Ankle broken, spirit survives
Plain & Simple: I fell down a long stairway, crashed into a heavy door and broke my ankle on Sunday, August 2nd. Therefor I haven't ventured to any parties, rallied for any politicians, or shown up for any fundraisers since. I used the suggested furlough (to save other Hennepin Co. workers jobs) and some vacation time to cover those first three weeks. Scooter has got me to work since. Will find out Friday how much longer this will require attention.
Effectually: Took a while to get over hating myself for being broken. This happens to other people, not to me! I never get sick, get hurt, need care! I was just trying to work up to the point of going to the clinic for routine stuff which I had avoided for years. Won't happen now - I've used up all my patience for the ankle visits.
Figured it for a sprain and hobbled around for awhile. When I could not stand to put any pressure on the ankle/foot late on Monday, I made an appointment at my local Healthpartners clinic at Blaisdell and Franklin. Kept appointment Tuesday thanks to ride from bitwise and after 1 consultation + 1 exray (= 2 co-pays) was found to have broken ankle and sent to Tria Orthepedic south of some freeway in some suburb. They don't do this at the local clinic any more. (talking to another NP later, found that many services have been consolidated in the outer suburbs to save money. She had many Hopkins seniors as patients upset over such consolidation. She also needed to drive many miles each day to do a job which had once meant all day at one site, but now involved several hours at several sites.) Got there again thanks to bitwise. Confirmation of break, referral to orthopedic surgeon (appointment Friday - 1st available) and temporary cast (3rd co-pay). And crutches(4th co-pay)
On Friday, thanks again to bitwiseand tesla_aldrich I met with the surgeon who showed me ugly Xrays suggesting I would heal badly and have potential arthritis issues without surgery. I was very hesitant, but finally agreed having been assured that the recovery would take no longer with surgery and the plate would be removed in one year if it bothered me.(5th co-pay)
Surgery was scheduled for the following Thursday and I was outfitted with a boot. (6th co-pay). I meanwhile was required to have a pre-surgery evaluation to make sure I was healthy enough to undergo the procedure. I was again delivered to Park Nicollet thanks tobitwise and approved for surgery. (7th co-pay) Well, at least the doctor was adorable!
User picture above may not fully reflect the trepedation I felt going into surgery on Thursday, but I took it to reflect my last thoughts in case I didn't survive. My Robert took me to Tria for surgery early, early Thursday, and, actually, I could not have imagined a better surgical experience. Everyone I met was perfect, the drugs were so awesome that when I woke up briefly in the middle of the operation I was able to watch my ankle skin being pulled back and sewed...well then they noticed me watching and put me out again. I went through a short recovery period and, having lied successfully telling them that I would have someone to monitor me at home, was allowed to to go home with the incredibly patient (for this one he had to endure instructions even)
bitwise. I've lost count. I got painkillers too. Maybe two more copays?? Buzzed...
So I recovered at home having a perfect excuse for not doing anything. I thought I might accomplish something great, but no. The next Thursday bitwise took me to my follow-up appointment and then to LTC Wheelchairs to pick up my "roll-about" which has allowed me to get back to work if not to life. (2 more co-pays) Oh, Healthpartners, if they cover my cart, will only do so on a monthly basis. That extra 5th week my DR reccomends....
I'm still mad at myself. But perhaps this whole episode has made me more sensitive to the healthcare debate going on now. Why? Because I was late returning a questionaire sent by Healthpartners, They now say I am responsible for over $4,000 for my ankle sugery. At the last count, before my surgery, I was responsible for $136 in co-pays. This is in spite of the fact that my employer is very generous in providing coverage. It is painful for me to even look at what it costs Hennepin County to cover me. This ankle break has been a humbling experience because it has brought me to the reality that our perfect healthy lives can collapse at any minute. I have considered in the past how all that money that Hennepin County spends on my health insurance could be a pay raise and, since I never used the benefit, I'm just out what my employer paid my insurance company! If I were to be really selfish: we at the county have less choice in plans because our employer thankfully does not discriminate against persons with disabilities or preexisting conditions. I would be better off in another pool.....
