Miss P will have her day!

When is the final question.

Dr Thomas Sangiovanni, MD Orthopedic Foot / Ankle Surgeon Miami, FL, has submitted to Miss P's insurance a request for an overdue surgery that is needed. Her appointment with him was wonderful by all accounts. She has absolutely no cartilage in her ankle (which has practically fused itself these past years). The good news is that she was thought to only walk for a "few" years after her last surgery and she has lasted longer than that, although not pain free. She is a trooper in that department and the long awaited approval for the FDA approved ankle replacement has come just over 2 years ago and has proven remarkable in its results. This doctor not only has performed about 40 of them, he teaches the technique as well to other surgeons.

Miss P went to the office knowing she had all the factors against her; age the most significant. He informed her that no matter what factors were involved, she needed it now. We have found out that her insurance will cover 80 percent of the hospital costs. That is significant! She will need to be off her feet in a cast for approximately 6 weeks (weekly visits for check ups and recasts). Then another 6 weeks in a boot (more than half of those off her feet as well). Then after about 3 to 4 months in physical therapy for unknown time. All this resulting in her being able to walk normally (depending on degree of movement he can provide in the ankle) and without pain. A limp without pain is wonderful I'm sure, no dancing etc. and results may last up to 10 years depending on how it goes. Good news is that it can be "re-done". Bad news is that this will be the 3rd surgery on the ankle and that her heel is in bad shape and cannot be fixed, but the ankle is what is most needed. AND HE CAN FIX IT!!!!! Being the great/talented doctor that he is, he asked her to most certainly consult other ankle replacement surgeons and find the person who she feels most secure with and whom she feels would best fit her needs. She told him that she is MOST comfortable with him and his talents (he is the best around from what everyone has said) Baptist is a wonderful hospital and best rated. He would do the surgery at Doctors Hospital. So.................

The other patient is Mr. B.. He is recovering perfectly from what the doctors are telling him. He goes for follow -up again beginning of November. Vision is not improved and there is still some scarring preventing perfect clarity, but until the cornea fully heals they say that is normal. We wait. He is miserable. We wait.

Mr. L passed on the opportunity to travel as an ambassador with people to people in Australia to the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney Opera House, the Outback with the Aborigine peoples. Flying isn't his thing, and money isn't ours! So it all worked out, but definitely a missed opportunity!

Mr. R.... hmmmmmmmm Mr. R.

Me, my knee is killing me, my eyes are hurting, my brain has melted, my wrinkles a bit deeper, and my true hair color a mystery.

Sorry for the long wait on this info...... I'm tired.... so tired.

We are scrambling.