so, today will be my 4th day back at work.. all is going well on that front. i can sit in my office chair with my foot propped up on an upside down box (LOL... sara labeled it 'leigh's foot stool' in sharpie so nobody would throw it out) with few problems. if it does get uncomfortable, i just take a couple of tylenol and then i'm good. :)
it's really nice to be back at work, so i'm not just sitting around the house all day long bored out of my skull.. can you believe i actually got sick of tv?? never thought that one would happen.. LOL!
you know, when all of this happened the only thing i could think of was 'SHIT! there goes my summer.. there goes my life for the next 3 or so months...' but maybe this was actually a good thing. i mean, a lot of worse things could have happened to me.. you know? but, in reality, this whole experience has actually turned out to be a good thing. i've had a lot of time to not only think about but actually DO some things that i've wanted to do for over a year now.. which might turn out to be another blog, who knows? plus, my friends have been so awesome with me.. coming to visit, taking me out places, calling to check up on me, etc. of course, if the situation were reversed i'd be doing the same thing for them.. that's what friends are for, right?
oh.. but to all my MD friends, i have some bad news.. =/ so, it turns out i will not be able to come home anytime soon.. i need to concentrate on my physical therapy once i can actually walk again, lol. i'm not willing to do ANYthing that might push it. this includes work (i really don't want to reinjure myself, thank you) and, sadly, driving 9 hours to go home. so, that kind of sucks. i was REALLY looking forward to seeing ally while she was in town, but.. *sigh.. maybe i'll just have to go back to italy next year, right? ;) perhaps i can schedule a trip home later this year.. once my ankle is back to normal. plus, i would feel realllly bad about asking for time off from work for that - after having a month off, LOL!
stupid ankle.. if this hadn't happened i would have already had those days off to go home, but oh well. =/ so, there are of course bad things about this whole leigh-broke-her-ankle deal.. but, like i said, overall it has actually been good :)
next appointment: july 13th! that is 2 weeks from today! so, that means that i might be halfway through the hard cast phase, lol. depending on my x-rays at that point, of course. but, well, here's hoping!
hmm, well i must get ready for work.. but i'll try to update again soon, pending things happening.. LOL!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
holy CRAP!
so i received all of the claim info from the insurance company in the mail today..
you know, something needs to be done about the insane costs of medical treatment! what if i didn't have insurance? couldn't afford this? yes, they are legally obligated to still do it.. but still. there goes my credit! so here's the rundown of the claims..
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so far the grand total comes out to $24,149.80 .. all from the month of may! that doesn't even count my appointment last week to get the stitches taken out/hard cast put on.. or the appointment next month to get the hard cast off, etc. more xrays will be involved, etc.
this is absolutely crazy.. something needs to be done about astronomical medical costs in this country! well, in my opinion anyways..
you know, something needs to be done about the insane costs of medical treatment! what if i didn't have insurance? couldn't afford this? yes, they are legally obligated to still do it.. but still. there goes my credit! so here's the rundown of the claims..
- grand strand regional medical center (including ER and surgery) : $19,907.50 (!!!!!! WTF?)
- anesthesiologist : $500
- radiologist : $30
- pathologist : $12.30
- strand orthopedics: $3700.00
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so far the grand total comes out to $24,149.80 .. all from the month of may! that doesn't even count my appointment last week to get the stitches taken out/hard cast put on.. or the appointment next month to get the hard cast off, etc. more xrays will be involved, etc.
this is absolutely crazy.. something needs to be done about astronomical medical costs in this country! well, in my opinion anyways..
