The dance of the doctor and the insurance company

Last week my doctor gave me great news.  I am healing beautifully and have good mobility in my knee.  He released from from home health physical therapy and ordered out-patient physical therapy, which will strengthen the muscles and further improve my mobility.

A week later I still haven't started my new therapy.  I called the doctor's office several times this week to hear "we are waiting on your insurance to approve."  My doctor's office doesn't know that I'm in human resources and getting in touch with my insurance company is a simple phone call, which I made.  I called and made contact with my hr team at about 2pm by 8:30am the next morning I had the approval code and information.  The insurance company said "the doctor's office didn't send the request until yesterday."

I honestly don't know which of them is or isn't telling the truth.  What I know is their "dance" and blame game us slowing down my recovery and that is totally unacceptable. 

My goal is to walk as or more comfortably now as I did 10 years ago before my knee got old.  (And only the knee got old, lol)  To accomplish that the doctor's office and insurance company have got to stop the stupid dance.

Oh, I'm now waiting on the PT provider to call and tell me when I'm scheduled.  They have until tomorrow morning before I call them.  The dance of delay stops now.

Cyn

PS... I called the PT company to get my first appointment scheduled and they told me that they called me Wednesday but the line was busy. Several problems with that: 1) I have call waiting on my home line, so even if someone was on the phone, they wouldn't get a busy signal; 2) on Wednesday NO ONE could give me an approval code from the insurance company and 3) every medical provider I've worked with throughout this surgery and recovery has called my cell phone because I've noted that as the best number to reach me. Conclusion, another medical provider trying to pass blame... Ridiculous!

Getting Stronger Every Day

Today is Father's Day. It was bitter sweet for me because while I am getting stronger everyday, I'm not strong enough to ride (because I'm not driving yet) to Oklahoma City to see my daddy. I sent a card and I talk to him and mom everyday of my recovery. I do miss being with family today though. The good news, next year, I should be there.

My recovery is going well. I've noticed that one day something will be difficult to do and the next I can do that same thing with relative ease. I've graduated from a walker to a cane and I occasionally take a few steps without either (but don't tell my physical therapist).

I go for my three week check up soon and will probably be released from at home PT to out-patient PT, which I hear is much more challenging.

We'll see...

Cyn

Bored sillly

I'm doing very well physically. Recovering at or better than expected for nearly two weeks out from surgery. So why am I struggling? Because I'm bored silly. I remember feeling similar to this after i had my first child and wasn't working. That is when I discovered that being a stay-at-home mom wasn't right for me. So now I'm sitting home again, unable to drive, needing assistance for all but some of the very basic needs.

I love my house, really love it, but I can only stay in it for so long without feeling trapped inside. Even sitting on the patio doesn't help. To get out of the house, someone has to drive me. I have willing drivers, but they also have to work and have lives(and one of them is an 18 y/o who is loving the freedoms of 18. lol) I can't cook, which is one of the ways I relieve stress and boredom. So I have everyone in the house doing things for me.

I have things to work on, crochet projects, house projects (that I can do sitting). I play Words with Friends and Wordsmith (user id CynSingsJazz if you happen to play) and I am bored silly! Come rescue me, come visit me.... Arrrggghhh! Sorry that last scream just slipped out.

Oh well, back to crochet or something...

Cyn

Getting better every day

All things considered, I'm doing exceptionally well.  Logically I understand this and am thrilled about the quickness of my recovery.  I am also grateful for the fabulous support system I have and for their unfailing willingness to be here to help with whatever I need.

Throwing logic out of the window and under the bus...

I feel so helpless!  I can't drive myself anywhere.  I can't cook.  I can't shower without someone else in the room with me. 

If you know me, you know I am a fiercely independent.  I take care of myself and I take care of my responsibilities.  I just do it.  I don't stop and say can you take me here it would you bring this to me keep I hop in the car and go. I go get what I need or want.  I don't get tired from riding in the car for an hour.

Ugh! Oh and daytime television is freaking ridiculous.  Do people really enjoy watching "news" shows about celebrities who aren't being held accountable or talk shows about who's the father of some woman's 15th child?  And soap operas... Let's just not discuss those; cause you can't fix stupid. 

Let me rest and do my physical therapy so I can go back to work our at least get out of the house more.

-This whining rant is brought to you by the owner of the summer of recovery....

Cyn

Physical therapy is a legalized method of torture

You are correct in assuming that my physical therapy was difficult.  Okay in all honesty it KICKED MY ASS!  Literally brought me to tears, but it also ignited my determination and pushed me to do more next time. 

The next time is today.  Incentive if I can successfully get through this one, I can go home. 

I can't have a new knee and not be able to use it.  So let's do this!

After the surgery

All in all yesterday went very well.  I have a new knee!  I had an inattentive nurse who allowed my pain to get out of control, but as the day went on things got better.

Surgery today

Not much more to say.  Waiting on the surgeon.  More after I have my new knee.

Stress before surgery

So my parents arrived, as planned on the day before surgery. My children, who knew this although they adamantly say they didn't, didn't remember to clean anything: their bedrooms, the bathrooms (anything that I couldn't see to tell them to clean). So when my parents arrived as scheduled, I ask about their rooms. My daughter: But you didn't tell me they were sleeping in my room? *Insert innocent teenage girl look here* I try to restrain from killing her while reminding her of the many times we spoke of this and send her on her task after her many teenage "I forgots" and "I don't recalls" (the girl should go work for the government when she grows up. *parental eye roll*) Of course my dad choosing to use the worst bathroom in the house and proceeds to tell me how "unclean" it is. Needless to say, my pre-surgery stress went through the roof.

Ugh! I love my family and surgery is incredibly stressful; without all of this.