Metal Testing

OK. Like my hat?
So I am in Dallas and finishing the metal allergy testing. It was very interesting. I got a shot every 10 minutes. I feel lucky, there were some people there that are allergic to many, many environmental things. Everyday things like the inside of the car and the bed they sleep in.
Unfortunately, I happen to have an allergic reaction to most of the metals that are used in the prosthesis. It looks like I will need a pure Titanium jaw. I am certain this will cost significant $$$$$.
Here is a picture of the my arm after day #1 of the testing. Looks like a very bad tatoo.
I am ready to head back home now and they can begin work on the prosthesis. This is progress.

Finally and at LAST!

It is now the end of October and the insurance has finally approved the surgery. I now have to head to Dallas for metal allergy testing to make sure I do not have any allergies to the metal in the prosthesis. It takes three days to get that done so I am heading there next week. On Monday I am having the CT of my head done and that will be sent to the people who make the prosthesis. The prosthesis itself will take 7-8 weeks to be made. Soooooooooooooooo The surgery date is officially scheduled for January 20th, 2012. Now I am nervous.

Happy July.......Insurance again??? still.....

So not it is July. I got my #3 denial - they were missing a signature. Grrrrrrrr. Signature completed. I am hoping that they can reopen the case without having to start at the beginning. This has been a challenge - continues to be a challenge. But onward and upward. Clearly not going to have a surgery this summer. Will keep you posted.

Insurance......still.

HI everybody - I got denied yet a second time. This time they requested more information - including a sleep study to document that I have a comprised airway due to my jaw.
That was an adventure in itself. (see photo)
So, the July 26th date is officially CANCELLED - there is no way to get the rest of the work up done in time for that date. So...... I am trying to be one with the universe and take it as it comes. I am awaiting the next communication with insurance and hoping that it will be an approval

Insurance!!! UGH

Sooooooo - insurance denied the procedure. Round one. I am hoping that I can get the "appeal" done in the next two weeks or the date will have to be changed. Too much to get in done in such a short time.
Wish me luck

OK.... so I am going to try and post.
Currently I am working on insurance coverage. It is still pending....... and pending......and pending.
The braces actually helped the jaw pain for about a week! and now the daily migraine has come back.
The surgery date is scheduled for July 26th - if we can get the orthodontia complete as well as the prosthesis made and OK'd by the surgeon. They do a "practice" surgery with the prosthesis prior to the actual surgery.
Thanks for all your offers of help.... I will take you all up on it soon.

Greetings to Friends of Dave and Jody!

I'm Pat, one of Dave and Jody's friends. I volunteered to set up this blog so that all of us can be kept up to date as Jody works her way through the replacement of her TMJ joints in the months ahead. You'll also be able to leave comments so you can show your support.

I was going to call this blog "Jody's Terrible Adventure" but then kept thinking we don't want to keep repeating Terrible and thinking of it as such. So Jody's going to do this surgery, get through it with flying colors and be rid of migraines, pain and be able to chomp an apple with her mouth wide open.

The procedure has already begun with fitting Jody with what she calls her "hot pink braces." She's even photographed them and as soon as she familiarizes herself with how to post and upload a photo to this blog, we'll all get to see them.

So the first step is that these braces will put her jaw into the right position, hopefully in time for the surgery now scheduled in Dallas for July 26. The details of this surgery are not for the squeamish or faint of heart, so I'll leave it to Jody to describe.

Of course, every cloud has a silver lining -- including this one. One of the byproducts of the operation is that the patient gets the equivalent of a mini-face lift so we're counting on the disappearance of at least 10 years. That would only be fair, and Jody promises before and after photos.

Other good news is that the doctor has done this surgery 800 times so he knows what he's doing. And Jody really likes him as well.

I've set this blog up so that Jody and Dave can both post so I'll bow out for now and turn the electronic mike over to Miss Hot Pink Braces herself aka Jody.