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
back to the grind..
so, on friday, i am going back to work! i had to get a work release faxed in from my doctor, which says i am ok to work until july 13th. once he sees my xrays again he will update that form... depending on how the ankle looks. :)
i'm worried about working once i can start 'walking'.. if i should push it or not....
so we shall see :)
i'm worried about working once i can start 'walking'.. if i should push it or not....
so we shall see :)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
more milestones
so, i was told i needed to update. LOL
last night i was 'allowed' to spend the night at the condo. it felt incredible to be able to sleep in my own bed! of course, my mother came to pick me up after i had woken up and took me back to the parent's house (my stuff is still over there).. but it's a step towards letting me live in my own place, lol. now, i just have to figure out how to operate the coffee maker while standing up on crutches..
today, while running errands with mom, i was able to reach another milestone - she let me drive! ah, i had missed my car.. anyways, the doctor had told me it was ok to drive when i had my hard cast on but i hadn't tried it yet. it really wasn't a problem! i was able to get myself in my car, crutches and all, drive, get out of the car, and hobble around on my crutches.
i've been avoiding using the chair, as it is more exercise to crutch (lol). really.. it is. i can feel it in my dormant muscles (ha!) as i move about. my right leg, which is what mainly holds me up, is really getting a workout.. then throw in the arms, which also hold me up.. but not as much as the leg.. and, the best part.. my abs. apparantly that's where i get the swinging motion as i move to and fro, haha. i can feel them working.. and i know that it's actually impacting me. last week i was able to balance (on one leg, lol) on the scale.. and it turns out that i have somehow dropped 10 pounds since this whole 'thing' started. not only do i attribute this to my 'workouts' but also because the parents only feed me healthy foods.. lots of fruit (which is ok, i like fruit), wheat everything, grilled chicken/salmon, salads, etc. at first i really hated it (ok, so i like junk food a bit too much..haha) but now that i'm used to it.. i kind of like it. especially with the results :)
the other afternoon (thursday) mom and i went to the movies. this was another first.. we saw 'Up' in 3-D (cute movie!) but, most importantly, i was able to sit through the entire movie and still be comfortable. awesome! that means.. more movies! LOL, i love going to see movies.. so here are the ones i want to see (and soon!)
i can't wait for this whole mess to be over, i want to walk again! at times i get a little down and pissed at myself for being this stupid to let this happen.. but oh well, can't think in the past.. you know? it did happen, and i was momentarily that stupid, so i just have to move on and deal with it.
i have to wait at least 8 weeks from the date of my surgery until i can put any weight/pressure on my left leg. hmm, my surgery was may 27th. so that makes my 'freedom date' (lol) july 27th. i am really looking forward to that day.. haha.
the doctor told me that i will have a walking boot, and can't immediately put all my weight on that leg. i will have to gradually ease my ankle back into holding me up, walking, moving, etc. so for the first week or so with the boot i'll still have to use my crutches. but at least i won't be swinging around like a little monkey, lol, i will be able to walk. just using the crutches for support.
BUT, all this depends on how my x-rays look at my next appointment.. which is scheduled for july 13th. if they look good then i can actually have the cast taken off then.. even though i can't put any weight on it until the 27th. so.. i'm not really sure what they would put on next.. maybe an aircast? i have no idea.
the insurance has finally been squared away, for now anyways. hopefully there won't be any problems with coverage, nor will my portion of the bills be too expensive. personally, i think that the point of insurance is so that will pay for all of it.. but apparantly that is just wishful thinking on my part.
so, yeah. that's pretty much all i can think about that has been going on lately, in terms of my ankle. i'm sick of this crap, and just want to move! i hate how much this has shattered (temporarily) my life, kind of. i can't just get up and go somewhere.. actually, it's kind of a pain to go ANYwhere right now. but.. i'm getting there. my ankle doesn't hurt at all anymore (*knocks on wood*) .. this cast is just slightly uncomfortable (but not too tight anymore) and a pain in the ass, lol.
so.. july 27th.. yes.... the coundtown begins :)
5 weeks!
last night i was 'allowed' to spend the night at the condo. it felt incredible to be able to sleep in my own bed! of course, my mother came to pick me up after i had woken up and took me back to the parent's house (my stuff is still over there).. but it's a step towards letting me live in my own place, lol. now, i just have to figure out how to operate the coffee maker while standing up on crutches..
