A recent insurance challenge presented itself a few days ago. While it has already been resolved, I thought you might like a good Saturday morning story. It was rather difficult explaining to my insurance company, as well as Mayo clinic, why we never caught this tumor sooner. Strangely enough, in an effort to recover past medical documents to prove there were no 'previous symptoms' for insurance purposes... we were having trouble finding any! I have been so healthy my entire life that the only serious documented 'medical problem' I've ever had has been an ear infection which required a quick visit to the ER. I typically don't tell people this because so many people endure so much pain and suffering that I try to keep this information to myself. However, in lieu of recent events, I feel alright telling you this.
My father is actually a Physicians Assistant so he has managed any minor health issues over the years (which again we couldn't recall), but we also needed some outside evidence of good records. And if you know my father (he's also a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel) he refuses to give up easily. Release the hounds...
(Small side-note: We also tried to contact a local clinic that took a few chest x-rays of me circa 1996 when we thought I might have Bronchitis. Maybe they had some basic physical info from the exam just to prove we aren't entirely negligent when it comes to health care. In response, they managed to fax us one of their random European patient's leukemia results. We were very confused and pretty sure they broke the law. But the leukemia results were negative, so yay!)
Now since then we've been able to find the records we needed, but up until that point, we were still in search mode. In a valiant effort, my father actually managed to find some past medical documents. He discovered 1.5 pages of hand-written notes passed along through my grade-school nurses detailing my "medical history" from 1987-1997. Seriously...
A few notable entries we discovered the other day included:
Oct 24,1988 - Scraped hand on playground. Put water on it. Icepack. Sent back to class.
Sep 25,1990 - Sunburn on right shoulder. Icepack. Sent back to class.
Sep 26, 1990 (Next day) - Complaint of another student slapping sunburn on right shoulder. Icepack. Sent back to class.
3 things you should note:
1. Per my duty as a young male, I did what I could to get out of class and at any cost. Even if it meant playing up a sunburn... I regret nothing.
2. Our school nurse system was entirely pointless. This ridiculous history (despite it's amazing accuracy and record-keeping) caused me to remember that their 'ice-packs' were frozen dish-sponges in zip-loc baggies with a brown paper towel around them. I can still smell the mold.
3. Go get a physical. Yes, I know it costs money. Do it. While I am sure you won't discover anything, at least you can say that you tried. Insurance = FTW.
Praying!
Posted by: Liz | June 20, 2009 at 11:25 AM
First of all, Hope Amy and you are doing well today. day by day becomes so real when you're dealing with all of this.
Secondly, i have a selfish lil story below.
i remember laughing a few weeks ago when i called the insurance company about finding out what procedures/doctors need preauthorization for PET scans, etc. (which i didn't even know about preauthorization until i accidentally stumbled upon it. nice.) We discussed the whole what blue shield doctors are covered. i proceeded to ask, well what happens when you're in the ER (my husband was) and about 20 different doctors come in, how do i know which doctors are Preauthorized/Contracted. she says..."well you need to ask them." I say, "well what if you're unconscious". She says "yep". What the heck does "yep" mean and how the heck do you do that if you're alone and unconscious. NICE. Insurance = FTW
Posted by: jenberry | June 20, 2009 at 12:03 PM
:)) at least you had nurses who really kept track of your health!;D it's great you found the records and you're blessed to have a dad like him! advance happy dad's day to your dad!:)
Posted by: Apple | June 20, 2009 at 12:17 PM
david, you crack me up! "i can still smell the mold"... hahahahaha! one kindergarten memory just came flooding back to me. our "icepacks" consisted of a baggie filled with ice cubes tied in a knot (this was either pre-ziploc or they were just cheap)... i am thinking the latter. on hot summer days, we would feign an injury just to receive a glorious bag of ice which we would then eat.
praying and laughing along with you all the way from l.a.
Posted by: francesca | June 20, 2009 at 01:19 PM
David. Cindy Congdon here. Actually, it's been years since I've gone by that name...Lucinda Perry.
I don't know if you remember me or not, but we met when we were at Cedarville together...that probably helps you little to none seeing that you seemed to know E.V.E.R.Y.O.N.E. However, I would like to think that you will forever hold a special place in your heart for me - your small group leader at Getting Started Weekend, when you first arrived on campus. (If you don't remember me, just own up to it...don't blame your brain tumor...)
Anyway, I found your blog and have spent the past several hours catching up on what God has been doing in your life. Wow. Don't we have an incredible God?! I have added you to my prayer list...kinda close to the top. I just want to say thank you for your incredible attitude. I can't imagine what you must be going through, and I'm sure you have some not so great moments, but thanks for having such an amazing amount of faith and trust in our Healer!
"The LORD your God is with you! He is mighty to save! He will take great delight in you! He will comfort you with His love! He will rejoice over you with singing!!!" ~Zeph. 3:17
Posted by: Lucinda Perry | June 21, 2009 at 01:46 AM
David,
Have insurance call me. I can prove there may have been symptoms....warning signs if you will...obvious only to those close to the situation. A little lapse in judgement here, a bad decisions there; symptoms prehaps, of pressure on the brain.
For example:
1. Burberry spedo.
2. You dislike cold sanwiches.
3. Flip flop blowout.
4. You never thought the dirty dishes were yours.
I could have ended after number 1, but I thought I'd be helpful and add a couple more.
Here to help. You're welcome.
Posted by: brown | June 21, 2009 at 02:57 AM
Oh David you have hit the nail on the head with our insurance. Pre-existing conditions. We have had our fair share of whoas as well, though nothing quite like proving you didn't know about the tumor...COME ON! So glad you have your sense of humor. Again, a mighty blessing from God. You continue to amaze me with your outlook. God loves you kiddo!
Posted by: Chara | June 21, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Ever diligent in keeping you and Amy in my prayers, and having a good laugh out loud over the icepack. BTW, not that it matters but I used to live in Kentwood. When I found out you were in Grand Rapids somehow that made you feel like family. :o)
Posted by: Gale | June 21, 2009 at 04:00 PM
David, I'm sitting in bed kicking myself for complaining about my little old cold. Thank you for your example! I'm praying for you and Amy!
Posted by: Lydia | June 21, 2009 at 09:27 PM
HA!!!! Burberry Speedo!? Funny attracts funny, I guess. xo
Posted by: Donna | June 22, 2009 at 02:17 PM