My last follow-up with Dr. Sataloff on December 4, 2018 was not pleasant. Although I’ve been committed to fighting my Acid-Reflux, there were signs that I’m losing and it might be understandable that he took it as evidence that I wasn’t being diligent. In addition, I’m showing a granuloma — a growth in my larynx he says was caused by reflux and stress caused by use of my false vocal folds.

I’d had some difficulty getting an appointment with a speech pathologist and it showed. I’m sounding like Mickey Mouse again. The good news is that the limit of therapy covered by Medicare has been eliminated. It used to be just over $2,000 per year. Now, even though the limit is gone, medical necessity must be indicated to have the therapy covered above the old limit. I’m over $2,600, including physical therapy as well as speech therapy and I suffered from communication failure with the therapist I had been seeing. Dr. Sataloff requied me to have six speech patholigist appointments before my next appointment on February 19th. I embarked on meeting that requirement and, with a little luck, will complete the required visits in time.

I confess I’m discouraged. But, at my first Sataloff appointment, he told me my case was not hopeless. I’m clinging to that memory. I’ll be sure to validate and renew the statement in February. In the meantime, I can’t deal with customer service that requires putting me through the voice recognition gauntlet with my voice as it is. The software causes me endless frustration, since there is no way to by-pass it when it is ineffective. Yes, I’m still discouraged. I am trying to remember that I’ve been overcoming setbacks for 75 years. Why should this be different.