Trying to get Life Insurance with an Aortic Dissection condition
Wow… I thought I had my life insurance all taken care of. I still have my two previous policies with MCI ($70K) and my Verizon at ($80K). However, my new job only offers $20K coverage. Prior to getting this $20K additional coverage and when I was out of work laid off from Verizon, I met up with a Met Life Insurance rep. I took the tests, and was supposed to be able to get the $100K or $250K policy options. However, I neglected not to go with it as I got the job with Global Crossing and they had a $50K policy. However, when I started at this new company and all they had was $20K, I went back to my MetLife Agent and asked him to see if I could use the previous one I had been approved for. Fast forward and it turns out that I had to re-apply. Great! So, I had the nurse come out again and take the blood tests and BINGO! I get the letter that not only had I not been eligible for the first policy, that they had made a mistake and that I am “declined” coverage due to my Aortic Dissection condition. So… there you have it! I am being discriminated against because of my pre-existing condition and now, if I do find coverage, I am going to probably have to pay out the ear for it. I am waiting to get my test results to see what it is exactly that I am being declined for. However, I haven’t heard yet. 
I really feel terrible that I am not able to provide more coverage for my family. I am also going to post this to my forum and find out what other people have run into when trying to apply for Life Insurance.
My tennis game is doing well, I am enjoying playing lots and our USTA team is about in the middle of the pack for the league.
Gotta run.. My daughter needs help with her iPod! 
Brian
Working away-full steam ahead with new company!
Wow, I can’t believe that I have been here for almost a month and an half now. Time is just flying by with this company-what a breath of fresh air. These guys have their act together and are a super bunch of fantastic folks to work with. I am so blessed to have landed here. I love my new job! I am doing a bit of everything and it keeps me on my toes. Everything around here is fast paced and exciting. I can’t believe the opportunity for learning!
Back to work!
Brian
I get knocked down, but I get up again
As many of you may know, I was laid off from VerizonBusiness, formally MCI Telecommunications on 5/2/2008. I was treated very well severeance wise and time to look for a new job. Unfortunately, I didn’t find a job till late August, 2008, but Global Crossing screwed around and took another 2 month’s to finally bring me on board. I started with Global Crossing on 10/20/2008 and then….
It was 2/24/2009 and I get this strange email from my boss with the email subject line titled “Brian-let’s catch up” for a conference call the following morning at 0800am. That particular day the 24th, I was wondering why my boss would want to “catch up” as I was thinking to myself, “Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong?” just what exactly did she want?. Anyway, the following morning, I got on the call and it went like this, “Brian, this is Susan and I have on the line with me, Brandi, Susan doesn’t say one more word and Brandi says, “Your position in Seattle has been eliminated” and please go mail back your pc and here our FedEx number to do it. Not one word from my former boss, Susan at Global Crossing. Talk about lack of professionalism? Where’s the empathy? Sympathy? Just down right moral values for some one’s life? It’s didn’t exist with her. My wife couldn’t believe it either. What a lousy out fit to work for when they treat you with no respect!
After the news, I went and mailed back my pc and had to pay $16.00 to send the darn thing back as their account number didn’t cover the “packing” costs. I basically took the rest of the day and started emailing my contacts about my situation and the terrible treatment and unprofessionalism I experienced working for GC. To me, I look at this as their loss and a tremendous gain for my next employeer. There’s an old saying, “Champions make their own luck” and that’s what I consider myself. So, I knew that they might be able to knock me down, but… I have too much talent to stay down. I started with one of my close friends who I had worked with at MCI for 10+ years. I had explained to him the situation, and like me, he was blown away too! But… little did I know, they wanted to speak with me asap and knew about my experience and desire to win. So, my friend set up an interview for me and 
the rest is history! I am so looking forward to this new opportunity where there is the professionals, empathy, caring people and a proven success formula already in place. The leadership of this company is outstanding and full of talent. I know that GOD had a plan for me and I believe it was “fate” that led me to this new opportunity. In retrospect, sometimes GOD leads you down paths to get you in place and prepared for bigger and better opportunities where you can really make an impact. What the ironic part was that I was actually doing that for GC in Seattle, yet they determined they needed to lay me off. I can now see what that company went bankrupt before, lousy leadership.
