Multiple Sclerosis is not fatal [but it sure is disabling], so I guess Mr. Levine wants me to hurry up and die. Can't let me cost Medicaid much money, ya know.
Showing posts with label multiple sclerosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label multiple sclerosis. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The ankle bone's connected to the what?
With genetics popping up all over the place in this medical exercise, this is the picture before me today:
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Tethered Cord
Have you ever heard of an Obese Filum? Okay, the technical term is Fatty Filum, also known as Tethered Cord. Obese Filum just sounds cooler.
I had never heard of any of them until the Neurosurgeon told me that that was part of my problem.
Seems we all have this thing very similar to a rubber band in our spine that stretches when we bend in any direction. When you straighten back up, it pulls back into shape and helps to align your spinal cord. Another genetic thing, I understand.
Mine doesn't work. Knowing what it is now, I realize that mine hasn't worked in many years, if ever. I have ALWAYS had problems reaching down to tie my shoes, could NEVER do jumping jacks, certainly could not bend from side to side. Explains all those 'D's in gym class, why I couldn't play football, and why I never owned a Frisbee or climbed a ladder, eh?
There is a great rundown here: Tethered Spinal Cord
Again, the Neurosurgeon's request to do something about it was just DENIED by Mr. Levine's Medicaid.
Oh, and here I am. Essentially unable to move from where I sit and no relief from Medicaid. Does it help to say, 'Help, Mr. Levine. Help'?? Sorry, I forgot. I won't die from this, so It's benign.
Would it be fair to observe that you would like for me to hurry up and die Mr. Levine?
Oh, and I wet the bed until I was 14. I know why, now.
Bowel Incontinence, Diarrhea or Constipation are common. Urinary Incontinence, Frequency or retention are also common. Imagine that?
Thanks for all of your help, Medicaid.
I had never heard of any of them until the Neurosurgeon told me that that was part of my problem.
Seems we all have this thing very similar to a rubber band in our spine that stretches when we bend in any direction. When you straighten back up, it pulls back into shape and helps to align your spinal cord. Another genetic thing, I understand.
Mine doesn't work. Knowing what it is now, I realize that mine hasn't worked in many years, if ever. I have ALWAYS had problems reaching down to tie my shoes, could NEVER do jumping jacks, certainly could not bend from side to side. Explains all those 'D's in gym class, why I couldn't play football, and why I never owned a Frisbee or climbed a ladder, eh?
There is a great rundown here: Tethered Spinal Cord
Again, the Neurosurgeon's request to do something about it was just DENIED by Mr. Levine's Medicaid.
Oh, and here I am. Essentially unable to move from where I sit and no relief from Medicaid. Does it help to say, 'Help, Mr. Levine. Help'?? Sorry, I forgot. I won't die from this, so It's benign.
Would it be fair to observe that you would like for me to hurry up and die Mr. Levine?
Oh, and I wet the bed until I was 14. I know why, now.
Bowel Incontinence, Diarrhea or Constipation are common. Urinary Incontinence, Frequency or retention are also common. Imagine that?
Thanks for all of your help, Medicaid.
June 20, 2009
10 days after I fell out of bed [Which now has railings. Also known as Durable Medical Equipment. With NO thanks to Louisiana Medicaid, who DENIED my request]. That fall was the third time I had fallen out of bed since the stroke. The first requiring a hospital visit. Not that THAT did any good.
10 days out and the more active I am, the more I lose control of my bladder and my bowels. I have made messes for days and a person should not have to live like this, so friends took me to the Emergency room. They took a blood test, some radiology, told me I had gastroenteritis and sent me home with some anti diarrhea medicine.
The Neurosurgeon ordered up a Urodynamic [Urologist], and referred me to a Gastroenterologist. Finally, I thought, we shall get some answers. My mistake. Thought and Medicaid are like oil and water. At least here in Louisiana and under Secretary Levine's watch. Oh, and Medicaid does not seem inclined to give answers either.
Yesterday Medicaid canceled the urodynamics exam, which had been scheduled since 10 days after I fell out of bed. Medicaid told me that I have reached the limit for doctor visits. I've not yet determined if they mean ANY/ALL doctor visits, until when, or whether that includes other ordered and scheduled tests already on the books. Mr. Levine, care to answer, sir?
Fill in the blank, check the box. Move to the right...
