For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Fri Jan 24, 2014 6:09 pm

For the last couple of weeks, my postings, rants, etc. have been down, due to a two week stay in the local hospital, for surgical repair of an internal problem. Surgery does take a lot out of you, and is not a pleasant experience, as those who have had massive invasive surgery can attest.

Anyway, I hurt all over, but the medics have decided that it was OK for me to go home, nine days following the operation. The operative phrase from my misguided youth, is "I feel like I've been shot at and missed, and shit at and hit."

But I am slowly regaining my strength. The docs figure it will take 2-4 months for a full recovery, and I see no reason to dispute that assessment.

But despite my weakened condition, I am ready to resume my role as the board's resident curmudgeon.

Drawscore

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby ebascoray » Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:28 pm

Well, we will all look forward to your "curmudgeon-ness". Resume when you want!

Ebascoray

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Shanyalovestape » Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:14 pm

Get well soon !
Just your average,bondage-loving asian girl

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby sarobah » Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:19 am

Welcome back... and GO HILLARY & MICHELLE 2016!
Words, like Nature, half reveal and half conceal the soul within.

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby xtc » Sat Jan 25, 2014 3:19 am

Is there any truth in the rumour that the staff all had whip round for your transport home?
Seriously, though, I'm sorry to hear about the hospitalisation and delighted that you're back with us.
Things might now return to normal.
Wassail!
Xtc
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Tieup1 » Sat Jan 25, 2014 10:46 am

Welcome back, and get well soon :)

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jack Roper » Sat Jan 25, 2014 1:40 pm

Yes Drawscore, I was wondering why the unusual silence from your corner. Sorry to hear about your operation. Did they take out your bile?
get well soon, and feel free to start your disputations again, merrily, of course.
:spank;

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Chris12 » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:52 am

I'm sorry to hear that but i''m glad your on the road to recovery.

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:41 pm

Thanks to the well-wishers on both sides.

Drawscore

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jason Toddman » Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:10 pm

Yeah, lying in a hospital bed for several weeks is hard. It was the only time i watched TV for more than a few minutes at a time in the last ten years. Often wound up watching either Fox or MSNBC! Gawd, i was glad to get home. If i hadn't had my laptop and WIFI, I'd have gone crazy!
Hope you have good health insurance though; otherwise your troubles are just beginning. My own cancer surgery would have cost me over $65,000 plus another $10,000 in separate bills out of pocket otherwise.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Mon Jan 27, 2014 4:32 pm

All costs fully covered. Not a penny out of pocket, save for a can of Diet Coke, and a couple of sandwiches from the hospital convenience store. Great plan, and the best thing, is that it is unaffected by Obamacare.

Drawscore

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jack Roper » Mon Jan 27, 2014 6:27 pm

Yeah, if you like your insurance plan you can keep it. Where have I heard that before?

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:16 pm

Glad you recognize Politifact's "Lie of the Year."

But regardless, my health care plan is structured in such a way, that Obamacare makes no difference. Many many years ago, I was smart enough and fortunate enough to enroll in the VA health care system. I am lucky enough to have one of the best VA Medical Centers in the US, within five miles of my home.

Drawscore

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jack Roper » Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:37 pm

The VA? isn't that, like, Socialized medicine or something?

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby mistofoleese » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:05 am

Jack Roper wrote:The VA? isn't that, like, Socialized medicine or something?

No its Simple Speaking from the point of fellow veteran and retired military the VA is EARNED you serve your country the VA has your back once your done at no cost to you what so ever.
From your remarks Jack I am guessing you never have served
DS I am glad to hear your on the mend gimme a shout if I can do anything for you

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jason Toddman » Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:06 am

It'd be nice if i could take a advantage of something like that, but since i left the military with a general discharge (under honorable conditions) rather than a honorable discharge (because of being caught in homosexual relations with a fellow airman), I don't qualify for VA benefits. Bummer. :annoy:
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby Jack Roper » Wed Jan 29, 2014 4:01 pm

The Veteran's Administration is, of course, a government run program--therefore a form of socialized medicine. Of course Vets earned it--I am not disputing that. Just that Drawscore is always taking the so-called free enterprise argument against "Obamacare", etc. and yet here he is using a Federal program that he would otherwise be condemning. "Obamacare" is not a free program, unless you are at the poverty level. Folks have to pay for their coverage, but because so many people will now be covered and not denied coverage, the price should ultimately go down.
Get well soon, Drawscore, and don't forget to sign up for Social Security when your time comes. More Socialism!!!!

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Wed Jan 29, 2014 7:55 pm

Jason Toddman wrote:It'd be nice if i could take a advantage of something like that, but since i left the military with a general discharge (under honorable conditions) rather than a honorable discharge (because of being caught in homosexual relations with a fellow airman), I don't qualify for VA benefits. Bummer. :annoy:


You'd be surprised at the benefits for which you are eligible. Your best bet, would be to take a copy of your DD-214 to the VA Regional Office, or to a local Veterans Service Office (VSO) at the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, or other veterans organization.

I am fortunate, in that the VA Regional Office that serves my area, is right here in town; that we also have one of the best VA Medical Centers in the country adjacent to the Regional Office; and that several VSO's have offices on the hospital campus, and their sole functions are to guide vets through the maze of regulations and paperwork, and get them the benefits for which they are eligible.

Since you are from Maine, my best SWAG (Scientific Wild-Ass Guess) would be that your VA Regional Office would be in or near Boston. There should be an 800 number. There may also be a state department of Veterans Services or Veterans Affairs which can help.

I am also fortunate that the operation was deemed necessary, due to a connection with military service. I'm thinking my VA disability rating will jump to 60% (from 30%), but first, I have to go through my primary care provider, plus check with the VSO, to see if any forms or other paperwork need to be completed. My surgeon has already said he would sign off on any paperwork.

As for the VA being "socialized medicine," perhaps so. It is also an earned benefit, NOT an entitlement. However, almost ALL the medical personnel, from the general practitioners, to the specialty surgeons, to the nurses, to the orderlies, WANT to be there, unlike physicians and surgeons in private practice, who are told that they will take what the government (Medicare and Medicaid) says they should get, and if they don't like it, they have to take it anyway, or the government will no longer refer patients to them.

Drawscore
Last edited by drawscore on Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: For those That Didn't Know

Postby drawscore » Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:09 pm

mistofoleese wrote:
Jack Roper wrote:The VA? isn't that, like, Socialized medicine or something?

No its Simple Speaking from the point of fellow veteran and retired military the VA is EARNED you serve your country the VA has your back once your done at no cost to you what so ever.
From your remarks Jack I am guessing you never have served
DS I am glad to hear your on the mend gimme a shout if I can do anything for you



Thank you.

Complete recovery should take 2-4 months.

One minor correction, though. The VA does employ a sliding scale of payment. For instance, more affluent veterans receiving prescriptions, pay anywhere from $7 to $21 for a 30 day supply, depending on the prescription. Also, vets over 62 who opt for an insurance plan which restores the $100 a month deducted from Social Security for Medicare, have that plan billed for services, but are not charged any more that what that plan pays.

However, once initial means testing is done, it's done. I know of a vet who was next to broke, and means testing determined that he would receive all his care and scripts at no charge. Then he applied for, and was awarded, a settlement for exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, of close to $150,000. Despite his windfall, the VA still goes by his original means test, and he receives his care and scripts at no charge. An alternate reason for this, is that the government might consider the exposure. a "service connected disability," which would make him eligible for no cost care, regardless of his affluence, or lack thereof.

Drawscore