The workers compensation carrier scheduled still another independent medical examination. Their doctor told me I had spinal cord damage all through my body as a result of the first two operations. This physician’s four page report to the workers compensation carrier stated: “Significant disability in upper right extremity and is unable to work.” I was scheduled to start my treatment of Stella Ganglion nerve blocks. I was anxious over someone paralyzing a nerve in my throat. I was not to eat or drink for about six to eight hours after the injection, as I could choke. I went to the Outpatient Day Surgery Unit where I changed into a hospital gown and was taken to the O. R. waiting area. This is where I would receive the nerve block in my neck. Afterwards, I would be taken back to the Outpatient Day Surgery Unit where I would recover for at least one hour prior to leaving. When I had my second injection, my chest wall was accidentally paralyzed. It felt like I couldn’t breathe, but I was told I could and they monitored me for several hours in the holding area. I was then sent to the Outpatient Day Surgery Unit for several more hours where, prior to leaving, my right arm was placed in a sling. I hated feeling so helpless and scared. Almost all my medical bills were going into collection agencies. This resulted in me being dropped by a few of my physicians for lack of payment.

Chapter 9. "Real Estate" Office Medical Examination

My attorney took the workers compensation carrier to court where the judge asked the carrier, “Why have you stopped paying the claimant’s medical bills?” Their response was, “We have no reason for stopping payment on her medical bills. We just did.” The judge ordered the workers compensation carrier to pay all my medical bills and levied a fine against the carrier. It has now been years of constant fighting workers compensation to get my medical bills paid. The workers compensation carrier’s response to this was to send me to still another independent medical examination. My attorney asked the carrier to supply me with transportation since this trip was over a hour’s drive one way. They sent a compact car, no limousine. We drove past the address that we were given as we believed we were at the wrong place. This examination was being held at a Realtor’s Office! One of the Realtor’s offices was rented by this doctor two afternoons a week and the rest of the time it was used by the realtors. The doctor couldn’t view any x-rays as he didn’t have the equipment, nor did he come with anything to do an examination. This doctor literally took the paper clip off my papers to examine me. He then proceeded to stick the end of the paper clip in my arms and legs and around my neck, while asking me if I felt the paper clip. This doctor’s ten page report stated that, “My alleged neck injury was not work related and I was fully recovered and able to work.” Immediately, the workers compensation carrier filed a court petition to have me taken off workers compensation. I was upset and very worried with workers compensation filing to try and get me off workers compensation. I now had to go back to my treating physicians and get letters from them to take to court. One month later, on December 24th, I went to see one of my treating physicians asking for a letter to fight this absurd claim in court. During the examination, my physician ordered routine cervical x-rays. My doctor walked into the exam room along with his partner, as my doctor was that stunned by what the x-rays revealed. Together they informed me that without immediate cervical surgery, I would be quadriplegic. "C-4 above my fusion had became unstable and was angled to sever my spinal cord." I was put into a cervical collar and told to schedule surgery as soon as possible. This was Christmas Eve and somehow I managed to drive home. I kept repeating to myself all I wanted was a letter to take to court and I left being told I could be paralyzed. Christmas was a blur I barely remember any of it. All I could think about was another cervical surgery. I was afraid to do anything for fear this disc would slip.

Chapter 10. Anterior Cervical Plate

My treating physicians were incensed that the workers compensation doctor, only a month earlier, declared I was fully recovered. Four surgeons faxed the workers compensation carrier stating the dire consequences that would occur to me without immediate surgery to my neck. The workers compensation carrier adamantly refused to discuss the surgery with my physicians or my attorney or pay for it. My neurosurgeon’s office called our personal insurance carrier and they agreed to pay for the surgery. The neurosurgeon informed me that he would be doing an Anterior Cervical Fusion and during this surgery, he would insert an anterior cervical titanium plate in my neck to hold the new and the old fusion together. In addition, he would take a piece of bone from my other hip to fuse in my neck during surgery. I was thinking to myself, “ Let me get this straight. I am going to have another neck surgery and they are going to place a metal plate in my throat and screw it in place with four screws into my spine. This was insane!” This whole procedure was so bizarre that I was emotionally devoid of feelings. I was admitted to the hospital for a Anterior Cervical Fusion at C-4-5 with Anterior Cervical Titanuim Plate.(Click and view Pt.#3) The day after surgery, I choked if I tried to drink any liquid. I would learn later, there are two sets of muscles in the throat, one for liquid and the other for solids. The muscles for liquid were not working and I was unable to have any liquid for about six weeks. My pills were crushed in applesauce or cream of rice. My throat was extremely bruised and swollen. This was by far the worst cervical operation that I had to endure. The workers compensation carrier took their case before the judge. The judge’s response to all their requests relating to the “real estate physician’s” claims were adamantly denied. I won the court case but at what cost to me?

Chapter 11. The Conclusion

Since this accident, I now have had four cervical and one shoulder operation and I now have a metal plate holding my neck together. Three months after I had the metal plate inserted, I literally watched my daughter Dawn die of complications of Cystic Fibrosis. She was my inspiration throughout this nine year struggle of surgeries and workers compensation intimidation. When I wanted to give up, I needed only to watch her struggle just to breathe. That day, I discovered the true meaning of pain. I dedicate this book in Dawn’s memory. In addition to grieving over my daughter Dawn, I now had to deal with the knowledge that at any point in time, my neck could become unstable below or above my fusion and require another surgery. My attorney filed legal papers to take the workers compensation carrier back to court seeking reimbursement for payment of my last surgery. The workers compensation carrier asked if instead of going back to court if I would agree to commuting this claim in exchange for a very small settlement (the law doesn’t allow you to collect for pain and suffering). I decided it was now time to take care of myself and my neck and try and cope with the loss of my daughter and end this nightmare with workers compensation. Life is too precious to continue fighting and worrying over workers compensation, and who will be the next Real Estate doctor. My daughter was born with Cystic Fibrosis. Taking care of my daughter resulted in me being involved with numerous insurance companies and state agents over the years. All those years of experience didn’t begin to prepare me for what workers compensation was allow to do to an injured worker. Enough of workers compensation. I accept their terms and ended this nightmare. Several years later, I would have a 5th operation on my neck. They would remove all the old hardware and replace it with a new. Read the book and you decide.