Here's what cheezed me off today

purple32

Infuraiting, sherry!

My INS CO recently tried to deny my husbands colonoscopy ( he has had stage 4 cancer) because it was only 2 years.  Yes, we WANT colonoscopies and mastectomies...not medically necessary.

Why dont THEY call the DRS office and ask  for records and letters if they indeed need this proof?  We are after all, paying our premiums for  a service.

It is getting ridiculous and I shudder to think what the future might bring. 

sas-schatzi

Good Morning-friends, have been working on an issue with a member. Wanted to share with you all the note below b/c of it's importance. Hope you find it useful Sassy

(members name deleted) Glad the link helped. If you get the AARP magazine this months issue (probably dated may 2013) , there is a story about the safest hospitals and what safety procedures that are in place that cause them to be safe. The article cites that 180,000 people die a year due to medical/surgical errors AND 400,000 drug errors are made a year. The articles states that these numbers are likely higher b/c these are the ones that are reported. I agree. I know you've seen where I've said on the threads "Sorry etc for too much info, just want too make you(BCO memebers) safer". Guess I should stop apologizing for writing stuff in this regard. These numbers are higher then the last set of numbers that I had known. The problem is either getting worse OR there is better reporting. I'll go with better reporting.

It cited that one of the safety items was having an ICU Intensivist. It cited that only 35% of hospitals had Intensivist. I was dismayed at this percentage since residencies for Critical Care Medicine have been available since the 1980's. Truly thought by now that the "industry" would have been driven by demand for better care that this statistic would be 70 to 80%. ICU medicine is absolutely in need of a specially trained doc. Just as in all subspecialties of the American Medical Association(AMA), the knowledge and skills of this subspecialty are critical to survival when a patient is at this level of need.

I'm going to post this on the threads, I'll take off identifiers. My hope is those seeing this will locate a copy of the AARP article. Read it throroughly. Then question there local hospitals on each item. Based on what they elicit re:safety of each facility, they can choose the safest hospital near them for care. It can mean the difference between life and death, and or avoidable complications. Spreading the word to others regarding this may save lives.

Your description of where your friends daughter is now is typical. So, the care may have been fine or she recovered in spite of them. I'll go with the care b/c of your description of how she appears now. What was truly lacking here was the communication in lay terms to the family of was what was going on with the patient. All the lay person then can do observing is assume, as in this patients case, there appeared to be fractured care delivery and choas. What can the untrained person concluded observing this. As in all care, communication is the center of it all. Very often even the care givers question what the recovery will be. AND then the patient pulls through. Continuing with evaluating the records will lend a lot to the understanding of this event.

Spookiesmom

I saw that article. Scarey stuff!!

Spookiesmom

I guess I can post this here? I'm not just cheezed off, I'm ready to cry and throw things



Was at the dog park with Spookie, a Maltese, and Kris, a min poodle. Other dogs there, all were running around having a good time. A new couple came in with 5 dogs. Over the limit for starters. They all ran to Kris. The man comes running over waving a poop bag, which scared Kris. He did it again, and yelled at all of his mutts. I yelled at him to please stop scaring my dog! He calls ME a bitch! So I'm trying to get me and my dogs out of there, he continues to call ME obscene names. I was soooo upset I almost forgot Spookie



I've been going for about 10 years, I can't do it any more. You don't mess with somebody's kid or dog or face mama lion.



I had to tell somebody, thanks for reading!

Rowan47

What a stupid prick.....  {{{Spookiesmom}}}

purple32

spookie

PLEASE keep going to your dog park!  Dont let one jerk spoil it for you and your furkidz! If possible, can you report him to anyone ?

purple32

sas....

where is the link ?

Spookiesmom

Thanks Rowan47. He is!



