Thanks all for the kind replies. I realize that I'm very lucky to have minimal consequences after only 6 months. Many people have greater struggles for much more time. That's one of the reasons I try to stay active here and as well as getting involved with the local ANA group. I want to give hope to those who are after me as well as those that had procedures done after me that there is ALWAYS hope for the future; that's there's a light at the end of the seemingly endless tunnel we're all in.
About the insurance thing. It turns out that I didn't have the "choice" that I thought I had. While I was free to "choose" HMO over the PPO, ultimately they wanted to get numbers of people who wanted each and decide based on that what could be done. I was the only one to have chosen HMO and such to add it to the plan would have greatly increased the monthly rate for all. It was decided by the owner that we'd only have a PPO at this time to keep the group cost down as much as possible. The plan exactly was chosen with that in mind also (they weren't going to have a medical history, or ask any questions about history on the PPO plan we went with, but they would have with others). Ultimately, PPO was the only choice. It just wasn't the choice that I made. The owner's wife called me this morning to talk about it and explain it all to me. She honestly felt bad about it, but felt for the good of the group, it had to be done. I understand now and I'm ok with it...I don't like it, but I'm ok with it. With only 18 of us on the company insurance, I should be thankful that I have any kind of coverage at all. I am.
If I don't "talk" to any of you before, have a great Thanksgiving! And yes, Marci, I'm planning on having one for the ages. I learned over the last 7 months that I have MUCH to be thankful for; much of which I have always took for granted before now.
Regards,
Brian
