Something's going right

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Guess what buddies? I am now offically in the VA medical system. First appointment is March 2nd! Hopefully the doc can set me up with a (smart and intelligent) neuro. Then I'll get some tests, and (hopefully) not have my surgery until after the trip to GARF! At least that's my plan. I may lie my butt off to be able to do that, but I've never been down there and I don't want to be sitting in a hospital bed or on my parents' futon downing painkillers while everyone's having oodles of fun.
Oooo.. I'm also getting into the Voc Reb (appt March 9th... the VA sections don't talk (because they had me an appt for the same day as the med appt, definetly don't talk). So, thing's are looking up. I'm going to get doc to take care of me (for free since I'm using gov insurance and they can't bill themselves!) and either be put in school and learn a trade I can reasonably use from home. If I can't stick it out through the classes, then I'll be "unemployable" (given extra money) and try to use my GI bill to try to get a degree. Fingers are crossed that I'll be able to get what I want out of everything.
Other than that, I don't know why I'm posting this here, except I don't wanna write it on the main boards, I just wanted to share it with my wenches & rogues, and not the wenches & rogues en mass.
I love you guys, even though my karma sucks (kinda like in real life). :twisted:

[Deena]

That is great news. Hope everything goes well.

When are you planning on going to GARF? And who else is going?

(I've been out of the loop for a while and haven't read any other posts)

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

I'm hoping too.
I'm (cross my fingers & toes) going to GARF with Tink & Eric memorial day weekend.

[AllieSutherland]

That is GREAT!!! (((hugs))) I am SO glad to hear this. If you need advice/input from someone who's been the Voc Rehab route (and who is also very familiar with neuros), I'd be glad to lend you what I know.

With me, Voc Rehab offered to send me to get my Master's or even a law degree or MD.
My main problem with my disabilities wasn't being able to work, it was in affording health care. After some review, Voc Rehab agreed that it was for the best that I stay on disability for Medicaid/Medicare so that I wouldn't have to wade thorugh co-pays, premiums, and uncovered costs (which are massive for my situation). The folks that I worked with at BVR were the best... very helpful. I hope that you're able to find just what you're looking for with them!

As for GARF, I hope to be going, lest anything go wrong!!! I will probably be driving the Rennie Bus so that I can take my power chair, and if I do happen to go, anyone is welcome to ride along for a share of the gas money! :)

(((hugs again!)))

[Deena]

Memorial Day weekend is out for us, we'll be in Washington D.C.
If anybody plans on going another weekend let us know.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Thanks Allie. I've talked with Chris, gave me ideas for college courses. Also talked with Ma (subject brought up by accident, because I try not to talk too much since she's always worrying over me). I'm going to tell my counselor I want to write, and with my backup being studying and being proficient in German and Russian. Hey Deena, want to help me get back into the German language? It's been 6 years since I spoke it. Course it's been a couple of years since I spoke Russian. Now when I try to speak either one, it comes half a sentence in one language, half in another I won't be putting anything in stone yet, so right now, I just have a plan.
Hey, as for GARF...perhaps a second trip? Tax returns could come back and make me a wee bit happy.

[Deena]

Sure, I can help you, mine is getting rusty, too. I'm trying to teach the kids to speak german, but it's really hard for them to pick up. whenever you want to get together let me know.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

How old were your kids again? I thought that languages were supposed to be easier the younger you were. I took German in high school and college. I liked it because I didn't have to do any strange tongue rolling or such. What can I say? I can learn languages, but not romance languages. I tried Italian in college, being part Italian does not make it easier for me to learn it. Guess the same goes for you kiddies now that that thought came to mind.

[Lucy]

Oh that's wonderful news about your doc! Happy happies!

*hugglez*
Lucy

[Deena]

My boys are 12 and 7. They say learning languages is easiest before the age of 6, but until just recently my kids had no interest in learning german. Of course, it doesn't help that I think it rude to talk in front of other people in a language they don't understand, so I only spoke german when we where alone. And as my oldest said so nicely put it once when he was three and we where over U.S. airspace on our way back home from a vacation in Germany:" Mom, we are in America now, we speak english here, so I don't have to speak german anymore!" (he is turning into a smart A#*, like his father!)
Now, he is twelve and realizes what he misses by not knowing german, so, he is trying to learn. Slowly, but surely...

