I got my doctor...and getting my ring fixed!

So I went through all my old paperwork at the end of last week, and found all my worker's comp paperwork from my elbow injury from 2002, and was able to get a hold of the insurance company to see about re-opening my claim. When I had dealt with these people before, they were so rude to me, so I was expecting more of the same. This time, however, the were very nice and helpful. They said that in order to re-open the claim, I need to print out a Petition to Re-Open form from the Industrial Commission of Arizona, who is the department in charge of all worker's comp claims. I can print that form out online through their website, and then I need to send that in to them with a medical report showing that I do need the elbow replacement and why. Now, the next obstacle was making sure that the doctor that did my original surgery was still available and would take worker's comp claims, since last time I had seen him he was considering no longer doing any worker's comp claims since they are sometimes just close claims and not may not render payment that they should. My biggest worry was that the doctor would not be able to perform the surgery. He is one of the top surgeons at Banner Desert Samaritan Hospital here in Mesa, AZ, and he did such a wonderful job on the surgery and I felt very comfortable with him. If he couldn't do the surgery, I was going to have to consult with a few other doctors and find one I felt comfortable with.

So I made the fateful phone call yesterday morning and good news, Dr. Purcell is still available and does take worker's comp claims! The first available appointment was August 13th, so I grabbed it. Now I just need to pick up a copy of my x-rays and then I will be all ready to meet with the doctor again. It has been 6 years since the original surgery and as much as I am very nervous and anxious about getting this elbow replacement done, at least I know I will be in good hands with a wonderful doctor who will take good care of me.

Besides the whole elbow thing, things are going well. Phil is really enjoying his new job working as a contractor for Intel. He leaves around 5am every morning and gets home around 3pm. With him having such a great job now has helped us to stop worrying so much about how we are going to make ends meet, because know we will be having a constant income coming in weekly and we are going to be able to finally get caught up on our bills. It really has helped me not be so stressed, since I am the one who is in charge of paying the bills and such. And I still plan on trying to get a job being a greeter at Wal-Mart, because I would love to be able to take the money I make there and just sock it away in our savings, but right now I am going to put that on hold since I am going to need the time available for the surgery and all the rehabilitation needed.

Oh...and remember when I said on my birthday I noticed that one of the diamonds was missing from my engagement ring? Well, we had gone to the store where he bought it twice, asking what could be done, because when we moved, I lost the receipt! I figured we'd be screwed and we'd end up having to get it replaced ourselves, and who knows how much that would set us back. Well, I ended up being near the store last week and the manager was there who recognized me since we had come in together to buy the set. She was so sweet and took care of everything, she found all the information on the ring and sent it off to repair, with no charge to us! She said it will be about 2 weeks to a month before it will come back in, and she will call me personally when it does. So I was so happy and grateful, and she is also having them check the other settings to make sure they are all secure. Luckily the setting in my wedding band was fine, so I still have that, I just like wearing the set together, so I miss it.

Well, that's about all that's new around here. I hope all is well for all my blog friends out there!