Purple, no body to report to, except maybe the cops if he comes back



I had to take Vicodin to knock me out for bed, I'm still upset.

sas-schatzi

Purple got your PM, does the rest of this post explain well enough? The link at the beginning was referrencing the problem I was working with another member on. The extension of the problem was what appeared to all that the patient was not receiving coordinated care in the ICU. I had given her lots of things to "seek and do". Then the next days mail brought the AARP magazine with the article. The items mentioned in the article have been issues in hospitals for correction for a very long time. <  10, some even 15 years. Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation(JACHO) is slowly making all off these items requirements. they have the POWER. If hospitals aren't JACHO accredited Medicare won't pay. Other insurances follow Medicares lead. SO, JACHO is making it happen, but it's a slow process. Some facilities are more proactive than others and have all the safety guidelines in place. That's why I posted it on so many threads. WE the consumers can seek hospitals that are safe. That will push other hospitals to institute the safety items b/c of the threat of loosing patients. Wish facilities would just do it b/c it's the right thing to do. Should I post this on the threads to clarify?

sas-schatzi

Spookie, Had similar problem at a dog park. My dog was attack by another. The Vet bill totaled 260.00. Couldn't recover from county or person. Pissed. I talked with the police and the lawyer for the county. One of the recommendations was to put the dog warden in my cell phone on speed dial. Spookie if you did not yell at him or swear, what that guy did to you falls under ASSAULT, you could have him arrested. Talk to a police officer and describe scenario. Please, post back here what the police recommend to you. I'm solid on what I would do based on what I was told, but we each need to seek what we're comfortable with doing.

purple32

sas

I was looking for  a link, but thanks for the clarification.

One thing you added sparked my interest as the MA state liasion for the Lymphedmea Treatment Act:

"Medicare won't pay. Other insurances follow Medicares lead..."

Sorry to digress, but I do wonder if all BC pts know they are at lifetime risk for LE, and that Medicare does  not pay even for a compression sleeve(?) I  would like to take this opportunity to strongly urge all of you to visit

www.lymphedematreatmentact.org

and sign on.

off the soapbox.... for now  :>)

Spookiesmom

Unfortunately, I did yell and swear. There was a witness, and he tried to defend himself to her. I heard her say "you scared her dog""



The city won't do anything, they don't when your car gets hit from a softball from the nearby field. Still have the dent to prove it. Unless the guy had an open container or was becoming violent, the cops won't do anything either



Spookie is only 7#. Usually the smallest one there. Kris is 18#, a little better to protect himself. I so enjoy going, but I can't put them at risk from aggressive dogs, and dumb a$$ people.

purple32

Too bad spookie .  Bullies are everywhere. 

sas-schatzi

Purple, HUGS you never know where a word, or a sentence may save or change a life. Rather than corny this is regrettfully to true. What's great about this being in AARP, is the membership is so vast and diverse. What was fairly hidden is now OUTED. I'm going to put this on my Pinktober revolution thread. How about tees that say" is Your Hospital  Killing People?" PO is big into tees that are very very graphic LOL. sassy

Spookie,our county has a fenced area for dogs under X#'s forget X. Maybe >20? Largest breed on that side I've seen is a Scottie. My German Wired Pointer-75#'s, gets along with all dogs. With small dogs it's SO FUNNY trying to watch her get SMALL. A friends chiuaha(sic)mix >10#, Schatzi had her head on the ground  trying to be littler. Try to get the powers to divide area, there's no excuse not too. Talk with the commissioners. sassy

Spookiesmom

It WAS the small dog side. 30# max the mutts were small, but fast. Think 5 toddlers on speed



It's our normal time to go, Kris is not a happy puppy right now, poor boy.

purple32

Purple, HUGS you never know where a word, or a sentence may save or change a life. Rather than corny this is regrettfully to true.

Oh, I soooooo believe it is true, sas!  

Reality

Its a beautiful day in the Adks today. I do not plan to leave my refuge, except to walk across the road, with grandchildren, and play by the lake. I find that if I just stay home, there is a better chance that no one will cheeze me off. 

sas-schatzi

Reality, so, true about cocooning and not running in to STUPIDS. Enjoy those grands, I have none yet, Wish DS would get serious about finding a life love.

Purple, what's new?

Has anyone seen Ro, she's been absent for awhile? Rocky has too?

purple32

Hi Sas

Just had first follow up 1 yr mammo.  The ' good side" had some assymetric density whish is probably nothing, but of course  , I am concerned. Was just wishing I could have that first sigh of relief...still waiting to exhale   :>)

Could have been worse.

sas-schatzi

Purple, yes, wish I could say it does get easier. But in away it does. Had 4th cancerversary this year in Jan. I know any day can bring another damn phone call. I've decided &^%^it. Really, after all this time I am starting to live in the day.

purple32

Congrats on year 4, sas.