today, while running errands with mom, i was able to reach another milestone - she let me drive! ah, i had missed my car.. anyways, the doctor had told me it was ok to drive when i had my hard cast on but i hadn't tried it yet. it really wasn't a problem! i was able to get myself in my car, crutches and all, drive, get out of the car, and hobble around on my crutches.
i've been avoiding using the chair, as it is more exercise to crutch (lol). really.. it is. i can feel it in my dormant muscles (ha!) as i move about. my right leg, which is what mainly holds me up, is really getting a workout.. then throw in the arms, which also hold me up.. but not as much as the leg.. and, the best part.. my abs. apparantly that's where i get the swinging motion as i move to and fro, haha. i can feel them working.. and i know that it's actually impacting me. last week i was able to balance (on one leg, lol) on the scale.. and it turns out that i have somehow dropped 10 pounds since this whole 'thing' started. not only do i attribute this to my 'workouts' but also because the parents only feed me healthy foods.. lots of fruit (which is ok, i like fruit), wheat everything, grilled chicken/salmon, salads, etc. at first i really hated it (ok, so i like junk food a bit too much..haha) but now that i'm used to it.. i kind of like it. especially with the results :)
the other afternoon (thursday) mom and i went to the movies. this was another first.. we saw 'Up' in 3-D (cute movie!) but, most importantly, i was able to sit through the entire movie and still be comfortable. awesome! that means.. more movies! LOL, i love going to see movies.. so here are the ones i want to see (and soon!)
- the hangover (going to that next week with tori and thrasher, can't wait!)
- my sister's keeper
- bruno
- harry potter and the half-blood prince
i can't wait for this whole mess to be over, i want to walk again! at times i get a little down and pissed at myself for being this stupid to let this happen.. but oh well, can't think in the past.. you know? it did happen, and i was momentarily that stupid, so i just have to move on and deal with it.
i have to wait at least 8 weeks from the date of my surgery until i can put any weight/pressure on my left leg. hmm, my surgery was may 27th. so that makes my 'freedom date' (lol) july 27th. i am really looking forward to that day.. haha.
the doctor told me that i will have a walking boot, and can't immediately put all my weight on that leg. i will have to gradually ease my ankle back into holding me up, walking, moving, etc. so for the first week or so with the boot i'll still have to use my crutches. but at least i won't be swinging around like a little monkey, lol, i will be able to walk. just using the crutches for support.
BUT, all this depends on how my x-rays look at my next appointment.. which is scheduled for july 13th. if they look good then i can actually have the cast taken off then.. even though i can't put any weight on it until the 27th. so.. i'm not really sure what they would put on next.. maybe an aircast? i have no idea.
the insurance has finally been squared away, for now anyways. hopefully there won't be any problems with coverage, nor will my portion of the bills be too expensive. personally, i think that the point of insurance is so that will pay for all of it.. but apparantly that is just wishful thinking on my part.
so, yeah. that's pretty much all i can think about that has been going on lately, in terms of my ankle. i'm sick of this crap, and just want to move! i hate how much this has shattered (temporarily) my life, kind of. i can't just get up and go somewhere.. actually, it's kind of a pain to go ANYwhere right now. but.. i'm getting there. my ankle doesn't hurt at all anymore (*knocks on wood*) .. this cast is just slightly uncomfortable (but not too tight anymore) and a pain in the ass, lol.
so.. july 27th.. yes.... the coundtown begins :)
5 weeks!
