Go Fund Me *Updated Sept 1*

[Xmann]

Looks like COVID has caused the hair on your face to break out. Cant they treat that!???

I grew this beard because I never have. I didn't realize what it would look like coming in. I also forgot I didn't need to be at a barber getting a beard trim. So what you see is what you get

[Xmann]

Here's another local station with my story.

https://www.wvlt.tv/2021/06/11/vfl-trav ... -covid-19/

[Xmann]

*Update*

Things are progressing well I guess. The issues that I'm dealing with on a daily basis is Costochondritis, nocturnal oxygen, and Covid brain fog.

I think it's almost criminal and at the least unethical how the workers comp insurance company has treated me. It's been 7 months and I've only had 1 email response and 3 conversations on the phone. My first adjuster only answered my wife and I's call once in 4 months. Never returned calls from my doctor's either. She was fired and I have a new adjuster that I've talked to twice, but nothing in 6 weeks. We've left multiple voice mails and emails and nothing. I can't make this stuff up.

I have my first MD appointment for my IME (Independent Medical Examination) on Monday. I just called that doctor to make sure they've gotten all my doctor and therapy notes since I've been sick and recovering. This appointment was set nearly two months ago by my advisor. They've received nothing.

I called the Kansas Labor Board and they told me they could send a certified letter to the insurance company and require them to respond. If they don't, they will be taken to court. That's a process I don't have the energy to deal with.

From a health and medical perspective, I'm doing ok. But at this point, I still can't go back to working as a RN. Not sure what I'm going to do. Thought about going back to school, but I don't know if I could concentrate to learn. Between my wife's salary as a teacher and my workers comp checks, we almost break even each month. I'm very thankful I'm getting the checks. Had I not, we probably would have used all of our savings to stay afloat.

Anyhow, I'll report how the doctors appointment goes next week if anyone is interested.

Travis

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[AWS260]

That's rough, Travis. I hope that your workers comp insurance gets their act together.

I'm glad that your health is ok, all things considered. Please keep us posted on your progress!

[hitbyambulance]

I think it's almost criminal and at the least unethical how the workers comp insurance company has treated me.

well, it is. typical low-class negligence ('if we ignore it, it will go away')... or on the 'bright' side, they have sooooooooo many worker's comp claims stemming from this they can't keep up.

they have to be taken out to admit liability. legal action is the way forward.

[Xmann]

I think it's almost criminal and at the least unethical how the workers comp insurance company has treated me.

well, it is. typical low-class negligence ('if we ignore it, it will go away')... or on the 'bright' side, they have sooooooooo many worker's comp claims stemming from this they can't keep up.

they have to be taken out to admit liability. legal action is the way forward.

I totally get they are overwhelmed and I've had patience this entire time. But between the wife and I, I'd say we have contacted my adjusters dozens of time with no response. Nothing.

My doctor's medical assistant would call and email them when my doctor needed clearance for certain things and they never answered her.

I've also asked to speak with supervisors and they've never responded either. I don't know who they are calling and responding to, but it's not us. I'm just thankful my checks have come uninterrupted for the most part.

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[hitbyambulance]

I think it's almost criminal and at the least unethical how the workers comp insurance company has treated me.

well, it is. typical low-class negligence ('if we ignore it, it will go away')... or on the 'bright' side, they have sooooooooo many worker's comp claims stemming from this they can't keep up.

they have to be taken out to admit liability. legal action is the way forward.

I totally get they are overwhelmed and I've had patience this entire time. But between the wife and I, I'd say we have contacted my adjusters dozens of time with no response. Nothing.

My doctor's medical assistant would call and email them when my doctor needed clearance for certain things and they never answered her.

I've also asked to speak with supervisors and they've never responded either. I don't know who they are calling and responding to, but it's not us. I'm just thankful my checks have come uninterrupted for the most part.

i definitely wasn't giving them a pass. it's inexcusable they basically haven't returned your inquiries.

[FishPants]

I called the Kansas Labor Board and they told me they could send a certified letter to the insurance company and require them to respond. If they don't, they will be taken to court. That's a process I don't have the energy to deal with.

I dunno man, this seems like something that should be a priority from my viewpoint, which admittedly isn't dealing with nearly the shit sandwich that you are. But after being through what I've been through over the last 7 years, I've learned if you are not hard ass advocating for yourself - you will be left in the dust with fuck all. Let the labour board send the letter, that doesn't seem like a lot of effort on your side? Get their attention right quick when a regulator or legislative body sends them a note.

