50+ thread

So, I guess it's my turn to share a recent health / medical situation.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the bathroom, and while in the process of sitting down, I felt the most God awful pain in my right inner thigh, right at the groin. Probably the 3rd worst pain I have ever felt. I panicked for a moment thinking I had shredded the muscle, torn a ligament / tendon.... but once I sat still, I had zero pain. It was only when I went to flex or put a load on that muscle that it screamed at me. I called my wife to come help. She tried to help me stand up, but I'm a big guy, and she just wasn't able to do it. So, I knew I had no other options, I called 911, explained my situation, that it was not life threatening, please send an Ambulance. Yeah, the very scenario nightmares are made of, right? Stuck on the toilet, pants (or shorts in my case) around your ankles, and you need the Paramedics to come rescue you. My wife started to comfort me saying "they are used to seeing people in awkward situations", when I responded "I lost all modesty and share 18 years ago when I spent a month in the hospital with my spinal cord injury. I was paralyzed for a week, then spent the next 3 re-learning to walk again. Since I had zero control over my lower body, I had to be taught how to catheterize myself (every 6 hours), and the Nurses had to give me enemas every 2 - 3 days for most on that month."

So fortunately thy had 3 Paramedics show up, they got me up and onto their gurney. Amazingly, once I was standing, I could walk with zero pain from that muscle, it was only while sitting and rising where the muscle is being worked, that it hurt like @$%^&*().

Fast forward to the local ER. Doctor came to evaluate me, I explained everything. He sent me for a CT scan on the right hip, since I told him I had been diagnosed in 2014 with severe osteoarthritis in both hips (left one was surgically addressed at that time). He suspected today's issue could be related to the arthritis in the right hip, hence the CT. The results came back showing I still have the arthritis, but no other indications of any issues. They gave me a referral to an Orthopedic surgeon in the next town to get his more expert opinion. The Doctor back in 2014 told me the left hip was very bad, hence why I had it "resurfaced" then, he said the right hip was not as bad, but would likely get there in another couple years. Well, I made it at least 11 more years, so we will see what comes from the Ortho Doc.

The gave me a Steroid, muscle relaxer, and heavy pain meds at the ER. I didn't really feel any difference until I got up this morning, and I realized I had slept better last night than I have in months. Zero pain from that groin muscle, and basically none of the other leg/back pains I have been dealing with for a while now. ER Doc gave me a 7 day Rx for the muscle relaxer and heavy pain med, my wife will go pick them up at the Pharmacy today.

Of course this happens while we are in the process of slowly pack up up to move.... But one bright spot in all this. I had not had any health insurance since my severance package from my last employer expired in January 2024. My wife had been suggesting I apply for Medicaid, and in May I finally did so. I was approved and got my insurance card just last week Kinda reminds me of the scenario where you get a big pay raise or end of year work bonus... and then the next week your car/truck blows the engine and now you get to spend all that extra money on repairs or a new car/truck

Happy Friday everyone!!

 

Glad you're feeling better. All the stress you're under isn't helping I'm sure.

 

Yeah, not doing much for my motivation and morale!

 

We saw quite a few Kings about that size swimming the river, just were not able to catch any

 

Thank goodness you had coverage!

 

Well that sucks, sorry Tom

 

Indeed! I am a little nervous to see what, if any co-pay will be needed for an ER visit where I was not admitted to the hospital. Normal health plans usually have a $250 deductible for non-admission, and they waive that if you do get admitted. I have never had Medicaid before, so will find out soon enough.

 

It has certainly been an interesting last few years.

Shortly after we all moved to KY, my father-in-law spent a few days in the hospital in their town for COPD issues.
In summer of 2023, my wife was admitted to our local hospital 3 times within 2 months for an ongoing situation that started as a sepsis infection due to her taking Ozempic (I think it was), which eventually lead to an ulcer in her stomach, and a couple other, more minor issues. The local hospital was hesitant to try treating the ulcer, as there are no Gastroenterologists in this area, so they sent her up to Lexington, the University of Kentucky Medical Center (~100 miles north).
And now it was my turn......

Sometimes I think of the quote "That which does not kill me makes me stronger". And then I think "at this point, I should be somewhere beyond Superman...."

 

Well it looks like wife and I are going camping on Monday, and the dog of course. We’ll see how long we can handle it We’re winging it, hopefully find a rustic site on the Pere Marquette or the Au Sauble rivers. Had a doctors appointment this morning with a surgeon, I have a herniated navel. So that’s scheduled for July 30th. Gotta get busy and have some fun this summer before the procedure, a couple weeks of recovery time Hell the truck is mostly packed, load up the top of the truck and the cooler and

 

I’m happy with our Medicare so far, premiums ain’t cheap but the coverage and co pays are decent. I would assume Medicaid is somewhat reasonable

 

I would expect so, as the program is intended for low / very low income people / families.

 

Yeah, been with my Chiropractor for 20+ years, and do Acupuncture now too….only mildly helps in my case.

 

I don’t blame you

 

X2

 

Happy hour is being moved inside. It’s only 64F with a cool sea breeze. MermAndy is complaining “things” are rubbing the clamshells.

 

Dammit Tom. Hate to see this but glad you had Medicare.

Enjoy your camping trip Jim!