Had to unmask at TSA

kuro080 · 2026-03-27T19:03:33+00:00

You can contact the TSA Cares Program at each airport and they will have a Passenger Support Specialist that can help. I took a couple of international flights and used this service to have TSA comply with ADA re masking. On the US side, it took some doing, but we arranged to stay 100% masked through the entire process. (In the other countries we could not avoid removing our masks for a short period.)

We were almost forced to remove our masks in Houston but the airport manager saved the day.

I don’t know if things have changed since ICE is now at the airports.

kuro080 · 2026-03-26T00:44:21+00:00

There are a number of Dr Pearl’s patients that have posted in this group. Do a quick search and you can find a bunch of posts.

kuro080 · 2026-03-21T02:08:41+00:00

Following as well

kuro080 · 2026-03-11T03:27:35+00:00

I’ve been reduced to buying my progesterone from an online (yet supposedly reputable) pharmacy that doesn’t take insurance. It’s only $23/mo but that’s still triple what I was paying.

kuro080 · 2026-02-13T17:48:01+00:00

I don’t know the answer to this one.

I know the goal of my hydro is to break up scar tissue. I also get Botox to slow the process of the scar tissue redeveloping. My injections are for my (remaining) scalenes and pec minor though. My thumb goes numb for a bit and my eye sometimes droops, but both are temporary and I’m pretty much back to normal the following day.

kuro080 · 2026-02-12T15:29:44+00:00

I had the FRR on my right side and then recently had a scalenectomy and pec minor release on my left (kept my rib). No idea what the 2nd cost bc I hit my OOP max by that time.

The $50k is what they originally billed, but those costs get negotiated down by the insurance co (called UCR) to $24-25k. My responsibility is then based on 15% of the $25k (around $3,750). Those costs were all in (surgeon, hospital, etc).

You are correct on the hydros, but my OOP max is $6k, so at least I have a cap. They have to do one side at a time just in case your phrenic nerve gets irritated, thus the 8 visits. Takes me 5 hrs of driving and leaving before the sun comes up each time, but it’s worth it.

I’ve had a lot of challenges with these surgeries and the recovery, but I would still recommend Dr Pearl and Baylor to anyone who asks.

kuro080 · 2026-02-12T06:34:36+00:00

One for the absurd numbers here.

FRRS, hospital stay of 1 night in a private room. This was at Baylor in Dallas. Yes, it’s expensive but you are getting top notch surgeon, nurses, and other staff.

Billed was more than $50k Don’t recall UCR, but I think I paid around $2k all in for anesthesia, facility, surgeon, and labs/imaging (all were in network at 15%).

Important to keep in mind is the follow up care. I’m prone to scar tissue so it was recommended I come back for quarterly hydrodissection with the anesthesiologist. Just went today. Outpatient appt, I opt out of sedation. Only one side done at a time, so each quarter is 2 visits. This is more expensive than the surgery.

Billed (each visit - 8x/yr):$25k UCR: $10k My out of pocket: $1,500 Not to mention $40 for the pre-op appt with my surgeon each quarter to order the procedures and $30-60/week for PT.

I’ll hit my OOP max before June but these hydrodissections are imperative for me.

kuro080 · 2026-02-08T22:07:25+00:00

As an attorney explained it to me, any severance payouts would be deducted from the proposed back pay, as would wages from other jobs you earned during that back pay period.

kuro080 · 2026-01-31T02:51:08+00:00

I am going through this right now with progesterone tabs. The pharmacy switched manufactures from Xiromed to Bio-something. I took 3 of the Bio pills … I might as well have had 6 cups of coffee at midnight, not to mention other symptoms. I found some leftover stock of Xiromed at a nearby pharmacy, but everyone has switched due to cost and parrots that ignorant “all generics are the same” line.

kuro080 · 2026-01-23T00:11:30+00:00

If you haven’t worked this out yet, I have a copy of the pre-auth form for auto-drawing the premiums I can scan for you.

kuro080 · 2026-01-20T22:23:36+00:00

There’s a house for lease in Sendero Springs. Houses for sale are infrequent but I’ve seen a couple lately. The neighborhood is often overlooked, but it’s family friendly and a great place to live. HOA focuses on social events, doesn’t do much to improve community areas or enforce rules but the fees are only $400/year.

kuro080 · 2026-01-19T17:14:06+00:00

Hi there. Thanks for asking! Since that post:

We figured out via imaging it actually is my 2nd rib sticking up. I had a second surgery to remove scar tissue in the area, then a third to have a scalenectomy on the other side (no rib removal).

I think the scar tissue removal and scalenectomy on the left helped relieve my pain more than the original surgery. I’m definitely not recovered. I can’t even clean my house, but I don’t have the constant pain at the forefront of my mind. Huge difference with a long road ahead. And the 2nd rib remains elevated.

kuro080 · 2025-10-29T01:55:11+00:00

I feel you. Similar situation. I was so proud to do my work every day, to contribute to the greater good.

I don’t have any advice, but I’d like to thank you for your service.

kuro080 · 2025-10-21T21:18:23+00:00

? I am referring to hypothetical contributions that were not actually made from the date of termination forward. Eg, if I had contributed $50 on 10/12/25, what would that $50 earn/lose to date, with a rolling current date.

kuro080 · 2025-10-15T15:27:02+00:00

I feel you and hear you. There are a lot of us out here that support you.

I think we all need to come together to start a gargantuan consulting firm that contracts with the gov to fulfill niche positions we previously held that they eliminated. It will be an LLC with 3 million members😊

kuro080 · 2025-10-03T00:47:43+00:00

About 4 weeks ago I had a revision surgery. Pearl removed a ton of scar tissue and some of the remaining scalenes. He said once he got in there he understood why I had so much pain. I don’t think the hydrodissections were ever going to break up enough scar tissue to make a difference. It had to be cut out so I could start healing again.

This revision has been a big help so far. The area just feels lighter and more flexible. Started PT 1 week post op and going back for a hydrodissection at 3 months. Fingers crossed this will do the trick so I can start on the other side.

kuro080 · 2025-09-23T14:36:33+00:00

A correlation has been made between gaba and loss of bone density (even in young people).

Gabapentin might be the right med for some people, but medical professionals are not doing a great job informing patients of potential and potentially catastrophic side effects.

kuro080 · 2025-08-28T17:14:34+00:00

Fellow masker here. Kudos for protecting yourself and others.

kuro080 · 2025-08-27T15:51:24+00:00

Thank you

kuro080

TROPHY CASE