Insurance Woes/Doctor Visits/Other Things

Hate medical providers who screw up insurance claims, or insurance claims that we don’t expect because almost each “person” who touches Venita in a surgical setting sends a separate billing. SIGH. Takes Venita at least a half-hour a day to clear these up. About ¼ are wrong, and of course they all need to be “tracked.” Jim is the “sponsor” for Venita’s insurance; providers have to file under Jim’s social security number. Some file under Venita’s social or under some completely unrelated number. Sometimes providers submit duplicate charges or don’t put in the correct diagnosis code so they get paid nothing, when they should get paid something.

Venita saw Dr. Primary today. Venita’s main complaint was that all the medications were making her so groggy that she is sleeping up to 20 hours/day. Dr. Primary is moving the Paxil (long-term treatment for panic attacks) from AM to PM (when Venita would otherwise be sleeping) and asks that Venita minimize the Xanax (short-term treatment for anxiety) to times when it is absolutely necessary. Venita sees Dr. Primary again in 6 weeks. She is really helping Venita through this, and seems to truly understand the trauma.

Dr. Primary recommended against a change in breast surgeons. She agrees (as do all the Drs.) that Dr. Cutter has lousy bedside manner, but that Dr. Cutter is the most advanced breast surgeon in the area. We've agreed to stick with Dr. Cutter.

Venita and Jim also saw Dr. Boob today. Dr. Boob did the re-surgery on Venita’s mast scar 5 days ago. He said the new scar looks good, even though there is a small amount of dark scabby tissue forming again. Dr. Boob said that because the scab is near the breastbone, it is in a location where the skin is thicker and thus he will be better able to deal with a “weak area” when he goes to add saline to the expander implant. He took one of the 2 drains out today. (OH! What a squirmy feeling that was.) Dr. Boob says he thinks the other drain may come out in 2-7 days. Starting saline into the expander implant in about 3 weeks, once the scar is completely healed. Venita still has pain where the corners of the expander are. Dr. Boob says that should minimize as he fills the expander. Dr. Boob has not yet researched the effect of Venita’s intercostal neuritis on her left breast reconstruction.

Last night, darlin Ellen sent Dick over with Cornish game hen, rice, green beans, and bread pudding for dinner. Venita was laying on her side in bed eating, and she was scarfing it up! She loves Ellen’s food. Thank you so much Ellen and Dick.

Can’t think of anything else new to say. Can think of something old to say—thank you all so much for caring for and for supporting us!