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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2006Back From Testing [OT]
And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* First they had planned to just look at my stomach and upper intestines so they did a "live" barium swallow x-ray. I watched my insides along with the radiologist and saw the liquid going down. On this screen I saw all the sausage-looking intestines and in the middle the small intestine was a grapefruit sized mass (kind of looked like an anaconda that had swallowed a grapefruit). The radiologist then said, OK let's just take a few more "hard" films. They did that and then they came back and said they decided to look at the lower part of my intestines so I had to wait a while for the barium to get down there. Then they said they needed me to drink a *second* large cup of barium. Then they said they needed me to walk around some more, and they kept taking more and more "hard" films but didn't seem to get what they wanted. Then the radiologist came back and did another "live" x-ray and then they finally let me go. My surgeon is out of town this week, so it won't be until next week that I get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results I'll let you guys know.  SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results > I'll let you guys know. Try not to worry too much in the meantime Lori, or make any assumptions about what you saw. Especially so because you had the elective surgery you did. I can imagine that could cause all sorts of problems. (holding your hand as you wait for news) Tweed >> And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > (holding your hand as you wait for news) > Tweed Actually, my stomach (or what's left of it) looks fine, the mass is a lot lower down than where they did the surgery. I don't think this is related to the surgery, but it could be the cause of the constipation I always have problems with. I'm not making any assumptions about cancer or anything - my body tends to "grow" fibroid tumors, so if anything I think it may be one of those, just in a really inconvenient place. If it's just that then it's possible they can remove it and I'll be fine. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ [snips] >Actually, my stomach (or what's left of it) looks fine, the mass is >a lot [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >always have >problems with. Don't worry, it's just a hairball (evil grin). Purrs that all is well. Hugs and Purrs, Mark SignatureProof of Sanity Forged Upon Request > [snips] > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Don't worry, it's just a hairball (evil grin). Purrs that all is > well. ROTFLMAO! You know, it could be, as much as I kiss on my furbabies!!! ;> SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > Hugs and Purrs, > Mark >> [snips] >> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > ROTFLMAO! You know, it could be, as much as I kiss on my > furbabies!!! ;> Wouldn't it be hiliarious if that's really what it is?! Purrs that it be something simple and easily treatable and purrs for your nerves, too. Jill > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* Damn. Relax. Wait for the doctors. Yeah right. Like you are so into calm and relaxed right now. But, if your boss wasn't a world class a.shole, and if you didn't get a migraine from going in to work last Monday, this wouldn't be getting dealt with now. Could have waited until you told him to take a flying "vacation". This might not have become a crisis until you were without a job and without insurance. So maybe someone up there is looking out for you. If so they are sure being rough about it. And to look on the dimly bright side, whatever is wrong isn't causing you any kind of immediate crisis. If it looked like a grapefruit sized mass, from the barrium, doesn't that mean it was more like a baloon? The barrium would not have filled and highlighted a mass would it? Maybe just something like working on a blockage that itsn't completely blocked. This probably isn't an option given your finances. But what about standing up to the ninny you work for. Telling him your are perfectly willing and able to do the job you were hired to do, where you were hired to do it. But that in part due to medical conditions you cannot and will not train on your own dime for a different job at a different location. And sic a big bad employment lawyer on him for wrongful termination due to health issues. I know realizticaly you probably couldn't follow up on a threat like that right now. But do you at least know a lawyer that could write a big bad letter to make him back down for a while? Even in an at will state you can't fire someone for getting sick. And it sounds like he is working his way up to enough employees that more of the rules might apply to him than he thinks. Jo > Even in an at will state you can't fire someone for getting sick. > And it sounds like he is working his way up to enough employees that > more of the rules might apply to him than he thinks. If she quits, though, she won't have health insurance, right? Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Even in an at will state you can't fire someone for getting sick. > > And it sounds like he is working his way up to enough employees that > > more of the rules might apply to him than he thinks. > If she quits, though, she won't have health insurance, right? Yes, she can get COBRA for 36 months. It's not cheap, although it's a lot cheaper than individual insurance, and it's guaranteed. Joyce > > If she quits, though, she won't have health insurance, right? > > Yes, she can get COBRA for 36 months. It's not cheap, although it's > a lot cheaper than individual insurance, and it's guaranteed. Oh -- I thought that was only for layoff type situations. Although this guy doesn't sound like he'll do a great job of providing the proper paperwork, etc. