Re: Elusive Recovery - Will it ever come?

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I'm sorry your pain is neverending and hope it eases up soon. Just

thought I'd let you know...BC/BS issued me with a Case Manager back

in February..after I was in and out of hospital constantly for 3

months and then living in hospital for 2 months straight. It has

been great. Anything that needs dealing with for insurance, I just

talk with the same person. She is actually a Nurse Practitioner so

the Case Managers actually know something about the illnesses of

their clients. If not..like my Tumours, being so rare, that she

looked it up and then sent me a letter outlining what she believed

all she read to mean.

She also managed to get pain medicine approved by both my husbands

Employer and the Managing Director of BC/BS which they would not

have approved if she hadn't faught for it on my behalf.

And lastly...what I use for an ice pack when one is needed is a bag

of frozen peas. Being like little beads, they will mould to the

shape of the body where they are placed and can be constantly

refrozen rather than having to go through ice continuously...Just

remember..Don't eat the peas when you're eventually better..they

probably won't taste good after being in and out of the freezer all

that time *LOL*

[Guest guest]

...BC/BS issued me with a Case Manager back in February..after

I was in and out of hospital constantly for 3 months and then

living in hospital for 2 months straight. It has been great.

Anything that needs dealing with for insurance, I just talk with the

same person. She is actually a Nurse Practitioner so the Case

Managers actually know something about the illnesses of their

clients.

And lastly...what I use for an ice pack when one is needed is a

bag of frozen peas. Being like little beads, they will mould to the

shape of the body where they are placed and can be constantly

refrozen rather than having to go through ice continuously.

>

,

That's reassuring information to find out about the Case

Manager. When the woman from BC/CS callled me, she

interviewed me very thoroughly about my previous history with

CP and the pseudocysts, inquired extensively about what

treatments were required, surgeries that might be in the future,

medications I was currently on and might need in the future and

my everday requirements. I thought she was being really nosy

until she explained why she was asking all these questions.

She said she needed to know as much about my personal

medical requirements and diseases so that she could appoint a

representative best suited to handle my case. I mentioned

something about having difficulty with my pharmacist in getting

enough monthy testing strips on my prescription, and she was

puzzled...... " testing strips? " I told her I also had diabetes, and

she said, Wow, she needed to know that, too, in order to find just

the right person to help me. It sounds like it will really be a great

benefit to me to have someone like that looking out for me. I'm

glad it's working out so well for you.

The bag of peas idea sounds great, too, I never would have

thought of that. Since they are so light in weight, they won't sit so

heavily on the belly like a melting bag of ice does, too. I know I

can get cloth wrapped blue ice packets from the pharmacy that

will do the same, too, but I'm alone until Monday night, and just

haven't felt well enough to get out of the house. It just so

happens I've got three bags of peas in the freezer. What a " cool "

idea!!!

Thanks for the tips.

With hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI, Intl.

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and

should not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

I'm so annoyed..i typed you a reply, and it was fairly long but it

didn't show up..i should have learnt by now to copy and paste my

replies to word in future *L*

Anyway in short...

I have a case manager through bc/bs due to my extensive medical

problems and it is great..only deal with one person, she fixes any

problems i have with the insurance..and she has fought on my behalf

to get some medications approved which if I tried on my

own..wouldn't happen. The case managers are nurses.well mine is a

nurse practitioner with a degree in psychology and something else.

So she knows what i'm talking about when i explain medical terms and

conditions to her.

As for the ice...a good substitute is a bag of frozen peas. They

will mould to your body, and can be refrozen time and time again.

Just remember not to open that bag of peas and cook them

up..wouldn't be too good on the stomach *L* When I've been told to

use ice on my back or any other part..was told to use it 10 minutes

at a time every 1/2 hour to hour..i think that is for hot/cold

treatments.

Hope your pain eases up soon...take care,

[Guest guest]

Hi Heidi,

Yes, relief will come in it's own time. Just lie low, try to " read' your

body, try to read your appetite, as a surprise trying to read your 'rest' level

will be most difficult. Continue to go very high on the complex carbs, taken

with lot's of water. Relaxing is important rest is not so important. Attitude is

very important, build the foundation before you build the house. I hope for

the best for you

Best Wishes, Poncho - GA

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

I'm so sorry that you are still having such problems after being out of

the hospital. If your pain medicatin isn't working enough, you really

should bring it up with your pain doctor. There is no reason anyone

should be in such pain. I'm definitely hoping things start to get better

for you soon and I'm definitely adding you to my prayers.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.