voc rehab

Voc rehab is wondering what is going on. They called on Monday and I told them I had no info. That didn't seem to satisfy them and they wanted my "status". My status is that I don't have a date but I am cleared to that point. They wanted me to call Kristy and I did. I called on Thurs and left a message with the lady that helps Kristy. I told her I was cleared but not yet have a date. That was what my Oct 14th appt was about that was cancelled. The lady said she would check and see if I was on a list and if maybe Kristy was assigning me to Salameh. I don't even know if Voc Rehab will change surgeons. Sooooo I am so down and out. I am so tired of this game. BUT I feel if it is the Lord's will in my life it will happen. I just get tired and I guess I fear that they will say NO DEAL. I prepare myself for that all the time because Voc Rehab seems to not be able to really say they will do the actually surgery until the surgeon turns in the papers that he requests the funds for surgery. I said you mean you will pay all this preop stuff and you can't tell me it a go. They said that is correct. I was so mad. Anyway I don't know. I just needed to vent I guess. I haven't felt well and that gets to me....pushing on. I am a mom and have 3 children at home and I get so tired of pushing to go. Carrying 320 pds in getting to me let me tell you. My back is the main thing. Bless all of you and thanks for listening. When I hear something I will surely let you know. Jane

Hey Jane!! Do you know how much voc rehab is willing to pay the surgeon. If its a substantial amount call Janet Crawford at Hattiesburg Clinic.... 264-6000 ask for William Whiteheads office then ask for Janet. Or call Dr. Salamehs office. I know everyone is doing that though and I dont think its doing any good. From what I understand he is booked beyond booked. Dr Whiteheads office hasnt taken vocartional rehab before because they didnt want to pay the surgeon except $1100.00. If your papers show they will pay him alot more than that - they may be willing to accept it. What county is your voc rehab? Insurance paid mine except for $1000 and voc rehab is supposed to pick that up for me. They even said they would pay $8000.00 to surgeon. Thats more than $1100.00. I gave all of this to Janet and she is supposed to get with Voc Rehab and see whats going on. I am in Forrest County though. I know how frustrating this waiting is. If I was a patient of Dr. Blake I would be ANGRY with him for dragging us thru this. Whatever he is doing is having a ripple effect on ALL of his patients. Its selfish to not let everyone know what is going on and very tacky. If he comes back (and I dont see that happening)--I would probably chew him up one side and down the other. Jan Brown and Arlies talked to Dr. Salameh last Monday at the support meeting---he told them to not expect anything for a few months. Everyone has busted their butts to get them all the preop stuff they want and then POOF--NO DOCTOR. I hate seeing everyone going thru this. Its the unknown that is stressful and its not nessecary. They just need to tell everyone one way or the other and quit trying to stall without giving a legitimate reason. Its my opinion he is in trouble and has spent the last month trying to get out of it. Hasnt it been 29 days yet??? Sorry - I think I vented. I know everyone thinks the world of Dr. Blake but he shouldnt do this to everyone. Everyone is left hanging. I hate watching yall stress like this. It really bothers me. Please dont flame me. I care about each and every one of yall and I am angry with Dr. Blake on yalls behalf.

Good Morning Christine and Jane, Thank you for your careing. This has been horrible, to say the least. It's like I told Dr. Salameh Monday night, "it took me about 3 years to make this life decision, then this happens". This is almost unbearable. I told him, "I think I should just go ahead and contact doctors in LA." I live in South MS and only 130 from N.O. so it is not that far fetched, to think about going there. If I have to wait anyway, I may as well see someone who cares about me and my mental attitude. I feel like I have been taken hostage by Dr. Blake and his uncareing feelings about my life. I really don't know the answer. I just loved Dr. Salameh and would give anything for him to do my surgery. My pcp works at UMC and told me she would check on me after surgery. This meant so much to me. But my heart goes out to Dr. Salameh, he is trying to do everything. He saw my pain and showed me compassion. He is doing his own work and Dr. Blakes work as well. I ask him if WLS was all he did and he told me it was only about 30% of his work. So you see he doesn't really have very much time to give all of us anyway. Thanks for letting me vent too. If I could have Dr. Salameh do my surgery, I would go today. Arlies said she was just going to go to the operating room and lay on a table and hope he would just stop by and operate on her. She always gets a smile out of all of us. Bless her heart! Hope ya'll have a great week-end. Smiles, Jan