All that aside, if anyone is still reading, this has been a long strange trip. I miss walking, I miss fresh fruit, I miss the Wedge, I miss kittens. I hate schedules, I hate planning ahead. I feel both powerless because of what I can't do and powerful because of what I have managed to do in spite. I'm really scared that this might change everything and determined to make that not so.
Effectually: Took a while to get over hating myself for being broken. This happens to other people, not to me! I never get sick, get hurt, need care! I was just trying to work up to the point of going to the clinic for routine stuff which I had avoided for years. Won't happen now - I've used up all my patience for the ankle visits.
Figured it for a sprain and hobbled around for awhile. When I could not stand to put any pressure on the ankle/foot late on Monday, I made an appointment at my local Healthpartners clinic at Blaisdell and Franklin. Kept appointment Tuesday thanks to ride from bitwise and after 1 consultation + 1 exray (= 2 co-pays) was found to have broken ankle and sent to Tria Orthepedic south of some freeway in some suburb. They don't do this at the local clinic any more. (talking to another NP later, found that many services have been consolidated in the outer suburbs to save money. She had many Hopkins seniors as patients upset over such consolidation. She also needed to drive many miles each day to do a job which had once meant all day at one site, but now involved several hours at several sites.) Got there again thanks to bitwise. Confirmation of break, referral to orthopedic surgeon (appointment Friday - 1st available) and temporary cast (3rd co-pay). And crutches(4th co-pay)
On Friday, thanks again to bitwiseand tesla_aldrich I met with the surgeon who showed me ugly Xrays suggesting I would heal badly and have potential arthritis issues without surgery. I was very hesitant, but finally agreed having been assured that the recovery would take no longer with surgery and the plate would be removed in one year if it bothered me.(5th co-pay)
Surgery was scheduled for the following Thursday and I was outfitted with a boot. (6th co-pay). I meanwhile was required to have a pre-surgery evaluation to make sure I was healthy enough to undergo the procedure. I was again delivered to Park Nicollet thanks tobitwise and approved for surgery. (7th co-pay) Well, at least the doctor was adorable!
User picture above may not fully reflect the trepedation I felt going into surgery on Thursday, but I took it to reflect my last thoughts in case I didn't survive. My Robert took me to Tria for surgery early, early Thursday, and, actually, I could not have imagined a better surgical experience. Everyone I met was perfect, the drugs were so awesome that when I woke up briefly in the middle of the operation I was able to watch my ankle skin being pulled back and sewed...well then they noticed me watching and put me out again. I went through a short recovery period and, having lied successfully telling them that I would have someone to monitor me at home, was allowed to to go home with the incredibly patient (for this one he had to endure instructions even)
bitwise. I've lost count. I got painkillers too. Maybe two more copays?? Buzzed...
So I recovered at home having a perfect excuse for not doing anything. I thought I might accomplish something great, but no. The next Thursday bitwise took me to my follow-up appointment and then to LTC Wheelchairs to pick up my "roll-about" which has allowed me to get back to work if not to life. (2 more co-pays) Oh, Healthpartners, if they cover my cart, will only do so on a monthly basis. That extra 5th week my DR reccomends....
I'm still mad at myself. But perhaps this whole episode has made me more sensitive to the healthcare debate going on now. Why? Because I was late returning a questionaire sent by Healthpartners, They now say I am responsible for over $4,000 for my ankle sugery. At the last count, before my surgery, I was responsible for $136 in co-pays. This is in spite of the fact that my employer is very generous in providing coverage. It is painful for me to even look at what it costs Hennepin County to cover me. This ankle break has been a humbling experience because it has brought me to the reality that our perfect healthy lives can collapse at any minute. I have considered in the past how all that money that Hennepin County spends on my health insurance could be a pay raise and, since I never used the benefit, I'm just out what my employer paid my insurance company! If I were to be really selfish: we at the county have less choice in plans because our employer thankfully does not discriminate against persons with disabilities or preexisting conditions. I would be better off in another pool.....
All that aside, if anyone is still reading, this has been a long strange trip. I miss walking, I miss fresh fruit, I miss the Wedge, I miss kittens. I hate schedules, I hate planning ahead. I feel both powerless because of what I can't do and powerful because of what I have managed to do in spite. I'm really scared that this might change everything and determined to make that not so.