Category: Gimps

It’s been a year

Posted by Brittany – February 16, 2010

Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of my season-ending crash which resulted in tearing my ACL. It’s been a long year of tears, fear, recovery, and strength. My knee still continues to heal- I would place it at about 90% healed. I can ski everything I want to be skiing, but taking air and skiing hard bumps definitely cause it to swell. My strength is still not where I want it to be, but it also still continues to improve.

They always say that “what doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger”. I’m not sure that I feel any more physically or even mentally stronger than prior to my injury. But, I do know that tearing my ACL opened up other opportunities in my life. I made new friends, a couple of whom shared the same injury and recovery with me. And I refocused my energy on my work- which is paying off even now. It’s good to see the good within the bad.

Here’s to a continued happy and healthy season for everyone!

Patient Rights Advice: PhysioTherapy vs. Aetna Insurance

Posted by Brittany – January 20, 2010

As many of you know, I tore my ACL last year, had surgery and all that jazz. It’s doing fine. I went to PhysioTherapy Associates in Crested Butte for my physical therapy. This particular clinic is not in-network with my Aetna health insurance plan. So, I was given a self-pay rate.

However, when it came time to fit me for a knee brace, I wanted to make sure it was covered. Basically, after having two surgeries in one year, I met all of my in-network deductibles and coinsurance. However, I did not meet my out-of-network deductibles. Aetna DOES cover knee braces for post ACL surgery. But, I was anal and made sure to go through all the proper measures to make sure it was covered. CB Physio Therapy got a pre-authorization number, saying it will be covered. Then, I went down to the PhysioTherapy clinic in Gunnison to be fitted for the brace- I went there because that clinic is in-network, where the CB clinic is not.

A month later, I get a bill from PhysioTherapy saying that my bill for my brace is $1000- when it should have been fully covered- I was not supposed to have paid anything after having met all my deductibles and coinsurance. At first, Physio blamed my insurance company, saying that Aetna couldn’t distinguish between clinics because they all had the same Tax ID #. Well, a call to the right people at Aetna said that Physio had put down the wrong provider ID #. So, I called Physio and told them to resubmit the claim with the correct provider ID #.

Well, my initial knee brace fitting was on July 29, 2009. Here it is, January, and I still don’t have this straightened out. Physio has said they resubmitted claims on 9/16, 11/23 and 12/18. But, Aetna says that they have not resubmitted anything. Honestly, I believe Aetna more that Physio as several of my local Crested Butte friends have had serious billing issues with Physio- and have been lied to. I feel like Physio is lying to me. This is further substantiated by the fact that Physio fails to produce copies of the claims they are sending Aetna to me. I have requested copies of these claims 4 times. I have spoken to the same representatives and also some different representatives (I do know their names)- none producing any proof that claims have actually been sent. Originally, I wanted copies so I could have a better conversation with my insurance company- and even send the copies to them with delivery confirmation for proof that they have actually received the resubmissions. But, now, I want copies just for proof that they’ve done anything at all.

When I call the person in charge at Physio in CB, she simply says the same thing everytime- “Oh, don’t worry. You won’t pay for your brace. We have a preauthorization number.” Despite what I describe to her about the difficulties I’ve been having with Physio headquarters, she does little to help me. She simply thinks it’s not an issue. My brace will be covered.

But, I have been told that if I do not have this issue resolved by 6 months after the original submission, I will not be able to resubmit anymore claims to my insurance company. This is supposedly a standard for insurance companies? Is that true? If so, this date will be on January 29th.

So, what are my legal rights here?

Honestly, I’m pretty much pissed off at Physio beyond belief. Not only did they screw up by placing the wrong provider ID number on the paper work, they have failed to step up to their responsibilities. I have spent countless hours on the phone, trying to correct a mistake they THEY made in the first place. They have done nothing to help me except talk on the phone and make promises that don’t manifest themselves. I feel like I’m talking to some dip-shit sly business guy or something.

Any advice would be deeply appreciated. And BTW, don’t go to Physio Therapy.

Update 1/21

I cannot believe the gross negligence of PhysioTherapy. I called the Gunnison clinic yesterday- she sent a message to “corporate” and nothing happened. “I will call you today to check up on you to make sure somebody called”. That didn’t happen. Nor did anyone call from corporate. I called Gunnison again at 3:30 today and she blamed it on the fact her “computer was down”…. “someone should be calling you today or tomorrow”.

