[Spinal Fusion / Lumbar] Spinal Fusion L5-S1

[Susanna]

Thanks everyone! I covet your prayers and good wishes! Anyone have free air miles that can fly my husband here? lol
Ugh, I just hate this idea of not having someone by my side that will stand up for me! I was reading peoples stories about not getting enough pain meds after surgery and stuff and I hate hospitals! I think of when my daughter had her surgery. I was on a cot the whole 8 days she was in the hospital, with my bad back! She needed me there to fight for her. She had all sorts of problems. What if that happens to me? I won't have anyone! Greg says he will yell at them over the phone for me, but I don't think that is going to be quite the same! lol.

All of my Bible Study ladies together, do not have my forceful personality. lol. Not sure that any of them would be a good advocate for me. IDK. It all just kind of sucks!

I have to quit thinking about it though, it gives me a headache. lol
I am just happy that my tunnel is getting closer to the light!

[KBear]

Susanna, I'm praying for you and for great pain control after surgery! It will work out. Are any of your kids old enough to speak up for you? Also, when I was in the hospital and having a hard time and a nurse was trying to make me get up and being rude to me, I simply said "Do NOT touch me! Get my phone and bring it to me." I then called my husband and had him come up there. You could definitely resort to this if need be and call a friend, child, neighbor or anyone who you think would come up there and stick up for you. I wouldn't worry about it, honestly, my husband was there and I was still in major pain, so it didn't help me at all (not that I didn't appreciate him being there, just didn't make a difference). You can also speak to a head nurse and make sure they are giving you all the medication you are prescribed (I found out that the "mean nurse" was not giving me everything prescribed, which is why I was in such tremendous pain.) Praying for you!
Kathy

[Susanna]

Wow! It's amazing how fast things can change! The doctors office just called and my surgery has been approved and I am scheduled for Monday! I have to be at the hospital at 1:30. I don't know how all of you got out of the hospital so fast but they are keeping me 3-4 days! What's with that? Maybe that is good since I have no one to take care of me at home. My poor kitty is going to have a nervous break down!

Kathy, I better get your number so I can call both you and Greg to yell at the nurses! I did talk to the doctor about the pain management. He told me that he will do everything he can but he won't give me enough to kill me! lol

He won't give me an epidural because he wants me to move my legs. And I requested a back brace, though he feels I won't need one and feels I will be more comfortable without one. He said that it is only a one level fusion and so low, that a back brace won't probably help. But if I really want one he will get me one. So we will see. I feel good that at least I have talked to him about this. Instead of an ugly incision up my belly, I get to have the one that is already in my back extended.

Ok, well it's time to start getting psyched up for this and get my house ready. They will be putting the new doors and windows in my house while I'm in the hospital. So hopefully they clean up good and I don't come home to a big mess.

When it rains, it pours! I can't believe this is actually going to happen!

They told me that they estimate that the insurance won't pay $6145.40 and I have to go and pay that tomorrow and sign the papers. Really sucks when your out of pocket is met and you still have to pay that much for a surgery! It's just wrong!

I'm am glad I have all of you behind me!

Susanna!

[Justin]

Wow! It's amazing how fast things can change! The doctors office just called and my surgery has been approved and I am scheduled for Monday! I have to be at the hospital at 1:30.

Great news!

Kathy, I better get your number so I can call both you and Greg to yell at the nurses! I did talk to the doctor about the pain management. He told me that he will do everything he can but he won't give me enough to kill me! lol

Nurses are vital to the healthcare team--they will keep your pain under control and carry out specific physician orders. If your pain is not being treated well post-op, please let your surgeon know and they will be more than willing to help.

[Greg]

Nurses are vital to the healthcare team--they will keep your pain under control and carry out specific physician orders. If your pain is not being treated well post-op, please let your surgeon know and they will be more than willing to help.

Susanna,

I second Justin's advice and am sure you will be fine when it comes to your pain management. Many people I have spoken to who didnt have good experiences with their post-op pain management (and myself included) were on high doses on pain meds and had a considerable tolerance to them. Although I never expected to be pain free in the hospital after such a major surgery. I feel you probably have the best chance of anyone for having perfect pain management since you are not currently taking any medication, havent in 6 months, and because of that probably do not have much if any of a tolerance right now. They should work fine for you. And if it isnt being managed as much as you think is necessary I am sure they will accomadate you. They are usually pretty good about that but if they arent as Justin said, let your doctor know. Or if the nurses arent listening (which they probably will) then talk to the head nurse or the house doctor and go up the food chain. But I really dont think you will have any issues and hope the only phone calls I get are just to chat and catch up on your progress

Best of luck to you and we'll be thinking about and praying for you!

