Thursday, September 16, 2010

September 16, 2010

I am so excited, I have something to report...... I am about to settle my dispute with Health Net. Health Net, as you may remember, misled me into getting cancer treatment at an “out of network” hospital, and then refused to pay about $70,000 in charges for 2 surgeries preformed at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. (This is my side of the argument, theirs is somewhat different.)

HN is not going to pay the bill, but they are going to pay my legal bills to date, defend me in the lawsuit that UPMC will bring against me, and pay any judgement that arises from the lawsuit.

I don’t really see why this is good for HN. I do owe the money to UPMC, (after all, I did sign everything that they put in front of me leading up to the surgery) and they should be able to get a judgment easily. It could be that HN is just using the cost of litigation as a negotiating tool, or just trying to put off payment for a few years.

While this is very good news..... it still leaves me with ruined credit, and having to deal with the legal system for the next couple of years. In any event, this is better than being stuck with the whole bill.

I am making a fairly rapid recovery from my hernia surgery..... I can’t laugh, lift, or cough at this point, but am nearly off of pain meds, and seem to be getting better. I will see where I am after I see the Doc. in a few weeks.

Please join me in a moment of silence for the loss of my navel..... it is not as bad as losing another major organ, but still...... I mean it really didn’t do much except collect lint, but I had it for a long time, and my belly looks a bit empty without it.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September 11, 2010

Well folks, I have once again survived the US medical system. I am at home, have no tubes coming out of me, all systems are working somewhat normally, and am resting uncomfortably under the influence of dangerous narcotics.

The plan is to feel better and better until this is just a distant memory. I want to thank all of you for you prayers and kind thoughts.

I will try to post more as energy permits.....

Thursday, September 9, 2010

August 9, 2010

Evening! I just wanted to update everyone on how John is doing. He's still in the hospital, although the surgery went well. He may be released tomorrow if he can move around a little more. He's not up to talking on the phone, and hopes everyone understands that he will be ready in a day or so. But he is fine. - Karen

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

August 8, 2010

Good morning! John went through his surgery very well, although it was delayed by several hours. He should be going home tomorrow or Friday at the latest. Since he did not get out of recovery until about 8:30 last night, I'm not sure which day it will be. - Karen

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

September 6, 2010

OK, Not much to report....... I am entering the hospital Tues. morning at 9:00 AM to have a hernia repaired. They are planning to embed a piece of “mesh” to bind my abdominal muscles together. I have not researched this process at all, but I am told that it is routine.

I do not expect this to be very complicated, or expect to be in there more than 2-3 days. People do this every day, it is just not a big deal. OK, that is what I think..... What I feel is much different, anxiety is seeping out of every pore, and relaxation is totally out of the question. Logic is apparently unable to override the subconscious that remembers the aftermath of the last time that I did something like this...... The problem, it seems, is that the whole dam thing is so totally counter-intuitive. OK, I know that this is the right thing to do, but once again, it feels like I have signed up for a knife fight.

I am never sure if it is helpful to whine about my “feelings”. It seems that it is not very manly, you know, I should be fearless, bring it on, I can take anything, I’m so tough that nothing bothers me.... In most respects, it is really not useful information regarding my medical condition, however, it is part of the whole experience. I do, however, also feel a duty to others that are following this blog, who are in similar circumstances, who need to know that these things can seem ominous and overwhelming. It may be comforting for them to know that others are fearful and undecided, but still get through it ok.

In any event, Karen will be posting updates on my condition on this blog, and I will be making and accepting phone calls as soon as I can kick the upcoming drug habit.