The Next Knee

I had my follow up appointment with my surgeon. My knee is looking great. I’ve been getting around without the walker and now I’m back to my trusty cane.
I looked like a complete goob today but couldn’t make myself care less. I got the usual stares that seem to accompany me wherever I go, but [...]

Reflections IV

So I have this voice in the back of my mind whispering that the worst is almost over.
But if four years of battling rheumatoid arthritis has taught me anything it’s that I shouldn’t let my hopes get too high too quickly. Isn’t that a terrible way to view the world? I know it is. But [...]

Now we wait

I dropped my medical records and X-rays off to another doctor. He wants to look them over to see if he even wants to bother seeing me.
If afraid he’s going to take one look at that file, see I’m 24, and say no.
I don’t like the feeling of having the course of my life and [...]

This and That

For one month my medication costs were just under $1600. With my new insurance, I only paid $6.25.
Enbrel is the biggest expense. It runs a little $1500 a month, but I now only pay $3.1o. It’s still hard to get used to.
Also, I’m almost out of visits from my home health physical therapist. My right knee went [...]

I’m still amazed

I’m still amazed what a difference insurance makes. I just bought my months supply of prednisone and methotrexate. They used to run me about fifty dollars(which I didn’t always have).
It only costs me $2.10 now. 
I haven’t been sent any obnoxious-ulcer-inducing bills in months. Now that I’m receiving SSD I don’t have to sit and worry [...]

And now with Insurance

I had my first visit with my rheumatologist with insurance. My card came in the mail Saturday! I’m in such a good mood. I’m sure I looked like some sort of nut job. I was smiling the whole time. Everyone in the office was excited for me. My doctor had a list of things shes [...]

The waiting game

I am so good at the waiting game. I’ve been waiting for years….
Ok, I finally got my Medicaid card in the mail. Along with my Medicare prescription drug card. I have not however, received my Medicare card. Its all very confusing. I also cant seem to find any doctors offices that take Medicaid. Though some [...]

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dieting III

I thought I’d ask my doctor about my diet, and how nothing seems so be working. I’ve gained another couple pounds. She said, there’s really nothing I can do about it until the prednisone has been out of my body for awhile. Even though I’m down to 5 mg, it hasn’t been for long, and [...]

Lack of Insurance II

I went to my doctors Wednesday. Its been a few days, but I think I have sufficiently recovered. In fact, I’m feeling pretty good.
My father had to come to town to do some work on our family home that is up for sale. It’s been on the market for almost a year. Apparently, we couldn’t [...]

Lack of Insurance

I watched Sicko today. Here’s a summary I found online:
Note to the president: Here’s your chance to lock up Michael Moore. The radically fierce and funny fireball he aims at our health-care system is a flat-out invitation to steal. First, Moore shows us how France, England, Canada and – yikes! – Cuba actually help sick [...]

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Dieting II

I’ve actually managed to gain another seven pounds.
Skirts are no longer an option because the stretch marks are now very bad behind my knees and now reach half way down my calves.
I no longer own a bra that fits. I never thought I’d be annoyed by rapidly expanding breast. If it wasn’t for the stretch marks [...]

Not so new anymore

Ok, the swollen feet thing is getting annoying. It’s been happening too much lately. Last night they swelled up  when I was up cooking dinner. Even though I was on a stool. If I’m sitting at the computer too long they swell. I drove across down to the grocery store and they were too swollen to get out.
Ugh. [...]

Disabilty

I am so nervous. I am so unbelievable scared.
I just spent an hour on the phone with my lawyer. My case is Monday, and my entire life is dependant on it.
I know I should not have anything to worry about. I have always been honest about everything I’ve written and said to the social security administration.
But [...]