The problem with PhysioTherapy is that messages from individual clinics go off in cyberspace somewhere. Individual clinics don’t really have contact with any specific rep from Phyio’s corporate.

I called the CB clinic. Made the person there send out a message. I told her I felt like Physio’s behavior was ridiculously unprofessional…. I mean, really, how hard is it to send some copies?

Then, I tried to call “corporate” with a 1-866-925-2295. But, instead of saying PhysioTherapy, it answers with “Montgomery Associates”. WTF? It didn’t used to say that. Even more strange is there is no way to talk to a customer service rep. If you wait on the line, it sends you to a voicemail. You have some options to choose, like “If you were treated in Alabama, press 2″ or something like that. But, no choice for Colorado. I called the Gunnison clinic and asked what was up w/ that and they had no clue.

Then, I looked up the number for Physio on the Internet- 1-866-786-8482. There, you can’t speak with anybody unless you know specific extensions. So, I left a message on the mass voicemail.

Oh my God, I can’t believe how hard it is to get ahold of these freaking people!!!! Any ideas? I’m seriously about to lose it.

Update 2/5

Leaving that message on the “mass voicemail” got me somewhere. The next day a woman in Pennsylvania called me. Once she realized the issues I’d been having she tried to get me in touch with a woman in Alabama who was supposed to have the capability of helping me. Well, after a few days, the Pennsylvania woman realized that the Alabama woman was no longer with Physiotherapy and then got me in touch with someone else. These two people have been the only people returning my phone calls.

In the meantime, I took matters into my own hands. I called Aetna and kept asking for them to send me to their superior (which, by the way, in Physiotherapy, doesn’t work, because no one knows who their superiors are) until I got someone who actually knew what they were doing. This person went into my claim and put down a corrected claim number and then resubmitted it for me.

I am not sure which method worked- calling Aetna or having Alabama-woman take matters under her control. But, right now, it looks like the claim has gone through and that I don’t owe anything for the brace.

244-day Dry Spell Done- Back on Skis!

Posted by Brittany – October 18, 2009

One October day much like yesterday, but 19 years ago, Keystone announced their early opening for the ski season. I headed up from Boulder the night before with 3 other college friends who were as excited about skiing as I was. We arrived in the Keystone parking lot at about midnight and assumed the first four positions in the lift line. There we stood, all night long, ski gear on, shivering in the cold, to ski the single white ribbon of death the next day.

I didn’t get to opening day at Loveland this year. Nor did I stand in line all night long. Instead, I arrived to a muddy parking lot to spring-like temperatures at noon. Still, my eagerness to ski was nearing the excitement from that October day back in college. 244 days is far too long to not ski.

Getting back to a sport after an injury is always a bit difficult. ACL repairs are not an easy thing to come back from compared to some other injuries. I found myself actually intimidated by the white ribbon of death Loveland had to offer. But, as soon as I made those first few turns down the slopes, I was happy, elated to be skiing once again. Throughout the day, I became more and more relaxed on my skis. But, my knee was constantly reminding me it wasn’t perfect. It’s not quite ready for those high-speed GS turns. And it’s not ready to push around powder yet either. But, the white ribbon of death is a good start :)

I don’t have any action shots, but here’s a few pics I caught on my new phone!

Happy to be on skis again!

Frank going up the lift.

Frank and me.

Team Green and Blue (from Lauren). Lauren, Nick, and me. Lauren was on day 2 of skiing after tearing her ACL the same day as me- Feb 15, 2009.

Great to be back. Can’t wait to get some more!

October 1st Lucidity

Posted by Brittany – October 1, 2009

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This photo of me was on February 13, 2009 by photographer Alex Fenlon on the most deliciously deep day of the year- my last day in the backcountry, only two days before injury ended my season. My thoughts keep revisiting this day, one of the highlights of my season cut short.

Today is October 1st. I woke up early to falling snow, over an hour before my alarm was to go off. Maybe it was the silence of the snow that woke me. I’m not sure. But, here I am, at 6:30am, one cup of coffee down and breakfast already finished. Not the normal kind of morning for me.

I awoke in a cold sweat, in a slight panic about something. I’m not sure what that something was but as I lay awake unable to dream the ‘something’ transformed. I found my thoughts consumed by skiing, but not with the usual blissful excitement that usually fills my mind this time of year. Instead, I found myself anxious.

