OK. *sigh* Here goes. I got in touch with the integrative doctor (well, the office) that may be able to help Gary yesterday - at least with these insane fevers (if not the cluster headaches, given there seems to be a connection). I didn’t post yesterday about it (other than in passing, in a comment), because, well, it’s not good news. I really dont want to think about it, I have to just focus on what needs to be done right now. It starts with this doctor being booked into February. Im used to six or eight weeks out. Hell, even Dr. Zingman fit him in once he learned what his symptoms were. So no pity factor here. It WAS funny - the receptionist started with the Dr. Gedroic is booked into February, are you still interested? Um - well, given that my husband heats up to 104, 105, and 106 degrees over several hours two, three, four times a WEEK now (it used to be just several times a month) - but as this has been going on since 2008 and not even the Head of Clinical Infectious Disease at Einstein (Zingman) has been unable to help - and with each fever he now openly weeps because he feels like hes dying - um, yeah, February is FINE. I mean really – the clusters (the most intense pain a human can experience) are almost a doddle compared to these things at this point. Honestly? I expected an earlier appointment due to the “wow” factor involved in Gary’s illness. Here’s the good news: The receptionist says, Well, he can start by seeing the Physicians Assistant. Basically, they have a long intake process at the initial appointment, and he can get set up for the extensive blood work testing. (Amy, Im seeing at least 17 vials of blood being drawn. I hope they leave him some - if we even get that far, of course). And then Gary can see the Doc (in February) after all of that, and the tests will be back (yeah, Id HOPE so!). I scheduled the first available appointment - November 24th. For the Physician’s Assistant. THEN we discussed costs. $875 for the first appointment, $375 for the 2nd, and only $225 after that (they dont take insurance - even if we had it). I managed not to pass out or drop the phone or something, and eeked out an OK like I can come up with it. They want half of the first appointment up front, 2 days before the appointment (!!), and took my credit card number on the call to have on file. (HAHAHA, yeah, good luck with that one). As to the “extensive” blood work? I said – “you mentioned extensive blood work. Are we talking… thousands without insurance?” Answer: “Yes.” I didn’t hang up, though really, what’s the point? It’s like saying Gary has to fly to Mars with an umbrella to get treatment. Honestly, Im still feeling rather stunned. I told Gary about the appointment. He asked - How much? I told him. He just laughed and laughed. I guess it was nice to see him having a good belly laugh - its been a while.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:09:58 +0000
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