It is amazing how God can work a wonder in our lives... no, I have not heard on a scheduling date, but the blessing which came my way today was in the following message direct from Kathy, who sends word of her sister, Janell:

I wanted to let you know that my sister is improving - slowly, but steadily- she is still using oxygen, and can't seem to keep her eyes open, but her #'s are improving. They actually had her sit up & stand up (w 2 people holing her on each side) and that's huge (even though she kept her eyes closed) -i was estatic & can't believe they did that...

This is a wonder for a lady who underwent full spinal fusion, sacrum to neck, on Monday, would not/could not awaken from anesthesia and then to be placed on a ventilator. You all have been alongside her and we have prayed her through the beginnings of recovery. Kathy sends her love and gratitude, immeasurably. Such a testament to what this forum is all about. Who knows? Maybe in times to come, Janell will share her story on the spinal fusion threads..... I hope so.

Sign me off hopeful and praying,
Mark56

DARN i was hoping when I got online today that you would have heard from the "powers that be" and you had a date set.

OH, I don't know, I think it could be worked into some sort of a monologue worthy of late nite TV, don't you? This big push in May is made to calm my fears that I would go through all of "kid in a candy store" build up with the Trial which worked so wonderfully, only to experience some hitch in the git-a-long of the insurance bureaucracy somewhere along the lines and find out they would let me taste veritable freedom from pain only to withhold its full implementation.

I was told not to fear because all had been pre-authorized Trial through Permanent and that I would not have been on the table that day unless the pre-auth had been obtained. We proceeded. I loved it, well, that is as much as one can confer love upon an inanimate piece of technology. Now, of course, weeks later I learn the OK to proceed awaits further insurance blessing. Thus, I wait. And................... wait.

Time will bring this to conclusion. The professionals and the patient concur the Trial was a success. We await the blessing of the work comp carrier. Patience............. patience........... ahhhhh...... ,,,,,,,,,

Thank you, Pooh, for checking,
Sorry,
Mark56 [end of post]

I'm not sure how other facilities work, but they made me wait the 6 week minimum after my trial (to heal) before they would go ahead with the real deal. And it occured to me that perhaps THIS is the reason for the wait....AND the fact that you did end up with that infection when they took out your leads......
Did your Dr say anything along these lines as an explanation?
I bet they simply want your body to completely heal from the trial B4 they do the real deal. They want our bodies to be 'cleeeean' when they do these procedures and they take alllll precautions to lower chance of infection.
I even had to pee in a cup the week B4 my implant to rule out any type of bladder infection........so they do cover all the bases.

Then again, I have also heard of cases where they do the permanent right away, so maybe I'm talking jibberish.
But, something about that infection you aquired and the way your insurance handled that just makes something not add up here.....
I'd bet my bottom dollar it has something to do with that.

And THANK YOU for sharing the great news about Janell! Praise God!!
Now I can log off for the nite and know that everything makes sense.
yes?
Gnite all!

Thank you for your lightbulb moment Rae, a most plausible explanation. Truly, our docs don't always tell us everything.... matter of fact, it is likely that much is often distilled to everyday speak in order that we take in what we can and not exacerbate any fears we may feel.

My docs have told me all the paperwork is in place, in play, on the desk at the insuror, so I have no doubt at all if there is a medical supervisory clinician observing my file they gave a thoughtful tug to the chin, went "Hmmmm", and have thoughts of giving time to the process. No doubt at all.

So despite being informed there is no medical hold up and that we should have already had a date, perhaps another reality persists,.... one of caution.
That could be, that could be.

Thus I wait,
Mark56

So.... today, being on the side of antsy, I placed a phone call to my surgeon's scheduling assistant AND...... left a voice mail. Just checking. Curious. Want to know whether there is any motion on my file. You know the drill.

Morphine time. Un-yea. I hate this stuff. Sure, I know it helps moderate the pain at a price or two. I have grown accustomed to the prunes. They are OK. Takes a big handful every day in order to keep me percolating, and I eat a balanced diet. That nutrional stuff drilled into us from elementary school- fruits [fresh of course], vegetables [fresh, uncooked if possible, is there any other way?], grains, dairy, protein. A balanced diet cannot overcome morphine. If you are gonna plug, you are gonna plug. No ifs, ands or...... butts [misspelling intentional] about it. The natural way does beat the necessity of those medicinal yukky methods. And besides, it saves my system from another chemical assault.

Still doing the exercise to prep for a surgery sometime in my future. Sometime. Somewhere out there [oh wait, that is a lyric line to a pretty good tune]...... I'll get the call. I know I will. Maybe I should fly to Hollywood, try to get a screen test for a film, and see which comes through first. Wait a minute, I am no Eastwood, Cruise, or Karl Malden [don't have the nose], maybe I will just wait by the phone....

Waiting is good. It builds character, callouses, and such. It allows one the time for real prayer, the kind when you aren't telling God, "oh, wait, can you hold that thought? I have to run off to pick up the kids."

Praying for all of you, and me too,
Mark56

Allow me to BUTT right on in here.......
......ooookay!! I have consulted with the Hollywood people and it's a GOOOOOO!

I must INSIST that Johnny Depp get the Lead. No 2 ways about that.
Whoo should your doctor be? Toss up between Jack Nicholson and Hugh Hefner? sure why not. Ohhhh I knowww...... Wesley Snipes! HE'LL get the job done by golly.
Betty White could be the 'surgeon's scheduling assistant' thaaaat would explain why there's a hold up.....(I just love her) she'd be too busy lookin at Wesley's ....... nevermind
It's rather obvious I've spent too much time in the hot sun today! I was walking my pasture spraying MUSK THISTLE, ...... I think I mixed the chemicals a bit too strong....... I'm starting to see CARE BEARS floating across the room!!
oh dear.

:ROTFLMAO :
Take a shower and go to bed, hire someone 2 spray them thistles!!!

keep pitching your continue to keep on andand proding,and raving keep onif thet dont give u a date soon there will be a

......If our 'dialogue' doesn't seem to be working, well the 'animation' will SURELY get the job done!!