Today marks seven and a half months since that fated day that I tore my ACL. This equates to exactly 228 days that I have not skied. Never in my life have I gone this long without strapping on two planks to my feet and swooshing down a blanket of white snow. Even when I tore my ACL twelve years ago, my doctor ensured a quick recovery, so I returned to the sport that I love within five months of being injured.

So, I find myself wondering- What will it be like to ski again? I’ve been away from this sport for so long that I forget what it’s even like anymore. I’ve had to search deep inside my brain to remember the elation, the exhilaration, and the contentment skiing brought to me. I even find myself a bit nervous- Will I even be able to ski? Have I forgotten how?

But, I rummaging through last years photos conjures those delightful memories that have been put aside on the dusty shelf. I am lots of things in life. But, first and foremost, I am a skier. When I am skiing, I am in the place where I feel most inspired and satisfied. These past seven and a half months I have been walking around in a stupor, my eyes fogged over with what ever task is at hand.

I’m looking forward to awakening from this dream that has clouded my mind for 228 days. I know the moment I strap those skis to my feet, the dust will exit my mind. The clarity I’ve been lacking will return and all the memories will come flooding back into my brain. I will lucidly remember that inexplicable feeling. I will remember why I ski.

Gimp Updates: ACL and Thyroid

Posted by Brittany – September 10, 2009

Just thought I’d throw in a quick update of how things are going with my two gimps.

Thyroid
Eight days after thyroid surgery I was riding my bike again with only minor pain. The pain in my neck was aggrivated a few days later while flying to Spain. Hours without sleeping and with my neck kinked in an airplane chair were the culprits. But, after a day or two there, I didn’t have any more pain. Pretty much two weeks after thyroid surgery, I was fully recovered- no pain, not tired- felt fine!

Since it was a partial thyroidectomy, I have the option of not taking Synthroid or other thyroid replacement drugs. However, I’ve been on Synthroid for 6 years already and going off of it- asking half of my thyroid to do what my whole thyroid hasn’t done for 6 years- would be too much. So, I’m staying on my current level of .88mg of Synthroid. I’ll have a blood test soon to make sure my hormone levels are where they should be. But, my energy has seemed normal, so I suspect my levels are probably at normal.

ACL
Overall, I’m healing. I’ll be skiing when the snow falls. But, I’ll likely play it conservative for a little while, especially with the early season snow cover. My knee rarely hurts and overall feels really stable. I have good control and balance with it, but the muscles surrounding my knee are still weak. I need to spend more time working on strengthening and plyo’s to get it ready for ski season.

Recovering from knee surgery always has it’s ups and downs. I finally started riding single track a couple of weeks ago. But, then I went to physical therapy and aggravated my hamstring (to the point where I could hardly walk) and my 10-yr old issue of patellar tendinitis. This caused me to take a few days off the bike. But, then I was at it again- feeling good! I was watching out for things that irritated my tendinits to keep it managed and was happy to be riding some of my favorite single track trails. Then, on Tuesday this week I started noticing a pain in my hip flexor. When I woke up on Wednesday morning the pain was worse, and it’s even worse today after physical therapy. I spoke with my physical therapist about it, and he thinks I’m probably over-doing it and perhaps having some compensation issues with my weakened knee. So, another few days of rest are needed.

Never-ending Roller-coaster
My recovery is physically and emotionally like a roller coaster. I go up and down on a monthly, weekly, even daily basis. Right now I’m frustrated with my knee/hip-flexor issues because I just want to be free of pain and do the things I love doing. I want to ride single track, because I’ve been deprived of it all summer. But, I am still a gimp. I’m angry because this injury is preventing me from accomplishing yet another goal: The Pearl Pass Aspen ride- happening this weekend, and we were planning on returning via an epic single track trail. I’ve wanted to do this ride for over two years now. I guess it will need to wait until next year.

I remember my ski team coach telling me when I was frustrated about the same things with my ACL surgery 12 years ago, “It takes a year to recover. Then, you’ll be back to yourself again.” She was right. On Saturday (two days from now) I’ll be exactly 6 months post-op. So, I’ll be officially a “half-gimp” :) I have to keep that in mind, I guess. For right now, I can do the things I love to do… in moderation. I must remember that I’m still healing and that I need to listen to my body when it warns me. It’s just all part of the healing process. My goals will have to wait until I’m not a gimp anymore…

First days back on single track!

