciate attention).

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: JudyB
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 06:05 PM

(((((Hugs))))

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 06:54 PM

Thinking of you both. Big hugs, warm fuzzies, etc. from us to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 08:47 PM

Makes ya' wanta go out a beat up a Republican but that wouldn't change anything... Just get ya' arrested...

Sorry that ya'll havin' to go thru this shit...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: gnu
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 10:55 PM

Juat thinkin a youse before beddies. Rest well. Things will work out.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 12:44 AM

Oh, my. It never rains but it pours! I hope you both find some sun shining on your situation soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 02:32 AM

ChantyLass put it beautifully.

sending hugs & best wishes

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 08:32 AM

Linn and Tom

Looks like you need the lighting of another $#@!-reduction candle.

Offering my thoughts for speedy resolution too.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 06:28 PM

It'll all work out... It's just who really needs the aggravation? Plus it means that last session with Dr. Z isn't covered AND it means waiting to get the new insurance squared away before anything else is done.

Not life threatening, not world ending, just really really annoying. I guess things had actually been going along too smoothly...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: Crowhugger
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 01:05 AM

No such thing as TOO smooth! Smooth is great. Oh to be able to make our own waves if and when we're bored...
Best wishes for this. It's not easy for either of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Latest Medical Adventures
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 04:11 PM

Yes, it sounds VERY annoying, but ya just gotta vent and take little steps. I know that sounds pretty assinine given the situation but that's all I got. I truly wish I had a magic wand. I'd sell it for a billion dollars and help my friends.

Magic wands are too much trouble. People callin ya all day and all night, eh?