Western vs Eastern. Can You Say "Buddha"?

The formal denial has been received. Thank you medical group for weighing the interests of your patients against the interest$ of the in$urance company. I feel comforted that I am in such good hands and that my personal well-being is such a high priority........blah, blah,blah, blah.


Since we found out yesterday that I was denied by the medical group for the surgery referral (remember the countless phone calls?),  Stephanie started working on the appeal. The formal denial letter came with the US Postie today and explained how the appeal process worked (can you say "30 days"? How about "expedited"? 72 hours is more like it). The draft appeal letter was zipped across the net for review between Stephanie, myself and our Health Care Advocate Maggie - boy can Maggie write appeals. The appeal paperwork will be submitted tomorrow. Time to knock on that door again because it isn't over yet. 


Meanwhile, back at the ranch Stephanie and I were racing across LA for my appointment at the Eastern Center for Complementary Medicine (ECCM) to see Steve Gomberg, the newest member of my medical team and an ordained buddhist monk in the Tibetan Tradition (www.herbalroom.com). Well well would you look at that, the boy from San Berdoo who was raised by nuns is off to consult a buddhist monk!


I am embracing all that the medical world has to offer - my medical world consists of both the western and the eastern worlds. I do believe in the deepest part of my soul that "my team" must work together to ensure a successful outcome. The outcome that sees me walking one day in the not too distant future without my "friend" and in control of my mind, body and soul. The outcome that has me being a better husband, a better father, a better son and maybe, just maybe a better person than when I started this journey.


I can't wait for what tomorrow brings........I am sure that something appealing is going to happen!


p.s: my favorite soccer club FC Barcelona thrashed Shaktar Donetsk 5-1 in the first leg of their Champions League Quarterfinal.....mas que un club!