Sincerely,
Your other husband

[KBear]

That was quick approval! I'm still not understanding how you owe money if you have met your deductible and out of pocket, unless they are out of network. My understanding was that if they are in network with your insurance, they have a negotiated rate that they have agreed to accept. So, say the bill is $2,000, the negotiated rate may be $1,000 and you might owe $100. So, in that scenario, insurance would pay $900, you $100 and the doctor would 'write off' the other $1,000. I don't think they can charge more than the negotiated rate if they are in network, since they have agreed to accept that amount. Now out of network is a different story, since they aren't tied to a negotiated rate.
Best of Luck and I'm sure it will all go great!

[Susanna]

That was quick approval! I'm still not understanding how you owe money if you have met your deductible and out of pocket, unless they are out of network. My understanding was that if they are in network with your insurance, they have a negotiated rate that they have agreed to accept. So, say the bill is $2,000, the negotiated rate may be $1,000 and you might owe $100. So, in that scenario, insurance would pay $900, you $100 and the doctor would 'write off' the other $1,000. I don't think they can charge more than the negotiated rate if they are in network, since they have agreed to accept that amount. Now out of network is a different story, since they aren't tied to a negotiated rate.
Best of Luck and I'm sure it will all go great!

United Healthcare has no In network providers in Alaska except for the hospital I'm having my surgery at. So I have what is called a "gap exception" for the doctors I see. But the doctor that is doing my surgery does not accept the discount that my insurance company says that they should take. They also do not change their fees to the "customary and usual fees". The fact that I get a gap exception just means that the insurance will pay more, but doesn't mean that my doctor will cut his prices. Some of the doctors will take the discount, but most won't. It seems to me though that my last surgery I was reimbursed my extra money I had to pay up front, which was $2500.00. So hopefully that will happen again. We will see. I am praying that will happen again. It is really wrong, that the insurance company's do not pay what is charged. I also think that it's wrong that I am stuck paying this because I have already paid so much already in insurance costs.
It seems to me, that this is the last thing that I need when I am about to go into surgery.

Susanna

[runagain]

Susanna,

Congrats and the proverbial saying: See you on the other side.

Now, don't tell anyone I told you this but this is how it works in the hospital.
If you get a nurse that is giving you a hard time--because they are around--ask him or her to kindly see if you are due for medication. There is a leeway about when you can give someone meds, if it is a scheduled medication, a medicine due at 2 pm for instance, can be given at 1:30 to 2:30. I would ask your doctor if for a few days you can have a PCA, a patient-controlled analgesia pump machine.
If all else fails, ask to speak to the charge nurse.
No. 3, call your doctor's office via a phone of some sort (see if they allow cell phones, and if they don't. sneak one in and keep it within reach).
No. 4, if doctor comes in, tell him that you are not being treated right.
Sometimes, you cannot get enough medication because you have to weigh your health against the need for analgesia. I would employ some of the bible club to help you, especially when you go home.
I think you will be fine.
While I was in the hospital last time, I kept a small pad of paper next to me on the table next to me and I jotted down what I needed or wanted or someone that worked in the hospital and made my day. It was handy and the notes look like chicken scratch, but it helped. A couple of times I was a bit loopy and dry mouth and they could better understand my request when I wrote it down. LOL.
If you get a nurse that treats you horribly, you can ask to not have him/her ever take care of you again. This is the extreme, but a charge nurse will readily do this at your request. The most I would watch for is that each person follows your doctor orders about getting out of bed and moving and no BLT.
You have to believe you are empowered to direct your health care team. I mean you are a participant in your health care, do not be shy to speak out if need be.

r

Oh, almost forgot, We took home-made cookies (choc chip) to the hospital at time of release or after, cannot remember, but nurses like being appreciated and also had a batch for the night nurses, separate. Also took doctor's office a batch too.
Does not hurt, if you know what I mean.

[Susanna]

Thanks, I will remember all of those things. I am feeling a bit better about things. I have found someone to be with me right after surgery, and the ladies are going to be taking turns to sit in my room to make sure I have an advocate most of the time. I think the only time I will be a lone will be at night. I will have a pain pump. I have already talked to my doctor about this.

I will pack tomorrow. I have just about everything I think I need. I am looking forward to getting this over with. Not looking forward to the post op pain, but it's the only way for me to get to the end of the road.

I can't wait to see you all on the other side of this thing. Thank you for all of your support!

Susanna

[KBear]

Susanna,
So glad you have people to be with you at the hospital! Also the pain pump should help a lot.
Sorry about the insurance, I could go on forever about how sorry insurance companies are. We pay $1,000 a month for a family of 4 and that is for crappy coverage (still have to pay a 2k deductible, per member and 3k out of pocket, per member). So, I completely get what a financial burden it is. It won't be long and this will be over and you won't be spending all that money on dr. visits and surgery (and what a wonderful feeling that is!)
Let me know what time surgery is and I will make sure I'm praying during that time for you. I will also pm you my phone number. I think you are going to do great. You have already had a fusion, so you are more prepared than most of us, in that you know what is coming. I'm so happy for you!
Kathy