30 Days of Gratitude Writing Challenge #26: Eye Specialists

The story of my Medical Crisis began on Friday, and today I went to Houston Eye Associates for my 2nd visit, and hopefully some answers.

Considering the answers I found I am amazed that I took it all so well, and calmly.

It all began with my finding out that the Docs I am seeing are not among those at HEA who accept my Care Credit Card. This means that not only will I probably have to pay the $247 from Saturday, but I had to pay up $273 up front today. Turns out that Care Credit's website doesn't make any qualifications in their listings of facilities in their network.

That's $520 I can ill afford to spend right now, but it was necessary.

I spent 5 hours alternately sitting and waiting, and then taking various tests, including an Ultrasound, and chatting with the Doctor, and someone in the Billing Dept. advising me on the steps I need to take going forward for them to give me the medical help I will need.

As for what I learned....it's troubling:

MY LEFT EYE: The eye that brought me in in the first place has a vitreous hemorrhage w/high pressure...In other words there is blood in the back of the eye.

They have no clear idea what caused it, and have given me 3 types of eye drops to treat the condition, on a daily basis, for now.

MY RIGHT EYE is the serious issue, and took me completely by surprise.

I have a Medium Malignant Melanoma...A cancerous, and deadly, condition if not treated.

The lesion is on the temporal right side of the eye, which means that it is easily treatable.

The sooner the better as it could metastisize and kill me.

There is no way to know how long, exactly, I've had the condition.

The last eye exam I had was in sept., but no retinal exam was done, which would have found it then.

The last eye exam I had, with a retinal scan, was probably 2011, or earlier, and there were no indications of this then.

The last really comprehensive eye exams I had were probably 2008.

So, the next question is...How do we treat the Bastard?

With a process called Gold Plaque Radiation, at MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston....Cost = $100,000.

Yeah, I know..."Boy, am I screwed!" was my first thought, as well. :-D

There is good news, however.

HEA has a Foundation that helps people who can't get assistance via Medicaid or other programs, get the treatment they need.

I need to spend a couple of weeks applying  for the Harris County Health District Insurance - Gold Card, and take the results of that back to HEA to apply for help from the Foundation.

Here's the concern, though: I've only live in Texas, and Harris County for 2 months. Is that long enough to qualify for the Gold Card?

If not the only other option the doc knows of may be to see if my MSI Insurance Card, from Orange County, Ca., is still active, and return there for help.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for me as I look into all this....

I took all this news calmly, matter-of-factly, no tears, no freak out.

I kept my sense of humor, even. :-D

I can't thank the staff at HEA enough for the tests, the explanations of their findings, and their patience with me, and my questions.

When I left and got on the bus to return home, I picked up my copy of Joel Osteen's book, Your best Life Now, and picked up reading where I left off from the other day.

Synchronosteenity struck again, and I want to leave you with 9 quotes from the chapter I read:

Words of comfort and inspiration...

"Sometimes you simply have to choose to see the bright side of situations...Look for something good in your circumstances Fill your mind with good thoughts."

"If you go around thinking happy thoughts, thoughts of victory,  you're going to be happy. You're going to be victorious."

“God has a great future in store for you. He has a new beginning for you. Start dwelling on the fact that God has promised He will turn this situation around and use it to your advantage."

"The Bible says, " I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, positive and negative; therefore God says choose life." 

"We must choose to dwell on the positive, choose to dwell on the good."

“We have to choose to dwell on what's right, rather than on what's wrong. Choose to dwell on what you have, not on what you don't have. Choose to think the right thoughts."

“Keep your mind focused on the good things of God, the Bible says that, "God will keep you in perfect peace."

"Dwell on the fact that God still has  a great plan in store for your life. When one
door closes, God will always open a bigger and better door. But you have to do
your part and stay in an attitude of faith, stay filled with hope."

"Set your mind for success, victory, and progress. If you will do that, God will continually work in your life. He'll fight your battles for you. He'll give you peace in the midst of a storm, and He'll help you live that life of victory that He has in store for you."

Thank you for your support, encouragement, prayers, and donations, it is all very much appreciated.

(This series begins here.)

Next up = 30 Days of Gratitude Writing Challenge #27: A Peculiar Sense of Humor

Medical Update 11/28

Comments

[Fuzzy Tales]

You might not be freaking out, but our human sure would be freaking out. :-(

We're sorry the news isn't good, are sending our best and loudest purrs to you.

Hugs and universal Light.

[Marg]

We are so sorry about the darn eye problems. But you have a terrific attitude. There is not much of anything more important than a positive attitude. We will put this link up in hopes that someone will come donate some green papers.

[Scylla, Socks & Fenris]

Kiril we are sending healing purrs and thank cat and dog this was found in it's early stages.

[The Meezers and MeezerMom Mary]

DaddyKiril - we are so sad to learn of this. WE are praying very hard and we have sent you something in your paypal that we hope will help you in some way (it's from our the mom's email address). We love you dear friend

[jansfunnyfarm]

There was no way to expect this news. You have a very good attitude about everything happening. Praying for things to work out for your good.

Jan

[Father Tom & Mom Julie]

Kiril, you have the right outlook and we hope your strength of spirit will help you as you face this unexpected news.

Fingers crossed and prayers you can still use your CA insurance or the Gold Card is made available to you.

Take care,
Julie, Tom & the kitties

[Rosemary DeLeeuw Bolton]

Hi Kiril, I am on FB but also on Blogger :-)

Ann just sent me this news because I an not on FB much or blogger either. Just busy.

I am praying for you. I hope the docs can get you the treatment that you need.

You are a great guy and you will be in my daily thoughts and prayers

[Penelope]

Kiril, we are so sad to hear about your eyes! BUT we are happy you found out about the cancer now. So perhaps your cloud has a silver lining.

We send you all our love and prayers
Nellie's Mom

[Amanda Socci]

You are so brave, Kiril. I don't know if I would have handled the news as well as you. I am truly sorry I am not able to hug you in person. Know that I'm doing it from my current location, via cyberspace.

I am so, so, so, so, so very sorry for these new medical situations that you are dealing with.

Understandably, you and I will shelve our creative projects for now, to give you time to heal and get your life back together.

[Brian]

I hate you are going through this. We don't have many green papers these days but we will send some next pay day.

Hugs from all of us.

[Cats of wildcat woods]

We hope you qualify for the assistance and will keep you in our purrs and prayers. The right attitude is the best way to go - stay positive!

[Harry Spotter]

We are praying for you and that you will get the medical treatment you need.
Hugs from all of us.

[Karen Jo]

I am so very sorry about your eye problems, but very thankful that the cancer was detected while it can be easily treated. I really hope you can get the assistance that you need. I can chip in a few green papers. Spyro and Oja send you healing purrs.

[Everycat]

Kiril, we are so sorry that this has happened to you. We hope that you can get the treatment you need very soon for that eye. We send you love and rumbly purrs and we are thinking of you

Gerry, Mungo & The Ape

[jaspar]

I have added you to my prayer list.

Get this thing behind you ASAP!

J