Post by Scooterdust on Dec 29, 2009 15:46:11 GMT -5
Now I know I don't start or reply to many threads, mainly because I like to feel like I should contribute something worthwhile to the thread and most of the time, I don't think my replies mean anything (Basically, I don't want to sound stupid).
But I'm here starting this thread, because I've come to somewhat of a crossroad. Make no mistake, I'm not at the end of that road yet, but I'm having difficulty making that road split into the many directions life can take us before I get there.
Months ago, while getting a checkup from my urologist for my kidney stones, he noticed something around my hip bone. I was taken aback by the casualty of his delivery (only because he's been my urologist for a good amount of time.)
I went home and did my research, and from what I understood, it was most likely a bone spur, and usually very common. I put out of mind for several months until...
I saw an orthopedist last month to take a look at my back, and my knees so that I could have a healthy mindset to start wrestling training for Mikey Whipwreck's NYWC. He took an x-ray and found something, something that required at least 6 more x-rays.
It was in the bone, within the pelvic region, and it was big. Big enough to be seen via X-Ray. He knew immediately that it was a tumor, and I was shocked, mainly because cancer has a somewhat high percentage in my family, specifically my uncle who died around the age I am now (although he had a form of skin cancer). My parents, however, who have smoked for over 45 years are completely cancer-free.
Anyway, the next step was a catscan. I don't make a lot of money, mainly because I can't get a job teaching in public school in New York City. (I am also very lazy, and 95% is my own fault for not being more assertive).
I have really cruddy health insurance. I have the type of health insurance for poor people, pretty much. Anything outside of a doctor's visit needs authorization. It took my insurance company 6 days to authorize it even after trying to push it through sooner. (BTW, if you want to stop reading now, I'll understand).
I had my catscan, and it is definitely a pelvic bone tumor, more specifically a cartilage tumor and it looks like it is most likely benign, but it may not be, and if it is benign, it may become malignant anyway. My orthopedist informs me the next step is to have it evaluated by an orthopedic tumor surgeon. But the next piece of information really got to me. He tells me that there are very few orthopedic tumor specialists in the country, let alone New York because it is such a rare condition. Not rare for the tumor to be in that area of the body, but rare to be within the bones in that area, but the consensus is that it needs to come out as soon as possible regardless.
Oh great. Crappy insurance, and I develop something only Superman himself could get rid of.
Numerous searches have lead me to two doctors who specialize in orthopedic tumor surgery in New York.
The first one is associated with a hospital which covered by my insurance (Stony Brook Medical in Long Island), but the doctor himself does not accept my health insurance, which means I can't even see him at the hospital.
The second one (who I understand is the go-to guy for this sort of thing) is not associated with any hospital covered by my insurance, and also doesn't accept my insurance.
In the words of Ron Simmons: DAMN!
I reached a dead end, but the next idea was to search out other orthopedic surgeons covered by my insurance in hopes that maybe their listing is wrong. No luck again.
My next idea was to try an oncological surgeon (where's Dr. Jim Wilson when I need him?). There are no oncological surgeons at all listed under my health insurance.
And that's where I began to lose hope. I know I've got much more fighting, arguing, and research to do, but then again, I don't know how much time I have. I'm not going to say "Oh I'm going to die, that's it."
But honestly, it's very hard to come to terms with the fact that my insurance company has given me a pre-emptive death sentence. It may or may not be a death sentence, but I'm stuck with crappy health insurance (unless I can find a job with great benefits A.S.A.P) and an insurance company which has been known to fight their clients tooth and nail to deny service.
Basically, I need a positive outlook on this situation. Quite frankly, I don't know how I can have one. I'm just asking for good thoughts and positivity.
Crappers, I'm reaching out because I don't know where else to turn to. I thank you for reading this whole thing if you have. I do look forward to checking the forums after I get home from work. You guys don't know how many laughs you've gotten out of this guy when he was down. Thank you guys in advance and god bless.
A happy and healthy new year to you all.
But I'm here starting this thread, because I've come to somewhat of a crossroad. Make no mistake, I'm not at the end of that road yet, but I'm having difficulty making that road split into the many directions life can take us before I get there.
Months ago, while getting a checkup from my urologist for my kidney stones, he noticed something around my hip bone. I was taken aback by the casualty of his delivery (only because he's been my urologist for a good amount of time.)
I went home and did my research, and from what I understood, it was most likely a bone spur, and usually very common. I put out of mind for several months until...
I saw an orthopedist last month to take a look at my back, and my knees so that I could have a healthy mindset to start wrestling training for Mikey Whipwreck's NYWC. He took an x-ray and found something, something that required at least 6 more x-rays.
It was in the bone, within the pelvic region, and it was big. Big enough to be seen via X-Ray. He knew immediately that it was a tumor, and I was shocked, mainly because cancer has a somewhat high percentage in my family, specifically my uncle who died around the age I am now (although he had a form of skin cancer). My parents, however, who have smoked for over 45 years are completely cancer-free.
Anyway, the next step was a catscan. I don't make a lot of money, mainly because I can't get a job teaching in public school in New York City. (I am also very lazy, and 95% is my own fault for not being more assertive).
I have really cruddy health insurance. I have the type of health insurance for poor people, pretty much. Anything outside of a doctor's visit needs authorization. It took my insurance company 6 days to authorize it even after trying to push it through sooner. (BTW, if you want to stop reading now, I'll understand).
I had my catscan, and it is definitely a pelvic bone tumor, more specifically a cartilage tumor and it looks like it is most likely benign, but it may not be, and if it is benign, it may become malignant anyway. My orthopedist informs me the next step is to have it evaluated by an orthopedic tumor surgeon. But the next piece of information really got to me. He tells me that there are very few orthopedic tumor specialists in the country, let alone New York because it is such a rare condition. Not rare for the tumor to be in that area of the body, but rare to be within the bones in that area, but the consensus is that it needs to come out as soon as possible regardless.
Oh great. Crappy insurance, and I develop something only Superman himself could get rid of.
Numerous searches have lead me to two doctors who specialize in orthopedic tumor surgery in New York.
The first one is associated with a hospital which covered by my insurance (Stony Brook Medical in Long Island), but the doctor himself does not accept my health insurance, which means I can't even see him at the hospital.
The second one (who I understand is the go-to guy for this sort of thing) is not associated with any hospital covered by my insurance, and also doesn't accept my insurance.
In the words of Ron Simmons: DAMN!
I reached a dead end, but the next idea was to search out other orthopedic surgeons covered by my insurance in hopes that maybe their listing is wrong. No luck again.
My next idea was to try an oncological surgeon (where's Dr. Jim Wilson when I need him?). There are no oncological surgeons at all listed under my health insurance.
And that's where I began to lose hope. I know I've got much more fighting, arguing, and research to do, but then again, I don't know how much time I have. I'm not going to say "Oh I'm going to die, that's it."
But honestly, it's very hard to come to terms with the fact that my insurance company has given me a pre-emptive death sentence. It may or may not be a death sentence, but I'm stuck with crappy health insurance (unless I can find a job with great benefits A.S.A.P) and an insurance company which has been known to fight their clients tooth and nail to deny service.
Basically, I need a positive outlook on this situation. Quite frankly, I don't know how I can have one. I'm just asking for good thoughts and positivity.
Crappers, I'm reaching out because I don't know where else to turn to. I thank you for reading this whole thing if you have. I do look forward to checking the forums after I get home from work. You guys don't know how many laughs you've gotten out of this guy when he was down. Thank you guys in advance and god bless.
A happy and healthy new year to you all.
