Wow Rick, you have an awful lot going on! When is your zoom trial? Did your lawyer provide some insight for you? I imagine if the trial date is close, he probable did some prepping on how to respond to questions. Do what the lawyer says exactly. Keeping you in my thoughts for a positive outcome!
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Thank you, my trial is April 8.
I don’t remember if I mentioned, I took a sleep study. I failed it. I hardly slept but they said I have apnea now I am waiting for a phone call back and it’s been over a week.
I did a stress test with cardiology, I walked for 6 minutes I don’t know if that’s good or bad. They said insurnace denied its 2 tests and they only gave me the first part and I go back for the next one next week.
Talked to lawyers son. I thought they wanted me to keep a journal. He said that it would be redundant if it just talks about things I go over with my drs.
They wanted me to get witness statements and I think my friends that I asked, most haven’t written or submitted anything
I thought they wanted separate letters from My parents but he said that would be redundant
Then I saw in some papers he sent that I need to have a witness who may be questioned at trial by judge… said they knew the judge and he can be an asshole, doesn’t mean he is every time
So I can bring my dad or mom, they will listen and maybe be questioned
Mom talked to a friend whose son has been denied, he’s my age and has 4 kids a single dad. 3 are under 18 so they think he should wait to reapply until he’s 50
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Today I saw my mental therapist. I see him more than any other dr I have, and I have a lot. I tell him at some point they are going to run out of drs for me to see. The hard thing is that I grew up thinking I did what I was supposed to. Is there anything I could or would do different that would affect my health differently, not that I know of. But at 44 I am now facing so many questions that I shouldn’t have to face in my 40s.
Today I met my therapists boss. He told me as a brain bleed survivor I am still recovering and that there is so much mentally and emotionally that I am coping with that the surgeons and other drs don’t understand.
I talked with my therapist a good deal about my SS case and he has me a little less stressed about it. They were telling me before since I’m 44 and educated it would be harder for me to get SS. But he pointed out that I am trying to prove that I want to be able to work and that before I got sick I was doing everything right. I wasn’t a dead beat trying to scam the system.
I have some notes I compiled and I am going to write a letter to my lawyer on my behalf so he can have a little more insight to my day to day and what I can do and can’t do so his hopes will be to control the trial to be in my favor, that’s why you get a lawyer I guess
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I was told the same thing about higher education and age being a hindrance to receiving SSD by my disability attorney. He said the SSA believes a person can go work in a factory. Nothing wrong with factory work, I worked in several among other things in my lifetime. My lumbar repair prevents me from doing more things apparently than my rupture, but to me it’s the effects of the rupture that have set my limits. I think I’ve shared with you before that NC doesn’t have a hemorrhagic stroke check off and they use the more common ischemic stroke check off list. I sometimes wonder if we’d all be better off if they used the TBI checklist.
Perhaps you can reach out to your attorney and ask them to email a list of everything you need to get for them before your trial date. I imagine a letter from your therapist would be on it. Also, ask the folks you asked if they’ve sent in their letter. They made need a reminder. They may also be hesitant for you to see the letters. However, this is the time they need to be brutally honest.
Hang in there Rick!
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I’m not sure I remember the stroke check list you refer to.
My therapist said as I know I have 2 letters and my parents letter, he said that would be enough if no one else sends a letter in. He knows I want to write my own letter just to clear my head of things but I also think it will help me prepare for my trial and rerun the case for me
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The stroke list is an itemized list they use at Social Security to see if we qualify. I have no idea what’s on it. This is what the ASA says about it How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits After a Stroke | American Stroke Association they also have a link to the Blue Book SSA uses but not directly to the stroke section.
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I will read that this weekend, thanks so much!
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I had my zoom trial today….
I had my lawyer and his daughter sat in with us as she is training to be a lawyer… the judge was from Cortland and they said as he has gotten older he is better to deal with. The job vocational person that sat in on the call was from Rome, so they were both local to our area even though it was a zoom trial.
She had job codes for things that she felt were light duty jobs that I may be able to do but I disagree but it doesn’t matter what I think.
Overall Peter (lawyer) told me after I may think I didn’t do good but I did. The answers I gave and didn’t give and how I was able to answer what I did was congruent with my medical assessment (so to me makes my case credibility)
He said my case is different than the cases that they usually have so it’s more for the judge to review. There are over 1,000 pages to my case. He highlighted my cognitive assessment and told the judge where to find it and to review it as it’s my most important evidence. And he sent more forms for my mental and cognitive therapists to fill out.
So overall it’s as good as it could be, I couldn’t have done anything different.
So now we sit and wait. It’s up to what the judge decides, as I said he has a lot to review and luckily I don’t. If we win they review my case every three years. If we lose there are different things we assess based on how the decision goes so it’s not just a simple answer. Depends on how the decision goes what the lawyer and I do next.
