Insurance

So with the surgery, we have reached our out-of-pocket maximum on our health insurance. Because of this I have become a crazy person about everyone getting to any doctor needed before the end of the year. Anything that we had been putting off, not in a rush to take care of needs to be dealt with this year! I made an appointment for Megan’s yearly for late September and Madison will be November. I need to call both my primary for a physical (which I have not done in 3-4 years so I guess it is time) as well as the OB/GYN. I was actually due to go there in June but with the Mastectomy in July I just could not get myself to go there. With all appointments covered at 100%..now it the time! Blood work, physical etc. We have put out enough cash, need to try to squeeze as much out of it a we can.

I really can’t wait for the nipple reconstruction and revision to be completed. Now that I am back to mostly normal activity I have been wearing a sport bra when I go out. Uncomfortable does not even cover the feeling wearing a bra. I walk into the house and make it as far as the kitchen and have it half way off. Very classy but who cares!

Tick tick..almost there!

Time for my MRI…Really?

SO the normal sounds of the mail truck, and exciting part of a summer day here. The girl’s head out to the mail box to collect the treasure inside. Todays treasure though caught me a bit off guard. A letter from the hospital:

It is time to schedule your breast imaging appointment with Cooper Health Systems. Blah blah check with your insurance blah blah call your doc for referral blah blah.

BUT wait….I just had those cancer threats removed.

So, billions of dollars have been spent to computerize patient records. I know that last June when I had the biopsy, and the last MRI, the hospital was undergoing its transition. Everything is computerized. So how could it be possible that I should receive a letter telling me to have a scan on a body part that no longer exists in its previous state?

What is the point of the billions of dollars if office A can not even communicate with office B and building 3? It is not really that big a deal..I will just toss the letter in the trash but I guess I just do not understand what the billions paid for which frustrates me as I begin paying my medical bills.

Speaking of the medical bills, the next annoyance is the phone call I received the other day. On Tuesday 7/31 I wrote a check to cover the first set of doctor bills. It was cashed, I check the bank on-line. The bill covered several doctors and was just under $700. SInce I have another surgery scheduled, I did not want to delay paying and have any issues. So how annoyed was I to receive a call on Tuesday 8/7 telling me I had a balance of $20.64 and when did I expect to be paying that. My not so polite voice came out very quickly and explained that I pay any and all bills that are actually mailed to my house such as the one for $692 and change the week before and was sure that I was not trying to scam them for the 20 bucks! I realize that I again was talking to someone who probably had all of an hour training and was just supposed to call those with a balance but REALLY?

Maybe my lack of sleeping is making me a little edgy. Maybe it is the upcoming surgery or the soreness left from the last. I hate the lack of common sense that seems to run wild these days!

Day 39 Post mastectomy

I guess we are in a waiting period once again for surgery but unlike before I am not in agony waiting for this one. Instead just trying to make sure everything is caught up on around the house. We have also focused on getting ready for school to start sorting through closets and drawers, filling backpacks with supplies. Haircuts are scheduled, drawers are straightened and things that do not fit removed. With the nipple reconstruction and revision scheduled for 8/24, I need to make sure we are all ready to go for September 6th…the first day of school! I am really hoping that I am moving around well because on September 5th Madison, who is starting Kindergarten, has met the teacher day. I will be very upset if I can not be there for that!

Most importantly for this week we have a super special birthday on Saturday. My first-born turns 8 years old..yikes! Just a small party this year, pool and BBQ (if the weather holds fingers crossed) with her couple of cousins aunts and uncles.

We went out to the store yesterday and for the first time I wore a sport bra, although the Doctor has never said I was allowed to wear one. It is so hot I can not walk around with the baggy shirt hanging over the tank! I actually wore a T-shirt and felt comfortable that no one was looking at my square boobs. I am feeling more and more normal each day. I still have stiffness in the chest and tightness in the abdomen but I have come to accept that they will be part of life for a long while. It does not affect daily functions and is really no more that aches and stiffness. I only wish I could sleep on my side…that I really miss!

I continue to do some type of exercise daily, elliptical machine, punching bag or walking. I would really like to turn this experience into an opportunity to refocus the entire family on our health. The girl’s exercise with me either punching the bag, jumping on their little trampoline or simple sit-ups. Unfortunately, frank and I both have struggled with our weight as did my mother and his father. We need to do better for ourselves and the girls!

We did have a big event yesterday, Madison lost her third tooth. We were all very excited!