On Friday morning, I went to our favorite body shop for an estimate. They are favored because they were recommended to us by a former insurance agent, and have proven to be fair, impartial and honest. They also do good work, so what more could you ask for? We don't have a whole lot of experience with body work, mind you, but we have each been in a few accidents over the past 30 years.
The tailgate is dented in two places; one of which has a 2" chip of paint missing, and the bumper is angling downward a bit. The repairs are estimated to cost $1,515, but he cautioned me that was not 100% certain until he has the car up on the rack to determine if there are more problems he can't see yet.
I called a chiropractor's office after that and was told to come right over for evaluation. X-rays show that I have no broken bones - or as the doc put it - all your bones are there. But I do have noticeable sprains and some swelling to my neck and back ligaments/tendons/muscles. I knew that already, of course. From my upper neck to my tailbone, I feel as though I've been whacked with a two by four too many times. I thought that sitting in the hot tub yesterday afternoon would help remove soreness, but I forgot that new injuries ought to be iced down off and on for a period of 24-48 hours, not heated in 104* water. I've been told that many times before, but somehow I always forget and run to the nearest hot water. So, tonight, I will hold an ice pack to my neck and hope I can sleep without the use of muscle relaxers or tranquilizers. I hate taking either of those.
The woman who holds the insurance policy on the car that hit me wanted us to "take care of it" without involving the insurance company, and I wanted to be able to accommodate her - but it became obvious very soon that it wouldn't be prudent. I have to be certain that all my needs (both physical and automotive) will be met and taken care of financially. Neither will be inexpensive, so I called her and said I simply had to go through her insurance. She said she understood. I received a call later from the insurance company. Their representative told me not to worry; they would make sure I got taken care of - completely. Meanwhile, the chiropractor's office gave me the business cards of three attorneys, since in their words....."You may have trouble collecting from the insurance without a lawyer."
Mr. Kenju and I are lucky in that we have an insurance sales agent, a student R.N. and an attorney among our children; though they don't ordinarily have anything to do with this kind of problem. Still, they are good for informed advice and commiseration when needed.
And now, the plus.......
I called a chiropractor's office after that and was told to come right over for evaluation. X-rays show that I have no broken bones - or as the doc put it - all your bones are there. But I do have noticeable sprains and some swelling to my neck and back ligaments/tendons/muscles. I knew that already, of course. From my upper neck to my tailbone, I feel as though I've been whacked with a two by four too many times. I thought that sitting in the hot tub yesterday afternoon would help remove soreness, but I forgot that new injuries ought to be iced down off and on for a period of 24-48 hours, not heated in 104* water. I've been told that many times before, but somehow I always forget and run to the nearest hot water. So, tonight, I will hold an ice pack to my neck and hope I can sleep without the use of muscle relaxers or tranquilizers. I hate taking either of those.
The woman who holds the insurance policy on the car that hit me wanted us to "take care of it" without involving the insurance company, and I wanted to be able to accommodate her - but it became obvious very soon that it wouldn't be prudent. I have to be certain that all my needs (both physical and automotive) will be met and taken care of financially. Neither will be inexpensive, so I called her and said I simply had to go through her insurance. She said she understood. I received a call later from the insurance company. Their representative told me not to worry; they would make sure I got taken care of - completely. Meanwhile, the chiropractor's office gave me the business cards of three attorneys, since in their words....."You may have trouble collecting from the insurance without a lawyer."
Mr. Kenju and I are lucky in that we have an insurance sales agent, a student R.N. and an attorney among our children; though they don't ordinarily have anything to do with this kind of problem. Still, they are good for informed advice and commiseration when needed.
And now, the plus.......
Calling all ladies of a certain age!!
Read this doctor's advice about products for staying or looking young.
The anti-aging products on the shelves at the pharmacy have always intrigued me, but two things kept me from trying them: their high price tags and the fact that I have rosacea. I once tried a product with a high concentration of alpha-hydroxy in it and my skin didn't react well to it.
"No antioxidant cream, low glycemic diet, sunscreen, or cosmetic procedure will stop you from aging. Anti-aging, aging backwards, age-defying, and age reversal are unreal concepts and false promises made up in board rooms on Madison Avenue." Dr Benabio, on The Dermatology Blog (emphasis mine)
20 comments:
I somehow missed your post about the accident...glad you weren't banged up worse than you were. Have you contacted your insurance company, too? Ours would go to bat for us and save us the headache of going to a lawywer...
