KarenK

Dee, how is your new eye doing? When is your next surgery? My left eye is still not quite right. Still have an odd blurry spot in lower left corner and double vision when I look to the left. Am just going to wait until my Apr. 6 appt. to address this again. Went to the dentist today. Can't pull my teeth yet. Got more antibiotic. Feeling really lousy because of infection. Kay, sorry you're having such a bad time right now. Rant away! Who ever thought getting older would be so much fun?

Gwen, this is so messed up! When you became Medicare eligible, you should have gotten parts A & B, plus the part for prescriptions(unless you opted out of that part, which I did). I chose Humana's Walmart plan. For any medical stuff, when you present your Medicare card and your supplemental insurance card, the office should be smart enough to figure out Medicare is the primary. I always tell them anyway. I have never had any problems at all. If they have failed to submit the bills to Medicare, someone has definitely dropped the ball. How was the billing done for the surgeon and anesthesia? Did they get it right? I'm just so sorry you're fighting all this alone. I suppose home health could take care of your wounds if you're forced home, but the shower is the biggie, requiring a change to a walk in shower. More bucks for you to spend which is unimportant to your insurance company. Thinking of you always and sending positive vibes

I've never seen "Ozark". So many of the series are on the pay channels. I just usually wait until they become available at the library. HBO Max is having a free weekend, so have been watching some of the newer movies. " Nightmare Alley" was good. Am watching "Dune" right now. Kind of confusing as most newer sci fi are to me. Did you ever find out if Medicare is being billed before your supplemental insurance?

Gwen, I'm not sure we can ever get back to being ourselves. Too many changes have taken place, mentally and physically and time is not on our side. I've never worried too much about getting older because age was just a number. I stayed fairly healthy even as I aged, but the last few years have been tough. As I approach 75, I'm starting to feel it and show it and I don't like that one bit. I guess I need to start looking for a new "self". The old one is surely gone.

Drove myself to get a haircut. A little scary as I still have double vision in my left eye when I look left to check for oncoming traffic. I have to turn my head far enough to look with my right eye. Inconvenient, but I can manage if I'm careful. Sure hope this goes away!

Had my last post op visit today. Despite still feeling like there is something in the lower left corner of left eye, doc says all is okay, that maybe it's just not quite healed. If not better in a week to call him. Otherwise, I have an appt. in a month to check vision for glasses, which he thinks I won't need. Am going to drive myself for a haircut later. Haven't driven since last May. Can barely keep ahead of this old body. Had been holding off on getting my broken teeth pulled as long as they weren't hurting while trying to pay the bill down a little and get my eyes fixed. One is now hurting and gum infected, so dentist called in antibiotic. Have an appt. next week to get it pulled. Oh, joy! Never, ever say "What next?"

Dee, so glad you checked in and everything is good. Took about 10 days for my first eye to feel normal. Just remember not to rub your eye. Get some rest.

Marg, it's normal to be apprehensive about eye surgery. You figure you can see what's coming at you, but you really can't. All you see is the bright glare of the surgical light. No pain, just discomfort from all the drops put in your eye. All in all, it's been a "piece of cake". I do have complete trust in this doctor I've used for probably 35 years. Good for you for having a blood draw. You're braver than you realize. On a good note....in May, Paramount + is starting a new series "Joe Pickett" from you know who. I don't have access to that, but you might.

The right eye is good. Vision in the left eye is good, but still feels like there's a glob of something in the lower left corner. It's been a week since that surgery. Hopefully it's just not quite healed. I have my last appt. on Wed. I see a lot more clearly and colors are brighter. A lot better watching tv now. Even a little better reading through the reading glasses.

Dee, sending good vibes and positive thoughts for your surgery tomorrow. I know you're a little frightened and nervous. It will be over before you know it. Gwen, sounds like your healing is progressing as it should. Slow as it seems to you, some things just can't be rushed. Hang in there!

I never watch the news, just skim over a local website and disregard most of it. I also listen to Classic Country on the music channel. Don't like the new stuff at all! I do watch a lot of tv, movies all day long(while reading my Kindle) and medical and police dramas at night. Not a very productive life, but as long as I keep the house fairly clean and fix meals, I'm doing what I can. Gwen, I hope all the medical people involved in your care are filing everything properly. If any of them have skipped Medicare, it will make a huge difference when it is corrected.

Sure glad you will get a chance to talk to someone that may be able to help you with this insurance mess. So unfair that you may have to pay out of pocket. That's the whole point of having supplemental insurance! My stomach would be a mess for sure with all the stress you're going through. Try some prune juice. It might help. Since you've had this extensive surgery, I wonder if insurance would pay for the small portable oxygen at home so you don't have to hassle with the tubing and larger tanks anymore. Hoping for a brighter day tomorrow.

