forgo surgey ?

[capricorn]

Hi tour.....Just a little background on me. This is my 5th and final WC injury with the same employer. The previous 4 I have either eworked with or returned to work with no restrictions. All 5 body parts that were injured in previous WC claims have all been blown out of the water now. It took me over a year to accept it, get through a nervous breakdown because of the treatment I received form employer and co-workers of 20 years, and the relaization that I would never return to a job that I loved for over 20 years. That being said this cam in the face of my husband being injured for 4 years with no income until he won his case. So as you can see right now we are working on between both of us almost 6 years in the system. Some with income, some without.
Our first step was to cut back on anything and everything we could. Our home was also our priority but not at the expense of hurting ourselves more. We took out a small line of credit on our home and paid charges off, both of our cars, that alone saved us $900 a month. There were times I had to pay the mortgage from the line of credit. Hubby took out 3 small loans through his attorney to help in the following 3 years. It worked, Thanks God. I know it's not the answer for everyone. There are many agencies out there that can and will help with other bills to help you along. Please, Please don't selll yourself short or hurt yourself more. I did and it isn't worth it. Had i held my ground in '99 and not pushed because i was worried about the bills I would have had another job long ago and not have a broken irreparable body now. JMO! Best of luck in whatever you decide.

CAP

[lfoster21]

Just a heads up...in Va, if the Dr. states there is something that could help you to get better (such as a surgery) and you turn it down, legally the i/c no longer has to cover you. They will state that you are ententionally not trying to get better so you can stay on W/C (like anyone whose ever been on w/c would ever want to stay on it, right?). Anyway, they can drop you if you turn down treatment that the Dr. thinks might help you. Check with your lawyer, before you turn down the surgery.

Good luck.

[tourdaddy]

lfoster21 Wrote:Just a heads up...in Va, if the Dr. states there is something that could help you to get better (such as a surgery) and you turn it down, legally the i/c no longer has to cover you. They will state that you are ententionally not trying to get better so you can stay on W/C (like anyone whose ever been on w/c would ever want to stay on it, right?). Anyway, they can drop you if you turn down treatment that the Dr. thinks might help you. Check with your lawyer, before you turn down the surgery.

Good luck.

well I hope that is not the case for me in new york. If I turn down the surgery I will return to work with restrictions. I am not trying to not get better, it is my best opyion at this point ,and also my Dr. says there is no gaurantee with the surgery so i dont see how the ic can cut me off.

[chrischris]

IMHO, If you can alter your work such that you are able to work and forego surgery, then that is the best option. Surgery should be your last option.

If your pain is so severe that it is intolerable, then you would be thinking of nothing but finding relief. Apparently you haven't reached that point yet.

Houses are just houses and cars are just cars. They can be replaced, but can you? If it was me, I would sell my house, sell my cars, and downsize to more what I would afford at the present time; ie: an apartment, a used car, a savings account with the home equity. I would be doing anything possible to reduce the stress in my life (financial), and take care of my health first and foremost.

As I see it, you have options and of course it's all your decision.

Good luck to you, and I wish you success at whatever you decide.