Yep- I know it's soemthing that needs to get put into persepctive and at least live in the moment.

(What else can we do ?)

THX

Spookiesmom

Dumb ? What date do you use for cancerversairy? Dx date? Tx end date?

purple32

Not dumb....use any/either date you want.

My LX was May 1 and by sheer coincedence my mammo results were May 1 so for me it's May 1!

sas-schatzi

Spookie, agree with Purple, what date has the most significance to you. I knew on the day of the MRI, that was Dec8th 2008, biopsy with pathology was Jan23 rd. I chose 23rd b/c path report was definitive tissue, but i could have chosen dec just as well. The point being, is it gives you a target date each year. Each target date is a date of accomplishment so to speak. Beginning and ending.

purple32

Each target date is a date of accomplishment

... and a day of dread.

But I like your way of thought better, sas.  Hope to get there !

sas-schatzi

I asked the mods awhile back if they could try to get ahold of Ro. Nothing so far. Does anyone have a contact for her???????

sas-schatzi

Someone mentioned CancerandCareers on the financial forum. GREAT web site for all things employment Thanks. I added it to my thread for newbies Just diagnosed -get prepared. Also, found another web site today, that I have included the link for, it is evrything you would like to know about saving money on drugs. The question and answer below the links are in regard on how to make the system work for you re: meds received in a cancer center.

Edit:6/6/13 Found two new web sites that are a must to review. One is on saving money on drugs. Start with 'home" page , then the really helpful page is the "About Us" Pg. Link is to home pge.

www.needymeds.org/index.htm 

This next link is dedicated to most of the need to know info regarding work and cancer. BCO has much information on the main borad, but this link is much more expansive

www.cancerandcareers.org/en 

HAVE A CALL OUT TO MY RESOURCE PERSON:If you bring in the coupon taken from the web site to the cancer center, will/can  it be utilized to help pay copay ANSWER to question NO.

Per my resource: This is how to make the website work or other resources work for you while receiving cancer meds in a cancer center, SPEAK UP and let them know you need financial help, best to do when you have initial contact with CC. What they then do, if they are connected like mine, they go through their resources the same we would, but would be contacting as a a provider. Grant money or assistance can be available under all kinds of circumstances. Do not assume you make too much money or b/c you have insurance, money is not available. If say you get turned down initially, recheckin should circumstances change.

Rockym

It's been four months Rohanna since you've been around.  I'm cheezed we haven't heard from you.  I'm also cheezed by washing machine is broken, but that's another story :-)

Anonymous

Hey, Everybody! Look who's back! Yeah, like a bad penny. Sorry I've worried everybody but I almost bought the farm, AGAIN! OK, I think I told you all that I had surgery back in October because my intestines burst due to diverticulitis. I had 2 ft. of intestines removed and my dr. told me I was 36 hours from death due to infection. Only 1 out of 5 people survive in my condition. I was hospitalized  for 19 days. I also had to have a colostomy. I then fell into the worst depression of my life. I didn't want to live anymore. And then came my colostomy reversal surgery. I was glad to lose the bag, but my old friend infection showed up again. My sutures opened and the infection kicked my ass. I wasn't allowed to sit up or walk (except to the bathroom) for months. I was hospitalized twice more and was staring death in the face TWICE! One day I was lying there and the surgeon came in for a visit. He said you are recovering but I want you to take it easy for 6 more months. I asked him what could have caused the diverticulitis to flare up so badly and if it could have been affected by the radiation. He said, "That's been known to happen. It's quite possible." Can't tell you how cheezed off I was that BC was still causing me problems and this time being sneaky about it. DAMN! But I thought, I didn't let BC kill me and this won't either!!!! I didn't tell you all this to throw a pity party for myself but to warn you that BC is a sneaky bitch so watch out for other problems it causes. And I apologize again for worrying you, but I'm just now able to sit at the computer. I love and missed you all. Please catch me up on what you've been up to and how you're doing. LOVE and HUGS!

Anonymous

Rho! So glad you're back!!



Phyllis