Well, I went back into the hospital last week for another small bowel obstruction ( these have become common with the abdominal hernias), the surgeons there were literaly scared that they may need to operate again. On the way into the OR the Dr. stopped and said " I want to try one more time to reduce this", you would have thought he was doing CPR the way he was pushing down on my abdomin, but he got it!! So no surgery that day. The local surgeons got together and decided that I should go see "Super-Surgeon" down in the big city. I went down this morning and after 3 hours in his office, he agreed to do this surgery. He said he needs to snip my abdominal muscles and move them back to where they belong and then put in one huge piece of mesh that will cover my whole abdomin. It will be a very painful 6 hour surgery, but in the end I will be able to go back to a normal lifestyle (No more 20 pound restriction) He is so booked that this won't happen untill December, what the hell it's already been a year, I can wait. He said he would loke me to drop 40 pounds by then and has enrolled me in a weight loss clinic at the hospital. Many people have said "If you get back to normal, won't that affect a settlement?" WHO CARES, I will be delighted to go back to being broke but able to do real work. I am surprised that the IC has not sent me to this guy. I talked to my atty today and he said we would need to wait and see if the IC would pay for this, why would'nt they if it puts me back to 100%? This visit today made Fencer and Fencers wife very happy people! Just thought I would share some good news with you all.
Fencer
That's great news Fencer!!!!! Getting your life back to normal is the goal and it certainly sounds like you are on the right track. Now you will have to share with us what you learn at the weight loss clinic. Most of us have had gains along with our injuries. It's hard to get the pounds off when you can't move very well. Take care!!!!
That's Great news Fencer!! I Hope all Goes Well, and You are Back at 100%!! And You are Absolutely Correct, I would give Up ANY SETTLEMENT Figure if I could get My Health Back, and be 100% Again!! There is No Money Figure in this World Worth Our Health!!
I bet that cheers you up a bit, wow thats awsome. I hope it all works out and yes please, do share info on you and the weight clinic. I know I sure packed it on almost 80lbs.
great news i'm so happy for you!
Fencer, that is very good news. And I hope you have no problems with the IC neither.
Fencer, that is very good news and I am very happy for you and for your wife. I have no doubt that there is not one person on this forum who would not give up any amount of money if someone could eliminate the pain and suffering that they endure each day. Thanks for sharing. Red
Thanks to all, Bronco, the 40 pounds he wants me to lose is exactly what I gained after injury! This clinic involves a Nutritionist, a Psycologist, an exercise guru and a Dietition, they also have a protien shake program. When I saw "Super-Surgeon", his assistant said that they would not even have me on a 20 pound restriction and that they would just tell me "If it hurts don't do it, and you would know to stop before you did any more damage". So I am wondering if his thoughts trump my origanal surgeon, the IC Dr. and the IME, As you may recall, all 3 of these agreed to the 20 pound restriction and MMI, but now Super-Surgeon says differently, will the judge still just go along with what the Big 3 have already reported, or by the new surgeon? I will keep you all posted on how this plays out, and I agree Red that I would gladly give up a settlement to be able to live a full life. At 42 years old 6'4" and 290 pounds, it sucks to make my wife carry the 40 pound bag of dog food and the looks people give me!!! I once told a guy at a lumber yard that he had to load something into my truck for me, he had somewhat of an a-hole attitude so when he turned around, there I was with my shirt pulled up showing him the 32 staples running from sternum to groin, now when I go there he does'nt let me pick-up a 2X4.If people only knew why we do and don't some things, maybe we should all wear t-shirts stating our injuries!!!
That is great news Fencer. I also know how you feel about having the wife carry the dog food. When hubby hurt his back he insisted on carrying something out of a store just not to get embarrassed. I said " NO " you can ask for help!! So I know exactly how you feel. It is hard for someone to know if you have a injury if it is covered up under a shirt and someone would not understand why you would let your wife carry that unless you had your shirt off etc. Different if you had a cast on a arm or leg as it is seen by all.
no blood or gore no bone sticking out of the skin....no injury according to some....