Monday, June 15, 2009
hard cast!
ok, so i got the hard cast put on my leg today.. that part didn't hurt, thank God! when the stitches were taken out it was kind of uncomfortable.. and as gross-ish as it was i still HAD to look. i was fascinated, LOL!
the doctor was really pleased with the way my ankle was looking in the x-rays, so he gave me some good news: i might only have to keep this cast on for 4 weeks, not the original 6 he had planned for!
so my next appointment is july 13th, and if the x-rays still look good then the hard cast can come off. now that the cast is on.. uh, short of re-injuring myself by falling or something how can it not be ok? *knocks on wood* .. anyways.
even if i can get my cast off in 4 weeks i can't walk for another 2 weeks after that (no weight/pressure). when i can finally start walking again it will only be a little bit at a time.. and with a walking boot. the doctor told me that the big screws (those 3 big lines in the picture) will eventually break once i am able to start moving my ankle around. this freaked me out a little bit, until he reassured me that they are supposed to do that (because it's a joint) and that i won't even feel it when it happens. also, he doesn't think he'll have to go in there and remove them.. they can just stay put. lol.. really? so i'll be annoying TSA because if i fly anywhere i'll be setting everything off.. haha! i will be getting a card to give them stating that i have metal in my ankle, and that means they just have to use the wand thing instead.
speaking of cards, after the doctor's i was able to run a few errands with dad.. including going to the dmv to get my handicapped parking tags! so now i get the good spots... rock on! the doctor said i could drive now, however i am still going to wait on that one .. don't want to push it, lol. but.. the best news i was given.. my doctor cleared my trip to maryland in august! now, work i'm not so sure of. i don't know when i'll be going back, and i would feel bad asking for that time off.. after having all THIS time off. i dunno. but, if i am able to go, i will have the boot for light walking.. but i'll mostly have to use the crutches and wheelchair, as once again.. i don't want to push it. but, as noted in my last post, i have gotten a LOT better with my mobility.
i'm hoping that i can go back home again today for a bit.. i want to play guitar hero again, LOL!
:)
the x-rays.. the white parts are the plate/8 screws (!!!!) holding everything together
my doctor told me this was a very serious injury, and one of the worst he had seen.. eech! way to go, leigh.. LOL
the stitches on the inside of my ankle, before they came out. and if you think this is gross, thank your lucky little stars that i didn't take a picture of the other side.. LOL!
my pretty, blue, new hard cast! *PLEASE* only be there for 4 weeks...
the border of the paper on the table. seriously? the bears are mocking me.. bastards.. >)
the doctor was really pleased with the way my ankle was looking in the x-rays, so he gave me some good news: i might only have to keep this cast on for 4 weeks, not the original 6 he had planned for!
so my next appointment is july 13th, and if the x-rays still look good then the hard cast can come off. now that the cast is on.. uh, short of re-injuring myself by falling or something how can it not be ok? *knocks on wood* .. anyways.
even if i can get my cast off in 4 weeks i can't walk for another 2 weeks after that (no weight/pressure). when i can finally start walking again it will only be a little bit at a time.. and with a walking boot. the doctor told me that the big screws (those 3 big lines in the picture) will eventually break once i am able to start moving my ankle around. this freaked me out a little bit, until he reassured me that they are supposed to do that (because it's a joint) and that i won't even feel it when it happens. also, he doesn't think he'll have to go in there and remove them.. they can just stay put. lol.. really? so i'll be annoying TSA because if i fly anywhere i'll be setting everything off.. haha! i will be getting a card to give them stating that i have metal in my ankle, and that means they just have to use the wand thing instead.
speaking of cards, after the doctor's i was able to run a few errands with dad.. including going to the dmv to get my handicapped parking tags! so now i get the good spots... rock on! the doctor said i could drive now, however i am still going to wait on that one .. don't want to push it, lol. but.. the best news i was given.. my doctor cleared my trip to maryland in august! now, work i'm not so sure of. i don't know when i'll be going back, and i would feel bad asking for that time off.. after having all THIS time off. i dunno. but, if i am able to go, i will have the boot for light walking.. but i'll mostly have to use the crutches and wheelchair, as once again.. i don't want to push it. but, as noted in my last post, i have gotten a LOT better with my mobility.
i'm hoping that i can go back home again today for a bit.. i want to play guitar hero again, LOL!