It always made me mad that magazines, and beauty product promoters would seem to say that getting old could be reversed with a magic want/their products/diofferent life style. Of course, its just rubbish. We go on getting older every day, and nothing can stop it.
What is needed is a real appreciation of older people, women in particular. Size zero young women are not the models we should aim for! Age brings a lot more than just a few lines. Exerience, wisdom, an ability to see beyond the immediate should be valued, not the immature looks and aims of the wannabees!
Grey hair and wrinkles are not 'gross', or disfiguring or to be hidden as if we were lepers.
I could get quite worked up about this but I won't! I shall just say
"GREY POWER TO THE FORE"
I hope you had a good night's sleep Judy. I have been in your spot and you are right to do things by the book. You cannot anticipate how these things will proceed in terms of repairs and doctor visits.
Judy, I am glad you are going through the insurance company. Otherwise these situations seldom sort out satisfactorily.
Guess I missed the post about this accident. I am glad that you sound not the worse for wear. I am also glad that you are getting good legal and medical advice!
I hope your injuries are better soon and that the insurance thing is sorted to your satisfaction.
Re aging the most effective agent is whatever is in your genes plus not smoking or drinking over the odds and keeping your skin cleansed refreshed and moisturised. That's just my opinion.
Plus botox and plastic surgery will turn you into a walking, aging, nightmare!
Now to the accident -- good for you Judy. You are doing all the right things.
So glad you have the insurance co to lean on. Sometimes the real problems don't show up right away.
You certainly have an arsenal of information with your children's occupations. Good planning to have most of your bases covered by family.
Hope you are feeling much better soooon.
I'm glad you're getting it worked out! All that insurance stuff can be a real pain sometimes!
Gilly has said it all. I was also reading how staying out of the sun can help your skin not to age, but I always think that pale skin is aging anyway. I'd much prefer to see a slightly tanned skin with some lines than a pale one with fewer lines.
I've been watching my sister tangle with an insurance company over a car accident that occurred nearly 4 years ago. My only advice-- Don't settle right away, although they will want you to. Soft-tissue damage can take a while to heal.
Hope that ice helped.
After our horrible, awful experience in 2005 with an insurance company giving us full cooperation and coverage .....this from the person that hit us....to zero, nothing, not returning calls....I'd at least talk to your attorney. If I had back all of the money i have spent on anti-aging products i could have financed two face lifts and a body lift with skin to donate to a burn bank.
I am just catching up on my blogging, and I missed your post about the accident. I'm glad you're okay.
And I LOVED the article about the anti-aging. Goodness yes, the secret is to stay beautiful, not to stay young. I sometimes see Suzanne Somers on the Shopping Channel, pushing her anti-aging products, and she just looks bizarre. Her lips are so big, it's a wonder she can speak. It's sad, because she is a pretty woman, but she's starting to look preseved in formaldehyde.
Glad you have good support!!! My best advice is to stick to your guns and get an attorney, if needed.
And yeah, the word "anti-aging" is an ad man's scam sucker us into buying worthless crap.
I earned my lines and wear them with pride.
I hope you are able to sleep soon. It takes a long time to recover from the kind of pain you are having.
You were very wise to go the conventional route and have the insurance company handle it.
It is nice to have assistance inhouse. I would bet without it that you would get messed on by the insurance company.
Nice sentiments on blogging Judy, I've run hot and cold over the years but have always been in awe of the extent of the friendships I've made.
I hope you are able to get some relief from your injuries. I'm glad your kids are able to help and give sound advice. I am so sorry you were in an accident. You take care of yourself and keep us posted.
Liked the anti aging thing, so true!
I went back to read all about your accident Judy...It sounds like it was a pretty mean one, where you are concerned. I hope they don't find anything lastingly serious, my dear....Yes, ICE, ICE, ICE!
Good luck with the Insurance Company and the Chiropractor, too!
I'm glad all your bones are still there. :) And that you have a good chiro. My chiro is a real treasure.
Speedy recovery, Judy!
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