A beautiful story, Dee. Who is to say that the reply was not from God? Angels come in many forms.

Kay, you should have Medicare as your primary with the premium deducted from your SS. Your supplemental is your Medicare Advantage which you pay separately for. Is this what you have?

Really confusing, I know. Medicare should be your primary paying the majority first and Blue Cross should pay the rest. You really need a patient advocate to help figure this out. My United Healthcare pays whatever is left after the Medicare payment including the Medicare deductible. I have no co-pays.

Kay, I'm fortunate that I've never broken anything or done any lasting damage, just some cuts and bruises that heal in a couple of weeks. All due to carelessness tripping over things. We don't seem to bounce as well as we used to, do we? You need to start biting those dogs back! My truck doesn't have steps, but has grab bars above the windows which I've always used to pull myself up. Will be okay once shoulder is better. Truck is high off the ground, especially for a short person.

So glad to hear that Melody is doing well. I've been meaning to ask about her. Which insurance is trying to discharge you? Is it your supplemental, because Medicare is supposed to cover 100 days in a skilled nursing facility. I guess I just assumed the supplemental would follow Medicare decisions. Still hoping for the best....

Second cataract surgery is done. A little rougher than the first because of the contraption used to hold the eye open. Underneath eye swollen. Kind of look like I've been in a bar fight and I don't even remember ordering a drink. lol All in all, I think it went well. Will know in about 10 days. No laughing too hard here but.....while getting in place on the operating table, I reinjured the shoulder that I fell on a few nights ago. They put a pillow under my arm during surgery. Not exactly fun trying to pull myself up into the truck for the trip home. I really need to quit falling down!

Dee, my eye was blurry for about 10 days, a little less each day. Never any pain. I accidentally started to rub it one morning when I was half asleep. It let me know real quick that was a no no. My son has been switching days off for all my appts. It's hard for him as he works nights and normally sleeps days, but he has made do in addition to doing our shopping and errands which he has been doing since Covid began.

Dee, don't know where my brain came up with the 28th for your surgery? Yes, you get an IV during surgery with a relaxer. He also put lidocaine in mine because of my chronic cough(a bad idea to cough during surgery). Plus the nurse constantly puts drops in your eye during surgery, partly for numbing, I guess. Sure hope your vision improves to where you can see your beautiful surroundings more clearly. I made my dermatologist appt. for April. My broken teeth are on hold for a while unless they start to hurt. Hard to keep up with all the failing parts on these old bodies. lol

Dee, Was hoping you would be checking in. I'm thinking your first cataract surgery is on the 28th. My second surgery is that day. On my pre op visit, the doctor said I have 20/20 distance vision in my right eye now. He expects the left eye will end up the same and I won't need distance glasses, just my cheap ones for reading. We shall see. Good luck whenever your surgery is. Gwen, I was also thinking those X-Rays are outdated now, fault of the rehab for not sending them weeks ago. You need more recent ones for accuracy. Sure hope you can hold off the insurance denial until this is done. Thinking of you

Wouldn't you like to be a fly on the wall at the insurance company to see what criteria is used in making decisions about peoples' lives. Most likely they base things on average results, not taking into account extenuating circumstances. Hopefully the doctor's opinion will carry some weight. Surely OT can see that you're not able to be alone yet and will speak for you. Hope you're able to find a solution for the shower problem. So glad Dee will be able to help you in some way. Too bad Robin can't see clearly and be supportive. Crazy question, but I wonder if insurance would cover a hospital bed for a while until you can sleep comfortably in your own bed? I know they make adjustable beds, but they must be super expensive.

Supposed to get rain later today and snow in the high country. Wish I was there, although I'm not a big fan of freezing cold. Does your home bathroom have a tub/shower combo? I can't step over a tub easily so never use that one. Fortunately, I have a walk in shower in my other bathroom. Hope your med situation is straightened out now. Also hope the surgeon will see favorable results on the X-Ray. Sending a warm hug

Ohso, I'm so sorry that your eye is still having problems and taking forever to heal. My new eye is doing fine(surgery a week ago), better than expected according to the doctor at my post op. It's the other eye that's really struggling(like smudged glasses?). Am having surgery on it next week.

Sounds like you were pretty much a tomboy like I was. I think my best memories are of riding and caring for the horses in Wyoming. Also did my share of tree climbing and falling in creeks. At about 13, I discovered boys and life became way too complicated. Has been ever since. lol My left eye is really giving me fits, very blurry. I'm hoping it is just strained from trying to keep up with the good eye. My second pre op appt. Is on Wed. Hope they brought your meatballs and sauce. I couldn't eat just noodles. What a bummer about the X-Rays! Hope they have copies.