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I've tried to keep most of my posts positive, but since this blog is about things I love and elements of my life, it can't always be cheerful. So, here I am, sitting at Kaiser Permanente, waiting for Terry as he gets the first of two lumbar facet nerve block diagnostics. Hopefully, this will lead to lumbar ablation and some relief from his years of pain.
Last year, I injured my back at work. Even though I like my job, Georgia's workers' comp laws aren't the best. I've endured pain while receiving treatment and working my normal schedule. I had similar procedures done and they offered a lot of relief, but I feel like I'm due for another round of ablation as the pain is starting to creep back.
This past year has been a medical nightmare for both Terry and me. If it wasn’t our backs, it was something else. I've struggled with weight loss for years. Over 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and low testosterone, but I lost my insurance when I was laid off. Working in restaurants and hotels meant no insurance, so I couldn't get treatment. Med-Afford clinic in Fayetteville has been a lifesaver, helping me with blood pressure, ear infections, and sleep issues. Terry’s been lucky with continuous insurance coverage.
For my back issues, workers' comp covers the costs, but everything else falls under my regular insurance. My work plan is decent, with lots of preventative care covered and a low deductible. But, as I sit here, I'm thinking about the past few months. Respiratory issues from the chlorine plume at the BioLab fire in Rockdale led to pharyngitis and a middle ear infection. This Thursday, I’m having my 7th myringotomy.
My ears have always been a struggle for me. I’ve dealt with ear infections as far back as I can remember. An old doctor my parents took me to for the typical "swimmer’s ear" sort of infection told my mom to put alcohol in my ears when they bothered me. So that's what she did, not realizing that not all ear infections are the same. Most of my issues were middle ear infections, and as noble as my mom’s efforts were with the alcohol drops, it couldn’t treat an infection on the other side of my eardrum.
My first-grade picture shows bags under my eyes because I spent most nights with my head on my mom's heating pad, trying to alleviate the pain and pressure from my left ear. Despite the colds, flu, and ear infections that followed, I had perfect attendance throughout my elementary school years. My mom eventually took me to a doctor who recommended a myringotomy in his office but warned that he wasn’t an ENT, so there was a chance I could go deaf. He suggested a specialist for a second opinion.
This was one of the rare times our family had insurance through my dad’s job. When my mom discussed it with my dad, he thought the doctor didn’t seem confident, but both of them were hesitant to seek a second opinion, fearing the original doctor would get mad. This was a thing for my parents—they firmly believed seeking a second opinion could be upsetting if the doctor found out. They didn't realize how crucial a second opinion could be.
Despite their reluctance, my middle ear infections would eventually resolve themselves, although they were particularly tough when I was working as an actor or singer. Not getting proper treatment earlier damaged the nerves and bones in my left ear, leaving me with only 5% hearing in that ear. Luckily, my right ear functions well, and I can rely on it. If only my parents had understood the importance of second opinions back then.
Eventually, I got a myringotomy, which helped for years, but I lost most of my hearing in my left ear due to untreated infections. Luckily, my right ear is mostly fine though I have had a few middle ear infections in it also. Recently, I got my testosterone levels tested again and I finally saw the specialist and I am now on testosterone therapy, currently on 2 pumps of gel a day and within a week or so I noticed a difference in energy as well as other things higher levels of testosterone bring 🍆💦💦💦 if you catch my drift.
Despite good insurance, co-pays and co-insurance add up, especially with taking time off for doctor's visits. Taking time off work for both my own doctor visits and Terry's has really eaten into my paychecks, thanks to using up all my sick time throughout the year. I'm determined, after this week, to be that person who shows up to work no matter what's going on. But trying to line up doctor visits on my only weekday off, Monday, is a real challenge.
One of the coolest things in modern medicine is the ability to do virtual and e-visits. Up until a few months ago, I had never done one, but I've had three over the past month: one with a specialist, another at 3:00 AM, and the third at 4:30 AM just before heading into work. I saw my parents struggle with their health when they were my age, and I vowed never to get that way. Here I am now, but luckily, access to medical resources has become a bit easier, depending on your insurance situation.
I really appreciate having Kaiser for insurance, especially with a few full-scale facilities near my house. They function like a factory assembly line: see the doctor, get labs done, and pick up meds at the pharmacy on the way out the door—no need to go anywhere else. I just wish they could cover time lost at work. I vowed never to let my health get as bad as my parents' did, and I'm grateful for easier access to medical resources.
So, that's what's been going on and those are my thoughts for the day. Sorry, nothing too exciting to report today though in a couple of hours, I'll share something a little more lighter.
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