So THAT'S WHY I've been hurting so bad!
Attitude of Gratitude
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 2,305
So THAT'S WHY I've been hurting so bad!
I've shared with some of you that I had two MRI's a few weeks ago, one on my lower back and one on my right hip. I didn't fall or injure myself, but with Rhematoid Arthritis and Lupus, just about anything is possible.
Anyway, I went to the Doctor on Monday and found out I do have two ruptured discs in my lower back and also what's called Right Trochanteric Bursitis, which is a fancy word for Bursitis in the entire socket of my right hip. I also had an infection in there that thankfully, since I am on Humira and can't get any infections, my doctor put me on a round of antibiotics when I started getting a chest cold, possible Pneumonia a few weeks ago. If she wouldn't have done this, I would have been in ICU by now, with a serious infection in my entire hip.
I went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon yesterday to get a steroid injection in my hip joint and the nurse said the doctor wanted xrays before giving me the injection. I have to admit, I was ticked, I had just had these MRI's a few weeks ago and now they wanted to twist me around like a pretzel on the xray table and cause me yet more pain.
The Surgeon walked in the room, introduced himself and then asked me how/when I fell that I fractured my pelvis! Uh, I think you have the wrong room, doc, I'm here for an injection in my hip. Nope, I fractured my pelvis, sometime over the past week or so. I didn't injure it, I just have fragile bones due to the RA and Lupus and also years of steroid use have weakened my bones more. Unless a pelvis is shattered from an accident, the only thing they can do is have someone rest it while it heals. As far as my discs, they want me to have surgery asap, but without any insurance, the Neurosurgeons want cash up front. Sure, here, let me write that check out for 3K, just watch it cause it's gonna bounce around like a kangaroo!
I was really frustrated, not to mention in a horrible amt of pain (haven't taken anything else for pain other than the Methadone I am on through the MMT I am in) I came home, so frustrated, upset, hurting . . . I had two calls on my answering machine. One was from a bill collector who got the usual "delete" (they'll call back, I have already told them when I have some money coming in I will begin paying them) The other call was from the woman at The State Disability office who I have been working with since before Thanksgiving, trying to get my Disability. It was a few minutes before 5:00 pm, I figured she was already gone for the day but something (or shall I say Someone) told me to call her anyway. My disability has been approved!!!!!!! I will be getting an award letter within a week, letting me know how much I will receive a month as payment and then I can take this letter to the local Medicaid office and at least get a Medical Card!!! I just starting crying so hard when she told me it went through and I was approved . . . first try! I thought for sure I was going to have to get an Attorney and file an appeal like most people do.
So, good things do come to those who wait! I will be able to have my back taken care of soon . . . will be able to get all of the proper meds I have needed for my RA & Lupus for several years but haven't had the money for and also, I am now going to have money coming in and can go back to school and finish my degree once my physical issues are healed up! My family has been paying my rent and helping me since Mom moved in with me, even though she is in a Nursing Home right now.
I cannot tell you all how Blessed I feel right now, even though I am in a great deal of pain. That will pass!
Thanks for reading another chapter in the life of Judy!
Anyway, I went to the Doctor on Monday and found out I do have two ruptured discs in my lower back and also what's called Right Trochanteric Bursitis, which is a fancy word for Bursitis in the entire socket of my right hip. I also had an infection in there that thankfully, since I am on Humira and can't get any infections, my doctor put me on a round of antibiotics when I started getting a chest cold, possible Pneumonia a few weeks ago. If she wouldn't have done this, I would have been in ICU by now, with a serious infection in my entire hip.
I went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon yesterday to get a steroid injection in my hip joint and the nurse said the doctor wanted xrays before giving me the injection. I have to admit, I was ticked, I had just had these MRI's a few weeks ago and now they wanted to twist me around like a pretzel on the xray table and cause me yet more pain.
The Surgeon walked in the room, introduced himself and then asked me how/when I fell that I fractured my pelvis! Uh, I think you have the wrong room, doc, I'm here for an injection in my hip. Nope, I fractured my pelvis, sometime over the past week or so. I didn't injure it, I just have fragile bones due to the RA and Lupus and also years of steroid use have weakened my bones more. Unless a pelvis is shattered from an accident, the only thing they can do is have someone rest it while it heals. As far as my discs, they want me to have surgery asap, but without any insurance, the Neurosurgeons want cash up front. Sure, here, let me write that check out for 3K, just watch it cause it's gonna bounce around like a kangaroo!
