#1
Of course, it's unlikely you'll get back to 20/20. But at least we caught it in time to prevent total loss.
I suppose this one should not have suprised me so much. I mean... before my follow up appointment with the surgeon, I was convinced I was going to be severely visually impaired in my right eye. So really, I shouldn't complain that my sight cannot be perfect again with corrective lenses. After all, I'm so nearsighted, some optometrists were amazed I could get to 20/20 with contacts.
But... it was a bit of a blow. Emotionally I suppose. I think to hear again that I was not out of the woods, that my life could still be very strongly impacted by this event, that I might not be able to see any better than I do one week post-surgery - it took me by surprise.
That said, I am still eternally grateful they caught the detached retina in time to prevent damage to the macula, that they were able to fit me in with a surgeon who is one of the best retina specialists in the area, that my friend Becky was able to drive me up and let me crash at her family's house... and they were so sweet and took such good care of me, and that my eye has healed as well as it has. I can see so much more now than I could just a few days ago... and if they can get me close to 20/20, then I will hopefully be able to still drive. I have no idea what the rules are where that's concerned.
#2
It looks like you've got a frayed suture.
Ah ha! So that's why it feels like something is jabbing into my eye... because IT IS!!! Truly, the bad news was more that they could not fit me in to see a surgeon on staff until tomorrow afternoon - which means 24 more hours of jabby, stabby, twingy, stingy, itchy pain. Ugh.
The bright side? See the last paragraph of #1. I should not complain.
#3
Hospital OPS $13,520.61
Insurance Adjustment $0.00
Amount Owed by Patient $13,520.61
I think this one probably took the cake today. We got the bill for the surgery; luckily, I was able to speak to someone in billing who said no claim had been sent to the insurance company yet and that, based on what type we have (thank you AllKids), we aren't likely to owe anything.
(Of course, based on our past insurance insanity, I kept records of the time, the name of the person I spoke to, and the gist of the conversation. You can never be too careful!)
As in many instances in the past where large hospital bills have arrived in the mail, I cannot help but wonder and worry after all those without insurance. There are undoubtedly people out there who find themselves in the exact same situation I was in (you need emergency surgery in the next few hours or you will go blind), and they know doing what they must for their health will result in bankruptcy, hardship, and/or severe distress for their families.
That's no kind of choice.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
FWIW... my uncle had a detached retina, oh... had to be at least 30 years ago (someone decked him by surprise for reasons never established). He finished med school, residency, and made a living as a radiologist (which is to say... looking at things and reading the fine oracular details...).
My recommendation is not to spend time worrying it. It is, after all, something you can't do anything more about. Get to the point where your recovery is deemed complete and THEN...
In the meantime, I know that a lot of us are keeping you in our thoughts.
I owe my psychiatrist about $700. Luckily he understands about the no insurance and getting laid off situation I'm in. That still doesn't make me feel like I shouldn't be spending that much money on something I can live without, even if I'm feeling better than I ever have in my life.
At any rate, I'm sending good vibes your way.
This is terrible! I didn't know. My mother is going through the exact same thing right now. Fell, had a black eye, saw spots/blurred vision, had surgery. Now she's waiting to see how much she recovers. It is scary and I am thinking about you.
Post a Comment