Went to get my haircut after work. Just about done and my cell rings – it’s Dr. I. He wants to talk a little more before surgery on Friday. I’ll call him back when I get home so I can talk and so I can plug my phone in. It’s almost dead. I page Dr. I and we talk – about surgical options, check in time, concerns. I’m still impressed with both of these surgeons, and their attention to detail.
I’m still concerned about getting my work to a point where someone can at least sort of fill in for me, and where I can let the chips fall where they may.
June 8, 2011 Arrange for time off
If you’ve never done it, you will at least want some general awareness of your benefits for paid time off, the Family Medical Leave Act http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm, and any possible short-term disability benefits, and how you manage those. Get your paper work done. File for FMLA – it helps to hold your job/a position. And you’ll get several pieces of paper that your surgeon needs to fill out.
I recommend you call your health plan, determine if they require pre-authorization, know what your costs will be. Know your benefits. Understand what you need to know for your recovery and what kind of care you should expect to receive.
I recommend you call your health plan, determine if they require pre-authorization, know what your costs will be. Know your benefits. Understand what you need to know for your recovery and what kind of care you should expect to receive.
If you don’t have health insurance, you may choose to negotiate with your providers either pre or post surgery. Check with their financial aid offices.
I communicate with another Medical Director at work – Pediatric Oncologist and ask him what he knows about this Cystosarcoma Phyllodes. Questions: Where is it? How did you find it? Who will you be seeing? He assures me that I am in good hands, though he does not know my surgeons personally. He wishes me well, checks on my support system, and lets me know I can contact him while off if I have any questions. Dr. M emails me with a journal article that both reassures me and gives me a small bit of concern. We need to make sure that they take enough tissue + the tumor. If not, we could see a higher probability of recurrence. There is no other treatment besides surgical intervention for this benign tumor. I’m good with that. Let’s cut it out!
June 9, 2011 I’m ready now
I communicate with another Medical Director at work – Pediatric Oncologist and ask him what he knows about this Cystosarcoma Phyllodes. Questions: Where is it? How did you find it? Who will you be seeing? He assures me that I am in good hands, though he does not know my surgeons personally. He wishes me well, checks on my support system, and lets me know I can contact him while off if I have any questions. Dr. M emails me with a journal article that both reassures me and gives me a small bit of concern. We need to make sure that they take enough tissue + the tumor. If not, we could see a higher probability of recurrence. There is no other treatment besides surgical intervention for this benign tumor. I’m good with that. Let’s cut it out!
June 9, 2011 I’m ready now
I’m kind of excited today to go have my surgery. Is that kind of sick? I am reassured that I don’t need a pre-authorization due to the Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act plus the diagnosis and procedures being performed. Whew! I am relieved. Of course that does not guarantee payment. I have a friend check for me to see if there are any edits that come up with that diagnosis and procedure code. None. By now I’ve spoken with the Pre-op nurse at the hospital who answers some questions and asks some of her own. I ask her about whether they have all private rooms, would Scott be able to spend the night? I want to have my own private duty caretaker at my side. Most of the rooms are private, and if need be, we just ask for a cot when we know which “suite” we will be spending the night in. I guess I am in as good of shape as I can be. I wrap up my work day around 5 and go home.
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