Update

Might be my last post before surgery, we have made two trips to Pittsburgh in two days.  Yesterday was a quick physical at the surgeons office.   Then today we went to UPMC @ Mercy, had a great view of The Mellon Arena.  Met with my anesthesiologist and that went ok expect for some concern of my EKG but we think it is because I am just fat.  Then I had a CTA and MRI with dye and now it is just time to wait. 

A Big Thanks

I need to thank so many people who have emailed me with words of encouragement and friends family and strangers who have donated money to help me with gas, tolls, lodging, co pays etc.    I know that I would not be able to get this surgery without the help of all of you.  If I forgot to thanks anyone I am sorry as the list keeps growing everyday.

The Champlin Family

The Hipple Family

The Alexander Family

The Flory Family

The Eckenrode Family

The Detwiler Family

The Adams Family 

The Deshong Family

A few articles and videos on my surgeon

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/8306946#8306946

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8304870/

http://www.wqed.org/mag/features/0506/healing3.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUowqXCaDQM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJf3eJF-tjA

http://www.upmcminute.com/video.aspx?vidID=9&segID=4

http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/media/news/kassamnbc.mov

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=e9e38bc0-c0a6-4b9b-ba40-3a151a73fdbc

The big shave

Today I shaved my head and all arm and chest hair.  Yes I know that my surgery will be done through my nose but I figure if I need radiation I might as well beat them to the punch.  Plus I want any leads or stickies for my surgery to have a clean contact!!!! Yes I am paranoid but what can I do?  I have been having chest pains for a week now and I have it made up that my heart is bad.

Insurance companies are funny

Ok today my insurance company approved my surgeon, the pre surgery visits and the post surgery visits but forgot to approve the ACTUAL SURGERY!!!!   So I feel that a phone call on Friday should get everything under control. 

Fundraiser Goal

Today I received a $100.00 donation towards my goal of $350.00.  Thank You Mom and Dad 

New tests

Schedule:

History and Physical 09/23/08

MRI & IGS Stryker  09/24/08

CTA & Stryker          09/24/08

Pre Admission testing/Anesthesia Consult 09/24/08

$$$$$$$ Problems

OK so things were tight money wise with the upcoming surgery and then to add even more issues I received a letter today saying that they needed me to be in Pittsburgh next Tuesday, Wednesday, and then Thursday for my surgery on Friday.  With the price of gas I have no idea how I can make that trip three days in a row with tolls and everything.  Now the hospital has a place that would only charge me $25.00 a night to stay in the hospital but I don't even have that.  Maybe it is time to reschedule my surgery.

Frustrated

Today I receive an email from my surgeon saying that my health insurance will not cover my surgery on the 26th.  It seem that my surgeon takes my name of insurance but not the kind.  They thought I had a PPO but I have a HMO.  I don't get it because their insurance person told me everything was good to go.  Now I had to request a medical review to See if they will cover it or I will have to see a new neurosurgeon that they say.  My emotions have been so raw and getting worse with my date approaching.  I don't know if I can take seeing another Doc and getting his opinion of what to do.