God is so Good

[mapleleafwoman]

I have been unemployed or working part time jobs with no benefits for a number of years now.  In April I landed a full-time job with lots of overtime, and most importantly, health benefits.

Because of not having benefits, I shyed away from doctors and just prayed that I made it through without any serious problems.  When my insurance became active, I thought about catching up on doctor and dentist appointments but didn't know where to start.  As fate would have it, only a few months after starting the new job, I messed up my knee.  It was a Saturday so there wasn't much I could really do except deal with it.  By Monday it was starting to feel better so I just let it go.  A week later I realized it was still feeling about the same so decided to get it checked out while I could...you know, just in case. 

Upon first examination by the doctor I was sent to, everything appeared to be okay.  She sent me for exrays just to be sure.  The only thing that appeared to show was arthritis.  I questioned her about the arthritis in my ankles as well and asked her for advice.  She said I should see my family doctor and they would draw blood to verify the type of arthritis...as she was telling me this, she was looking directly at me, and could see my thoughts without me speaking them..."You don't have a family doctor, do you?!?"  "No."

So the following week I made two appointments, one for my knee and one for family practice.  She had them draw the blood and send it out to the lab.  The results were more than a little surprising to me, but apparently not to her trained and eagle eye.  I tested positve for Lymes.  She arranged for me to have Physical Therapy for my knee.  She admitted it was a bit of overkill, but her idea was that the training I got to strengthen my knees would benefit me a lifetime.  She also started me on an 8-week regiment of Doxycycline. 

A month later, I seem to have very little relief so yesterday I had an MRI done on my knee.  Tuesday I go back to see my doctor.  The past couple of days my knees have seemed to bother me less although my ankles are acting up again.  Hopefully it is a sign that the medication is starting to kick in and have an effect on me.  I don't know a whole lot about lymes but will learn as I go.  I understand it can be a life-long process.  My doctor gives me hope however, and is attacking this aggressively in hopes of conquering it.

I was a little overwhelmed when I saw my first statements from the insurance company and saw the cost of all I have had done.  I was hoping beyond hope that my deductibles would kick in very soon.  After calling the company however, I breathed a sigh of relief, as they informed me that the lab work had been accepted as full payment, and that my doctor's stuff just had to be resubmitted.

[Jamannasmom]

Oct. 24, 2009 at 9:43 PM

So glad that things are going well as far as the job and insurance... Wow... Lyme disease!  Hope your knee feels better soon.