There have been so many suggestions, questions and recommendations regarding my disability and the “latest news” that I thought it would be easiest to break it down and clarify what-is-what:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Have you gotten a second opinion?
Why did you have surgery in the first place?
Can you have another surgery?
What does Permanent mean?
Frequent Comment: You are not Your Disability…
FAQ #1: Have I Gotten a Second Opinion?
To assure all of you that I do not take ANY first opinion lightly, you can rest that I have, in fact, gotten SEVERAL second opinions.
On Thursday, my visit to my Primary Care Physician, Dr. Scott, was as expected. He agreed with the other opinions of those on The Team: It is time to move towards Permanent Disability. Dr. Scott explained that “because of the persistence of the symptoms [aka, pain], it is time to pursue a more long-term decision.” Dr. Scott is one of the greatest physicians with whom I have seen! He is caring, gentle and thorough. He ordered labs (blood-work) so that, when all of the “weaning” stops, I can make sure that my liver is safe, along with my cholesterol, calcium levels, all of that fun stuff. Most importantly, I trust him.
To assure you even further, I have not only gotten the opinion of my Pain Doc, but from: The President, The Exercise Guru, my Case Manager & now my Primary Pain Doctor. Now I have gotten five opinions – all in agreement that I need to switch from Temporary to Permanent Disability. This is not “good news” it is merely the truth. The facts. (Please know that I greatly appreciate all of your concern regarding this new development!)
More FAQs to come, so keep reading! Share your thoughts – and your questions!
What would you like to see on the new website?
This is what I want for the website:
ReplyDelete-practical how-to articles that provide a task analysis for the many processes that one undergoes when faced with an unexpected disability. I'm thinking about both bureaucratic processes and day to day tasks. Visuals are important. Do you have a digital camera?
- links to resources
-uplifting stories: I'm thinking a Tuesdays With Morrie approach to disability (have you read it? if not you should! if so, read it again! I'm sure its at the library. In order for this to be a site that people return to again and again, it must not only be informative, it must also provide hope and inspiration. People need the silver lining.
- Is there a support group that you could join (or start)? It would be beneficial to eventually have access to others' stories of strength and adaptation.
I can't wait to see it. I love you!!