Wow... its been a long time since I've blogged! I didnt realize that much time had elapsed, as I have been swamped with a few things going on in my Life. Today, I had surgery for an extensive skin cancer across my upper lip. I was there about 5 hours, and very anxious about it, as its in a place I cant hide it from the world - my FACE. She had to take 2 layers of skin to get it all. It was a squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Knowlton referred me to her because she specializes in transplant dermatology. She was wonderful, AND she's Irish!! I dont know how many stitches she put in, but my lip is all swollen and still a little numb, and I've got a big bandage right under my nose. VERY attractive. I will be laying low until July 5th - when these bad boys get removed. Dr. Zwald called in Dr Papadapolous to consult on the cosmetics end of it - he seems to be the one with the most experience. He's also the Medical Director of the practice. Nobody wanted me looking like a troll once it healed from the surgery! Least of all - me! lol I have my 2nd surgery on Friday for a basal cell carcinoma on my right chest. That one will be much quicker and not as a big deal than the one today. #2: My insurance company has denied $116,000 in claims for the only drug thats kept me from being bed-ridden - IVIG. If I dont get it every 4 weeks, I start going downhill fast. I refuse to start crawling on the floor again because of this autoimmune disease - CIDP. So, I am in the middle of the 2nd level of appeals process. I sent them an appeals request letter, which was to be written within 60 days. The letter clearly stated that I needed copies of all the information they used to make the denial determination BEFORE I completed my 2nd level appeal letter. I have 180 days to write and send that letter in. Well, right before surgery this morning, I get a call from the Appeals Unit. She was confused. She wanted to make sure that this was not my 2nd level appeal letter. Apparently, she cant read. The letter was very clear and concise. Even someone with a retard IQ wouldve understood what I had written and was requesting from them. She was trying her best to "get the clock started" based on the letter I wrote, and without me having ANY new input for them to read. NOT! Insurance companies will try anything to get out of paying for what they're supposed to. It should be criminal for them to harrass paying customers like this, especially when something like IVIG is so desparately needed. I've been doing a lot of research on the issue of "medical necessity," and there are horror stories all over the internet about how insurance companies are outright abusing people and taking advantage of them when they are ill. Like I said, it should be criminal. One good thing... lawyers are slowly chipping away at federal laws that have acted like a security blanket for these companies (ERISA), and they also have found a way to make them pay even more than just claims monies and legal fees (RICO). For a nerd like me, it was very interesting to see the progression of court case outcomes over the years, as well as pending litigation thats going on across the country with these criminal companies. One very sad thing I did read... a lot of people have died waiting for their insurance company to pay for something like chemotherapy. I call that murder in the 1st degree. #3: I havent been feeling well. Some days are better than others. I'm usually nauseated every day, and I've been losing weight because I havent been eating. I had to go in the hospital a few weeks ago because my CIDP symptoms were starting to get really bad. The IVIG they gave me while I was there is finally kicking in, and my walking is much better. The involuntary eye movements I was having have almost stopped, as well as a few other symptoms... for now. That drug is AMAZING! Right now, I'm all shaky because I havent been able to eat much of anything today. Whatever I did put in my body, was through a straw. Mom bought me a Jamocha shake (Grandma's favorite!!) from Arby's on the way home. And then at dinner, I had a few bites of ice cream. That was all I could stomach. I just wish I could feel good for about a month - get good sleep every night - no nausea - no aches & pains - just a little freedom from the constant "I dont feel good" crap. God, are you listening? #4: I still need to finish the "Fractured Fairy" request from Kathy at Zazzle. Its almost done, but I was having trouble feeling the paint brush because my fingertips (and hands) have been numb due to the CIDP. Its getting better (due to the IVIG I just got), and so I'm hoping to complete it over the weekend. #5: I have encountered a big, big problem in the area of "free speech" and several liberals being loonie-toonie. BIG-TIME loonie-toonie. After having studied the illegal alien issue extensively, I created some "no amnesty" political products on Zazzle directed towards the proposed bill in the Senate. The one where 64% of the American people dont agree with it passing. BOY, did a debate ensue! About 3 liberals just had a complete fit over my views. One guy, I have to give him credit... he did actually agree with me on every factual point I made, but since he is from Mexico... his heart lies with the people crossing the border illegally. Illegal is illegal. That means, its illegal. What part of illegal do they not understand? I dont mind if they come here, I just want them to do it legally... through the front door, as opposed to the back one. My proposal was not amnesty, and it wasnt mass deportation. My solution was attrition through enforcement of our current immigration laws. What good are laws, if they arent enforced? (I wish we could help everybody who's got a bad lot in life, but we cant even take care of our OWN impoverished citizens, much less the ones from other countries.) Well, these 3 Zazzle liberals went off the deep-end on that. There is one dude who is slightly more mentally ill then the other 2. Whenever he talks (types)... he just rambles on and on and on, and never makes any sense. Its very hard to figure out what he's saying. I dont even know if HE knows what he's saying. He's probably smoking illegal substances on a daily basis. (lol) Anyway, all 3 of them have their little panties in a wad. Its quite comical to watch their counter efforts with products. I product was a personal attack towards me, but since Zazzle is based in San Francisco - liberal capitol of the world - they havent removed the product - even though its in violation of their own User Agreement. These 3 people cant even debate the issue on its merits, so they have to resort to name-calling. Poor things. I hope their blood pressure remains at a safe level. (lol) Anyway, thats that. One day, I hope to be surrounded by people who "think." Its very frustrating to deal with people who have no reasoning capability whatsoever. #6: There has been yet another uproar in the family. Dad & Maureen thought it was a good idea to invite everyone over for Father's Day, including Lisa, despite them knowing everyone's feelings about her and what she did to Mom. I think it was very disrespectful for them to consider us coming with her there. Lisa made the long-planned and calculated decision to choose property over family years ago, and now she thinks we will all forget and she can slip right back into our lives. They really put everyone in a bad spot just by asking us to show up. I'm very disappointed in my father and stepmom. I'm sure they spent the day with Brian and Katy.... another low blow.
