Will is undergoing back surgery tomorrow at 1:30. It's been 9 months of struggling with uncaring neurologists, insurance companies that know better than doctors, and a reluctant patient.
When we started off the year, we thought we were on top of the world: we had a nice big house with a Roman soaking tub and a beautiful yard with a box garden; two cars; and a budget that allowed for twice-monthly massages and dinners out at fancy restaurants. We had moved to the Portland area for a job that had promised the world, and gave us Newark.
When Will was laid off in March, we thought that was going to be the biggest challenge of the year. Then the back pain got worse. Still no Chef jobs. The back pain got worse. We visited a neurologist in Vancouver that told us that Will just had a "little back pain," and there was nothing he could do about it. The back pain got worse. We went to a second neurologist, who said he could do a spinal fusion and relieve the pain by up to 80%. We scheduled the surgery.
We moved from our big house and sold one of our cars. The insurance denied the surgery. The back pain got worse. We found a 3rd neurologist that said he could do a disc replacement and if it worked, it could relieve 100% of the pain. The insurance denied the surgery.
I have watched my vivacious, energetic, and healthy husband deteriorate due to crippling pain. The man who hiked 22 miles with me rented a wheel chair, and got a handicapped placard. The man who used to run, dance, and play with his daughter needed a cane to walk. How can a doctor look this man in the eye and tell him that there's nothing that can be done, and it's just a little backache? How can an insurance company tell him they will pay for a different surgery, then deny it once the doctor has confirmed that he qualifies? How long can I hold my chin up?
I honestly don't know how we've made it through this year... I'm just glad that we have.
Two Thousand Eleven.
Promises to be an amazing year! The insurance finally approved the disc replacement, and the surgery is tomorrow afternoon. If everything goes well, then he could be pain free in a matter of months! I will have my husband back -- we can warm up to long hikes, dancing, golfing, disc golfing, swimming... all the things we haven't done in almost a year!
So, as my husband prepares mentally and physically for this next challenge, I ask that everyone think powerful healing thoughts for him. I know I am.
