Frustration Station

Yesterday was by far one of the most frustrating days of my life. Punch the wall, throw a chair, head against the wall……thump, thump, thump. Scream in the phone and then plead for forgiveness because you know that Tracy’s fate lies in the hands of this faceless voice who controls your life. So nice……, “I can hear your frustration, what a frustrating situation, I am so sorry.” Until you have been faced with this there is no possible way you can know what this is like.

I would listen to people talk about insurance companies with distain and think…hum? Frustration so deep and disappointing that it is hard to believe that this is the reality.

“You have no out of network benefits”

“Yes I do, with a Primary Care Physician’s referral”

“That is only for outpatient consultation”

“We had a consultation, he looked at the CT scans, and made a decision to have surgery”

“You didn’t actually see him”

“How am I supposed to get her there. I can’t transport her with Insurance approval”

“I don’t know”

“Ok….Since the Hospital is in Network, we will pay for the Doctor’s fees and you will cover the Hospital.”

“Can’t do that, cause you are seeing an out of network doctor”

“It is two separate bills”

“Still can’t”

“Ok…you say you have a Doctor at UCSF, Who is It?”

“Well I called up there and asked if anybody could do this type of Surgery, and apparently Dr. Reis can.”

“Wait….wait…..can or has?”

“I don’t know”

“WHAT?……I have a Doctor, who is a world class guy scheduled to operate on Tuesday, at a network Hospital, and you want me to go see somebody who MAY be able to do this. With no guarantee that he will even take Tracy on as a patient?”

“You are going to have to call back when you are more calm.”

“Click”

Call back……please, please answer……

“Sorry….I am under a lot of pressure here.”

“I know….I am so sorry. I know this is frustrating.”

Really, do you, tell me how you know. My wife has been lying in a hospital bed, can’t move without pain, scheduled to have surgery and you want me to go find somebody else that may be able to do it.

“Thanks”

“You could try Santa Clara Valley Hospital, they have a good rehab center.”

“Do they have a doctor that can perform this type of surgery?”

“I don’t know”

On and on….battling, fighting. Frustration …..crying, wondering.

What now? Talked to Eric and we decided to work out a deal with Saint Johns and Dr Matta for a cash deal to get the operation done. Then try to get something out of the insurance company later. Go to their office and start shooting……make the nightly news.

Breaking News…..Husband goes postal and blows up insurance office……then goes down in flames……..Mother F’rs.

Talked with Tracy and decide we would bite the bullet and pay for it, how ever we could……go into to debt, get some help….whatever. She is worth every penny. Tried to sleep…woke up at 3:00 am thinking of lawsuits and doctor bills and my beautiful wife laying in pain……and most importantly getting her fixed. It is amazing that we have to devise a plan, a way to make it work.

Morning……..

Got a call from Nancy, a good friend called and asked if we had thought of using Dr. Eric Lindval from Community Medical Center in Fresno. Man….I don’t want to go down that road…..Well…. call her and ask her if he does this sort of thing……What are the chances? Not very good…only a few people do this types of surgeries.

Waiting………..

Tracy’s Dad Charles and his wife Cyndi come in around 8:00 am. Their son-in-law, Rubin, is in the medical field and works down south. He sent out an e-mail to some colleges asking if there are any other doctors out there that have trained under Dr. Matta. He calls back…….Dr. Lindval has worked under Matta and is the head of the Regional Medical Trauma Center here in the Berg.

Ok…….Hanson and Dr. Thomas discuss it and they agree that he has a very good reputation and is capable and qualified to perform the operation……we get on the phone, and Hanson gets a call…….a brief synopsis of Tracy’s situation ensues and he agrees to look at her films…….we get a copy run them down to community and hand them off………now we wait……more waiting……oh God the waiting is just killing me.

Waiting……what will he say…..can he do it….the benefits are obvious….Surgery in Fresno……no long hard transfer, Dr Hanson can help with the management. But if not….we go to Santa Monica and pay cash.

Waiting…..Try to sleep…..More cafeteria food. Not bad here at Saint Agnes…….I have the coffee routine down….Styrofoam cup, two creamers and a purple plastic stir stick.

3:45 pm

Got the call from Hanson…….Surgery with Lindval on Tuesday.

More to come later.