A few months back I thought it would be great to get out into the community and do my part, so I got involved with the local cancer clinic. I am there from 8am-12pm ish most Wednesday mornings.

I get to hang out with the book cart raising funds for the cancer clinic and this morning I broke the record!! $53.00 – great day to say the least.

So that is my blurb for the day

Later folks – hot tub time.

It has now been 8 days since my last operation.

It was a abdominal rupture on my left side - this was 4 layers of muscles that ripped for the first time post op (malignant cancer L1-L3 spinal fusion) just after the operation in January 2005. I had it repaired the first time in March 2006 2 days after Hetty’s dad passed away.

Since then it had ripped some more . So I asked for another consult with the former surgeon and he was not interested in fixing this on going problem. After a referral to Dr Todd @ Peace Arch Hospital I had it reapaired again with adding more mesh between the layers. Now I am recovering slowly at home with my favorite nurse and beloved wife .

Saw our family dr today for a post op consult and things are progressing normally – can’t wait to be able to get back into my hot tub SOON while life on long-term disability continues.

Thanks for all your prayer

In the middle of December a need was brought to our attention. A little dog needed a foster home. He was found without food and water – he was starving and cold. It was pulling at the heat strings and with some reluctance we took  this little guy into our home. We have named him Bonezz ,he is a 1-year-old Shih Tzu & Poodle mix – great little dog with loads of spunk and personality. He gets along great with Rousillon and they have lots of play fights. The idea is to get him fattened up, potty trained, neutered and ready for his forever home. Bonezz will make a great family pet – he is very easy-going and super cute.

New years eve we spent at home relaxing – nothing new there. New years day friends came to visit and they brought Pizza – it was awesome guys – thanks!!

Michael is anticipating his next operation to fix a surgical rupture, to go through on at the end of this month. But first we have a wedding to attend – this is a very exciting time.

Thanks to all of you for the ongoing prayers and support and all the best blessings to each of you in this new year.

Dr Zwimpher – Vancouver BC – Neurosurgery

Dr. Michael Boyd – Vancouver BC – Neurosurgery

Dr Robert D. Keyes – Vancouver BC – Neurology

Dr. Michelle Johnson – Vancouver BC – Endocrinology

Dr. John David Todd – White Rock BC  – General Sugergy 

In the mean time LTD had cut him off of his disability income and he was struggling to get back on it – not a easy task. After numerous calls with RBC (LDT policy holders) and NUMEROUS Dr appointments and a self paid examination($300.00) from a OT, PT and KIN team – it was determined that he is to take more time off for recovery and that his disability is now officially permanent. After a few sleepless months we finally got his LTD disability reinstated.

We manged to survive with the help of church, family, friends and Yeshua!!!

M & H Martin

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 ~

Now fast forward to June 28 2009, we had been looking for a new addition to the family. And started thinking about getting a dog this time around. Michael had been home on disability now since April 21 2009 and I was was only working part time. Michael wanted to wait at least a year before adding another pet to the family, but my heart was set on finding a Shih Tzu. Friends and family have this breed and we really enjoyed the spunk and personality ofr the breed.

I was looking daily on craigslist, kijjji and talking to family and friends about finding the perfect puppy. At the end of June I found 2 dogs that I wanted us to meet. The first one was very strange and could not bond with either of us nor would she listen to her master. I knew this was not the dog for us. We came back home and I went back online and found the cutest black and white 4 month old Shih Tzu and we arranged a meeting with the owner. Immediately there was a bond and we knew that this was going to the dog for us. After some negotiating and goofing off with the pup we brought him home with us. Michael named him Rousillon!! He is a joy and pleasure to have in the house and on the road with us.

Rousillon - Summer 2009

This Sunday his previous owner and mom Zoe will be coming for dogie date (first one with his mom). Going to be interesting to see them connect and react. Rpusillon has been camping with us in June already and really enjoyed it very much.

God is good!!

M & H Martin

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 ~

The policy holders of the Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance and namely my assigned senior disability claim specialist (SDCS) (who I will not name at this time), is holding out. I have been proactive with this claim since the first week of January 2009, calling weekly for updates and concerns.

In the middle of February 2009 the Insurance Company requested more medical information from me. My family Dr. sent the information as requested, it was sent February 19th. Shortly after it had been sent I called the Insurance Company to confirm that they had received the info and my LTD SDCS there claimed that it had not arrived. I contacted the Dr. office again to confirm that it had been sent and requested a tracking number, they said it was sent via Canada Post.  Next I called Insurance Company, asking for the supervisor, who was unavailable. The receptionist was unable to connect me to the mail room (due to policy reasons). She then asked what the problem was. I proceeded to explain that my Dr. office had sent confidential medical information and it had been 2 weeks in the mail and I was wondering if it had arrived safely.

Now I am getting very concerned that my personal medical information is lost in the mail. The Insurance Company receptionist says she would locate the mail and then get back to me.  About an hour later my SDCS calls stating that he had it on this desk!!

Now he proceeds to tell me that since my family Dr. has written in the medical information that I would be ready to return back to work at the 12 week mark (March 30^th).  I requested a Graduated Return Back to Work Program (GRTW) from Insurance Company and their SDCS explains that this is my problem and there would be no help to get me back to work again. Insurance Company offers me the following options

1.       Return to work now and get my claim paid out for the past 9 weeks. (At which time my claim would be closed permanently)

2.       I could wait the full 12 weeks as my family Dr. Initially advised and then I may or may not be approved for the LTD Insurance.

This conversation left me totally confused, so I called him back to clarify what decisions if any the Insurance Company had made about my claim. He says that he spoke too soon about paying out the 9 weeks and that in fact, no decision had been made yet and that he was not even sure when one would be made.

This morning I set up appointments with my family Dr and my employer. I explained my situation.  They both agreed that I am not fit enough to return to work at this time (9 weeks) and advised that I wait out the whole 12 weeks.  That during the next month I begin physio therapy and get fit.

My current medical status and a request for GRTW will be faxed to the Insurance Company for review this week.  In the meantime I am waiting for their decision on my claim.

WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY??

M & H Martin

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 17:14 ~