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Yes, she can get COBRA for 36 months. It's not cheap, although it's > > a lot cheaper than individual insurance, and it's guaranteed. > Oh -- I thought that was only for layoff type situations. No, you can get it if you quit, too. You can't get unemployment if you quit, but I think COBRA is available regardless of the reason you left your job. > No, you can get it if you quit, too. You can't get unemployment if > you quit, but I think COBRA is available regardless of the reason > you left your job. I guess that's one thing they sorta kinda got right. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > No, you can get it if you quit, too. You can't get unemployment if > > you quit, but I think COBRA is available regardless of the reason > > you left your job. > I guess that's one thing they sorta kinda got right. Yeah, well, that one doesn't cost the company anything (except maybe to pay someone to do the paperwork), because you're paying the premium. They keep paying your premium every month just as though you were still on the payroll, but you have to send them (your former employer) a check for that same amount every month to cover it. The only one who loses out is the insurance company, who has to keep insuring you at the same plan level, and for the same premium, as you had when you were employed, instead of jacking up the price or dumping you altogether <violins playing>. Joyce > > I guess that's one thing they sorta kinda got right. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > as you had when you were employed, instead of jacking up the price > or dumping you altogether <violins playing>. Right, but at least there's that -- you stay as part of the company plan. It can actually affect the company, if your medical costs are enough to bump up the premium the next year. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > It can actually affect the company, if your medical costs are enough > to bump up the premium the next year. Although if she's planning on leaving because the boss is an a$$hole, the effect on "next year's" premiums is probably far, far from her mind. SignatureSam, closely supervised by Mistletoe >> It can actually affect the company, if your medical costs are >> enough to bump up the premium the next year. >> > Although if she's planning on leaving because the boss is an > a$$hole, the effect on "next year's" premiums is probably far, far > from her mind. Yeah ... what I meant is that companies still might have an incentive to "misplace" paperwork and drag their feet. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> It can actually affect the company, if your medical costs are >>> enough to bump up the premium the next year. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Yeah ... what I meant is that companies still might have an incentive > to "misplace" paperwork and drag their feet. When we were depending on COBRA I had to be very careful not only to get the payments there on time but to make sure the checks cleared. The company was fine but there was a shithead in the office who wasn't above misplacing a payment and saying it was never received. Or canceling with the insurance company based on non-payment when in fact they had the payment. Jo >>> If she quits, though, she won't have health insurance, right? >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Although this guy doesn't sound like he'll do a great job of providing > the proper paperwork, etc. COBRA is available if you quit your job voluntarily or if you are terminated (but not for reasons of gross misconduct). The employee, spouse and eligible dependent children (taken as a whole), however, can only use COBRA for 18 months. The 36 month rule is for spouse and dependent children who require coverage in the event of a divorce, legal separation or the death of the covered employee. And it ain't cheap. Jill >>>> If she quits, though, she won't have health insurance, right? >>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > And it ain't cheap. Another note: I don't know how many employees Lori's boss or the corporation has, but if it's less than 20 he doesn't have to offer the COBRA continuation option. But if there are more than 20 he can't delay getting the paperwork to her just because he's a jerk. It's required by law to make this available within 30 days of separation of employment. Then Lori would have 60 days from the date of notification to notify the plan administrator/insuror of her decision to continue coverage and submit the appropriate premium. As to the cost, the plan administrator may require an additional 2% of the actual premium to cover administrative costs. Jill Jill > Another note: I don't know how many employees Lori's boss or the > corporation has, but if it's less than 20 he doesn't have to offer the COBRA > continuation option. In California, there's a state version of COBRA (called "Cal-COBRA") to fill in just this gap - if your company had fewer than 20 employees, disqualifying you from COBRA, you can get it via the state law. I don't know if <state Catnipped lives in, is it Texas?