The Saga of My Poor Left Hand

I'm typing this entry primarily with one hand. I saw the specialist on October 4th, and he said that he would submit a pre-authorization for surgery to my claims adjuster (through Workers' Comp). Three weeks later, I'd heard nothing. After several phone calls, I received a voicemail from the specialist's assistant. Apparently, three weeks later, the claims adjuster decided to let them know that they never received the pre-authorization.

Three. Weeks. Later.

Are you kidding me?

So, the specialist's office faxed the pre-authorization again; this time, the claims adjuster acknowledged receipt. Alas, my proverbial princess is in another castle: my claim now has to be transferred to another department, where another claims adjuster will probably want to speak with me over the phone. As much as I wish that I'd get a phone call tomorrow, I have high doubts that this will happen. In fact, I'm starting to get depressed over how much my hand is hurting. I have sympathy now for those with carpal tunnel; it's amazing that something so small can cause so much discomfort. I've had trouble sleeping, my hand gets swollen, I've lost my grip (and dropped quite a few things as a result), and it's harder for me to accomplish as much at work. I feel like I'm moving through molasses, moving in slow-motion... just plodding along, doing my best, despite the burning/throbbing sensations in my hand.

It's borderline ridiculous that we have to jump through so many hoops and relentlessly pester so many people just to get anything done. I'm in pain. Typing for eight hours a day led to this pain. The solution to the pain (surgery) is quick and simple. Fix the pain quickly, solve the problem, before it gets worse. I guess my impatience may stem from the herniated disc that I suffered a few years ago. It took forever for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with me. It was actually a physical therapist who first suspected the herniated disc. In the meantime, the bulging disc was crushing a nerve root, which caused shooting pains and numbness along my left arm. Even after that surgery, I've had lasting back pain and dulled sensations on my left arm. Case in point: treating things before they have time to cause other problems is the best solution.

Let's just cross our fingers and hope that this particular issue can be resolved soon. I had forgotten how depressing it feels to be in pain.