Requesting a miracle-updated

Friday Afternoon Update

I did not receive a call about the appeal, so I have to wait until Monday morning. Continue to pray, please.

Another update

I received a call from the insurance company indicating the appeal is in process. I may know something this afternoon. If not, I won't know until Monday morning.

********UPDATED*********

I received a call back from my original doctor, they have faxed (upon my request) all my clinical paperwork since I have been at their office for this problem. The faxed CT scans, MRI's, epidural injection information, and anything that pertained to my back.

I received another call from my insurance company indicating that if they received it before 2:00 p.m. I should have an answer before 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, but they would try to get it taken care of today.

PRAY for approval!

Original Post

I received a letter yesterday from my insurance company denying benefits for my surgery. I have spoken with the doctor's office and they indicated I needed to be my own advocate (WTF) and fight the insurance company. I have left a message with the insurance company appeals department (expedited appeal section) and I have called and left another message for my original doctor (that I have been seeing for 4 years about this problem).

I am frustrated and in severe pain. The claims department said they would expedite an appeal if the person is in "severe pain that is unmanageable". I am at that point. I cannot sleep, stand, sit, or walk without pain. The pain meds make me very nauseous and tired so I can't take them at work (besides the fact they don't even begin to touch the pain itself - kind of like putting a bandaid on an amputation.)

I paid $25 (of my own money) to have the FMLA paperwork filled out (that is what my doctor's office charged me for special insurance forms.) If I don't have the surgery on Tuesday, then I am going to have to pay the $25 again to have new paperwork filled out when I can get the surgery approved. My doctor's office said if I could come up with half of his charge ahead of time they would proceed (his charge is $45,624 - so I would need $22,812). She then indicated to me that she could try to talk the doctor into taking half of the $22,812 as a first payment so we could proceed. That is fine and dandy but we DON'T have that kind of money. We are living paycheck to paycheck with my husband working part-time (finally).

Ok...now the ranting part. I pay VERY good money(read I pay LOTS of money) for my insurance. The cost of this insurance reduces my bi-weekly paycheck in half! Why the hell I am paying that kind of money for them to not take care of my needs?

I am pissed, hurt, angry, sad, and discouraged. I am depressed and in severe debilitating pain. do they think I really want to have a surgery that is going to put me out of work for over six weeks. Six weeks in which I will NOT receive a paycheck because I don't have sick time banked? Seriously!

Now, I am waiting on a return call from my original doctor. I need to get those records to my insurance company. I need it YESTERDAY, not in twenty minutes, not in two hours,...grr!

Do you know how it feels to sit, stand, or walk with such pain? To have it shooting through your back almost dropping you to your knees at times?

Why wouldn't this surgery be medically necessary? I virtually have no disks left in my lower spine.

Sorry, but I am pissed. My sentences make no sense and I don't care.

I need a miracle.

My boys-School Photos

I took some new pictures of my boys tonight. They are growing up so fast. It's hard to believe that I have boys this age. It seems like just a couple of years ago that I was in 8th grade, now my oldest son is.

Enjoy the pictures...

Tyler J.

2009-2010

Caleb K.

2009-2010

Caleb K. & Tyler J.

2009-2010

Tyler & Smiley

2009-2010

Fun Shot

Caleb K. & Smiley

2009-2010

Fun Shot

Take the Time

Ever heard the phrase "If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all?" I feel that has become our motto.

Over the past year a myriad of personal "tragedies" have overtaken our lives. Each one in it's own way devastating. Each time we survive only to find ourselves thrust into another "tragedy". A recap, if you will:

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Caleb broke his wrist. He is doing much better but the break ended his football season.

Two days ago, Tyler was rushed into emergency surgery to remove his appendix. It was on the verge of rupturing (fortunately it didn't) and needed to be removed quickly. The day started like any other, only his stomach was hurting. By noon he was being admitted to the hospital and by 2:30 he was in surgery. He is resting comfortably (as much as possible) and waiting to be discharged. It looks like he can go home tomorrow. The surgery has effectively ended his football season also.

Over the past year the events that have taken place in our lives seem to overwhelm us at times. It all began with a family member trying to take her own life, a month later my father-in-law passed, a month after that I was hospitalized for several days, our finances have been hit hard, I have had major back issues (which look like surgery will be needed), and then Caleb and Tyler with their latest injuries/illnesses.

I feel strongly that everything happens for a reason. I believe that God will bring me through it all and I will be a stronger person. I believe that as bad as it seems, things could be so much worse. But most of all I believe that I have the best family a person could ask for and without them I would not be able to survive. God is always by my side and without Him nothing is impossible. I feel the same way about my family.

Take time to hug your loved ones. Take time to tell your children how much they mean to you. Take time to call an old friend. Just take the time.