:)
the x-rays.. the white parts are the plate/8 screws (!!!!) holding everything together
my doctor told me this was a very serious injury, and one of the worst he had seen.. eech! way to go, leigh.. LOL
the stitches on the inside of my ankle, before they came out. and if you think this is gross, thank your lucky little stars that i didn't take a picture of the other side.. LOL!
my pretty, blue, new hard cast! *PLEASE* only be there for 4 weeks...
the border of the paper on the table. seriously? the bears are mocking me.. bastards.. >)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
location
as i type away at this quick entry, i am doing so while sitting on the chaise lounge in my OWN living room! oh i don't think i've ever been so happy to be home!
it's not permanent though.. i have until 9, when the parents will come back to collect me. but it's a start! i took some pictures with my phone that i want to post on here.. but when my phone updated it dumped the password for my home network. so.. yeah. there's no way i'm going to try to tote myself and my laptop into the guest room to grab the encryption key. just not gonna happen, LOL!
but i am happy to be home!
:)
it's not permanent though.. i have until 9, when the parents will come back to collect me. but it's a start! i took some pictures with my phone that i want to post on here.. but when my phone updated it dumped the password for my home network. so.. yeah. there's no way i'm going to try to tote myself and my laptop into the guest room to grab the encryption key. just not gonna happen, LOL!
but i am happy to be home!
:)
little milestones
i get my hard cast on tomorrow.. and i've decided to go with blue (originally i was going to get black... but then decided that will be way too hot when i'm outside). i'm looking forward to that, only because that means that it's one more step in the right direction of this crap being OVER! hmm, then 6 weeks in that hard cast (it's already been 3 weeks.. so i'm 1/3 of the way there! LOL) after which, i'm sure, i'll have a walking boot.
why, oh why, did i have to do this to myself? why couldn't i have thought 'hey, maybe i shouldn't just hop..' sometimes i get pissed at myself for letting this happen. i mean.. i know that accidents happen, but this could have been avoided. oh well... hindsight is always 20/20, you know?
but in the last few weeks i have hit a few milestones, which i'm happy about. i can now...
well, now i'm off to bug the parents about dinner and going home.. so, if i do get to go home, here are my plans:
why, oh why, did i have to do this to myself? why couldn't i have thought 'hey, maybe i shouldn't just hop..' sometimes i get pissed at myself for letting this happen. i mean.. i know that accidents happen, but this could have been avoided. oh well... hindsight is always 20/20, you know?
but in the last few weeks i have hit a few milestones, which i'm happy about. i can now...
- get up out of the recliner, get the crutches, and hobble around
- sit back into the recliner and put my leg up where it needs to be
- stand up at the sink to wash my hands
- i can get get clothes over my cast (before i couldn't move my leg up that far, so mom had to help lol)
well, now i'm off to bug the parents about dinner and going home.. so, if i do get to go home, here are my plans:
- play with lucy and lily (i know that lucy will flip out when she sees me, and probably crawl all over me LOL)
- WII!!!! mario kart + guitar hero just might be enough to cheer me up, lol! (.. guitar hero...)
- be online, since i'll probably have them bring the laptop (silently fumes about the desktop being broken...)
- put my graduation pictures (which FINALLY came in the mail.. yay!) into frames for the bookshelf (yes, i had to get ANOTHER bookshelf.. this one is in the living room.. because i ran out of room for all my books, lol!)
- and avoid my creepy upstairs neighbor (he is, in my opinion, completely creepish.. and whenever i see him he always invites me upstairs for a beer. i always politely decline tho, as i'd prefer to NOT have somebody find a trash bag floating somewhere with the pieces of my remains in it...more on that later, lol. but, i guess since he lives by himself and all that the sheer boredom of it all might aid in him being crazy...)
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