I'm Here and I have Springtime Giveaways!

Let me say how much I appreciate all of you for stopping by and hanging out with me. I cannot thank you enough. Some days, you just need a friendly comment or two to make things a little better. You know how it is.......

So, as I've said before, I am behind! I have all these giveaways to post and I'm drowning in them. Ha!Ha! But, for those who are interested, I'd like to give you a "summary" of what's been going on and why I'm behind:

As many of you know (and for those of you who don't) I was injured on the job in February, 2008. It was a hip injury, a very complicated one so I won't go into details, but I ended up having surgery in August, 2008 to repair the "tear in my hip joint". After surgery, I was much worse. The pain was horrible and has progressed every moment since then, even with me taking very powerful pain medications. Since the surgery, I've had test after test, mostly eliminating other problems but not showing exactly what the problem is. The doctors have decided that it's nerve damage from the surgery. Maybe 2 or 3 nerves, at best guess. The tests I need start at $10,000.00 and Workers Comp is refusing to pay it: Of course! I've had about 4 doctors confirm it's nerve damage but I need those tests to show which ones specifically.

So, I've been battling Workers Comp basically since October, 2008 to get the tests that I need and get them to pay for it, as well as paying my weekly benefits. In February, 2009, I hit my one year mark for the injury and Workers Comp stopped paying me and my medical bills. To them, they have done all they can and, now, they're basically saying, "SUE ME". Which is what I've done.

I won my first battle with Workers Comp in mid-2009. I was able to obtain a 'change of physicians' which allowed me a one time exam from a doctor of my choice to do an unbiased examination of me and present the results to Workers Comp, in the hopes that WC would get confirmation that it's still the same case and related to the same injury, therefore; giving them evidence as to my medical needs.

In September, 2009, I went to a Pain Management doctor who confirmed that I appeared to have nerve damage and that it was a continued result of the surgery. That's where I learned of the $10 grand price tag for the tests I need, plus additional costs depending on what the tests showed. I was quoted a $20,000 price tag "to start" and go from there.

With all this in writing and presented to WC, they said "NO". So, on to the next battle.

In January, 2010, we appeared in court to present evidence for my case. Again, all of it was obvious: same case, same injuries.... Still a "NO". Now, we're waiting for our first appeal.

With all this going on, I continue to get worse. I have very little mobility. The pain is unreal. And I wait...

I also had my first hearing with Social Security disability in January, 2010 and am waiting for their decision.  They have 90 days to decide my case which will be up April 25th. Hopefully, I can at least get this and have some type of money coming in. My BF, Ollie, has been supporting me and my son since WC stopped my checks. Thank GOD for him and his love. I don't know what we would have done without him. GOD finally sent me a wonderful man who loves me dearly, as I do him, and as GOD always does, it was at the perfect time in my life. We've been together a few months short of five years and, LORD, he didn't know what he was going to get, did he? But, he stuck around. 2 1/2 years into our relationship and this is what he got. GOD knew what HE was doing.

Moving on, I'll finally be eligible for Medicaid in August, 2010. You must be off work for 2 1/2 years to get Medicaid.....

Something else I was told by the Pain Management doctor was that I was running out of time. If I don't get something started, FAST, some of the damage will be irreparable.

I am SCARED! I was 38 when I got hurt. Now, at 40 I am facing the possibility of being disabled. Not to mention a life full of severe pain, discomfort, depression...... you name it.

Well, my Ollie and I fussed and discussed over this and decided to try a chiropractor to see if I could get some kind of relief or help of any kind. After lots of xrays and other tests that we can afford, he has discovered, too, that I have nerve damage but there's something more.... He discovered that the doctor
CUT MY NERVE(S). Can you believe it?! No wonder I have so many problems. Now what?

I'm hiring another attorney. One that handles this type of case and, with the assistance of my chiropractor and all my documents for the past 2 1/2 years and statements, assessments and so on from all the other doctors, we are going after the orthopaedic surgeon who did this to me.

That's where we are. That's where I've been. That's why I'm behind.

So, I ask that you keep me in your prayers as I continue going through this. I know that blogging has saved me from myself, so to speak, and given me a means to express myself but, most importantly, it has kept me sane. It gets me off the couch. It helps my depression and keeps me from sitting around dwelling on this horrible mess. I know this. So, I'm back. Through all this, I "slacked" on something that brings me joy, occupies my mind and gets me through my most horrible days. Why did I slow down, stop posting and return to my horrible thoughts......... well, the Devil made me do. Honestly.

I can't do that. So, help me out, my online friends. If you don't see me post after a couple days, tell me about it. Remind me of what keeps me sane. I read all my comments plus here is my twitter and e-mail accounts:

@SereneMoments
ubrewme@yahoo.com

If ever you need me, I'll do the same. We have to stick together.

Thank you for listening.

Spring Time Giveaways start today!