I went to talk, briefly, with the spine specialist here in town. Looked at the MRI results, and, like the doctor said before, they’re messy (I just hadn’t seem them for myself yet). But, sure enough, big ol’ disk smacking my nerve. Surgery is going to be the only option.
The doctor was, however, very sympathetic of my lack of funds situation and the fact that I’m 25 and have a back this screwed up, so she’s going to make it as cheap as possible for me: She’s not going to charge me for her part (a Christmas gift, of sorts), we’re going to do it as an out-patient surgery, meaning I won’t have to stay overnight anywhere. So basically, I’ll have to pay for the drugs to numb the living s**t out of me and to keep me numb afterwards, and the time we spend at the Bend Surgery Center. Then, I basically wallow in pain in my couch for a couple weeks, doping up on pills — pretty much what I do already. She also did it on the agreement that my mom, a emergency room nurse for 25 years and an award winning trauma coordinator, is at my side as much as possible.
That was, honestly, the best news I’ve heard in weeks. She told me to tell my mom and sister “Hi” (my sister dealt with her for her back problems). I gave her a big ol’ hug, and thanked her profusely.
All told, it is still going to cost a bit for the time in the center as well as for the various medications I’m going to have to take to keep me from crying in agony for a long time, and I still have to pay off the MRI a various office visits and such, but a couple grand is easier to absorb then ten grand — not easy, still, but easier.
The surgery is supposed to happen on Wednesday. I don’t have the exact time yet, but that’s the plan.
Needless to say, after Wednesday, I won’t be blogging for a week or more. Any volunteers want to pick up the slack in my absence? Just pop me an email (and if you can’t figure out my email address, you shouldn’t be blogging here).
This was, truly, the best gift I could have ever received.
Comments
That’s fantastic! (about the doctor part, I’m totally sorry that this has happened to you at all…)
Best of luck with the surgery.
Wow that’s good news since your having the surgery. Medical stuff is just too damn expensive, even with insurance sometimes, so I’m glad you are getting a better deal.
You’ll have your laptop and be back to business sooner than you think.
Yes, I was so jazzed when ya shared the news earlier today, my friend. If you can’t find anyone else, maybe I can help with the blogging – at least to update folks on how you’re doing. Or maybe I could do the words, and someone else could handle the posting (you’d probably say it’s quite simple, but I’m pretty simple-minded;-) Just lemme know.
Jake, I know that everyone’s back is different, but take heart. My dad had a ruptured disc, and very soon after his surgery he felt the best he’d felt in years. Hopefully that will be the case for you, too. I’m not working so I have no spare $$$, but I’d be glad to help your wife out around the house or run errands, if that would be useful. (And I can beg spare painkillers off my friends, too. Yeah, probably not something to put online, but it is a common practice in our society because of the cost of prescriptions.)
Yoleen: I’m hoping this all for the best, and I’ll keep you posted if I need your help.
Barney: I’ll be setting you up with an account. Check your email soon 🙂
See? I knew there would be perks with your Mom being a nurse. I’m so glad this worked out better than you expected. Take care and I’ll buy another lotto ticket just in case. 88 million this week. Feel better.
Good Luck! Im glad to hear of your fortune in reguards to the cost.