I was really frustrated, not to mention in a horrible amt of pain (haven't taken anything else for pain other than the Methadone I am on through the MMT I am in) I came home, so frustrated, upset, hurting . . . I had two calls on my answering machine. One was from a bill collector who got the usual "delete" (they'll call back, I have already told them when I have some money coming in I will begin paying them) The other call was from the woman at The State Disability office who I have been working with since before Thanksgiving, trying to get my Disability. It was a few minutes before 5:00 pm, I figured she was already gone for the day but something (or shall I say Someone) told me to call her anyway. My disability has been approved!!!!!!! I will be getting an award letter within a week, letting me know how much I will receive a month as payment and then I can take this letter to the local Medicaid office and at least get a Medical Card!!! I just starting crying so hard when she told me it went through and I was approved . . . first try! I thought for sure I was going to have to get an Attorney and file an appeal like most people do.
So, good things do come to those who wait! I will be able to have my back taken care of soon . . . will be able to get all of the proper meds I have needed for my RA & Lupus for several years but haven't had the money for and also, I am now going to have money coming in and can go back to school and finish my degree once my physical issues are healed up! My family has been paying my rent and helping me since Mom moved in with me, even though she is in a Nursing Home right now.
I cannot tell you all how Blessed I feel right now, even though I am in a great deal of pain. That will pass!
Thanks for reading another chapter in the life of Judy!
Om, Aum, Ohm...
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Punxsutawney/Pittsburgh
Posts: 4,797
Judy, that's wonderful -- the disability, not the fractured pelvis or the disc issues. I'm glad that you have the money worry off your plate, and I will send up and out some prayers for healing.
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Peace & Love,
Sugah
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 31,179
(((Judy)))
I know this is a like a huge weight lifted of your shoulders. I'm sorry you're still in so much pain, but at least now, you will have a way to get help without all the hassles you've been dealing with.
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
I know this is a like a huge weight lifted of your shoulders. I'm sorry you're still in so much pain, but at least now, you will have a way to get help without all the hassles you've been dealing with.
Hugs and prayers!
Amy
TheMostSordidSpotOnEarth
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ParadiseOnEarth
Posts: 811
Judy, you poor thing!
Well, I'm so glad that you're having these things taken care of, and I'm very glad that your request for disability status has been approved. That must be taking a huge weight off of your shoulders.
Get well soon!!
As an aside, as someone living in a country with universal health care available to every single person in need (plus a huge range of private doctors available to those who want them or can afford them), it makes me SO MAD when I hear that someone with a serious medical condition (fractured hip included) could risk going into debt, becoming bankrupt, or getting turned down because of ANY payment issues. Not to make this a political thing because I don't think it should be a political issue in the first place, but I hope things change on the medical front because medical care regarding serious issues, in my opinion, should never be a source of more trouble than the trouble itself! Okay, mini rant over. For now anyway.
Well, I'm so glad that you're having these things taken care of, and I'm very glad that your request for disability status has been approved. That must be taking a huge weight off of your shoulders.
Get well soon!!
As an aside, as someone living in a country with universal health care available to every single person in need (plus a huge range of private doctors available to those who want them or can afford them), it makes me SO MAD when I hear that someone with a serious medical condition (fractured hip included) could risk going into debt, becoming bankrupt, or getting turned down because of ANY payment issues. Not to make this a political thing because I don't think it should be a political issue in the first place, but I hope things change on the medical front because medical care regarding serious issues, in my opinion, should never be a source of more trouble than the trouble itself! Okay, mini rant over. For now anyway.
Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,906
Judy,
I am amazed at how positive and uplifting your attitude remains with all that you've been through. You sure know how to make lemonade when you're thrown lemons! I hope the road ahead is a little less rocky for you and that you can get the surgery that you need to alleviate your pain.
I am amazed at how positive and uplifting your attitude remains with all that you've been through. You sure know how to make lemonade when you're thrown lemons! I hope the road ahead is a little less rocky for you and that you can get the surgery that you need to alleviate your pain.
lunarlovelunar
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 674
HUGE :ghug3
I am so glad you got some answers! YEAH about getting disability, I am so glad you didn't have to fight it. You are in my thoughts. I really hope the rest of this moves quickly so that you can be healed and healthy!
Your one tough lady missy,
I am so glad you got some answers! YEAH about getting disability, I am so glad you didn't have to fight it. You are in my thoughts. I really hope the rest of this moves quickly so that you can be healed and healthy!
Your one tough lady missy,
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,401
Originally Posted by serenityqueen 
Neurosurgeons want cash up front. Sure, here, let me write that check out for 3K, just watch it cause it's gonna bounce around like a kangaroo!
(This egg heard about the amazing abilities of your checks and he decided, "If a paper check can do it, then so can I!" Look at him trying so hard! You gotta love him for his determination! (Or is that "her"? It is a pink egg.) Whichever... I say, "Bounce on little eggie!"
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