Mr. Pesky’s back is jacked up. I would say he’s on the struggle bus but he was kicked off of it on Wednesday. Did you know that in our area, if you take a ride in the ambulance the fire department comes too when they pick you up? Welp, now you know. Poor guy was in so much pain I didn’t figure I could even get him to the ER, so he took a ride in the ambulance.
After listening to Mr. Pesky’s complaints, the ER doc ordered a pain shot. Next, the machine he was hooked up to started flipping out because his heart rate dropped to between 36 and 38 bpm. (!!!) They evidently weren’t too worried about that because they unplugged him, prescribed pain pills, and sent him home. Of course, when I went to the hospital I didn’t think about the fact that I’d have to bring him home… in my Mini Cooper. Weeee! It was a fun day.
Insurance rules the world!
Here he is at the hospital in incredible pain — he has an MRI scheduled for tomorrow at OrthoIndy. Why not get an MRI at Seymour hospital while he’s there to save a painful trip 2 days later? Because MRIs must be pre-approved unless it’s an emergency… like a stroke. To move the MRI from one hospital to another takes a ton of paperwork and time.
Insurance also determines the treatment you’ll receive. For example, before my back surgery, I had to first exhaust all alternatives — chiropractic care, physical therapy, and lumbar injections — before surgery could be approved. None of the alternatives worked, and my life was total misery for about 3 months. It’s a racket and patients are made to suffer over money. I hate it!
There’s no Starbucks machine at the Seymour Hospital.
Today, I had my appointment at the Columbus Specialty Surgery Center. Although the waiting room is small — they have a big ole’ Starbucks machine for their patients.
I can shower tomorrow and swim by Saturday — once the numbing shots are finished, the rest is a piece of cake. Mr. Pesky gets an MRI tomorrow and that will determine what happens next. My use of baby oil and Iodine as a young adult ensures I’ll have more procedures in my future, and his current back issue ensures he will have more appointments incoming (I’m guessing another surgery) in his immediate future.
But don’t feel sorry for us — my poor Momma is taking the brunt of everything. Mr. Pesky isn’t an ideal patient. She looks worse for wear right now more so than he does. 😉
Now you know: Sergeant Gander, a Newfoundland dog that fought alongside Canadian troops in the Battle of Hong Kong, saved several wounded soldiers when he grabbed grenade thrown into their midst and ran towards the enemy with it. He was awarded the doggy equivalent of the Victoria Cross.