Monday, August 3, 2009
But I'm just a stranger
I saw and experienced the love of God in my host family. They invited me, a stranger, into their home and family. They gave me a place to sleep, food to eat, helped me do laundry and dishes, taught me their culture, and tended to my health problems. I was amazed by their openness and sacrifice. I think I got a glimpse of what the disciples must have experienced when they traveled and stayed with strangers. It takes some risk, but is so rewarding beyond my imagination.
Wow, that's a big back yard!
When I first got to Chimalhuacan, Mexico and saw all the dogs (I counted 115 one day on the bus. That was in about 2 miles, 15-20 minutes in slight traffic with a lot of speed bumps. And that's just what I could see.) roaming around, I thought the people were insensitive and didn't care. That was because in America if you see a dog roaming around outside, it's a stray dog. But over time I realized that I was wrong. Even though the dogs were roaming around many (if not most) had owner, names, and some could do tricks. Chimalhuacan was just their huge backyard 
.
. Back Pain saga continued
This is just a continuation of a prior post. I'm keeping track of how ridiculous it has been to take care of my back. So where I left off in the prior post (Healthcare...frustrating) was I was waiting to hear back about my chest x-ray in order to get the MRI. Well, about a week passed and I called the people about three times. One time the doctors was doing an operation and hadn't got around to evaluating my x-ray. The next time the doctor had to make a request to get the actual x-ray and not just a written explanation. The next time, a couple days later, still waiting on the doctor.
Then I went to Mexico for 6 weeks. It was amazing to get healthcare there. I paid 20 bucks, waited 30 minutes, got my x-ray and walked away with it in my hands (I wanted to see if my spine is okay). That was so much easier.
So I came back home to America and called the MRI place. They said they had left a message. I never got it. She said she needed to know how old I was when I had heart surgery, what kind of metal was it and what was the name of the operation. I had already told them the name of the operation about 5 times. I even researched it and sent it to them on e-mail. She claims she never got it. So now, again, I'm waiting... I can't help but say our healthcare system sucks!
Then I went to Mexico for 6 weeks. It was amazing to get healthcare there. I paid 20 bucks, waited 30 minutes, got my x-ray and walked away with it in my hands (I wanted to see if my spine is okay). That was so much easier.
So I came back home to America and called the MRI place. They said they had left a message. I never got it. She said she needed to know how old I was when I had heart surgery, what kind of metal was it and what was the name of the operation. I had already told them the name of the operation about 5 times. I even researched it and sent it to them on e-mail. She claims she never got it. So now, again, I'm waiting... I can't help but say our healthcare system sucks!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
25 best things I've ever done
I went out with some co-workers for my birthday and we were talking about what I can do for my 25th birthday. One suggestion was to think of the 25 best things I've ever done(or perhaps the best decisions I've ever made). So here they are:
1. Rode on roller coasters
2.Learned Spanish
3. Learned to dance
4. Went to diverse public schools
5.Spent the summer with my Christian sister, Elena
6.Chose to follow Jesus
7. Broke up with my boyfriend
8. Did well in school
9. Graduated High School
10. Played sports
11. Went to college
12. Chose a college near my sister, Elena and her husband, Steve
13. Joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)
14. Met Michele Blanton
15. Went on the San Antonio Urban Project
16.Changed my major to Sociology
17. Joined the Exec team of IVCF
18. Went on the Global Urban Trek to Manila, Philippines
19. Graduated College
20. Moved to California
21. Lived with Jenny Johnson
22. Joined Living Waters
23. Learned Spanish
24. Taken risks
25. Continued to follow Jesus
1. Rode on roller coasters
2.Learned Spanish
3. Learned to dance
4. Went to diverse public schools
5.Spent the summer with my Christian sister, Elena
6.Chose to follow Jesus
7. Broke up with my boyfriend
8. Did well in school
9. Graduated High School
10. Played sports
11. Went to college
12. Chose a college near my sister, Elena and her husband, Steve
13. Joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)
14. Met Michele Blanton
15. Went on the San Antonio Urban Project
16.Changed my major to Sociology
17. Joined the Exec team of IVCF
18. Went on the Global Urban Trek to Manila, Philippines
19. Graduated College
20. Moved to California
21. Lived with Jenny Johnson
22. Joined Living Waters
23. Learned Spanish
24. Taken risks
25. Continued to follow Jesus
Health Care...frustrating
I went to my primary care physician last April because 3 months of chiropractic care was not helping my back after my car accident. I asked to get an MRI and she said we had to try physical therapy first.