Have a great labor day weekend.
Chris

Twists & Turns

Many things in life can seem to push us to our limit. Lately for me it has been an overwhelming amount of things. It seems some days that if it is not work, then it is school, if it is not school then it is the kids, if it is not the kids then it is my relationship with their dad, and so on. I have been trying my best to keep my perspective on everything. I have great luck some days and other days the "luck" gets away from me.

A new start is upon us. The start of a school year for the boys and the start of a new school year for me. Summer is over as is baseball that occupied every waking moment of our time. Now we have moved on to football and we continue to submerge ourselves in racing.

The boys are now in 8th, 7th, and 5th grade. Tyler is the "big dog" in his school and is relishing being in this spot. Tristan has just entered Middle School so it's quite a new venture for him. He seems to be adjusting well. Caleb and Logan are both in 5th grade, with Caleb being the "top dog" at his school and Logan having another year before he gets there.

Tyler is playing football again. This year he is on the 8th grade team and so far no broken bones. If you recall last year, he broke his collar bone in the first 15 minutes of his VERY first practice.

Caleb is also playing football. He is the teams only quarterback. He is doing a great job and has really impressed the coach with his skills.

I start classes back this week, so again my schedule will be full and busy. I also go for another test on my back Tuesday to determine our next step.

Glen has also decided that he wants to race. I'm not sure how that is going to go. His buddy is racing and painted his kart just like "Ricky Bobby's" and if you have seen the movie you will understand. The track staff said Glen has to be Frenchie, but he wants to be Cal...life is going to be interesting at the track each Saturday.

Sunday was a difficult day around our house. We rushed Caleb to the ER Sunday evening with a possibly broken wrist. He and his brothers were playing on the trampoline and Caleb fell down. Tyler fell on top of him and smashed his wrist.

We went from one ER to another and were met by a bone specialist. His wrist is broken in three places and they were able to set it back in place. He has a cast that goes from his fingers to his shoulder. There goes his football career.

I am taking life's twists and turns as they come. I know that I am not given anymore than I can handle. I continue to pray that I will be lead down the right path and make the right choices. Sometimes things are so overwhelming that I want to throw in the towel, but I know I will make it through each of these challenges.

The Condensed Version

So much has been going on in my life, let's see if we can condense it quickly.

I won a trip to Wisconsin to see Rodney Atkins for two, plus two meet & greets. I took my sister, Becca with me.



I saw Rodney again two days later at the Elkhart County Fair in Goshen, Indiana. Which is the very first place that I ever saw him (2 years ago.) Glen couldn't go with me this year, so his ex-wife, Angie went with me.


I was asked by a friend to be her wedding photographer. I have never done this before, so I figured it would be very interesting. Good thing it was an informal wedding. I am still working on editing those pictures, but here are a few.


The boys and I went to Mounds State Park and played in the river. It was fun and Caleb caught a craw-dad.

We are still spending every Saturday night at the race track (until October) watching Tristan race.

I caught a terrible summer cold and am still trying to get over it.

I start classes back on August 31.

The boys start school on Tuesday.

Whew....that's the condensed version (with photos!)

I hope you enjoyed your summer!

Pray for Stellan - Urgent Need

Please pray for Stellan!

This baby needs our prayers.

Visit www.mycharmingkids.net to read his story. You can also read his mom's twitter updates at www.twitter.com/mckmama He is in desperate need of prayers RIGHT now.

Chris

Ketchup

I haven't had much time to blog lately and I apologize. I spend lots of time on twitter and facebook, though. So if you want to know what I am doing on a daily basis find me there. If not, well then it's time to "ketchup" on everything that's been happening around here.

Tyler turned 14 last week. I still find it hard to believe that I am a mom to a 14 year old. Not only that he is 5' 10" tall! Seriously, I measure him just last night. We took this picture at the river yesterday and I was wearing heels! Holy cow, he is getting tall!

Me and Tyler, July 6, 2009

I made cookies (they were so good and looked it I had to post a picture!)

We had friends over this past weekend. Or more precisely Logan had a friend stay Friday night. Tristan stayed with a friend Saturday and then the friends stayed with the boys on Sunday.

We had a 4th of July cookout (in the rain) to celebrate our nation's independence. I told my husband that I made too much food to let it go to waste! LOL We had fireworks, food and fun!

I have had another back injection (failed) and physical therapy (failed) and back brace (failed). I go see a specialist in August to determine if I need back surgery. Until then I am in an intense amount of pain that makes me very grumpy. I tried to do my best to not be but that is not always possible.

I am not doing well in my summer classes specifically because I just don't have time. I did not complete my mid-term for ANPII this summer so I guess I failed that class. I am also two assignments behind in my American Civ class. I just don't have time for school right now.

Oh well, such is life.

I still am very blessed to have the people in my life that I do. I have a wonderful family, an amazing husband, awesome children and great friends. I am so very thankful!

Now you are all "ketched up"!

Take care and be blessed,

Chris