> has anything like this, but it's worth looking into if her company's that small. Jyce > > Another note: I don't know how many employees Lori's boss or the > > corporation has, but if it's less than 20 he doesn't have to offer the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Jyce Yeah, the company *IS* that small. I don't know how many employees he "officially" has now that he's bought out that other company (who will be doing my job), but the "base" company only has about 8 or 10 employees. I have no idea how much I'd have to pay in COBRA for just my own coverage (DH and I have found that it's *MUCH* cheaper to each have our own coverage rather than "family") - but with my current medical problems I have to have *continuous* coverage until I get whatever is wrong with me right now fixed. SignatureHugs, CatNipped See all my masters at: http://www.PossiblePlaces.com/CatNipped/ > > > Another note: I don't know how many employees Lori's boss or the > > > corporation has, but if it's less than 20 he doesn't have to offer the [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > CatNipped I'm so sorry you're having this setback. I'm sure everyone's premium is different, and it probably varies state-to-state, but my sister's COBRA premium was around $800 per month. Ridiculous. It just makes me so mad all over again at the health care situation. It's practically legalized extortion. Purrs for a good outcome, swift and uncomplicated resolution. Sherry >I'm so sorry you're having this setback. I'm sure everyone's premium is >different, and it probably varies state-to-state, but my sister's COBRA [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >Sherry Yeah, COBRA is insane. I would have had to pay $350+/month just for *me* to continue my coverage. I ended up going to a local agent and getting a 6-month temporary policy (renewable 1 time) for slightly more than $100/month. Jeanne Hedge, as directed by Natasha ============ http://www.jhedge.com >> > Another note: I don't know how many employees Lori's boss or the >> > corporation has, but if it's less than 20 he doesn't have to offer the [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > have to have *continuous* coverage until I get whatever is wrong with me > right now fixed. We are sending purrs for a good resolution of your work and for your health problems. Gotta keep those cats in kibble. I suspect you are already this organized, but remember that anytime a work situation starts to go sour, keep contemporaneous notes. It can really save you if things get "adversarial" Jo ...with my current medical problems I have to have > *continuous* coverage until I get whatever is wrong with me right now > fixed. > Hugs, > CatNipped Lori, I think you have two issues. I am not an expert or attorney, so you will want to do some checking on my accuracy. Below is how I understand the situation. I am assuming that the changes your employer is making in your job situation are not based on problems with your job performance. However, in Texas, he probably could eliminate the position altogether, which is sounds like what he may be doing. One issue, assuming that the job is still there, is the change in your working conditions. You may be able to continue to work from home if you are covered uder the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to make "reasonable accommodations" for people with some medical conditions. If you are covered and request the equipment you need, the employer may decide to go ahead and work out a deal to let you continue to work at home where you provide your own equipment. If your employer fires you after you make a request for reasonable accommodations, you may have a retaliation case. I don't know what this would do for you, but it is something to consider so that you can keep your job and health insurance. It might make it harder for him to push you out. The second issue is getting the medical treatment you need now. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may give you some rights if you are still employed. On another tangent, maybe the hospital or wherever you will have your surgery has a social worker who helps people coordinate the care and payment resources. I wish I could be more help. This is a terribly difficult time for you and your family. You certainly deserve a break. I hope things will start to go your way. Mega hugs, Annie > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > that I get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls > with results I'll let you guys know. God. I'd be going nuts right about now wondering what they did or didn't see. Many purrs, both for your nervers as you wait on the news, and for this to be no big deal when you do find out what it is. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* ...> CatNipped Oh, my. That is worrisome. I hope it is not a bad as it seems. Texas size purrs and prayers are headed your way from Cinder and Rosie and me on Genesis in Charleston, S.C. Many hugs. Annie, crew for Rosie and Cinder Purrs that it turns out to be benign, and that this can be determined without surgery. Purrs for a quick answer, too. Joy > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results > I'll let you guys know. >And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] >get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results >I'll let you guys know. Uck -- sorry it was such a hassle. And I hope that the news from your doctor is good. Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.moonsummer.com http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~summer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) So sorry to be reading about this, Catnipped! Many purrs from us to you for the testing to have favorable results. We'll be thinking of you and sending purrayers. Christine and Oreo, Midnight, Robin & Tucker > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results > I'll let you guys know. > And it didn't go too well. *SIGH* > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > get an "official" diagnosis, but if his stand-in doctor calls with results > I'll let you guys know. Lots and lots of purrs, best wishes and gentle hugs, Polonca and Soncek |
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