11th Entry- January 31 2 wins 2 day- new TV and win over healthcare provider

2-day was a big day but blog will be short. TGIS- I get a needed healthcare break today although did do my PT at around 11:00 am. Slept into 9:30am psyched. There were 2 very big wins 2 today.

1)Went with Tom K and bought a new 40" flat screen TV to circuit city. It is really great. My Mom took the afternoon off to go to the movies.

2)We have a big win over our health plan insurance provider today. The IMEDECs, inc. (http://www.imedecs.com/Default.aspx), the independent consulting medical reviewer my family and I appealed to when the med insurance company turned down my need for inpatient rehab. We pleaded our way into Spaulding and funded it out of our pockets, but also appealed to the IMEDECs which is authorized as an independent reviewer by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. After reviewing my case, the IMEDECs agreed with the doctors, both hospitals-MGH and Spaulding and my families appeal and overturned the original decision by the health plan insurance provider. Big win, everyone in my family is talking about it.

3)I've spent alot of time over the last 2 weeks explaining to people that I did not have a heart attack but a cardiac arrest caused by an arrythmia. Below is the best breakout I have seen:


CARIDIAC ARREST VS HEART ATTACK

A sudden cardiac arrest is not the same thing as a heart attack, although a person suffering a heart attack is more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms and sudden cardiac arrest. Here’s how they’re different:

A heart attack is caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle so the muscle begins to die. Sudden cardiac arrest is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm. A heart attack is often preceded by chest, arm, upper abdomen, or jaw pain. Nausea and sweating are common. There is rarely a warning before sudden cardiac arrest. Heart attack patients usually remain conscious. Sudden cardiac arrest victims always lose consciousness.

The prevalence of sudden cardiac arrest

One of the leading causes of death among American adults, sudden cardiac arrest kills approximately 350,000 people a year, or approximately 1,000 people per day. Two out of every three deaths happen outside of the hospital.

4)Went out to dinner tonight with a friend David Cohen, to RF O'Sullivans. This place has the best burgers in the area and since I am anemic it seemed like a great idea. The only bummer is I had to watch the bartender pour one frothy Guinness after another. After I ordered my 3rd Diet Coke the waitress who had heard my story and me complain at the bar about not being able to order a Stout, threatened to cut me off of Diet Cokes. Food is great, see PGs review below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQUwgs4lJyc

Had the Empire State Burger special: 1/2 pound hamburger, sausage on top, mozzerella, with the works. It was great with rings. At least I can still eat.

By the way, welcome Chris as a blog follower.

That's it for today....................Brian