Mail Day!

Every day I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my mailman. I've been making several trips per day to the mailbox, hopeful for letter that I've been expecting. Considering that our mailbox is nearly 1/4 mile away, it is a considerable trek! My anticipation peaks and my heart begins to beat faster as I open the little door on our mailbox. Instantly my hopes are squashed when I realize that only junk mail, bills, and assorted newspapers have been delivered.

I've been waiting for word from the Workman's Compensation Commission of MD about my case. Since the non-hearing debacle from January 18th, I've been on pins and needles waiting for the next move. My frustrations have been increasing as each day goes by without any word on my case.

I called my attorney earlier in the week to inquire about the status of my hearing. I was shocked when his secretary actually put my call through to him. Not that he was particularly helpful, but it was nice to actually be able to converse with the man who is supposed to be advocating my case.

During the course of our brief conversation, I mentioned that I liked "Skippy" (the young and inexperienced lawyer who was assigned to represent me at the last hearing). I was a little disturbed when my attorney replied by saying, "He's young and fresh out of law school. He still cares about what he is doing. When you get to be my age, you don't care as much anymore." Although obviously true, I was surprised and taken aback that my attorney actually admitted that he doesn't care anymore. Who does that! It certainly did nothing to increase my confidence in his representation of my case.

Yesterday, in lieu of the forecast snow, we received a steady and cold rain. I wasn't going to schlep up to the mailbox in the unfavorable weather, but my curiosity got the best of me. I bundled up, and went to retrieve our mail.

I began to shake as I opened up our mailbox, but it wasn't from the cold. I spotted a letter from the Commission. With the cold rain pouring down, I stopped in my tracks and opened the envelope. The typed form letter left me speechless.

Unbeknown to me, the Commission has approved my appeals without a hearing. I didn't even know that this was a possibility! Everything has been approved and ordered by the court. I was drenched by the time I got home, but I felt 50 pounds lighter. The weight of not knowing and not having control over my own decisions has been lifted.

I'm going to be able to proceed with my revision surgery as recommended. While I'm not excited about the prospect of a re-amputation, I am thrilled to be able to put this chapter of my life behind me and move forward. It's degrading to have to testify in court in order to obtain recommended medical care. I'm happy that, this time around, I was spared that experience and the court ruled in my favor without a formal hearing!