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

The appt was today! Went fine! Gave them a copy of my medical records because as the doc put it "All we knew about you was you had a lung and a back problem". Isn't that nice that they don't know a thing about me?! They'd not know I've got asthma (Chris did I tell you that Shaun of the Dead passed the test of making me have an attack from laughing), or that I'd had 2 back surgeries! I basically spent the hour informing them of what I've had done, what my meds were for, giving blood and urine samples. Then they set me up with a chest & spine x-rays and a MRI. Yea! That's started! To Voc Rehab next! Hi Ho Silver Away!

Ahh... kids. They are so sweet sometimes that you just want to smack them! Wow, you've met me, can you tell why I'm such a people person? Okay, I'll stop the silly sarcasm, I'd rather see a person die than an animal die. And I've been this "humane" since I was little. I just love animals so much. I like the thought of pregnancy, but not the thought of motherhood. I have enough problems when I raise animals! And even they don't listen to me... I don't think I could be a mom....definetely not right now. Being single puts a damper on any kids, got to get some to get some I guess. Yep, that was a pretty bad joke, even for me.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Okay, not everything's going right. Had the Voc Rehab appt, that went fine. Got a call yesterday...my liver and white blood cell count are up. Blood cells... no idea why. Liver...probably my vicodin. Now next week before I go to have my x-rays done in Louisville, I have to go out of my way to stop at the clinic and give them more blood. Oh yeah, just what I want. Last time the nurse accidentally bruised me terribly. It was only 2 days ago that the bruise went away. Now back for another! :evil: Okay, done bitching.

[Eric McTavish]

Sorry hon!!!
Let tink and I know what up ok?

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Well, the liver will be the meds, the white blood cells? Dunno. Give them more blood tomorrow.

[Lucy]

:? I hate giving blood...

Hang in there girly! Keep us informed of how everything goes okay?

*hugglez*
Lucy

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

I hate needles, but have a thing for getting tattoos as often as I can. Strange.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Could somone shoot the doctor's stupid secretary please? Please! I'll give the shooter a homemade batch of Monster Cookies? I was supposed to see the spine doc today, but 15 minutes before we were going to leave the house (Ma stayed home from work today to go with me) and the secretary calls. Here's the lovely converstation:
Secretary: I'm sorry, but the doctor's just gone home sick... is that okay?
Me: Yes. In head: The doctor's left already and you want me to tell you if that's okay? What can I do? Tell you no?
Secretary: I'm going to have to reschedule you. Is next Monday at the same time okay?
:?
Later on Ma and I were going over the short, moronic, conversation and we were wondering what the twit would say if I had told her "No, it's not okay that the doctor's gone, I've already left!" Seriously... what am I going to say to her that doesn't sound as crazy as her question? I was nervous, but happy that I was going to find out how wacky my back is now. I've waited for 2 years, patiently. My patience is shot.. and I've never had a lot to begin with!

[Mum Tarts]

ok sweetie, now do as Mum says,... take a deep breath. And when you go to see the Dr. Let out a gutteral yell to the twit that asked if it was ok. I mean really what was she thinking? :powpow: I would have done what the woman from....ummm I think it was around here...not sure. But anyway they made her sit for a couple of hours waiting for the Dr. and I'm thinking she never got to see him, well anyway she said "hey if they can charge us for missing an appt. why can't I charge him for my time missed from work?" so she did charge him and she did get paid for her missed time. cool huh? I wish I'da thought of that a long time ago!! Well take care, I'll be thinking of you :wink:

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

That secretary needs some kind of common sense... I'd yell at her if I could, but Ma'll be with me. I try not to embarrass her too much.
Someone actually got paid by the doc for her wasted time? That's pretty amazing! She needs a rounding applause from patients everywhere!

[Mum Tarts]

You go that right! It's about time someone got the doc's back for all the waiting we all do. and anyone who has had kids knows how long they keep you waiting :roll:

[Lucy]

*hugglez* Trenka..... So sorry to hear about all the grief.

Luv ya!

Lucy

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Oh geez, that new pictue Lucy, you look adorable!
Thanks for all the love. I've relaxed some, calmed down some. And I got my tax return... it's going to the car, and a neighbors gonna do the bulk of the repairs so I don't have to pay him the entire amount for my deductible. So, now I can spend some of the amount I hoped I could at faire. :D

[Eric McTavish]

See things work-out in the end...esp when you have good friends to lean on luv! :wink:

[Lucy]

Oh thanks Trenka! Here's the pic of the garb I made for the fairy:

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/252/252254/folders/198402/1527710lucysmiles.jpg

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Now that's cute! :thumbsup:

[Miracle Wench]

Good Luck and best wishes I hope they can help you.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Good Luck and best wishes I hope they can help you.
Wishes and hope are wonderful hon, but as for help....eh. I've sort of accepted, not without a fight or gracefully that's for sure, that's always be screwed up, it'll just be in degrees. Pain, surgery, painkillers, physical therapy, ignored, pain, surgery, .... annoying pattern for someone with as little patience as I have! That's why it was not gracefull acceptance... no patience.

