Work Injuries Are Odd Creatures

I normally prepare myself for bad news but thought I had this one. I was certain. But, alas, the doctor said that work related injuries are odd creatures. They were able to prove the injury to the right thumb joint but since the insurance put me off for so long he has this dilemma. Thanks, in great part, to doctors and insurance who get together and come up with new findings and ways to keep each other happy, the patient comes third.
Many, many insurance companies like to go to court to contest decisions and obligations. When they go to court, the doctor must be able to back his findings with scientific evidence. The initial injury had proof, time, immediate destruction, etc and was proven to be a valid claim. BUT, on the left hand, tho acknowledging it was overworked and took on a great deal of the right hands load, there is totally NO scientific evidence it was truly caused by the injury. Xrays taken showed the arthritis, bone spur and tests showed the left hand almost 100% as damaged as the right, he cannot legally connect the two.
He was very kind and disliked telling me the bad news. Yes, I cried at first. But I do understand he is bound by law and without scientific proof he would lose in court.SO....
the good news he is strongly against any surgery on the right hand at this time. He stated that too many doctors rush their patient into it when they haven't even let the inflammation heal or learn how to cope with the difficulties of the arthritis which can calm down and be much less painful for long periods of time. He suggested that only when the pain or frustrations get totally more than you can bear... then  you consider the surgery. Not all surgery is successful and he told me that all 6 of his associates in hand surgery have had at least one patient where the surgery made it worse, where the wrong nerve was cut or full usage was not restored or inability to return to full function of the hand.
WOW. That made me rethink everything.  This guy pulls no punches. He is one of the best in the state of Utah but doesn't operate for money as the incentive... or the patient's whim. I can continue to have cortisone shots in the hand clear until future surgery as the joint is totally damaged, shot. There is no more harm the shots can do.
So, for now, I am to buy soft braces, anything that gives temporary comfort, shots, Ibuprofin (which I can't take while on methotrexate) and try to see if Target can find me a job that will produce less heavy usage of the hand. I am considering asking to work in Guest Services where you take returns. My daughter works it often and said there is very little lifting and less items to handle. I will talk to the new team leader, Pratty in a couple of days. I am relieved, I am sad. At least I know the right hand will be taken care of forever.  All things work for the best.

3 Months Coming

Tomorrow has been almost 3 months coming. It is my appointment with a prominent orthopedic surgeon to give an independent review of my left thumb to determine if it's deterioration is due to the injury of the right thumb. Since Nov.2010 and the injury the left hand has had to most of the work. It is now difficult to determine which hand is worse and both wake me up all night long. My other health issues are returning rapidly, putting me back to just a couple of different foods to eat, constant stomach pain and now dehydration is cramping my legs again.  The calender says July, my body says it is back to January.  One step at a time.  I need the dr. to tell the insurance company he believes that one caused the other because then workman's comp will cover surgery for both hands. Think happy thoughts for me; I need all I can get tomorrow.

As far as moving in, it's getting me excited finally and not so nervous. Patches, the dog, came over for a quick visit and peed in the kitchen and hallway the moment he got in the door. Well, hello there pooch.  I am buying a gate to put up in my bedroom doorway to keep him out so I will have one room free of dander for when my asthma gets ornery.  Bella, the cat, won't come until they are ready to make the final stage. I worry worry worry about her. She is an explorer and there will be no forcing her to stay in the house. We all know it is a risk but there is no other choice. Hopefully, she will find herself at home and explore safely.

More Moving

The old, refurbished kitchen sink faucet sprayed to high heaven so we ran to Costco's to get another one and soon realized that with that faucet, the disposal wouldn't fit with the dishwasher so poor Bob had to do extra rewiring to get things right and he did great. This a.m. there was wood and pieces of this and that... tonight as they left it was a new sink, faucet, disposal, soap dispenser, dishwasher and new cabinet top to make the Ikea cabinets they put together. The frig is running, light switches raised and safer. Tomorrow the counter top goes on an extra cabinet to set by the frig so Melanie has more counter space for cooking. Looking good and darn homey!!

Lucky me, last week I inherited a beautiful leather couch they couldn't fit downstairs and since they had so many tv's and my HUGE old tv is dying with almost no audio... they offered tonight to take the old one away and gave me their 40" flat screen for my bedroom as I can't see well.

To top good things off, today Melanie's sister-in-law, also a Melanie and her husband, decided they want to rent their home. We know they are great people and will take good care of it. Everything is coming together. They want to be moved into the home by the end of August... so still much work to do. I think Mel and the family may be moved in within a couple of days.