decisions, decisions and different opinions

[LindaRacine]

Hi All,

I had to do about six loads of laundry today, and it got me thinking about appliances. I have a front-loader washer and dryer without the pedestal bases. Will I need to get new machines and/or bases? I will have help for 3 months, but I will be fused to sacrum, so...

Also, when were the rest of you able to load the bottom rack of the dishwasher?

And finally, for those of you who travelled for surgery, what did you do about the raised toilet seat and hand-held shower in the hotel? I guess I could take the seat I bought for home with me. Not sure about the shower though. I know I'm not supposed to get the incision wet for two weeks.

Thanks,
Evelyn

Hi...

I was able to do laundry and load and unload the dishwasher right away, by using my grabbers. It takes more time, but it's not like you'll be in any hurry anyway. The only thing that was difficult, was silverware. I learned to use my grabber to remove the silverware basket, load it up at countertop, then put it back using the grabber.

While a raised toilet seat is convenient, it's not essential, especially if you have a walker or someone to help you on and off. You might want to try to find an "accessible" hotel room.

--Linda

Regards,
Linda

[loves to skate]

I used my grabber to get clothes out of the dryer. Pedestals are nice if you can afford them. I could not.
I sat on a chair to empty the dishwasher. I put them on the counter, then stood up to put them in the cupboards.
Sally

[LindaRacine]

Necessity is definitely the mother of invention.

[naptown78]

Hi Evelyn!
Wow! You're surgery is coming up fast...
I know you will do just great! As far as the raised toilet seat...you won't need that. At least I didn't need anything like that.
I have a standard top loader washing machine and front loading dryer. With the washing machine I sometimes have a hard time reaching the stuff in the bottom of the machine but I just throw my leg back and get down in there! With the dryer I mostly have to squat down because I like to protect my back from bending. A grabber is a good idea to keep in the laundry area but most times it isn't where I need it to be. I actually didn't buy a grabber until my 3rd surgery so I lived without one for a long time. Like Linda said, you just figure things out as you go along! Call me if you need anything at all ;-)

[Confusedmom]

Last Week Pre-Op!

Hi All,

I thought I'd give you all a little update. This is mostly for the "pre-surgery" group, to let you know what I'm doing to prepare. Also it will help me get organized, I think!

Today (done): Phone calls to good friends r.e. surgery, grocery shopping for week, hosted book club at my house, exercise walk 45 min. Plus ran kids around per normal. Ordered foam topper for bed (thank you, Ed!).

Tuesday: Cleaning out guest room closet for my mom who will be living here 3 months. Wrapping up business on neighborhood board. Callling insurance company (again). They still haven't given clearance!!!! Go through mail/pay bills before I leave for St. Louis. Step class, hopefully.

Weds: Talk to Dr. Lenke's nurse to make sure insurance is on track. Organize laundry room for all the visitors/helpers who will be at my house. Buy more soft pillows. Send out schedule to whole family of who is where while I'm in St. Louis. Cycling class.

Thurs: Put items at counter height or above in kitchen. Install raised toilet seat. Prepare forms for my daughter's kindergarten registration shortly after I get back. (Sad face.) Send out contact list for neighbors/helpers while I'm away. Step class.

Fri.: Put items in closet & bathroom at waist height. Prepare email distribution list for mom/hubby to let everyone know how surgery goes. Personal trainer. Laundry.

Sat.: Final calls to family who will be helping. Final packing. "Date night" with hubby.

Sun.: Lunch with in-laws. Spend day with kids.

Mon.: Headed to the Parkway Hotel!

I'll still be checking in with you all every day, of course. Calms my nerves.

Thanks again, everyone, for listening and all the well-wishes.

Best,
Evelyn

[Pooka1]

Tuesday: Cleaning out guest room closet for my mom who will be living here 3 months.

I like your plan except for having your mother live in the guest room closet. :-)

Good luck!

[mabeckoff]

I like your plan except for having your mother live in the guest room closet. :-)

Good luck!

If you don't treat her well, she might not stay

[BetsyK]

insurance

Hi Evelyn,
Good luck! I'm a month after you. When did you first contact the insurance company?

[Doodles]

Evelyn--
You are one organized lady! I think you are going to do just fine. The Parkway was a very good and helpful place to stay. We were always very pleased with it. Good luck this week as you get physically and mentally prepared. Staying busy is probably the best bet! Janet

[Confusedmom]

Okay, small rant here. My insurance company STILL has not approved surgery! I have had this scheduled over a year. I know that Dr. Lenke's office sent all the requests by Feb. 1. They have since responded to two rounds of questions. Then we get a third round of questions today that says (direct quote):

1. What is/are the name/s of the planned procedure/s? Please indicate the level/s of the spine involved for each procedure. (Well, duh, they've done that three times.)

2. Does the patient have severe degenerative scoliosis as manifested by the following:
a. Progression of deformity to greater than 50 degrees with loss of function?
b. Persistent significant radicular pain or weakness unresponsive to nonoperative therapy?
c. Persistent neurogenic claudication unresponsive to nonoperative therapy?

3. Kindly submit clinical documentation that would support the requested procedure.
(Umm, xrays showing an 80-degree curve don't count? How about when you come those to the 55-degree curve in 2005?)

End of letter.

Seriously? I have been to seven spine surgeons -- all SRS members -- all except one of whom said I need surgery. The one who didn't said "wait until the curve is in the 70s." Well, now it's in the 80s.

Do you think the insurance company is going to deny this? It's true I don't have "loss of function" or "persistent significant radicular pain". Don't know what neurogenic claudication is. I thought the standard was documented progression above 50 degrees?

Ugh. Please tell me I have not come this far just to get insurance denial.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

Insurance companies are definitely playing hardball these days. Just so you know, the insurance company rarely sees much of your medical record, so it's safe to assume they haven't seen your x-rays. I'm guessing that your insurance company is just making things difficult to see if they can reduce the number of surgery reimbursements they're having to make. I can't imagine they won't approve you. In the meantime, I bet it's pretty stressful. My own surgery wasn't approved until 3 days prior to the big day. I tried to remain calm about it, though it wasn't always easy.

Hang in there.

Regards,
Linda

[hasteffen]

The countdown

Evelyn,
After reading your posts I swear we must be twins! I have wondered about my frontload washer and dryer. We did not purchase the pedestals and now I wish I had. I still have 7 months to go until my surgery and I am starting to prepare. I can tell you are well on your way to a sucessful recovery. I am sure insurance will approve, but man what a pain to have to deal with that now.
Best,
Heidi

[Confusedmom]

Hi All,

Well, I got word Friday that the insurance has given medical clearance for surgery. There is still some paperwork to be finalized, which I hope happens before my central line on Tuesday.

Warning to all Lenke/Bridwell patients, I had to make a LOT of phone calls to both their office and the insurance company to get this through. My surgery has been scheduled over a year, but they don't process the insurance request until after your pre-op visit. I would start calling your insurance co. at least 2 weeks before your surgery to make sure your insurance is approved. Having to deal with this during the week before surgery has not been fun. It has taken several hours that I really needed to spend packing, etc.

Anyway, at this point it looks like it will clear. So, it's off to St. Louis on Monday! Central line on Tuesday, surgery Wednesday.

Thanks everyone for your pre-op support! I am looking forward to being on "the other side"! This spring I'm all about the Kelly Clarkson song: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand at little taller...." Here's to standing taller!

,
Evelyn

[rohrer01]

I wish you all the best and hope all goes well!

Rohrer01

[JenniferG]

Very glad to hear your insurance fiasco is fixed. All the very best Evelyn! Look forward to hearing from you on "the other side." You'll do great!