One week left .... yippee!

Happy Saturday!

It was a busy day at work on Friday as we had 130 students in the Village and teacher training. I had two evening meetings at work this week, so I was tired and ready for Friday to arrive.
My “new hires” that started last week are working out great and have really stepped up to the plate this week. We have students in the Village next week all five days, so everyone is “resting up” this weekend. The next three months are the busiest months of the year at the Village.

I spent a significant amount of time on the phone on Friday with my insurance company arguing over the approval of the bone stimulator device. My 2nd appeal was denied. The insurance company physician says the device is not necessary and my Chicago surgeon says that it is necessary . . . of course the insurance company goes with the opinion of their hired physician.
The benefits department of the national Junior Achievement office in Colorado is reviewing the case next week and will make a final decision. The president of my JA office is also in the process of making a few phone calls on my behalf. We’ll see if it helps . . . if this fails, there is nothing else to try and we will hope the bones heal properly naturally. It is sad that insurance seems to dictate medical care – glad this isn’t an oxygen machine or a heart device!

My Chicago surgeon did write back and she is still rooting for a successful outcome! She prescribed an antibiotic to try and prevent an impending infection and told me to keep using on the muscle relaxant medicine. She is pushing on my insurance company also.

I am down to about a week left in the cast …. Yippee! Yippee! I am anticipating that if the foot is going to lay flat when I put weight on it, that I should be able to see this immediately when the final cast comes off. In the past, it has always tipped up pretty much right away so if we can get to be flat from the start, hopefully it will stay that way. In theory, the bones that were fused together during the last surgery should not allow any movement to happen – i.e. it should not be possible for the foot to tip to the side. I know the droopy toes will require another surgery, but this is supposed to be small and does not involve a cast. I am guessing that the toe surgery is something that could be done in St. Louis (maybe late spring).

My appointment to have the cast changed and incision checked is on Monday afternoon. I am looking forward to seeing how it looks again although until I put weight on it, the appearance of it really doesn’t matter.

Wishing you a joyous weekend!

je