My house arrest has officially ended! Two months after my injury and six weeks after surgery, I am now free to dance, hula hoop, and practice gymnastics. Okay, maybe not all that, but I can sit for more than twenty minutes and put on my own leggings now!
To all of you who followed the spine surgery saga and offered your prayers, emails, and funny youTube videos, here is an update:
How are you feeling?
After my surgery, my surgeon asked how I was feeling. I told him I was a little sore. “Well, yes,” he said. “I cut into you.” How’s that for honesty?! I’m feeling great. I have some muscle pain that is common after a month’s worth of limping and bedrest, and my energy level is pretty low. I still have some numbness in my right foot and leg, which the doctor says should heal by the end of the year. I’m happy to say that I haven’t been on pain meds since leaving Bangkok!
How was house arrest?
Well, no motorbike, no Thai classes, no picking up or running around with the kids, etc. But that is nothing compared to the blessing it has been to be still and quiet in our beautiful home in the middle of nature. During the daytime, our windows and doors are wide open, and the room is filled with breezes from across the rice fields. I’ve mastered wheat-free, no-bake cookies. I’ve listened to a lot of podcast sermons. We’ve talked for hours on end about serving God and what that looks like for us and how we’ve been strengthened through various circumstances. We’ve railed against the insurance company. We had a Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings marathon. We’ve laughed a lot. We’ve cried a lot. Now, we spend our mornings on the porch, sharing a French press of Doi Chaang coffee and reading Proverbs aloud. #peace
In the end, how much did the whole adventure cost?
Our medical bills and related expenses (such as flights home from Bangkok) totaled about $10,000.
What’s the outcome with the insurance company?
Our new international policy included a 180-day clause that would not cover procedures stemming from what are essentially pre-existing conditions, such as a tonsillectomy and “intervertebral disc disease.” One of the symptoms of this latter disease, also known as “degenerative disc disease,” is a herniated disc. The insurance company feels that I have this (non-covered) pre-existing condition. My surgeons have shared with the insurance company that my MRIs and spine itself show no sign of this disease and that my injury was acute. However, the company’s decision remains and we’ll be filing an appeal. Until then, the above cost is currently staring us down from our emergency credit card.
Now what?
The doctor recommended core-strengthening exercises. I do not exercise. Apparently I have to begin. (Remember how good it felt to be 20?!) But I hear Pilates is the thing for me, so let me know if you have any DVDs to recommend!
Posted by: collettostories
Category: 
