Back to work

It looks like Patrick will be heading back to work in February.

His cervical epidurals are providing him some relief from the headache he's had since October, and his steroid shots into his ribcage are helping with that soreness, too. But, with his disability denied, and the doctor unwilling to write his accomodation without him having a (non-covered by insurance) test that costs $1,000...it's just getting to be what has to happen. He could get a medical leave of absence from work...but that's without pay. As it is, he hasn't received a paycheck since the 1st of November. We've had to deplete our emergency resources to be able to pay our mortgage, bills, have Christmas, Shan's b-day, etc since then. I wish he could stay home until he's 100% better, but at least he is getting some relief now.

I'm so frustrated and angry by how flawed the medical/disability/insurance system is. It truly makes the victim even MORE of a victim, and it just sucks. We have done absolutely everything we were asked to do, and in an extremely timely manner. We have followed "the rules" and been honest and forthright...and we've gotten screwed at every turn. It's created a financial mess, on top of the physical pain, and stress. It's all just maddening. Why does he even have disability insurance through work if they don't allow you to USE it when you need it??? I will never understand that.

I am thankful every day that my husband is alive. I fully realize that his accident could have had a much worse outcome. It's all just pretty heavy, and gets hard to take on a day-to-day basis.