Hi Jan... Dr. Salameh seems like a very caring individual. He must be in order to come to those support group meetings and be willing to answer questions after a long day of surgeries, knowing he has a new bride at home. His compassion seems to come thru very brightly and I have only had the pleasure of 'looking' at him once. I know this is taking a toll on all of yall and I just pray that it is resolved soon. If you ever need to talk just let me know....I may not have all the answers (I know I dont) but I can listen to you vent and sometimes thats all we need to make us feel better. Are you voc rehab or insurance? Sorry, I dont remember.

Hi Christine, I will be using Medicare. I have BCBS of MS and they will not help at all, so I really don't know how much I will owe after Medicare pays. Thank you so much for your kindness. Arlies has called me a couple of times, so you know I have been laughing! It is so wonderful to be a part of such a loving family. It's almost like, I am glad I am MOB because look at all my new friends I have now. There are pluses in everything !!!!! Thanks again for you kindness. Take care, Smiles, JAN

Jan, if you are using medicare then you can choose another dr to do your surgery. There are many in this state that accept medicare. The one on the coast (nurse) told my friend that he could do her within a month. Dr Clevland is about 4 months if you dont have any pre op stuff done yet. Christine's dr is even less than that.

Hey Jan, I hope this makes you feel some better. Last week I called Susan ~ Dr. Salameh's nurse/sec.(?) And I asked her "What did I need to do in order to get some of Dr. Blakes patients transfered to him. Did I need to take someone out to dinner, send them flowers, beg ? What ??? Just tell me". And she said that the ONLY thing that could be done, is to call Christy. So, I guess it would be safe to say, that Christy is the only way to get a transfer to Dr. Salameh. But, I've heard of people asking for it, and all she ever tells them is that "you don't want to leave" and "you want to stay right where your at." Which not to be ugly.... But that is easy for her to say. She is not fat nor is she unhealthing. But some people are and ready and waiting to do something about it NOW. I would suggest that when people ask her about changing doctors, that they come right out and ask for 3 good reason as to why they shouldn't change doctors given the way things are working out.

Thank you Tammy for trying to help all us. You are so thoughtful. I am trying to be nice and not cause trouble, but I just want my surgery! Thanks again, Smiles, Jan

Hey Jan, You have put in your dues to Sweetie. So vent away. All your doing is telling the truth. Your not beating a dead horse. And that my friend says alot, about you being the sweetheart that you are. You tell the truth and let it stand for what it says. Because the truth hurts more than a bashing does. Everyone knows that. And if I could fix this problem, what ever it is.... I WOULD DO IT !!! B/C yall are worth it too me. Luv n Hugs, Tammy

Hey Christine, Who is going to Flame you ??? They better not !!! Not and let me hear about it anyway. I'll jump in on that with both feet in a heart beat. There is a BIG differance in telling the TRUTH and just plain right out BASHING someone over and over and over and over...... Dr. Blake SHOULD step up and inform his patients about what is going on, even if he has to "makes-up" something to tell. Just don't walk off and leave people hanging. I mean, HOW RUDE !!! He is a grown man, he should know better than to do that. I'm sure that you will be getting alot of people emailing you stating "I agree" , "They jumped me", "You Shouldn't Tell That", and BLAH BLAH BLAH. And I'm sure that my name and Arlies name will be at the top of the list. I know that Arlies got "bash and hate" email from someone on this board and when she stood up to them, they emailed her back and said that it was intended for me. However, the person didn't have enough "smarts" to go back and read their own email, because they even asked her in the email, "what is with you and Shelton? Are yall in love with this guy?" So really, they proved that they are a liar, but not a good liar. But, you know what ~ you have been posting on this board for a long time. It isn't like you just popped up out of the blue and started relentlessly bashing away at someone. You are like most of us here, you have put in your dues. So VENT AWAY Sweetie !!!