There are not a lot of new developments this week …. I am counting down the days until “Cast Off Day” on Monday – 11:40am … I’ve got it memorized. Out of all the casts that I have had this one has been the easiest, but it is still chilly outside and holiday time. Just think …. it is the LAST AND FINAL cast – yippee!!
On Monday I had a huge parent volunteer training session at JA with over 150 parents. One mom came up to me afterward and inquired about what happened to my foot/leg. I gave her the brief version of my saga and doctors I’d seen in St. Louis, etc. It turned out that she had a foot problem as well and was extremely frustrated w/not getting to the right dr. for medical help … been there before. We ended up talking for almost thirty minutes and I felt like I helped her with several referral names with my STL and Chicago doctors. This gal had a previous negative experience w/Wash U that was fairly similar to my experience … glad I wasn’t the only one that thought they are overrated. She was a mom that just wanted to be able to wear a shoe, too ..... my problem was much more complex than hers, but we could have talked a long time.
I have another colleague at JA that just had surgery and is having a major wound issue. We e-mailed back and forth today, but she has a long road ahead. It reminded me that a year ago this time I was the one w/a major wound problem in December and we were still dealing with it last June. I heard of someone else yesterday that has cancer and their insurance company has denied medication coverage to the tune of almost 20K. I’ve done the appeal process with insurance companies and it is a long, lonely road & in most cases the patient never wins.
There are lots of hurting people with medical issues. I find myself having the utmost sympathy toward anyone else that has foot problems or wound issues …. hopefully what I’ve learned along the way can help someone else. Part of me still wonders if one of the reasons I’ve gone through all of this is to possibly change professions to something medically related …. I’ve thought about it for a long time. We’ll see what God has for the new year ahead.
If you are headed to bed tonight healthy, be extra thankful.
je
2 comments:
Fighting a sore throat tonight, which is STILL "healthy" in the overall scheme of things. Glad to hear you have a thankful heart and such great perspective. You ARE a source of encouragement to those who have been in a similar road OR to ones who will travel it in the days to come. You are a WONDER, my dear! Keep that cast festive b/c the countdown on its removal has BEE-GUN! (begun) L Jo
Dear Jenny, So glad you are almost at the end of this long nightmare. I think you would be excellent in the medical field, I am sure you know as much or more than some of them in the field already. I know for sure you would definetly have a wonderful bedside manner. As you know that is so important in the patient getting better a doctor with a personality!!! Waiting patiently for Monday to see that brand new foot flat on the ground. Love, TED,CAROL,TEDDY
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