Politically the Trump administration doesn’t determine my disability or assessment. They can control financially how the system or what the system pays out, but it doesn’t change my disability or medical reports.
I will try to CPAP again tonight but that hasn’t been going well. Just relieved that this court thing is done
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Also, my lawyer made this video as an intro for SS court if anyone is interested….
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I’m glad the tough part is over for you Rick! Keep working with your CPAP!
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So a friend pointed out that it has been almost a month and the lawyer said I should hear my decision within a month from the judge.
It is either this week or next week. Next Friday is my 45th birthday (May 9)
And then a friend booked me a flight down to Florida on May 15 then we drive back to NY. I haven’t been out of NY state since the rupture and I have been nervous about planes becuase of the aneurysm, anxiety and motion sickness … but my therapist is going to prescribe me something, it’s a quick direct flight about 3 hours and a friend is going to fly down with me so it will be all good.
It will be just a relief (hopefully positive) to hear from the judge.
I saw a new neurologist and he was a nice guy and smart. But he said I didn’t need to see him and I need to just follow up with the surgeon and lose weight and it will fix all my problems. I was not happy about that as he said just go on a shot. My orimary dr said they won’t give me a shot because I’m not diabetic.
I have been losing weight and trying to get in better shape when I have the energy. People have been telling me lately I look the best I have since all this has happened.
I stopped the CPAP as I can’t sleep with something on my head. I will see the sleep Dr in a couple weeks before I go on vacation but I don’t have room to bring that on the plane and I didn’t want to depend on it. I haven’t said I’m done with it just going to not use it till I get back and talk it over with my drs between now and then.
I also have an MRA before I go and a couple other appointments along with working part time. So needless to say, I am counting down the days till Florida vacation. I am not looking forward to the heat but there are pools and beaches down there! And I really need to get out of here! Be gone for a week and a half can’t wait
What a wonderful vacation right near your birthday! Luckily it won’t be too hot in May down in FL, it’s a good time to go. The humidity isn’t equaling or surpassing the temperature. Might get some thunderstorms so be prepared for those.
I’ve flown several times since I ruptured as have other members. Some of those members have been on really long flights. Remember to take sunglasses, you may need them also some type of noise cancellation device, I use my IsoTunes and can listen to music or a book or nothing.
Fingers crossed, the judge grants your disability Rick.
BH has a CPAP machine that comes apart for those business trips and takes it in a carry on bag. It was a priority when choosing one. BH has left for work but I think the airlines don’t count it as it can fit under the seat and it’s for medical use.
Haven’t you have had other neurologists that worked with you? I’ve had some wonky ones and have had some great ones. Maybe talk to your PCP and find another neurologist. There may be some type of public transportation system that can take you to a bigger city for free. I know before I got disability I was able to use ours and they said they could take me to my Neurosurgeon’s appointments 60 miles away at no to little charge (the most would be $5). My last neurology appointment we’ve extended to 9 months instead of 6 which is both nice and a little scary. Sergey jumped on the ball when I was having lots of problems and helped me tremendously, of course I can call Sergey any time I need him.
I hope you enjoy both your birthday and your vacation!
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So I do see my mental therapist this week and then again the day before I fly. I talk with him about all my drs appointments and he’s aware of my flying concerns. (For me mostly not knowing the pressure and the motion sickness possibility)
I go to my primary next week as well and the MRA.
The week I leave I see my kidney specialist who deals with my potassium issues, and the sleep dr and my therapist again then I go on the plane. So lots going on. The judge asked me about appointments as he is an older guy and I couldn’t name everything I had coming up without looking at my phone but the lawyer said don’t worry about it. What I should have said as the lawyer and judge are both in their 60s that Dr appointments are common in your 60s, not so much in your 40s.
As for the neurologist… I had one. He closed his office and only works in the hospital now. I was gonna be down to seeing him once a year I think if I could get away with it.
As for flying with the cpap I didn’t think of the fact it’s a medical device, but I also don’t plan on flying a lot
Thanks!
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The Judge just wanted to know how many doctor appointments you have to go to, I think you did well Rick, having to look at your phone just showed him you can’t remember them all.
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So it’s been a month. I called my lawyers office yesterday and the lady there looked it up and said it’s in the decision writing process as of April 28. I looked that up and she kind of told me about it. Says that the judge has made his decision and his staff has to write it up then he approves the write up and then it gets mailed. So who knows how long that will take.
I had my primary dr appointment today. Went well overall. I did blood work last week and she was happy with all of that. I am cutting my potassium pills in half a day. I go see that specialist next week who also sees all the blood work. Eventually I won’t have to see him I don’t think.
We have talked about me having to lose weight and my mom gets on me and my dad both about it. She does weight watchers which I don’t want to do. The neurologist I saw recently told me to get on a shot which my mother had asked about before but they said since I’m not a diabetic the insurnace will deny it.
