Larissa P.

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http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-medical-tourism-follow-story,0,3349638.story

 

Two teaspoons of soft scrambled egg.

Dr. Provost has advanced me to soft foods, and I'm taking it slowly. Tonight's dinner is some fresh chicken broth with a real piece of chicken breast in a blender. Mmmm.

The news is going to do a follow up story on me and Dr. Provost, will keep you updated on that!

This is not a plea for money (obviously, my life threatening situation is over) but just an insight on how I'm starting to face the music and how I'm working to negotiate, etc.

I opened my first bill (lab services) since I got sick, and it was a letter threatening to send me to collections. I called up, and they were SOOOOOO sympathetic and understanding about my situation I was in awe. On the spot they reduced the total by 25%. Just chopped the amount, no questions (besides do you have insurance) asked. Then, they reset the billing so I was no longer delinquent in their computer. Then, they said I'll get a newer bill in 30 days with the new reduced amount, and I don't need to pay a penny until I get the new bill. She said as long as I make small payments and call them every 3 months to update them on my situation, they will keep it out of collections.

Here's to hoping that future negotiations go as well as this one.

Make no mistake, I'll be paying on these until I'm 90 (if I live that long).

I'm doing less of "can you make me...can you get me..." and more of getting up and doing it myself. Tiring, but liberating. I am feeling more normal.

I'm experimenting with protien and find that typical shakes (both pre-made and powders) still aren't thrilling but they stay down just fine. I'm also able to do Bariatric Advantage high-ADEK chewable multis which taste gross but again, everytime I don't want to take it I tell myself DO I WANNA GET HEALTHY OR NOT? Then I chew and swallow and grimace.

So far, the winner is Unjury unflavored protein because I can add some to just about anything it will disolve in and it really doesn't change the taste or texture of the liquid too much. So, I've ordered 4 tubs online.

I go back to Dr. Provost on Tuesday and hope he advances me to soft foods but I will leave that up to him. It sucks to just drink only, but my tummy has to heal it's been through so much.

So nice to only have a sore abdomen because of surgery scars healing and have no issues with the digestive parts! (Except exceptional gas, but I will say no more. Well maybe - open the window, k?)

Man, those food commercials get me. I wanna hot dog.

I was released from the hospital on Monday but have been very tired recovering from the second surgery.

The good news - I have kept everything down that I sip, be it clear liquids or protein drink. I am still just sipping, of course. I'm in moderate pain and this is the first time I've been off the couch to the computer.

I'm amazed to be free of the pain of nuseau and vomiting.

Thanks for all the well wishes, I will update with more details when I can.

Just received a call from Larissa's mother and the surgery to remove the stricture has been successful. She is completing recovery and the doctor estimates she will be allowed to go home on Saturday. What a relief !!!

- Pete

That's the best news in quite a while. Her mother will be with her, but I worked last night and I am going to hang here at home, way too tired to make the 50 mile trip to Denton from here. Will try to get some sleep but I suspect that it won't be a happening thing. Been getting a couple of comments from folks on Dr Provost that are VERY complimentary and that makes things a lot less worrisome. Hopefully I'll get a report from her mother in 3-4 hours. Will post again as soon as I get an update.

- Pete

Just got off the phone with Larissa and we finally have some good news. Now that she is in Presbyterian Hospital as opposed to Denton Regional she has been getting fluids, medication and vitamins via IV and she is feeling better already. The main thing is that Dr. Provost has priviledges in this hospital so things are better organized. Dr Provost recommended that she go into surgery as soon as possible when he stopped by to see her this morning so she called me for advice and I told her to go for it. He just stopped by to check on her this afternoon and the decision was made to get her set for surgery tomorrow to do the repair work on the stricture.

- Pete

I'm not keeping even water down. I feel horrible. I don't want to go to the hospital again, but what can I do?

Apparently, I'm not getting treatment until I cough up thousands that I don't have.

The one saving grace is that Dr. Provost promised if I go into Texas Health Presbyterian instead of Denton Regional he'd make sure they gave me at least some vitamins by IV or something. I'm actually hoping for some nutrition beyond that.

Be it liquid, or possibly a small cracker, I've tried everything. And everything has come up. I keep drinking water in hopes I keep some down (and frankly, it makes what comes up more easy to handle).

I'm going back to Dr. Provost tomorrow, and am trying to set up an appointment with another doctor. Stay tuned, because I'm afraid that a hospital visit is inevitable in the very near future.