Posted by Brittany – August 30, 2009

I haven’t been able to ride real single track this whole summer- Doctor’s orders after having ACL surgery! So, I’ve spent all summer riding on paved and dirt roads. It’s forced me to do some interesting rides that I otherwise would not have bothered with. But, riding road of any kind is never as fun as single track. Finally, now, the time has come where I’m allowed to actually ride once again!

So, I’m easing my way back into it, starting with some easier trials first to build up my confidence. Every ride I play a mind-game with myself. For months I’ve had it in my mind that falling was not an option, because it wasn’t. Everything had to be “no-fall”. But, now my knee is stable enough to handle a fall or two here and there. So, I have to switch from the mindset of not falling to falling is okay. With this comes a change of mindset from, “Will I fall on this? I should get off my bike?” to “I can ride this!”

My first two rides, Lower Loop and 401, helped me shift my mindset and begin building my confidence. Most of all, it was just fun to actually be riding single track once again!

Lower Loop- 8/28 Heather, my “recovery buddy” (had ACL surgery 5 days after me) joined me on this after work ride.

Heather
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Me
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401 – 8/29 Joined by Frank and his two friends, Mark and Kevin, visiting from Seattle

Frank
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Kevin
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Mark
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Mark, Kevin, and me
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Me
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The smile says it all!

For more trail information please see 401 and Lower Loopon our Crested Butte Mountain Biking Guide.

Thyroid Surgery- stitches out!

Posted by Brittany – August 12, 2009

I’m now 9 days post-op from my left thyroid lobectomy and recovery is going quite well. I’ve been feeling better and better every day. I had the surgery two Mondays ago. While nausea and vomiting ensued post-op, I was okay within a day or so. My throat was sore and the muscles that I used for swallowing were very sore, which inhibited the kinds of food I could eat for a few days. But, by Friday I was able to eat any food I wanted.

My muscles in my neck continued to hurt sometimes. But. they slowly got better. Finally, by the weekend, it felt like the muscles were largely okay. But my neck movement was limited by my stitches. Every time I turned my head to the left or right, or lifted my chin up too high, it felt like the stitches were going to explode right out of my neck. Finally on Monday, I had my stitches out. Immediately I could move my head to the right and left and tilt my chin up without hardly any pain! Driving became easy again!

While having my stitches removed, I asked the PA what I could and could not do for the next week or so. She said I looked great- less swelling than most people. So, I could do just about anything. This meant that I could go for a run, or a bike ride, or a hike. Basically, I can do almost everything I want to do now! I just have to be careful not to lift heavy things, especially over my head. I can’t lift weights either. This will last for another week or so. The reason for this is because during the surgery the neck muscles had to be stretched really far, making them prone to tearing for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Lifting things can actually strain the neck and cause those muscles to tear, impeding recovery.

So, today I went on my first bike ride since the surgery. Who would have thought I’d be riding a bike 8 days after thyroid surgery? Not me! But, I’m happy! I rode with my friends Sydney and Heather, after work, at the ski area. It felt pretty good and I’m looking forward to riding my bike again today!

2 days post-op (Thyroid)

Posted by Brittany – August 5, 2009

Well, it’s now been over 48 hours after my thyroid surgery. I’m feeling quite good actually. My neck pain has largely gone away. Mostly now it’s just stiff. I don’t have nearly as hard of a time swallowing today either. My main complaint now is just the congestion. I feel like I have a really bad chest cold or something….

Other people who are undergoing thyroid complications may find this site amusing:
Dear Thyroid – http://dearthyroid.wordpress.com/

Thyroid Surgery Done

Posted by Brittany – August 4, 2009

My surgery ended around 3pm yesterday. And I am relieved to have it behind me. The tumor turned out to be benign (not cancerous), so I still have the right side of my thyroid in tact.

After I was okay to leave from the recovery room, Frank, my mom, and I went to stay in a hotel room since it is a 3.5 hour drive from Grand Junction back to Crested Butte. I was happy we stayed there as I was quite nauseous, and everything I tried to eat and drink just came right back up. Vomiting was especially painful- my throat felt like I had tonsilitis or something and the muscles in my neck that I use to swallow were especially sore. Add this to a good 2.5 inch incision on the front of my neck and I was trying to avoid vomiting at all costs. Because of this, I opted not to take the pain medication they prescribed for me- Vicodin. My stomach just does’t handle narcotics very well.

