Medical Bills Agony
Note: Thanks to some generous charities, my major medical bills have been paid. However, I still am not working at the moment and if you'd like to donate some money my way, I'd really appreciate it.
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Nov. 8, 2008: Can't believe it. Gotta thank some generous charities that forked over big money to pay off my debt. I am eternally grateful. Now all I do is wait for my irregularly-shaped, but semi-functional prosthetic wrist bone to solidify, and to get my ligaments and tendons ready for action again. Consult the good stuff. Keeps the mind sharp.
Although my medical bills are slain, if you'd like to donate some money my way, I'd appreciate it. I'm lifting a little under 10 pounds with my right arm again, so I'm still stretching the relaxed muscles that weren't used in the past 3-4 months of healing. I'd post a picture of my forearm with a decent-looking scar, but past critics don't think it has any socially-redeeming value especially when it comes to the topic of the medically uninsured.
My Total Medical Debt Remaining... $250.00!
Sept. 15, 2008: Took a little vacation on my parent's behalf to take my mind off the recovery. Missed my last follow-up appointment, but I don't feel any different so that's a $280 x-ray I didn't need anyway. Fortunately for me, some generous strangers in Green Bay decided to knock out my local medical bills, but my Milwaukee bills are still stalking me. Such agony, really gotta get rid of it. Get rid of the stalkers.
My Total Medical Debt Remaining... $20,475.76!
August 13, 2008: Scarring up fine, but still have limited wrist movement. Will never be able to move it like normal again because the joint has no bone to pivot off of. Fully regained finger movement, but thumb is still hindered by the joint. Really can't lift or squeeze anything with more than half a pound of pressure.
Still am unable to work, so I'm popping those calcium pills everyday in hopes of speeding up my recovery. Unfortunately, the human body doesn't work that way, so I've pretty much learned to take it a day at a time. Amazing how one's life can change overnight... for better or for worse.
My Total Medical Debt Remaining... $25,141.76!
June 18, 2008: Surgery seems successful. Pathology confirmed Giant Cell Tumor. But pain was a bitch after the surgery, but thank the docs for the narcotics. Got some prescribed painkillers, but I'm going to bear the pain to avoid bowel movement complications (the med's nasty side effect).
Hoping to regain complete movement in fingers within the week. What a horrible system, the American Way: you don't have money, you die. Souless, cold. That's why I ain't going without kicking and screaming. Good time to confirm who your friends really are vs. what they claim to be. Makes you appreciate family even more.
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For those in worst condition, keep on fighting. It's not over until it's over.
June 11, 2008: Surgery is set for tomorrow. The June 6 date was the pre-surgery examination. According to the surgeon, it's a Giant Cell tumor. I learned more about the procedure which involves scraping out the tumor and filling in the cavity with special cement. I'm a little scared, but it has to be done.
In April 2008, I injured my right wrist at work. It's swollen and debilitated, so I barely can use my right hand anymore.
After a visit to the doc and some tests, they diagnosed it as an aneurysmal bone cyst, a soft-tissue tumor. Apparently, my wrist bone is now eaten away by the cyst. I need surgery to remove it and have it replaced with a bone graft.
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I don't have any medical insurance, so I will not be able to pay these expenses. And obviously I can't work at the moment to make any type of income.
But according to the doc, my "ailment" isn't considered work-related because I was prone to get the tumor anyway. Apparently, Worker's Compensation won't pay for those "kinds" of circumstances and I fear that will be the outcome of their "investigation" anyway.
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Ironic how it's not work-related as I went to work with no tumor, then came home with a half-eaten wrist bone. I didn't qualify for any financial aid either, such as Medic-Aid. Seems I'm not poor enough.
Therefore, I'm facing the reality of not being able to pay these bills, in what seems to be the burden of millions of uninsured Americans.
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My surgery has been scheduled for June 12, 2008, so I'm expecting them to bill me promptly after that. In somewhat of a panic, this is what I could think of best. So I lose nothing but a little pride by asking for your generous donations.
I'm estimating the total bills will cost about or more than $30,000. If I can get a non-refundable donation of more or less than $10 from about 3,000 kind strangers, I'm confident I'll be able to pay my impending medical bills.
All I can give you in return is my humble and eternal gratitude.
-Chongchen
