A Rough Day

I am having a very rough day today.  The kind of day that I often find myself debating on the issue of whether or not I am sick enough to go to an ER.  Should I stay or should I go?  This is a battle I have been fighting since yesterday evening.  Stay home or go to the ER?  I was up all night with severe nausea, dry retching and vomiting.

I know it sounds like Steve's broken record; the fact I have been suffering from two severe and invisible chronic illness (ICI), Type 1 Diabetes and gastroparesis in my life. 

For those of us who suffer from gp, I hope and pray that a new discovery in the treatment of gastroparesis.  It is my hope and prayer that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will change their policy in regards to the nuero-simulator for the stomach.  I have been told that the simulator can only relieve up to 30-60% of digestive ills, mainly nausea.  But 30-60% of relief sounds like relief.

If anyone has some ideas then I am more then ready to listen.

Precious Lord, thank you for each and every blessing you have bestowed upon me.  I pray that I may endure the suffering that comes from gp.  May you grant us all the love and happiness we may endure.  Knowing you are there is what makes this possible.

Let's Call BLACK Friday "Seasick GREEN" Friday

Well, I made it through another Thanksgiving; my sixth since I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis (GP).  I made it through Thanksgiving utilizing my mad skills at watching cable, being on the computer or Kindle, and everyone with GP's favorite oxymoron; how it is possible for one person to be nauseous and hungry at the same time.  GP is always throwing us for a loops like that.

What I hated about yesterday and the upcoming holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas Eve and Christmas that I can say, even now, that I most likely will not be attending any of these events.  This will be the third year I have missed everything.  What I am hoping for is that I will get to my in-laws home after the Christmas meal.  I pray I am well enough to attend.  Unfortunately my track record is not to good.

Have a wonderful Hanukkah, Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Thanksgiving 2014

Here we are again... Thanksgiving.  The one holiday where food is the holiday.  Yet, for many gp'ers this holiday once again proves that are bellies have become the brain of the operation for how we live.  This will be my third year to miss the holiday.  Pass Thanksgiving away as a loss, time to pass Thanksgiving as a non-gp holiday.  It is sad.

What are you doing for your holiday?

Oh yeah. have a Happy Thanksgiving 2014.

Blue Cross Blue Shield...Bite Me

Recently my wife and I attempted to come up with a number of how many times I been in the hospital, both hospitalized and times I visited the ER since my gp was diagnosed.  Along with that total we asked how many times have I been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.  The numbers where scary!  We estimated that I was in the hospital 45-50 times since I had been diagnosed with gastroparesis six years ago.  As for the ambulance rides, I counted eight or nine times.  Ridiculous!

A few years ago, after my symptoms worsened my wife and I went to an appointment to see the gastroenterology department at Henry Ford Hospitals.  We heard that of all the local hospital networks, Henry Ford Hospital was one of the leaders in doctors who knew about gp.  In particular, we went to Henry Ford to see about getting a nuero-simulator for my stomach.  I think anyone who suffers gp will agree that 20-60% of nausea relief some AWESOME!  Thus we went to see the surgeon and I was happily told by the surgeon that I was a perfect candidate.

Then came the slap to my hope.

The surgeon told us that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBS) will not pay for this surgery.  According to BCBS the implant is still considered as "research" and as such they will not pay.  My secondary insurance will help, but only if  BCBS also pays.  By the way the cost for this surgery is approximately $50,000.

For anyone who chooses to read my blog will find that I will often fall back to this issue with BCBS.  Here's the question:

How many hospital visits and ambulance rides will they have to pay for until they see it would be cheaper and to give me the surgery?

What do you think?

Reason For the Blog

Hello, my name is Steve.  I am a middle-aged husband and a father of one beautiful girl.  The reason for this blog is two-fold.  First, by posting whats happening in my life in regards to the activity and treatment for my gastroparesis (gp) then I feel it is likely that some information from this blog may be of aid to someone who is also suffering from gp, aka "the stomach flux" everyday of their lives.  The second reason I created this blog is so I may express what's going on in my gp-life.  By typing away my frustrations I feel my self relaxing, both physically and emotionally. Feel free to send me comments and advice.