But today the dr said there is some way the hospital pharmacy may be able to get the shot for me and they will get it approved. We won’t know for a week or so I guess. But I have a couple friends that did it and it’s working for them. My mother said weight watchers is even prescribing it for people now. But she said after she doesn’t think I should do it. I know there are side effects to everything but there is no way I can lose 50 pounds, I don’t even want to lose that much. I am doing good without it. I lost 5 pounds since my last check up. I just can’t lose some astronomical amount.
Anyways I go see the sleep nurse next week. Then the specialist then my mental Dr then I get on a plane.
The mental dr got me 5 hyrdroxyzine for the plane. I talked with my dr today about it and I will with the therapist next week. It’s if I need them for anxiety and motion sickness. I got wrist bands someone else recommended for motion sickness too. My dr said to take 1 pill before I get on the plane and then go from there
Sorry, sometimes I need to vent. My mother can’t point out that the appointment was good instead she had to tell me that she needed to get out of the house tonight that all of this is so much on her. I know it is but it’s me how do I feel?
I had an MRA after the doctor appointment today so she had to wait in the waiting room over an hour for me there. I sat while I waited for the contrast injection by myself with no phone or nothing and had mixed emotions and wondered why am I here? I turn 45 in 2 days this sucks. Then the MRA, you know how that goes so I won’t explain it.
I appreciate this forum
Sorry I have meant to update. We were denied again. I talked with my lawyer about it. He had my cognitive therapist (whose tests claim that I can’t work) fill out some more paperwork and we submitted it in time but the judge disregarded it.
So my lawyer said the only way we won’t win the appeal is if the appeal council disregards it too. In which case we would then file a new case and the lawyer would sue for my back pay. I agree with my lawyer and allow him to do it. Only thing is the current appeals take about 15 months. So we just continue and wait. They want you to give up. It’s already been 2 years they owe me back pay for.
I have decided I can’t use the sleeping mask And don’t want to rely on it. So I told my therapist and my primary dr this and I have an appointment with my sleep dr next week which my primary dr told me to go to it but I don’t see why.
I had meetings and parties last week with my job that I am currently on break with. They rent the out of town people and travelers cabins. Even though I can’t travel anymore they still get me a cabin. I volunteer to go to the meetings and help. It’s also a good time and can catch up with people I don’t see and meet new ones. I get good feedback from it but it’s a lot. I was very tired and probably pushed it.
I came home and have hives now. Don’t know from what. A reaction to stress, the heat (it’s been very hot for a while) I may have dissolved a med I wasn’t supposed to. I don’t know. I haven’t talked to drs yet but says online it should just go away on its own but could take a couple weeks.
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Hate to read you lost the case Rick and that you developed hives. Remember it took me a call to one of my Senator’s health aides up in DC to get approved. Maybe a call to yours can help as well. I didn’t get the back pay from the date of rupture, because I had time on the books from when I worked. There was also a concern that the lawyer’s paralegal used a different procedure that they started the count from.
Wondering how your vacation down South went, it was really hot in LA the weekend we went down to see a niece graduate from college.
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Thanks. My vacation was great. I took one pill when I got to the airport and out on wristbands I was recommended for motion sickness and the flight was quick and easy. Was a relief and I’ll be able to do it again just as I hoped.
It was hot but I got in pools or lake water everyday I was down there so that helped.
I’m not surprised about my court case, disappointed yes but surprised no. They just want you to give up. It’s all a game. The lawyers only get paid if we win so yes he knows how frustrating it is, but he will get paid more now so they probably don’t care as much as I do.
The hives seem to be better at night but they won’t go away. Then they come back when I get out of bed in the morning.
My mother hasn’t noticed those somehow. But she just yelled at me and said that people have asked her why she asks me anything because she can’t get an answer out of me and I fly off the handle to her. Which I know I do but I am so frustrated with everything and she forgets that I think. I try not to be but I can’t be an asshole to anyone else.
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Sounds like a great vacation with no gators! Glad you were able to keep cool.
Sometimes we get the most aggravated with those we love the most. Sad but true. I think also that those we feel safest with gets the brunt of our emotions. If you’ve learned relaxation breathing it would help to do some breathing before you reply to her instead of flying off the handle with each other. It’s a great thing to know how to do, but you need to practice it all the time so it becomes second nature for when you need it. You also might try to walk away if you can, I’d let her know you’re going to do that when you’re both in a good place and not arguing if that makes sense. Take a walk, piddle around in the garage or yard, do whatever your hobby is, that kind of thing, I think of it as a “time out”. When I was still in the early years following my rupture I’d call a time out on myself and go pull weeds. I’d literally set my phone for the 2 minutes for each year of my life and wouldn’t come back to talk it out until the bell went off. I’d have to ask BH how long of a time out I got. Couldn’t do math at all back then. We laugh about it now. Another idea would be to talk to your therapist and come up with a plan that works best for you.
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