[Xmann]

I called the Kansas Labor Board and they told me they could send a certified letter to the insurance company and require them to respond. If they don't, they will be taken to court. That's a process I don't have the energy to deal with.

I dunno man, this seems like something that should be a priority from my viewpoint, which admittedly isn't dealing with nearly the shit sandwich that you are. But after being through what I've been through over the last 7 years, I've learned if you are not hard ass advocating for yourself - you will be left in the dust with fuck all. Let the labour board send the letter, that doesn't seem like a lot of effort on your side? Get their attention right quick when a regulator or legislative body sends them a note.

You are right and I was planning to do so next week. Thank you.

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[LawBeefaroni]

I called the Kansas Labor Board and they told me they could send a certified letter to the insurance company and require them to respond. If they don't, they will be taken to court. That's a process I don't have the energy to deal with.

I dunno man, this seems like something that should be a priority from my viewpoint, which admittedly isn't dealing with nearly the shit sandwich that you are. But after being through what I've been through over the last 7 years, I've learned if you are not hard ass advocating for yourself - you will be left in the dust with fuck all. Let the labour board send the letter, that doesn't seem like a lot of effort on your side? Get their attention right quick when a regulator or legislative body sends them a note.

You are right and I was planning to do so next week. Thank you.

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Absolutely.do it. They only things they really fear are lawyers and state/federal.regulators.

[Xmann]

Last Monday I went for my IME (Independent Medical Evaluation) to see if I am able to return to work. I am very thankful the MD who evaluated me had a serious case of Covid in 2020 and knew what I have been dealing with during my recovery. Sometimes I feel as though I have to defend myself or convince others that the symptoms I have are real and at times debilitating. If you see and talk with me, one would have no idea the chronic and ongoing issues I have. Those issues are fatigue, anxiety, concentration and decision making deficits, chest pain, and possibly sleep apnea. I have good days and down days. I also still need oxygen to sleep and I have an appointment with a sleep specialist.

So when this physician walks in and tells me and Shannon he knows and understands what I'm going through, I felt validated. The doctor was very kind, thorough, and understanding. Ultimately, he diagnosed me with Covid Long Haulers syndrome. Additionally, he believes I am not ready to return to work and I need more time to recover. How long this will be, we don't know. I suspect I will be out of work until the end of this year. Additionally, he wants me to see a long hauler specialist. There is a clinic 1.5 hours from me and a local MD who specializes in long haulers. Since we are still in the early stages of understanding long haulers, I'm not entirely sure of the treatment. I do believe I need speech therapy and regular monitoring by a pulmonologist. I had been seeing speech therapy up until June 30. Insurance stopped covering speech at that point and I had to stop going. I really could have benefited from continuing that therapy.

Having said that, I'm thankful for my health and I'm not complaining. As I've said before, I could easily have been a statistic, but I wasn't. I'm generally doing ok with up and down days. Fortunately, more up's than downs. It's not the doom and gloom that it appears I have described. I want to accurately depict my condition, but I'll be and am OK.

Lastly, please continue to share my story if you feel inclined. I have been out of work since December 31st and will continue so for the foreseeable future.

Travis

[Kraken]

In case you missed it, Zaxxon posted this Atlantic story over in R&P today.

[LordMortis]

In case you missed it, Zaxxon posted this Atlantic story over in R&P today.

Many researchers, they argue, are missing the full picture because they’re treating long COVID as a completely new entity, and ignoring telling similarities to other complex illnesses such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

CFS (presumably from Epstein Barr(?)) is something I have been plagued with for as long as I can remember. I've never met a physician who has even given it a second thought. "Diet and exercise" is always the response and that's that. So I hate to say it to the myriads of long haulers, but good luck. Xmann, I sincerely hope it all works out for you and sooner than later. What you describe plus chronic inflammation of just about everything has been my life for decades. It's no fun, nor is a daily handful of pills to fight individual isolated symptoms. This goes back to catching Mono in HS and getting knocked out of school for six months.

[stessier]

I found this a really interesting look at Long Haulers.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... haul-covid

[JCC]

I found this a really interesting look at Long Haulers.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... haul-covid

I read this today too. A real eye opener.