2:24 PM email to Benefits Girl (1/23/09)

Post 14 My Truckalogue

Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 2:24 PM

Hi Benefits Girl,

Just wanted ya'll to know (if you don't already) that I've picked a doctor from the panel, but I don't have and appointment yet. Claims adjuster called this morning to confirm I'd gotten the letter listing the doctors - she'd just gotten her copy of it. I chose one and faxed the form back to Nurse Ratched with Integrated Care Management (the nurse on the case) early this morning. I believe Claims adjuster said somebody would send me a letter with the appointment info enclosed.

It occurred to me that it's no wonder w/c insurance is expensive with so many different companies having a hand in managing just one claim.

Anyway, my shoulder hasn't been hurting as much, but then I haven't used it as much either. When I have to make any kind of unusual movements with my right arm, it seems to awaken a sleeping dog, so to speak. I have varying degrees of pain from just a dull ache to intense stabbing pain. The stabbing pain moves around from my shoulder joint to the middle of my upper arm - like it's right in the middle of my humerus. The first x-rays showed a lump looking thing right where that upper arm pain is the most intense. The first doctor asked if I'd ever broken my arm there - that it could even be something from when I was a kid. But I've never had a broken arm. The MRI picked it up too, but the Orthopedist blew me off so fast - I asked why it hurt so bad in that spot, and he said "That's where it always hurts."

The one I picked from the panel is an Ortho at St. Vincent's in B'ham (Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center) and I'm hopeful he'll take the time to at least try to figure out what's wrong.

Please relay this info to Safety Man - I don't have his email address. And I appreciate y'all's help and understanding.

Thanks much,