Steely
Active Member
Wow, first of all it seems there are lots of posts about us being sick - which stinks! Hugs to all.
I am one of them, and kinda flipping out (a bit?).
First of all I have a condition called Medullary Sponge Kidney which means in a nutshell that my kidneys make more stones than other people. Last time I had an IVP, appx 3 years ago, there were more than a dozen just sitting there waiting to drop when the time is right.
Yesterday I went on a 20 mile off roading trip in my Jeep, which was beyond bumpy and rugged. I got home and I was peeing blood. First sign that the stone has moved, is blood. I tried to hope/pray it was just dislodged and that the stone would not try to pass.
I woke up today, even worse. So I called the only hospital here to ask if in an emergency they could do laproscopy surgery for kidney stones (which is where they blow up the stone with a laser). The hospital said, that they can do if it is not an emergency but they have to call in an urologist from a town 2 hours away to do the surgery. Ummmm. OK.
I asked, "Well what if it is an emergency?"
He said well then we careflight you to Flagstaff.
Yea. Great. Not????
I have had 1 stone that was an emergency where the stone blocked the ureter and the bile backed up into my body. I have 2 that were semi emergencies, where the stone would not pass by itself - which ultimately could turn into a real emergency. I had to have surgery on all 3. And I have had one where they did the Laproscopy surgery.
So, I am freaking out!
First of all I have no insurance as of 2 months ago when Cobra lost my check, cancelled my ins., and in order to get it back I have to file an appeal which they flat out told me would probably be denied. I have tried state ins and they have denied me twice, because on 800.00 of unemployment (the most anyone can make on unemployment in AZ) I "make too much" ---- don't start me on THAT tangent.
So these surgeries cost 50K and more!!! What do I do?
Second of all, I don't have really any friends here that could take me to Flagstaff to have the surgery. I cried half the day over missing my Dad (obviously this was the antagonist for dealing with my grief.) I mean, what am I going to do, drive to Flagstaff, in pain, have the surgery (which is day surgery) and then tell them I have no one to pick me up?
"Oh, sorry, I am catching a cab to a hotel after my surgery - thought it would be fun!" Not. (And Matt is here in my town, but does not drive.)
I am just desperately lonely and scared. I can't believe this is happening, and I don't even really know what to do. It doesn't help that this is piggybacked with my Dad's death - and that I feel horrible while trying to figure out what to do. I haven't told my Mom yet, because I don't want to upset her even more. I mean, how on earth do I even pay for this, let alone find the means to get to the right hospital and Dr to get this done?
I am so confused and overwhelmed - thanks for any insight and help you can give me.
I am one of them, and kinda flipping out (a bit?).
First of all I have a condition called Medullary Sponge Kidney which means in a nutshell that my kidneys make more stones than other people. Last time I had an IVP, appx 3 years ago, there were more than a dozen just sitting there waiting to drop when the time is right.
Yesterday I went on a 20 mile off roading trip in my Jeep, which was beyond bumpy and rugged. I got home and I was peeing blood. First sign that the stone has moved, is blood. I tried to hope/pray it was just dislodged and that the stone would not try to pass.
I woke up today, even worse. So I called the only hospital here to ask if in an emergency they could do laproscopy surgery for kidney stones (which is where they blow up the stone with a laser). The hospital said, that they can do if it is not an emergency but they have to call in an urologist from a town 2 hours away to do the surgery. Ummmm. OK.
I asked, "Well what if it is an emergency?"
He said well then we careflight you to Flagstaff.
Yea. Great. Not????
I have had 1 stone that was an emergency where the stone blocked the ureter and the bile backed up into my body. I have 2 that were semi emergencies, where the stone would not pass by itself - which ultimately could turn into a real emergency. I had to have surgery on all 3. And I have had one where they did the Laproscopy surgery.
So, I am freaking out!
First of all I have no insurance as of 2 months ago when Cobra lost my check, cancelled my ins., and in order to get it back I have to file an appeal which they flat out told me would probably be denied. I have tried state ins and they have denied me twice, because on 800.00 of unemployment (the most anyone can make on unemployment in AZ) I "make too much" ---- don't start me on THAT tangent.
So these surgeries cost 50K and more!!! What do I do?
Second of all, I don't have really any friends here that could take me to Flagstaff to have the surgery. I cried half the day over missing my Dad (obviously this was the antagonist for dealing with my grief.) I mean, what am I going to do, drive to Flagstaff, in pain, have the surgery (which is day surgery) and then tell them I have no one to pick me up?
"Oh, sorry, I am catching a cab to a hotel after my surgery - thought it would be fun!" Not. (And Matt is here in my town, but does not drive.)
I am just desperately lonely and scared. I can't believe this is happening, and I don't even really know what to do. It doesn't help that this is piggybacked with my Dad's death - and that I feel horrible while trying to figure out what to do. I haven't told my Mom yet, because I don't want to upset her even more. I mean, how on earth do I even pay for this, let alone find the means to get to the right hospital and Dr to get this done?
I am so confused and overwhelmed - thanks for any insight and help you can give me.