10 days out and the more active I am, the more I lose control of my bladder and my bowels. I have made messes for days and a person should not have to live like this, so friends took me to the Emergency room. They took a blood test, some radiology, told me I had gastroenteritis and sent me home with some anti diarrhea medicine.
The Neurosurgeon ordered up a Urodynamic [Urologist], and referred me to a Gastroenterologist. Finally, I thought, we shall get some answers. My mistake. Thought and Medicaid are like oil and water. At least here in Louisiana and under Secretary Levine's watch. Oh, and Medicaid does not seem inclined to give answers either.
Yesterday Medicaid canceled the urodynamics exam, which had been scheduled since 10 days after I fell out of bed. Medicaid told me that I have reached the limit for doctor visits. I've not yet determined if they mean ANY/ALL doctor visits, until when, or whether that includes other ordered and scheduled tests already on the books. Mr. Levine, care to answer, sir?
Fill in the blank, check the box. Move to the right...
The Back Story
This sequence of events really starts with a series of heart attacks just before Christmas 2002. Over a 5 day period I suffered 7 heart attacks that I mistook [from past experience] as kidney stone attacks. The good people at University Hospital in New Orleans took their blood test and rushed me into two angioplasties over two days. Unfortunately there was a complication during the second procedure, and after a code blue in ICU which afforded me another near-death experience, I held on for the next week. After a month of recovery from the bleed-out, I was able to function well enough to return to part-time work. [Thank you, Leigh.] For the next 3 years I was actively involved in developing and managing a successful business operation. Life was good.
The morning of Monday, August 29, 2005 brought Katrina. The following days exposed the complete system failure of our own local, state, and federal governments. I returned to New Orleans 5 weeks later, and learned that I had lost my home.
Though I had plenty of the various medication I needed on hand for the duration, I was unable to obtain refills of my prescriptions in November anywhere in New Orleans, because not a single pharmacy had reopened. This, I realize now, was the beginning of the end of anything related to my own good health. On November 19th, I suffered a stroke while sleeping on the floor of my business.
The good people of The Spirit of Charity Hospital, operating out of tents in the now infamous Convention Center, brought in a mobile cat-scan and later transported me to Touro Infirmary. There, the medical staff of the destroyed Charity Hospital and the decimated LSU HealthCare Network, working in unfamiliar surroundings, guided me to improved functionality and gave me direction for follow-up care at a health clinic they were reopening some distance from my own location.
One was forced to do EVERYTHING differently than we have ever been taught or learned how to do on our own. The good folks at Touro evidently did not realize that patients could not get prescriptions filled ANYWHERE in the city. Due to the pharmacies being looted by the city's addicts during and following Katrina, we had no pharmacies. When eventually some did reopen, New Orleans' patients had to follow far more involved and strict procedures than ever before to simply get a prescription filled. Most of these rules have now been adopted nationwide, and I am certain many of you are now dealing with many of the same aggravations that we here in New Orleans have had to deal with since The Thing. If you are unfortunate enough to require pain management, that in itself is a whole new ballgame entirely.
The morning of Monday, August 29, 2005 brought Katrina. The following days exposed the complete system failure of our own local, state, and federal governments. I returned to New Orleans 5 weeks later, and learned that I had lost my home.
Though I had plenty of the various medication I needed on hand for the duration, I was unable to obtain refills of my prescriptions in November anywhere in New Orleans, because not a single pharmacy had reopened. This, I realize now, was the beginning of the end of anything related to my own good health. On November 19th, I suffered a stroke while sleeping on the floor of my business.
The good people of The Spirit of Charity Hospital, operating out of tents in the now infamous Convention Center, brought in a mobile cat-scan and later transported me to Touro Infirmary. There, the medical staff of the destroyed Charity Hospital and the decimated LSU HealthCare Network, working in unfamiliar surroundings, guided me to improved functionality and gave me direction for follow-up care at a health clinic they were reopening some distance from my own location.
One was forced to do EVERYTHING differently than we have ever been taught or learned how to do on our own. The good folks at Touro evidently did not realize that patients could not get prescriptions filled ANYWHERE in the city. Due to the pharmacies being looted by the city's addicts during and following Katrina, we had no pharmacies. When eventually some did reopen, New Orleans' patients had to follow far more involved and strict procedures than ever before to simply get a prescription filled. Most of these rules have now been adopted nationwide, and I am certain many of you are now dealing with many of the same aggravations that we here in New Orleans have had to deal with since The Thing. If you are unfortunate enough to require pain management, that in itself is a whole new ballgame entirely.
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