It's getting rough out there. I'm particularly having a hard time the last month. Trying to keep positive. Music helps.
Another option I forgot to mention…….Thank you, amazing! Unfortunately, my current doctor is an incompetent, lazy ass MF so won't do anything other than necessary. Long-term it's going to be incredibly beneficial to be with a new Dr. Unfortunately, UnityPoint doesn't have anybody to take on the cases, or even support existing claims, so they don't have a Plan B for me.
I'm working on the second option. I called UnityPoint and pulled a "Jeren" and asked to speak to the practice manager. I broke down and shared my concerns and asked for an immediate referral to a specific dr at Mercy One that seems perfect for my issues. She was kind enough to get that out the door last night. This AM I reached out to Mercy One and was desperate to get an appointment ASAP. That way not only could I possibly get seen once, but I may be able to get them to allow 2 apts so we have more rapport and history.
Just hit like a skyscraper landing on my head. My whole career has been in Insurance so I know the good, bad, and evil.
Sorry that I didn’t see this update until now, there are a couple options at your disposal and a couple things you might want to dabble in.Thank you, amazing! Unfortunately, my current doctor is an incompetent, lazy ass MF so won't do anything other than necessary. Long-term it's going to be incredibly beneficial to be with a new Dr. Unfortunately, UnityPoint doesn't have anybody to take on the cases, or even support existing claims, so they don't have a Plan B for me.
I'm working on the second option. I called UnityPoint and pulled a "Jeren" and asked to speak to the practice manager. I broke down and shared my concerns and asked for an immediate referral to a specific dr at Mercy One that seems perfect for my issues. She was kind enough to get that out the door last night. This AM I reached out to Mercy One and was desperate to get an appointment ASAP. That way not only could I possibly get seen once, but I may be able to get them to allow 2 apts so we have more rapport and history.
Just hit like a skyscraper landing on my head. My whole career has been in Insurance so I know the good, bad, and evil.
Man, I have no idea what people do in smaller communities if it's this difficult in a large one.Thank you, amazing! Unfortunately, my current doctor is an incompetent, lazy ass MF so won't do anything other than necessary. Long-term it's going to be incredibly beneficial to be with a new Dr. Unfortunately, UnityPoint doesn't have anybody to take on the cases, or even support existing claims, so they don't have a Plan B for me.
I'm working on the second option. I called UnityPoint and pulled a "Jeren" and asked to speak to the practice manager. I broke down and shared my concerns and asked for an immediate referral to a specific dr at Mercy One that seems perfect for my issues. She was kind enough to get that out the door last night. This AM I reached out to Mercy One and was desperate to get an appointment ASAP. That way not only could I possibly get seen once, but I may be able to get them to allow 2 apts so we have more rapport and history.
Just hit like a skyscraper landing on my head. My whole career has been in Insurance so I know the good, bad, and evil.
You and me both. Hopefully you are in a place where you aren't questioning because you're asking "is it worth it". Because the answer to that is absolutely "YES". Why it seems so "mechanical", tortured, or scripted is something we'll never know. But YOU are worth it.I’ve been pondering more and more about the OP’s question lately. I still feel I’m okay…. but what is life all about? Work at a job you don’t really like all day, and sleep…. and wait for the day you die??
Doesn’t work for everyone but I try to do at least one thing every day that brings me joy/happiness and also to make myself aware of it and be grateful. Can be as simple as taking some time to read a new book, watch a new episode of a show you are enjoying, take an hour to connect to an old friend, play with a pet or family. It all works even something as simple as cooking or ordering your favorite meal.I’ve been pondering more and more about the OP’s question lately. I still feel I’m okay…. but what is life all about? Work at a job you don’t really like all day, and sleep…. and wait for the day you die??
I’ve been pondering more and more about the OP’s question lately. I still feel I’m okay…. but what is life all about? Work at a job you don’t really like all day, and sleep…. and wait for the day you die??
Yeah, I feel it helps me to have something on the schedule to look forward to. Maybe I won’t be able to do something I enjoy every day…. but as long as I have something on the schedule ahead to look forward to doing…. that helps a ton!You and me both. Hopefully you are in a place where you aren't questioning because you're asking "is it worth it". Because the answer to that is absolutely "YES". Why it seems so "mechanical", tortured, or scripted is something we'll never know. But YOU are worth it.
I'm not a religious person and more scientific, but have to cling to the hope that there is something after.
As we work to determine if I have just Parkinson's or also MSA, I've done a lot of thinking about this. Parkinson's isn't terminal. MSA has an expiration date of 6-8 years. So the difference has created all sorts of thinking, anxiety, etc.
The only way I'm finding to get through it is to think of the micro view, not the macro view. Focusing on the journey, not the destination. Whether we have another 1 day or 50 years, each day has to be it's own focus. But, I also have found I need to have a mission, or goal.