I was able to sleep last night. I wasn’t in an extreme amount of pain. The worst part was the congestion. I don’t know why I was congested – not sure if it was even related to the surgery. But, it was irritating me all through the night. I couldn’t really clear it out of my system as coughing is very painful.

I woke up this morning with a very stiff neck and a horrible headache, but my nausea was thankfully gone. We drove back to Crested Butte and I am thankful to be home. My throat is less sore than yesterday, but my neck muscles (especially the swallowing muscles) are extremely sore. I find it hard to eat because of this. Eating/drinking colder things definitely helps with alleviating some of the pain. But, I’ll be on a bit of a diet for the next few days ;)

I thought that the surgeon would have my incision all wrapped up in gauze. But, it’s actually all hanging out in the wide open for everyone to see. Yesterday, it was oozing a tiny bit of blood here and there and I had to keep wiping it up. But, today, it seems like it’s in good shape. The incision is stitched with a tension stitch. When I have them removed on Monday, they will just snip off one end and pull the whole stitch out.

I also thought the surgeon would tell me not to get the stitches wet. So, I pictured myself taking baths and washing my hair in the sink. But, this also is not the case. He said I should take showers and that I should actually scrub the stitches twice a day with antibacterial soap, then cover the stitches with an antibacterial ointment.

I’m definitely in pain, but not in as much pain as I thought I would be in. This surgery is more painful than knee surgery, overall, mainly just because of it’s location. Otherwise, I’m doing pretty well. And I am very relieved to have this all over and done with!

Thyroid Surgery today

Posted by Brittany – August 3, 2009

Yesterday, after a trip to the Crested Butte Arts Festival with my mom, I headed out for a late afternoon bike ride with my friend Heather. We rode Snodgrass- but, not the typical Snodgrass that comes to the minds of most people when they think of “riding Snodgrass”. Typically, riding Snodgrass entails riding a trail that travels along beside the mountain. Since Heather and I are both still recovering from ACL surgery and cannot yet ride single track, we cannot ride this Snodgrass trial. However, what most people don’t know is that there is actually a road that goes up to the top of Snodgrass mountain, although this road is closed to motorized traffic. This is what we rode up today. The ride to the top took us about an hour, starting from the ski area. And it was surprisingly fun! At the top, there are spectacular views of Avery Peak and the town of Gothic. I often bring a camera on my rides. But, today I didn’t have it. Sometimes rides are better left in pure memory without even a photo to reminisce with. Today’s ride was that kind of ride.

It took us about 10 minutes to descend the road back to Gothic Road. From there, we continued up Prospector Road, heading for one of my new favorite loops on the mountain. We followed Prospector to the ski area boundary, hung a quick left and then a right on to Painter Boy. Although Painter Boy is technically “single track”, Heather and I both have been riding it because this particular trail is easier than most of the dirt roads we are allowed to ride. I love how it weaves from side to side, through Aspen tunnels and grass troughs. I love how my handle bars try to hit the occasional tree and how the tallgrass tickles my legs. Riding this trail makes me realize how much I love single track and how much I miss it. But, not to long from now, just a little more than a month, I will be riding single track as much as I like. And I can’t wait for it.

My ride with Heather was the perfect way to spend the afternoon of the day before my thyroid surgery. It was the perfect recipe to keep my mind distracted from the nagging knowledge that I will not be able to ride my bike again for 3 more weeks.

As I prepare myself mentally for this surgery, I’ll admit, I’m quite scared. Yes, I’ve had three surgeries already- 2 knees (right and left ACL) and a left thumb UCL. So, you would think I’d be used to the whole surgery thing. But those surgeries were on my knees and thumb. There’s something about having the doctor take a knife to my neck that scales up the fear-factor a few notches, and the risk factor as well.

Add all this to the whole looming thought that I may or may not have cancer…. and won’t know until I wake up after surgery.

While I’m not looking forward to the surgery, I am looking forward to being done with it. I’ve been trying to avoid consuming my mind with the thoughts that surround this surgery. But, these thoughts are always there. And they won’t go away until the surgery is over and done with. Well, I’m ready for these thoughts to be over and done with and to move on with my life!

Next post: post-op!

More details on my thyroid condition and upcoming surgery:
http://www.14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/?s=thyroid&searchsubmit=Search