Knee surgery has finally been authorized!
Donation protected
Hi all,
I never thought we would get here! Honestly.
On 08.17.19 I sustained bilateral knee injuries while working. I thought being in a larger body would be difficult in obtaining care (i.e. identifying a surgeon), but I was able to find a surgeon that looked at me as a whole person and determined that I needed bilateral knee surgery. We were going to go ahead and do the right knee first, followed by the left. The left is worse, but the right feels worse. My surgeon forwarded the request to the worker's compensation provider who denied the surgery. I was told that my body size was too large and that I needed to lose weight to get to the weight they wanted my body at and consider bariatric surgery to get my body to that size. Both of these recommendations were contraindicated due to a pre-existing eating disorder (ED) that I was in recovery for. I thought that my intimate knowledge of the worker's compensation system, having worked alongside it for over two decades, would provide me with the understanding to navigate the system. I contacted my state representatives and the governor. They all contacted the worker's comp provider and requested reconsideration. It was not granted and the medical director ultimately stated that he would never authorize surgery for my body. The decision and statements provoked a significant relapse in my eating disorder. This relapse resulted in being admitted into a partial hospitalization program for my ED for 5 months (and 1 month IOP), and should have been in residential care but there are very few safe places for larger bodies needing ED treatment in the United States. I was on the way to being at the body size they wanted but this was also significantly hurting my body to abide by their request. I ultimately hired an attorney to help with the communication with the worker's comp people and address the legal parts of my claim that I could not.
The worker's compensation system finally authorized the first surgery which will occur on 12/29/21 (866 days after my injury). I was injured on 8/17/2019, surgery was recommended in Feb. of 2020, and the worker’s compensation system finally approved surgery in October 2021. They have already indicated that they will pay for the left knee surgery after the right. My surgeon anticipates the 2nd surgery will be done within 3-6 months after the right knee surgery.
There are no words to describe the challenge that it has been to get to this point.
On 08.17.19 I sustained bilateral knee injuries while working. I thought being in a larger body would be difficult in obtaining care (i.e. identifying a surgeon), but I was able to find a surgeon that looked at me as a whole person and determined that I needed bilateral knee surgery. We were going to go ahead and do the right knee first, followed by the left. The left is worse, but the right feels worse. My surgeon forwarded the request to the worker's compensation provider who denied the surgery. I was told that my body size was too large and that I needed to lose weight to get to the weight they wanted my body at and consider bariatric surgery to get my body to that size. Both of these recommendations were contraindicated due to a pre-existing eating disorder (ED) that I was in recovery for. I thought that my intimate knowledge of the worker's compensation system, having worked alongside it for over two decades, would provide me with the understanding to navigate the system. I contacted my state representatives and the governor. They all contacted the worker's comp provider and requested reconsideration. It was not granted and the medical director ultimately stated that he would never authorize surgery for my body. The decision and statements provoked a significant relapse in my eating disorder. This relapse resulted in being admitted into a partial hospitalization program for my ED for 5 months (and 1 month IOP), and should have been in residential care but there are very few safe places for larger bodies needing ED treatment in the United States. I was on the way to being at the body size they wanted but this was also significantly hurting my body to abide by their request. I ultimately hired an attorney to help with the communication with the worker's comp people and address the legal parts of my claim that I could not.
The worker's compensation system finally authorized the first surgery which will occur on 12/29/21 (866 days after my injury). I was injured on 8/17/2019, surgery was recommended in Feb. of 2020, and the worker’s compensation system finally approved surgery in October 2021. They have already indicated that they will pay for the left knee surgery after the right. My surgeon anticipates the 2nd surgery will be done within 3-6 months after the right knee surgery.
There are no words to describe the challenge that it has been to get to this point.
The process has impacted me physically, emotionally, financially, and professionally. I am only able to work part-time, I must use a wheelchair/scooter to move around, cannot stand or walk to cook, clean, etc., and can sit for only limited periods of time. I will have permanent impairments as a result of the extended surgery denial. I hope to regain my ability to do things like cleaning my house, walking, etc.
After surgery, I will be off work for at least 6 weeks. I have been advised of certain items that I will need postoperatively and as I recover. I have determined the things that the worker’s comp system will pay. I have reached out to my private insurance to see what they will cover, and they have placed that responsibility back on worker’s compensation.
I will not be able to drive for at least 6 weeks.
I will only have access to in-home PT for 1 week.
After surgery, I will be off work for at least 6 weeks. I have been advised of certain items that I will need postoperatively and as I recover. I have determined the things that the worker’s comp system will pay. I have reached out to my private insurance to see what they will cover, and they have placed that responsibility back on worker’s compensation.
I will not be able to drive for at least 6 weeks.
I will only have access to in-home PT for 1 week.
I really need help getting my house deep cleaned and prepared for surgery.
I need to hire someone to come in to help with things that I will not be able to do including some meal prep.
I need physical items that the worker's comp system will not pay for as well.
I need to hire someone to come in to help with things that I will not be able to do including some meal prep.
I need physical items that the worker's comp system will not pay for as well.
I am trying to get all items needed delivered well in advance of the surgery date (I am on a cancellation list in case someone cannot do their surgery earlier; they will call me), and with shipping delays, I would like to items to get ordered, delivered, and set-up ASAP. I also need to secure folks for the in-house help, including the deep cleaning as soon as possible
I appreciate all the ways that each of you has been a part of this journey to help me get to this place! THANK YOU for all of your support!!
Thank you for considering this next step that I really never thought would happen!!
Thank you for considering this next step that I really never thought would happen!!
Love to you all!
Beckie
ps: If I can see any positive out of this experience it is that I am pursuing being admitted into UW's MPH (and dual MSW) degree so that I can address systemic harm that people undergo in the medical system whether it is at the micro-level, mezzo level or macro level wherein policy/legislation can be implemented to eliminate this harm against fat, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ folks. We must do better!! We must be better!!
ps: If I can see any positive out of this experience it is that I am pursuing being admitted into UW's MPH (and dual MSW) degree so that I can address systemic harm that people undergo in the medical system whether it is at the micro-level, mezzo level or macro level wherein policy/legislation can be implemented to eliminate this harm against fat, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ folks. We must do better!! We must be better!!
Organizer
Rebecca Hill
Organizer
Everett, WA