Re: Aching Legs & lots of mail &.....
Karen Luglio (tootsie(AT)voicenet.com)
Sun, 30 Mar 1997 10:39:42 -0500 (EST)
At 12:54 AM 3/30/97 -0500, you wrote:
>
>In a message dated 3/30/97 12:43:08 AM, tmic-list(AT)eskimo.com wrote:
>
>>Linda,
>>
>>I still believe that this is an electronic support group for people with
>>Transverse Myelitis, of varying degrees of severity, but all of us are
>>going through it. Maybe some people can't handle reading about it every
>>day, and want to get on with their lives. Others may have recovered or
>>finally been able to cope with it, and no longer need "support". Whatever
>>the reasons may be, it's okay. We do gain knowledge in "comparing ailments
>>and medications". I, for one, feel better knowing that there are lots of
>>people out there that are getting along. Some days, I am so disappointed
>>that I woke up and have to face another day, and then I get my mail, and
>>think, "if they can handle it, then I can too".
>>
>>As far as the "problem" of taking too much online time to sort through the
>>mail, I have no problems. I log on, grab my e-mail, am offline within one
>>minute, then read my mail at my leisure. Do not have to be online to read
>>it.
>>
>>I do not plan to "unsubscribe", as long as Jim Lubin is gracious enough to
>>keep this list going, I will continue to read the mail. I gather lots of
>>information, so with each visit to my neurologist, my time with him is well
>>spent. I am still trying to get him to agree to let me have physical
>>therapy, because it seems the more I do, the more damage I am doing. I
>>think as long as my insurance company pays for it, I should be able to have
>>it. So far, it looks like everybody else here still has P.T.
>>
>>Anyway, I am rambling again, so time to sign off. "Keep those cards and
>>letters coming".
>>Debbie
>>
>
>Thanks, Debbie! I'm glad some feelthe PT. Seems the more I do....whether
>it's on my own or PT, the worse the pain becomes.
>
>I'm also very curious about insurance. Also about Disability. Anyone have
>any current info here?
>
>Linda
>
>
>
Hi:
I, too take comfort in knowing that there are others that can relate to what
we're going through. It also feels good to help those who are "recent" and
frightened by what's happening. Linda, I appreciate your quick response to
my questions about the legs and pain. I am going through a bit of a crisis
right now because I may have to learn to live with what I have. It has been
five months for me. What part of your spinal cord was affected? Since
you've had the residual for so many years, can you tell me what your
improvements from the beginning were and at what point you stopped having
any (improvements). I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but the
neurologists have no idea.
My insurance only pays 60 consecutive days annually for physical therapy. I
was fortunate enough to be treated gratis at the first place because I had a
rare condition. So I was able to get almost five months of physical
therapy. Most HMO's offer 60 consecutive days per year. The private pay
insurance carriers usually offer more. Some HMO's will only pay 60
consecutive days per diagnosis for lifetime. As far as disability is
concerned, the hospital I work in does not offer short term disability. I
became eligible for long term disability at the end of three months at 50%
of my pay. I am considered totally disabled from the job that I was hired
to do. However, state disability will not pay unless you are totally
disabled from any type of work for at least one year. Maybe it's different
in every state (I'm from Pennsylvania). My LTD will supplement me if I
should return less than full time which I was working before I was stricken.
Anyone else receiving disability benefits?
Karen