Hello, l am new to this site. Fair warning this is a long post. I’m scared, frustrated, anxiety ridden & trying to hang on. I tested positive Nov 6th, 2020. I had done everything possible to avoid this disease. My husband is a 23 yr transplant survivor & didn’t want him to get sick. I worked in the title business, we saw people coming in to sell/buy property, a lot of people, it was an office of 15 people. I asked to work from home & was discouraged from that. “Too much of a risk for the company”. Out of the 15 of us all but 3 got covid. They still did not shut down the office, just adjusted the way they did business. I was sick, coughing, high fever, body pains worse than I had ever felt, headache, no smell, no taste or appetite. So weak I couldn’t do anything by myself, my husband always right by my side. Nov 12th was my worst day, 106 fever, blood oxygen 72. Called the hospital & “unless she is blue, we have no room.” So my husband watched & wanted me to go, I was not going to die on a gurney in the hall by myself!! I went to sleep & by morning the “me” that went to bed was not the “me” that woke up. I had NO memory, didn’t know who my husband was, didn’t know where I was, did know my name. After a difficult conversation I started to remember my husband the house the dogs. But I didn’t have the memory to use a toothbrush, I didn’t know how to put on makeup. I couldn’t tie my shoes. I also could barely walk with out falling down. I couldn’t carry on a conversation, I couldn’t get the correct words out or I just couldn’t focus. Needless to say I was scared. I saw my Dr & she said “hopefully things will right themselves”, 3 weeks went by without any progress. My work wanted me to return, couldn’t work from home. I tried for 2 days to go, I had to use my GPS to get to work & back home. I had no idea where anything was. Realized I shouldn’t be driving & took a leave of absence. I was referred to neurologist & went through every scan & test possible. On paper all tests came back normal. Saw a neuropsychologist and took a 4 hour test for cognitive skills. Test scores were not great, I cried through most of the test feeling like I was failing. I had 6 months of physical therapy to learn how to walk again, still have problems & still fall. Had the opportunity to continue PT, but just couldn’t afford to. By this time I had well over $30K in medical bills. I was put on short term disability, still no improvement. Neurologist stated that “ since all tests show normal I suggest you see a psychiatrist & get on with your life & quit wasting time!” I was then put on long term disability, Mutual of Omaha asked for updates etc, I gave them everything they asked for & they agreed with Drs that at the time I was still unable to work. Through my disability plan Mutual of Omaha contacted an attorney on my behalf for SS disability, I’m still that process of piles of paperwork. My check usually came on the 6th of the month, it was Dec 10th with no check. I called my rep, out of the blue he states “we have decided to deny anymore benefits for you. There is not enough medical documentation to continue.” He also states that “oh my bad, I should have contacted you before Thanksgiving! But I was going on vacation & didn’t get it done!” My husband had to take over the phone call, I was hysterical. When he asked the rep what documentation will be acceptable-they couldn’t actually say what they needed! So I have been referred to another neurologist-for more tests? That I am unable to pay for? I could have been working on getting “the medical documentation” almost a month ago! My husband & I had to sell our house & all of our belongings! We are not homeless just living different lifestyle.
So does anyone know what medical documentation an insurance company will accept for the inability to do math, spell, no longer have memory to do anything. I can’t follow a recipe, I can’t figure the check book. I will start something get sidetracked & forget what I was doing. I leave the water running in the sink & walk outside if it’s a nice day. I am unable to handle any stress or difficult situations, I completely come unglued & go into panic mode. As time goes on & going into my 2nd year I feel more of me is deteriorating. The joint pain has increased & I now need a brace to walk. Anxiety & depression are constant. Fatigue is still a killer, I’ve tried doing short walks or small tasks outdoors, but I am so tired for the next 2 days.
I welcome any thoughts or suggestions, please no negative comments.
Covid-19 destroys lives in so many ways. We all need to hang onto HOPE.
Thanks for reading & letting me share my story. Peace & Blessings to all.