So a few of you who have read my posts over the last year or so know that I have been struggling with my butt wound after my proctocolectomy back in June of 2010.
I had a nurse coming every day packing my wound with different things. I also had a wound vac on for 3 months and it did nothing. The wound was about 7cm and it wasn't healing. We tried just about everything the wound care nurses and surgeons could think of.
My family encouraged me to apply for Social Secuity Dissabilty for the time I cannot work. At this point my family was supporting me as far as my bills. I also moved in with a friend who is packing my wound on a daily basis. So the first time I applied after filling out tons of paperwork I was denied. Their reason was "We don't expect your wound to last 1 year or more". Apparently in Illinois your condition must be expected to last a year or more. I appealed, hired a lawyer and filled out tons more paperwork. Got denied again and in the little memo I explained how I had crohns disease resulting in an ostomy and I have a perianal wound that wont heal and I cannot sit at all. I got a response "Having an ostomy is not a reason to not work".
So I of course appealed. Now anyone who has applied for dissability knows it can take forever. They delay it so long until you give up. Fast forward until about a month ago. I got a notice saying that I had a hearing scheduled for February 2nd to go in front of a judge and explain my situation in front of a judge, medical expert and a vocational expert.
There were a few things that made me nervous about this. When I talked to my lawyer, they stated that if you could do ANYTHING for a few hours a day they consider you able to work. Like stand at a movie theatre selling tickets. Now that would be hard for me because I have this wound that needs to be packed, bleeds and going to and from work would be a pain sitting in the car, getting out of the car etc... Plus I wouldn't be able to work enough hours a week to support myself.
Until recently I spend most of my day laying on my side. I can now sit on my hip, which hurts my back and my legs because of the angle that I sit on. Just to not get too depressed I have gone out a few times for an hour or two at a time, but its painful
I had a pre-court discussion with my lawyer and I was very nervous. He said they were going to ask me a million questions and that I would have to explain my entire day. Over the summer I managed to wash and wax some friends cars for some money so that I could pay for things that I needed. It was challenging though. I also flew to California (3 hours) to see my mom because I don't get to see her often and I was worried they would find out about those things. He also stated that they people that were taking my case were harder to convince and that they have a 60% denial rate. He said they looked at it like this condition has to be permanant and they will have to spend tons of money on your over your entire life.
So I go to court, judge asks me my name, ss number etc... The medical examiner explains my medical history to the judge and rambles on and on and on for about 5 minutes. He says "He meets the requirements". Stops talking and the judge says "Does anyone have any questions". Nobody has any questions and my lawyer has me leave the room. I wasn't sure if I had to come back in or not. Then he comes out a few minutes later and tells me I WIN!!! It's about time. This will be able to help me out with things I have been putting off and I can help pay my parents back. They said I dont have to, but they arent wealthy by any means and I know that this is hard for them having to support me since they both dont work and are retired. I just dont know what I would do without them and my friend who helps pack me. My insurance cancelled the nurse that used to pack me so I have to rely on my friend. Now I just have to wait until they start paying me. Don't worry though I have always been a very hard worker and I always worked 50-80 hours for the last 10 years. So as soon as I am healed up I will go back to work. It's driving me nuts not being able to do anything.
Now a little update on my wound. It's about 3cm now and not bleeding as much. I *think it's healing very slowly. Hopefully I don't have to waste another summer and can get back on my motorcycle thats been sitting in the garage for a year and a half.
Thanks for listening!