Re: This just keeps getting better...Calgary

[Guest guest]

Hi ......

OMG I can't believe it!!!!!

What an emtional roller coaster you have been on. I am so sorry.

I am getting that medical stuff ready to mail this morning. It is

really technical but maybe you will find it interesting. I am also

sending a copy of my 'operative report' from my surgery for what it's

worth.

Hang in there my friend. If you want to talk, give me a call tonight

(or any other time).

Regards,

Bleasdale wrote:

> What a day yesterday was. I was a disaster yesterday at work. When

> the CEO found out what was going on with me, she asked what the

> surgery is called that I needed. She has connections. Then she asked

> for my GI’s name and number. I am a little intimidated by her. Not

> scared, but ya know. I figured, at this point, nothing is going to

> hurt anymore. So, I gave it to her.

>

> She is not that talk-things-through kind of person. She is the

> I-will-yell-till-you-agree type. So, she called my GI’s office and

> reemed them out for me. Thanks, I guess? She told them they have no

> right NOT to fax my info away for the other doc’s feelings. She told

> them if they don’t get back to me with good news by today, that she

> would advise me to seek a lawyer, and a bunch of other stuff. I am

> not the type of person to do that, but I guess she wanted to scare

> them.

>

> They called back a half hour later. Wanted to know what I know about

> the surgeon in Calgary, etc. I told them a site I found and the

> reccommendation from . Good enough. She faxed the papers

> through!!! As far as I knew, I was good to go! Now, to wait for the

> call from that office directly…That was yesterday.

>

> This morning, I get to work. My GI office calls back. Says I CANNOT

> go to Alberta for surgery, because if it is possible to do the surgery

> in my province, it is not covered out of province. Nice. That was

> the FIRST thing I checked into when this came up. I guess the agent I

> spoke with had no idea, or something. Back to square one. Not

> covered in AB, or I pay for myself. They are looking into costs for

> me now. I know that is not an option though. It would be interesting

> to see the cost in Canada, as the prices I know of are what I have

> heard from you Americans out there! J

>

> Now, they are going to see if they can refer me to the other surgeon

> in Vancouver who I found. Another little bit of info on him:

>

> I called my original surgeon yesterday, to see where I stand. Far

> away still. Anyways, I asked what she knew about the new surgeon who

> does them. She said he DOESN’T do them. His reception says he does,

> but not often. THEY ARE ON THE SAME FLOOR, TWO OFFICES AWAY! If a

> neighboring office didn’t know he did them, how good can he be?

>

> My GI’s office is going to find out some info on him, since they have

> none. I have so far done all the checking myself and can only get so

> far. It looks like I have 3 options at the moment. 1) Wait 3-4 years

> for the best surgeon. 2) Possibly 2-6 months for a new surgeon who

> the other surgeon knows nothing about 3) Pay big $$ and pay for it to

> be done out of province (financially not possible)

>

> I’ll keep you all posted.

>

>

>

> PS , sorry I never called you back last night. I was out, and

> did not get home until 11:45 your time. I will keep you and Myrna

> posted. Thanks again!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I just did a search on health care in Canada and

found the following site:

CIC Canada | Fact Sheet: Health Information for Newcomers

I copied and am pasting a couple things from this site but

you can read the entire article by going to the site above.

It does not sound too favorable, but I would certainly call

the minister of health in your province if I were you and

see what info I could get. There just might be special

provisions for cases like yours. It is certainly worth a try.

I am not sure of the date on this site and there might also

be newer rules.

Contact the ministry of health in your province for more information.

Visiting or moving to a new province

Your health card is mainly for use in the province where you live. If you are visiting another province, your card can be used in an emergency.

If you are moving permanently to another province, reapply for a new provincial health card as soon as possible. There are waiting periods before your coverage begins in your new province, although the province you left will continue to provide coverage for a limited period of time.

If you are going to reside in a different province for a temporary period of time you should contact the provincial ministry of health office in your home province before you leave.

Some other sites that might help you:

About.com: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/medicare/chaover.htm

Health Insurance Cards in Canada - eligibility benefits and registration

I found these by typing in "rules Canadian Health Care" in google. There are other sites you might want to look at as well.

Hope this helps.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Option 4: Hire a lawyer to send a letter to the doctor and his supervisor. That usually is all you need to get the doctors to start moving.

It may cost a little bit but better than paying for the surgery.

Boston Pete

-----Original Message-----From: Bleasdale [mailto:ableasdale@...]Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 1:05 PMachalasia Subject: This just keeps getting better...Calgary

.. It looks like I have 3 options at the moment. 1) Wait 3-4 years for the best surgeon. 2) Possibly 2-6 months for a new surgeon who the other surgeon knows nothing about 3) Pay big $$ and pay for it to be done out of province (financially not possible)

[Guest guest]

Hi BP,

Thanks for the 4th option. My boss

has suggested that. At this point I don’t even know who to send it to! They

say there is nothing else to do. How do I prove them wrong, ya know?

This just

keeps getting better...Calgary

.. It looks like I

have 3 options at the moment. 1) Wait 3-4 years for the best

surgeon. 2) Possibly 2-6 months for a new surgeon who the other surgeon

knows nothing about 3) Pay big $$ and pay for it to be done out of

province (financially not possible)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Maggie. I will definitely read

up on these. This site should be as updated as can be.