If I focus on the destination, I find myself swirling down a rabbit hole of dispare. Will anybody remember me? Did I really do everything I could? Was I the best husband possible? Was I the best dad I could be? Unfortunately, I go back to that thinking about every 4 or 5 days because of Bipolar.
Here's what is working for me. My biggest fear is when I go, my family moves on and forgets me. My wife falls in love with a new man, and due to recency bias, that's what she remembers the most. No longer would I have my life-long partner since age 15 occupying the space next to me for eternity, but an empty plot of loneliness. If there is an afterlife, I'd be all alone.
So, I needed a mission or purpose. I found 2;
I have to live (selfishly) long enough my wife doesn't want to move on after I go
There's obviously also the aspect of being here for my kids which have similar mental health conditions and I'm uniquely able to connect and help them through life.
Sorry you feel that way.... Kids, family, and friends get you through. My kids are active in everything they can from sports to livestock shows to cycling. Something planned all the time. When we get moments we visit family in Nw Iowa. I make time cycling with friends weekly.I’ve been pondering more and more about the OP’s question lately. I still feel I’m okay…. but what is life all about? Work at a job you don’t really like all day, and sleep…. and wait for the day you die??
That's huge. Exactly like me. If there isn't something to focus on in the future, why need a future? Keeping things out there, even if somewhat small, helps a ton.Yeah, I feel it helps me to have something on the schedule to look forward to. Maybe I won’t be able to do something I enjoy every day…. but as long as I have something on the schedule ahead to look forward to doing…. that helps a ton!
I hope everybody is doing good as we head into better weather and more sunshine.
Update/ Venting - feel free to ignore...
Mercy One Ruan Neurology denied our referral as the symptoms, conditions, and progress are better handled by the University of Iowa's Advanced Neurology Center. Of course the logistic issues are going to be a royal pain in the ass, but the bigger stresser is the prospect of MSA.
The big concern is if the diagnosis is going to remain Parkinson's Plus or Parkinson's Plus with MSA (Multiple System Atrophy).
While Parkinson's Plus is a lifelong prison sentence in hell, MSA is a death penalty with a 6-8ish year expiration date. If it were MSA, we would probably be on the lower end of that range based on timing and progress. If not, then we have hope of continuing to manage symptoms for a longer life.
Obviously very different prognosis and anxieties between the two. Scared to death of the MSA option as I want/need to be here for the kids. They have all my mental health issues and I can uniquely connect with them to help them navigate the challenges past, present, and future. I'm terrified of not being able to do that, and thus fail at the one thing I was put on this Earth for - to be the best dad I could be.
When does Football start again?
Thank you, I need to keep reminding myself that.I know the change in diagnosis (if it does change) is super scary. But there are good things about knowing.
Thank you, I need to keep reminding myself that.
Even though I worry about anything and everything to the breaking point, I'm somewhat comfortable as I don't want to believe MSA is a factor. I could be very wrong, but there's some new/foreign voice inside of me keeping me relatively calm on that. I don't know how the **** that happened, but I'll take it
On the flip side, hallucinations and feelings of a disconnect from reality are hallmark signs of MSA, so what the **** do I know, lol.
Its difficult to be staring the ending of your life in the eye, and not knowing the future and how it not only going to affect you, but your wife and kids.I hope everybody is doing good as we head into better weather and more sunshine.
Update/ Venting - feel free to ignore...
Mercy One Ruan Neurology denied our referral as the symptoms, conditions, and progress are better handled by the University of Iowa's Advanced Neurology Center. Of course the logistic issues are going to be a royal pain in the ass, but the bigger stresser is the prospect of MSA.
The big concern is if the diagnosis is going to remain Parkinson's Plus or Parkinson's Plus with MSA (Multiple System Atrophy).
While Parkinson's Plus is a lifelong prison sentence in hell, MSA is a death penalty with a 6-8ish year expiration date. If it were MSA, we would probably be on the lower end of that range based on timing and progress. If not, then we have hope of continuing to manage symptoms for a longer life.
Obviously very different prognosis and anxieties between the two. Scared to death of the MSA option as I want/need to be here for the kids. They have all my mental health issues and I can uniquely connect with them to help them navigate the challenges past, present, and future. I'm terrified of not being able to do that, and thus fail at the one thing I was put on this Earth for - to be the best dad I could be.
When does Football start again?
With all the death my family has been faced over the past 5 years, I have really come to the conclusion that you have to live everyday to the best of your ability, and when its your time, its your time to go. Not a religious person myself, but I do think there is something on the other side, what that is, I have no clue. It is a sick joke if this is all there is and then you go into the ground, with nothing more than that. Kind of depressing really.