I'll be offline for a bit

[Gone_Phishin]

Hi all.  I'm going in for spinal surgery tomorrow morning, and will be offline for a while.  I am having a posterior fusion at L5-S1 and L4-L5.  I'll have a total of four cages and four rods used to replace the things the surgeon is removing.  

I was originally injured over two years ago, but unfortunately it was at work, so this has been a workman's comp case...and it has been an absolute nightmare.  

This could have been taken care of with a MUCH less invasive procedure at the time of injury, but that's not work comp's style.  I've had to go to court twice, deal with their schoolyard bully tactics, and so on.  

These laws need to be reformed, and after I see this thing to the end, I'll have a new hobby in trying to help that cause.

Anyhoo, I want to give a big thanks to MALTESE FACON and Big T for their words of wisdom and overall kindness.  Sincerely guys, thanks.  I'll be back on the boards as soon as I possibly can.

-Shaun  

[BadKarma42]

ouch.

good luck.

[Muddy]

Hang in there, in my prayers.

[frogtog]

Good Luck and we've got you in our prayers.

[bilgerat]

Hang tough. We'll be here.

[burleytog]

It's a d**n shame your recovery will take place during the annual Brewers collapse. ;D

[Big Phish]

Just make sure you have the weekapaug from wocester '98 blaring in your hospital room as soon as you come to after the operation.  that will make the whole thing a lot easier to deal with.

but seriously, sorry to hear it and get well soon...

[Gone_Phishin]

Thanks for the kind words all, greatly appreciated.  8-)

The thing that ticks me Burley is a Brewtown trade is possible, and I'll be totally out of the loop.  If something isn't done I have a feeling you may be correct, although the eight games we play the Nats in the second half should help.  ;D  

I can't believe you said Milwaukee's annual collapse.  Have you recently become a cubs fan?  Our losses are so overshadowed by the chubbie's meltdowns it's ridiculous.  Remember, we don't have an outfield making 39 million this year and batting .233, .251, and .243.

Total recovery is about a year Brent.  I am a very good candidate for this procedure, so hopefully sooner.

Either that, or this year's 'Piper' at Alpine Big Phish.  

[SirSnookalot]

Good Luck !!!

[Sam]

All the best for a speedy and successful recovery.

I am surprised that a northern state has WC problems. I was under the impression that the further north you go, the easier it is to get WC benefits.

Did you go to one of the WC panel docs or to your own docs?

In Virginia, if you go to a panel doc and he transfers you out to another doc outside the panel, all is covered.  Very few problems unless there is a discussion about the injury being work related.

We have a Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission that has hearings and what they say is final and they usually side with the employee.

Sorry to read about problems you are having with the insurance carrier.

Which insurance company is it?

Let us know when you are up and around.  

[Gone_Phishin]

WC is in desperate need of a reform in WI Sam.  The bully tactics these jerks pull are not admissible in court, so they take full advantage of that.  The claims adjusters are basically lining their pocketbooks by doing so.

When they harass a person long enough, and get them back to work sooner than they should, or if the person just gives up and drops their lawsuit, the adjuster estimates how much money they just saved the insurance company.  At the end of the fiscal year, the adjusters that saved the most dough get bigger bonuses.

I truly hope karma is real, because these animals will get what they deserve.  If the author Dante was alive today, and wrote a modern version of 'The Inferno,' he would reserve a level of hell for work comp claims adjusters.  Seriously.

To answer your question Sam, I was able to see any doctor I wanted, but I also had to see their doctor as well.  They call it an 'Independent Medical Exam,' but it is the furthest thing from.  Their doctor is what has caused all of our problems, as his recommendations for treatment have been a joke; I wasn't surprised to see his answer to everything was always something that would be the cheapest for the insurance company.  I really shouldn't say any more.

I would love to mention the name of the insurance company, but again I shouldn't say any more.

Thanks for the kind words.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Good luck GP, hope everything comes out fine and you have some pain free days.

We'll be here when you're ready.  

[Uncle Leo]

Best wishes and Good Luck!

[srv1990]

Best of luck to you GP and get well soon!

[Gone_Phishin]

Hi friends. Just got back from the hospital earlier today....what a ride. I can honestly say that I've never been in more pain in my entire life; it was literally crippling.

Again, I want to point out MALTESE FALCON and his great generosity. The day after my surgery, he must have spent close to an hour on the phone with my father, as Rick had the same surgery several years ago. He then gave his phone number to my dad, and asked me to call him from my hospital room. Thanks you so very much Rick. You really helped he through this thing.

Depending upon my condition/how I feel, I should be on the boards quite a bit, as I have a lot of free-time on my hands. Please bear with the grammatical errors, as I am under some very heavy pain meds.

Again, I just wanted to say thanks to all and it's feels so very good to be back.

-Shaun

[Muddy]

Hey hang in there, screw gammar, just stay in touch

[MitchIsFishin]

Hope you recup fast, Shaun & like Muddy said hang in there.

[Big T]

Good Luck, hang in there! Just remember as hard as it is, a positive attitude is a key point in a successful recovery.

Tony