I woke up this morning and took a look at the inside of my mouth. This has been part of my morning ritual since the swelling occurred over a week ago. I noticed that now a little bubble had popped up right on top where the indentation was from the first drainage. I applied some pressure on it to see if anything was coming out. Let’s just say I was now seeing lots of red.
I am scheduled to see Doctor Koch next week. I think I can hold out till then. I don’t see any yellow stuff which is good. That would be a sure sign of infection. All I can do now is keep the area as clean as possible.
On a side note I am waiting for my insurance to review my appeal letter that I sent a few weeks ago regarding the denial of my last surgery I had for the continuations of reconstructing my jaw. This is the 3rd letter I had to send them. One would think they would get it by now. Guess they are trying to save money. Yeah, well so am I.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Evil Traffic
Of all the days to head 3 hours south, I end up in a snow storm. Well a small one, but still. It took me about 4 hours to get to Hopkins The delay was mainly trying to get on 295 South. Turns out there was an over-turned tractor trailer. When I finally got to my second home (Hopkins) I ended up being 20 minutes late for my appointment. Thankfully they took me. Hopkins has a 15 minute rule. After that, they do not have to take you. It would be up to the doctor’s discretion.
When I saw Dr. Boahene, I gave him a little hug. In away, I feel like we both have been through so much together. Ok, mainly me as I am the one who got me neck sliced open 4 times, but I digress. I showed him my concern regarding the swelling. But he reassured me that it was superficial and that at this point there did not seem to be anything to worry about. He advised me to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, to let him know. I also showed him the small bump I have on the side of my new mandible. He stated it appears to be a small cyst or lymphoid. It would not be amelo because that develops in the jaw itself. This bump feels to be on the side of the jaw. I asked if I should get a CAT Scan, but he said that would be up to Dr Koch. I see him next week.
I took my time heading back home.
When I saw Dr. Boahene, I gave him a little hug. In away, I feel like we both have been through so much together. Ok, mainly me as I am the one who got me neck sliced open 4 times, but I digress. I showed him my concern regarding the swelling. But he reassured me that it was superficial and that at this point there did not seem to be anything to worry about. He advised me to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, to let him know. I also showed him the small bump I have on the side of my new mandible. He stated it appears to be a small cyst or lymphoid. It would not be amelo because that develops in the jaw itself. This bump feels to be on the side of the jaw. I asked if I should get a CAT Scan, but he said that would be up to Dr Koch. I see him next week.
I took my time heading back home.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Another one bites the dust
Well, it may have happened again. I noticed over the weekend that the inside of my mouth seemed a little swollen. By the end of the day Sunday I know I had a little infection. Oh boy.
I called Hopkins to make a follow up appointment with Dr Christian since he did the implant surgery. Turns out he is no longer at Hopkins . (WHAT!) I asked the person on the phone who took his files over. I was given the new doctors name but was informed he did not have any appointments till April. (NICE… really nice.) “So, what do I do if I have an emergency?” I asked. In which I was told to call his private practice. (Great customers service guys.) I took his number just in case but in my mind I was done, done with that office. I wanted nothing more to do with them. They have had poor customer service since day one. Now, I must stress I have had no issues with the doctors themselves. It’s the office that is so poorly run. I am confident that if US News and World Report just surveyed Hopkins on that office alone, they would not be anywhere near the top list of Hospitals in America.
So, I did what I normally would do. I contacted Dr. B. I have an appointment tomorrow. Perhaps I will get an answer on the other issue I have on the side of my jaw too. I am sure he will want a CAT Scan with contrast. (On a side note, I do wonder if there is a limit on how many CAT Scans a person can have in their lifetime when enough would be enough. I mean this will be my 8th. I think.)
I called Hopkins to make a follow up appointment with Dr Christian since he did the implant surgery. Turns out he is no longer at Hopkins . (WHAT!) I asked the person on the phone who took his files over. I was given the new doctors name but was informed he did not have any appointments till April. (NICE… really nice.) “So, what do I do if I have an emergency?” I asked. In which I was told to call his private practice. (Great customers service guys.) I took his number just in case but in my mind I was done, done with that office. I wanted nothing more to do with them. They have had poor customer service since day one. Now, I must stress I have had no issues with the doctors themselves. It’s the office that is so poorly run. I am confident that if US News and World Report just surveyed Hopkins on that office alone, they would not be anywhere near the top list of Hospitals in America.
So, I did what I normally would do. I contacted Dr. B. I have an appointment tomorrow. Perhaps I will get an answer on the other issue I have on the side of my jaw too. I am sure he will want a CAT Scan with contrast. (On a side note, I do wonder if there is a limit on how many CAT Scans a person can have in their lifetime when enough would be enough. I mean this will be my 8th. I think.)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Not much
I really do not have much to report. I have filed an appeal, my third with my health-care provider. I hope to get a positive response on the payments of my implants. I do have my next appointment scheduled in March with my doctors at Hopkins. I only assume I will have another CAT Scan to make sure "it" did not come back. I tired to remember how many scans I have had to date. 7 or 8. Man, I should be glowing by now.
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