So I did that for several weeks and after 8-9 months I tried many things (too many to mention), spent lots of money, and made minimal progress. Finally, I went back to the doctor. She referred me to a pain clinic. I made the appointment and had to get all my medical records for my back which required a few phone calls and special trips. I went there and the doctor said it would take a week to approve the MRI. It got approved and I called to make an appointment.
Then they asked me about my heart surgery I had 12 years ago. She wanted the name of the doctor and where I had it. So I talked to my mom, found out and called back. Then she said I had to get my medical records from them to proceed. So I looked up the hospital and there were like 10 branches of this hospital in Houston. So I picked the one closest to my house growing up. They sent we through 3 automated voice systems until finally I reached a voice mail and had to leave a message. After I didn't hear anything back for a day, I called the main line and the lady gave me the direct number. I told her how I reached a voice mail and the call was not returned. She said to call early in the morning (that's difficult when I'm two hours ahead of them) and then she gave me an alternate phone number. I called the alternate one and got an answer. I explained my situation and the lady told me there's a $42 charge for the first 10 pages and $1.13 for each page after that or I could send it directly to the doctor for free. She said I'd have to sign an authorization either way. So I gave her my fax number and it never came through. I called back and she said she sent it and it was confirmed. We've had trouble with that fax machine so I gave her an alternate one. I went to the office where that one is a few hours later and the secretary said she didn't receive a fax (I had to do this during work because they aren't open before or after I get off-even more frustrating). So I called back and she said I could look it up on-line.
I decided to make sure I had the right hospital. She looked it up and told me I needed to contact a different hospital. I talked to my mom again to find out which hospital specifically. I looked it up on-line and then called the main line. I went through 3 more automated systems and finally reached a real voice. I explained my situation. The lady wanted to know the specific date I had the surgery. Again frustrating since it was when I was young. She told me they only hold records for 10 years but that I could try. I had already decided that I was going to ask the doctor's office to work out faxing the authorization because it was easier for them and I was frustrated. This lady suggested I do that. So I got all the information and called the doctor's office and explained the situation. (In the mean time-3 days after I left it, the other lady returned my call from the voice mail I left). They wanted to know why I couldn't do it. I told them I didn't have a fax and that I was informed that they had the authorization. She begrudgingly agreed to send it, but told me I had to sign the authorization. Thankfully, I had the day off from work and could just drive over there and sign it.
All of this caused much frustration and made my back hurt worse. One month after I went in and started the process to get an MRI, I still have not had one. I'm still waiting to hear back on the medical records dilemma. In the mean time, I'm losing sleep because my back hurts so bad. This is why I'm skeptical of doctors. It's for this very reason that scar tissue built up and created complications in my knee surgery and caused me to lose a lot of cartilage and be advised to never play sports again, not even for fun. I'm having a hard time keeping a positive attitude towards doctors. uurrrggg!
I last wrote on this April 25 and it is now May 23 and still nothing has happened! What has happened. After a week and a half waiting for my records I called to check the status. Of course I had to call to see if the doctor's office received it. That got me passed around and explaining over and over. They didn't receive them. So I had to call the Release of Information place and get passed around and explain again. Finally, a lady verified my name and said your last name is Diamante, right? Wow, was that frustrating. So I corrected her - she still said my name wrong three times before getting off and she said she'd call back. I asked why they had not called me yet and she said she did not have my contact information. So I gave it to her. Three days later, I called again because I had not heard back. She said that they had already shredded my records because the surgery was too long ago. It took two months to tell me that!