[Lucy]

*hugglez*

Just cuz you need em sweets. That rough to have to deal with!

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

I just wish I could find a doc who doesn't use my age in a sentance as a negative. I've had enough of "but you're so young" or like today's "with a surgery like this we don't recommend doing it at your age... you've your whole life ahead of you". Nice enough doc, but damn could he talk. Verdict: if I'm willing to sacrifice my back and am willing to get rid of my leg pain I can do another discektomy (remove piece of disc pressing on nerve). I said no, Ma said no... finally talked him into getting me a test for my back. Within the month I'm going to have all of my discs injected with dye to find one that is normal and then to find all of the area that is my problem. Then fuse. Screw the risks I say, give me my surgery and be done with it. I already knew the risks so I'm fine with it. Now I need to find something to bite down on for the test! :) A chew toy of some sort. *snort* That sounds so wrong, and it has all day since I told it to Ma when we were leaving!

[Demitrius]

This might be a silly question, but have you checked to see if VA can send you to Ireland Hospital at Ft Knox. I know they have a VA office there. That is where I go and the Doctors are pretty good. (For a military doctor) Now I admit my problem is knee related, not back and I don't know if they have a back/neuro specialist. But the operations I had went smooth.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Seeing as the experience I've had with military docs has been completely horrible, I don't think I'd trust them to cut me open and put nuts and bolts in me. That and I wouldn't be in this situation if they'd taken care of me. So, I'm leary of those bleepin bleep pissy bleepin bleeps, bleepy sons of bleeps godbleein bleepy bleepish bleeps. Be as imaginative with the bleeps as you want! :D Sorry Demitrius, I'm a bit bitter and biased.
Within the month I'm going to have a discogram. I think it's a new version of disco with really mean needles and dye and lots of pain. I'm just hoping that they'll give me a painkiller before I leave. I do not want to drive from Louisville to home after the procedure if I'm not doped up on something they've shot into my veins!
At that appointment, when the doc went out of the room and before the nurse came in to tell me she'd be handling the appts, Ma told me that the symptoms he described for one thing sounds like what she's been feeling. She always told me her hip was giving her problems, but not she's realized that may not be the case. We're talking about having her see a doc about it, after I'm taken care of. Can't have the both of us down and out at the same time. We'd be screwed.

[Demitrius]

So, I'm leary of those bleepin bleep pissy bleepin bleeps, bleepy sons of bleeps godbleein bleepy bleepish bleeps. Be as imaginative with the bleeps as you want! Sorry Demitrius, I'm a bit bitter and biased.


Nothing to be sorry about, the only times I've had good experiences with military doctors is with my knee surgeon. I've lost count of the times I've wanted to strangle everyone within reach at a military hospital. I was just offering a un-asked for, non-informed option. :)

Sorry to hear about you Mom, but if you need something, I'm sure between Deena, myself, Eric and Tink you need but to ask.

[Katerinka Kotenoka]

Ma and I were talking in the hot tub last night (there's an idea for another little gathering, bbq and hottub and fishing at the pond...Allie could stay overnight for that trip, we've got room: bunkbed futon in the computer room, full size in the basement, and a inflated bed too)...she never realized that what she's called her hip pain is what the doc called "butt pain" (that's now our official word for it!). So we figure that she's got a bulging or heirniated disc pushing on a nerve. She'd probably get the first surgery I got-discectomy. It'd get rid of her hip/butt/leg pain.
As for the military docs, I know you was only being helpful! I just don't trust them! I wouldn't be as screwed up as I am if they'd actually payed me any attention and listened to my problem. Before my first surgery I researched what the doc had said my prob was and realized that they could have figured it out if they'd only believed me instead of saying it was all in my head. After the all in the head for a year I went on a 6 month drinking binge. Then I realized that the regular Smirnoff Ice gives me heartburn... but the new Triple Black is just right! :lol: Though I don't drink as much as I used to, not even once a month usually. Gotta be careful because booze and my vicodin can = liver problems, and there's a history of alcholism on both sides of the family and I've my Ma's stamina for drink.. I can hold a lot. Dad gets buzzed on a beer! He used to share half with the neighbors huge dog! :lol: