damont

It’s been over three years now since my first retina surgery. I missed the actual anniversary back in August because... wait for it... I was sick. I’d been basically incoherent (or sleeping) for two-plus days, and when my immune system finally turned the corner in fighting off whatever virus was after me, I discovered I also had cellulitis in one lower leg. So, not being actually near home, we first located an urgent care that would take out-of-state Medicaid. I then spent over an hour on the phone with a very exasperated insurance clerk -- not exasperated with me, but with the stupid info system she had to work with that just simply isn’t very cooperative. (Please allow me to bid on improving it! My rates are very reasonable.)

After talking to Officer Obie for about -- wait, that’s the wrong story, isn’t it? :-) After the clerk finally convinced the system into doing what it was supposed to do (the threats of violence and any actual violence should have not been necessary, seriously), we came to the truth of the matter and the system coughed up the approvals I needed to take to the urgent care. So off we went, where yet another “this will be funny in a few years when it stops being annoying” story of recalcitrant IT systems occurred. The actual visit with the medics took less time than checking in, and I left with a script for an antibiotic and recommendations to keep the leg elevated as much as reasonably possible. (And another hope that they’ll take bids soon for improving their IT system, because wow is it needed.)

So on the follow-up, the doc said no further antibiotics should be needed, but to keep a close eye on the leg because the swelling hadn’t gone away. And that’s how the latter part of August went. Only it appears the doc wasn’t paying close enough attention. Back home after Labor Day I had the leg looked at again, and was told to get me to the ER for an ultrasound… mostly because the medic wanted it looked at ASAP, and the ER was the only place with ultrasound that could see me that day. Anywhere else and I’d have to wait at least overnight if not until the next day AFTER that. So it was off to the ER, where blood was drawn (the first attempt was a poor stick, OUCH) and ultrasound happened, and all the tests came back negative: no blood clots, no sepsis, but the original infection was still there, so I got a script for 10 more days of a different antibiotic. Even now I’m still needing to keep the leg elevated as much as possible consonant with, y’know, actually getting stuff done.

In the meantime, unavoidable taxes AND insurance premiums are now due in very short order. That’s in addition to certain bills that have gone unpaid, plus the medical bills hanging fire that are simply not going away (as a few dollars a month doesn’t go very far to paying them off). So, because we can't afford shame, here's my shameless plug for help. I have a GoFundMe that has been active since December 2016 for this purpose, which I’ve probably mentioned in this blog once or twice since then. Rather than making anyone hunt for the link, here it is:

Help Save Dave’s Eyesight

We've gotten support from some folks in the past month, and A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to alla youse. Please PLEASE spread the word as much as you feel able; share this fundraiser on lots of social media, by email, even by writing the link on pieces of paper and passing them around. Encourage folks you know to donate and to spread the word themselves. I've long since estimated that I'll need about 1,000 different contributors to make the goal, so getting the word out is important. And IF YOU ARE ABLE TO, please donate, though we know that some of you have done so recently (again, THANK YOU) and lots of you just can't. But even a spare 5 or 10 clams, if that's all you can afford, is appreciated. Every little bit helps. (Remember, NO FEELING GUILTY if you don't have the means to contribute, or enough spoons to spread the word as far as you'd like.)

And just like I’ve said in several previous posts, if you have any job leads for either of us, PLEASE contact us! Relocation IS an option, even more than it was before, though for family reasons it would be good to stay within reasonable distance of my parents. My few good leads this month have been for positions where we would certainly have to relocate. I’ve been telling folks that we’ll be happy to relocate anywhere within the rough triangle of Boston/Richmond/Pittsburgh.

Happy Autumn for those in the Northern Hemisphere, Happy Spring for those in the Southern hemisphere, and Happy Equinox for those in the tropics who are wondering just what this change-of-seasons thing actually is. :-D Happy Jewish High Holy Days for those who celebrate them, as they start in just a few days. And “happy” start of the school year as well for those in the Northern Hemisphere for whom this is relevant. May the upcoming season be happy and prosperous. And as always, thank you for your continued support.