So I called the MRI place to let them know. They asked me about the surgery I had. I explained. I even went on line and sent them some links. After a few phone calls, being passed around, explaining, and waiting for them to call me, they said I have to get a chest x-ray. I called the place I went originally to set that up, they were confused by my situation, asked me all these questions and said they'd call back. So the nurse assistant left a message on my phone (that day-thank God) saying they would be sending me a form in the mail with locations and a prescription to get a chest x-ray. I had to wait another 4 fours. Thankfully, the place to get a chest x-ray is on a walk in basis because I couldn't take any more days off of work. Now it's been three days and we are going into a three day weekend and I'm still waiting to hear what's going to happen next. So the back/MRI saga continues....
So I did that for several weeks and after 8-9 months I tried many things (too many to mention), spent lots of money, and made minimal progress. Finally, I went back to the doctor. She referred me to a pain clinic. I made the appointment and had to get all my medical records for my back which required a few phone calls and special trips. I went there and the doctor said it would take a week to approve the MRI. It got approved and I called to make an appointment.
Then they asked me about my heart surgery I had 12 years ago. She wanted the name of the doctor and where I had it. So I talked to my mom, found out and called back. Then she said I had to get my medical records from them to proceed. So I looked up the hospital and there were like 10 branches of this hospital in Houston. So I picked the one closest to my house growing up. They sent we through 3 automated voice systems until finally I reached a voice mail and had to leave a message. After I didn't hear anything back for a day, I called the main line and the lady gave me the direct number. I told her how I reached a voice mail and the call was not returned. She said to call early in the morning (that's difficult when I'm two hours ahead of them) and then she gave me an alternate phone number. I called the alternate one and got an answer. I explained my situation and the lady told me there's a $42 charge for the first 10 pages and $1.13 for each page after that or I could send it directly to the doctor for free. She said I'd have to sign an authorization either way. So I gave her my fax number and it never came through. I called back and she said she sent it and it was confirmed. We've had trouble with that fax machine so I gave her an alternate one. I went to the office where that one is a few hours later and the secretary said she didn't receive a fax (I had to do this during work because they aren't open before or after I get off-even more frustrating). So I called back and she said I could look it up on-line.
I decided to make sure I had the right hospital. She looked it up and told me I needed to contact a different hospital. I talked to my mom again to find out which hospital specifically. I looked it up on-line and then called the main line. I went through 3 more automated systems and finally reached a real voice. I explained my situation. The lady wanted to know the specific date I had the surgery. Again frustrating since it was when I was young. She told me they only hold records for 10 years but that I could try. I had already decided that I was going to ask the doctor's office to work out faxing the authorization because it was easier for them and I was frustrated. This lady suggested I do that. So I got all the information and called the doctor's office and explained the situation. (In the mean time-3 days after I left it, the other lady returned my call from the voice mail I left). They wanted to know why I couldn't do it. I told them I didn't have a fax and that I was informed that they had the authorization. She begrudgingly agreed to send it, but told me I had to sign the authorization. Thankfully, I had the day off from work and could just drive over there and sign it.
All of this caused much frustration and made my back hurt worse. One month after I went in and started the process to get an MRI, I still have not had one. I'm still waiting to hear back on the medical records dilemma. In the mean time, I'm losing sleep because my back hurts so bad. This is why I'm skeptical of doctors. It's for this very reason that scar tissue built up and created complications in my knee surgery and caused me to lose a lot of cartilage and be advised to never play sports again, not even for fun. I'm having a hard time keeping a positive attitude towards doctors. uurrrggg!
