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Lorr47 -> To amputate or not to amputate (5/30/2009 2:59:34 PM)
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In January I broke my wrist. While they were fixing the wrist the doctors found a tumor that had eaten the lower bone in my forearm in half and hollowed out the other main bone. Basically a cast thereafter kept the hand attached to my arm. (right hand of course) They removed the tumor and since part of the tumor was mixed in with the nerves they used two different procedures. The doctor was concerned with the procedure around the nerve area and sure enough the tumor reoccurred. The tumor grew more in the 2 1/2 month period than in the estimated initial none months.
Yesterday the doctor said that to reconstruct the hand and wrist and forearm would require cutting out a four inch section of the arm and rebuilding it using bone graphs. Even then I would not have full use of my hand. The cost would be in the $30,000 to $50,000 range.
The first surgery cost me about $12,000.00 and I have not paid it all off yet. I do not have insurance since the carrier wiggled out of any coverage when a dependent started having surgeries which topped $250,000.00.
The alternative is to amputate the arm just below the elbow. That does away with the tumor and the bone destruction. Amputation also is cheep.
I have noticed that some here have afflictions that make mine seem picayune. The doctor has said that "there is help out there" but never has defined what he meant. Can any of you point me in the right direction as to what he is referring to. He now has two nurses doing making calls since I favor amputation.
Secondly, I am mindful that amputation is drastic but have no intention of spending my last days arguing with bill collectors. I straightened out my x wife's medical bills and the amount paid by insurance carriers was substantially less than that billed to the individual. For instance, a doctor sent her a bill for $24,000 but he took $3,500 from an insurance company. However, they were firm about the $24,000 for my wife when they were dealing with her as an individual. Are there individuals who deal with this nonsense; what is their job classification? I feel it is better if someone else negotiate with the hospital first since I have no sense of humor and file law suits.
Thirdly, for the last four months it really has been like my hand, wrist and forearm have already been amputated as far as getting anything done. However, the pain mixed in with the inability to do something may be coloring my thinking. I am going to the vets facility to ask amputees what they think about the choices. Anyone know amputees and their opinion?
The doctor is not giving me much time. I pointed out that my kidneys are bleeding again and that puts most operations off. However, it will not delay anything this time. He is concerned that my arm will split open from the pressure exerted by the tumor.
I am trying to make an informed decision and can live with either outcome.
Thanks.
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