I last wrote on this April 25 and it is now May 23 and still nothing has happened! What has happened. After a week and a half waiting for my records I called to check the status. Of course I had to call to see if the doctor's office received it. That got me passed around and explaining over and over. They didn't receive them. So I had to call the Release of Information place and get passed around and explain again. Finally, a lady verified my name and said your last name is Diamante, right? Wow, was that frustrating. So I corrected her - she still said my name wrong three times before getting off and she said she'd call back. I asked why they had not called me yet and she said she did not have my contact information. So I gave it to her. Three days later, I called again because I had not heard back. She said that they had already shredded my records because the surgery was too long ago. It took two months to tell me that!
So I called the MRI place to let them know. They asked me about the surgery I had. I explained. I even went on line and sent them some links. After a few phone calls, being passed around, explaining, and waiting for them to call me, they said I have to get a chest x-ray. I called the place I went originally to set that up, they were confused by my situation, asked me all these questions and said they'd call back. So the nurse assistant left a message on my phone (that day-thank God) saying they would be sending me a form in the mail with locations and a prescription to get a chest x-ray. I had to wait another 4 fours. Thankfully, the place to get a chest x-ray is on a walk in basis because I couldn't take any more days off of work. Now it's been three days and we are going into a three day weekend and I'm still waiting to hear what's going to happen next. So the back/MRI saga continues....
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Leaving LA
If things go as planned I will be leaving LA within the year. I was reflecting over everything else I have to do before I leave. Here is the list thus far (I am only including things I have not yet done), feel free to add your suggestions:
1. Go to a Jay Leno or Ellen show
2. Go to Las Vegas
3. Go to Disney Land (?)
4. Eat Korean Bar B Que
5. Go to some museums on Miracle Mile
6. Go hiking
7. Go to Six Flags (without kids with me)
1. Go to a Jay Leno or Ellen show
2. Go to Las Vegas
3. Go to Disney Land (?)
4. Eat Korean Bar B Que
5. Go to some museums on Miracle Mile
6. Go hiking
7. Go to Six Flags (without kids with me)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Healing
After a year and two months of chronic back pain, my understanding of physical pain and God's healing has been evolving. I used to think that if God were going to heal someone it would be instant. If God did not heal someone instantly, I would wonder what went wrong and would be discouraged at times. I might think, did I not have enough faith? Did they not have enough faith? Does God not care or is He not really in the healing business? Now, I think differently!
I've come to realize that there is a role that God can play, that the devil can play, and also that we play. The pain I am experiencing in my back can be attributed to choices I have made that have created the problem. If God were to heal me instantly, I would not change my unhealthy lifestyle patterns. I trust that God is good, that he sees my pain, and that He wants healing for me. I also see the choices I have to make to help the process.
Now, I think when I pray for peoples healing I can have a better understanding of why God might not heal right away. And I do think sometimes there is an emotional and deeper spiritual component to why someone might hava an ailment. I've heard stories about this. The bottom line is it is complicated, but God is good. I think we should be careful of always looking at the spiritual component to an ailment and also look at that persons lifestyle habits or at what else God may be wanting that person to learn from it. Maybe our prayers should not just be let the pain go away, but let them have insight into their problem to know what God is trying to communicate or what they need to change in order to be healed. And ofcourse, the particular ailment makes a difference as well. These are just some of my initial thoughts.
I've come to realize that there is a role that God can play, that the devil can play, and also that we play. The pain I am experiencing in my back can be attributed to choices I have made that have created the problem. If God were to heal me instantly, I would not change my unhealthy lifestyle patterns. I trust that God is good, that he sees my pain, and that He wants healing for me. I also see the choices I have to make to help the process.
Now, I think when I pray for peoples healing I can have a better understanding of why God might not heal right away. And I do think sometimes there is an emotional and deeper spiritual component to why someone might hava an ailment. I've heard stories about this. The bottom line is it is complicated, but God is good. I think we should be careful of always looking at the spiritual component to an ailment and also look at that persons lifestyle habits or at what else God may be wanting that person to learn from it. Maybe our prayers should not just be let the pain go away, but let them have insight into their problem to know what God is trying to communicate or what they need to change in order to be healed. And ofcourse, the particular ailment makes a difference as well. These are just some of my initial thoughts.
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