I am so thrilled about my new opportunity and the tremendous people that are working there! I am so thankful to be associated with a “high-class” outfit and look forward to a long term growth opportunity to be my very best.
They can knock you down, BUT…. YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION TO GET BACK UP-STRONGER AND BETTER THAN BEFORE.
Brian Tinsley
MLK Day!
It’s about 3:15pm in the afternoon on MLK day. I am very thankful for all the great things that MLK was able to accomplish to make our nation a better place to live in. It’s sure nice to also have the day off! The way the economy is going, many folks are going to find 2009 to be one of their toughest years ever. I know that I am so blessed to have a job again after my layoff. It’s so evident that you need to have a “plan B” which includes a savings plan to be able to cover your expenses for at least 6 months. I was also lucky enough to have been granted a severance package which lasted me 6 months. It’s tough now as I am not making the amount of money that I had made the last 10 years…. I am going to have to really watch everything as I am trying to basically live on 50% less than our family is used to living on.
I am hoping that I do get some type of financial help with my tax refund. I need to pay off my old 401 K loan of $5K and that will save me $300.00 a month on payments. Plus, we are going to need a newer car soon! We have two vehicles with both over 150,000!
Have a great day!
Brian
Happy New Year-2009
Well, it’s a new year and a chance to start again with a “blank state” and really reach deep down -anddecide if this is going to be the year you really do reach those goals. Are you trying to get a promotion at work? Loose some weight? Get married… Really decide if you are going to live your life and be thankful each and every day. Why do we need this Jan 1st date to try and reinvent ourselves? Why can’t we do it each day? We are so fortunate to have a room over our heads, food on the table and friends/family that care about us. I know that I am so blessed with a great new job that I was able to finally get on 10/20/2008 and 
really feel that GOD had this planned for me the entire time. It was a job that I really didnt’ even apply for. There’s a tremendous opportunity for growth here… especially with the economy the way it is, many companies will be looking to reduce their expenses and I feel lucky to have landed with this great company. The potential is tremendous!
Our USTA tennis season is getting ready to start again in Feb-09 and I am going to be the captain of the team again. What’s interested is I actually just got back from playing tennis and completely trounced my buddy who I hadn’t really beat in 5.5 years! It’s been a long road back since my Aortic Dissection. I have continued to play tennis and feel that I am actually a better player now than before the AD. It will be 6 years on 8/22/2009. I have had to go on cholesterol medicine and actually taking some vitamin D supplements as well. My BP still gets high even with all the medication that I am on. I know that if I could get from 210 lbs to 195 lbs that would not only help my BP, but I would be quicker on the court.
I love a great cup of coffee. I have a bizarre coffee ritual. We have a Saeco Vienna Deluxe which I like to make the drink first thing in the am as I just have to press 1 button and I have a cross between drip coffee and a late. About 9am I then like to have my cappuccino and I will be making my own this year as I am getting a Gaggia Coffee to make myself my drink and save $$$ by not going to Starbucks. 
Around the 2-3pm, I like to have a simple cup of drip coffee. I have discovered that Keurig K cup system works really great and usually have one of them. This could be pretty expensive if I bought it all at Starbucks, which is why I make it at home now. I also discovered that drinking coffee in my Bodum glass blown cup makes the coffee/cappuccino stay hotter longer. You should try them.. You will never go back!
I hope that you make 2009 the best year ever. I am hoping to finish in the top 5 in the PNW men’s 45 division this year. I KNOW I can do it! I also am going to make a point to keep more organized this year and use my trusty Franklin Planner to keep me organized. If you have any questions about an Aortic Dissection, please let me know! You can email me at brian@aorticdissection.com and we’ll get you the answers.
God Bless You!
Brian
December 17th, Snowing and cold
It’s my brother’s birthday and I just got off the phone with him. It’s nice to have such a wonderful brother. I strung a racket today with my new I really like it! I even put up a website about my new stringer! I am hoping to actually play some tennis tonight, granted it’s snowing, but I am thinking I’ll take the Expedition out and I like driving in the snow!!! I got a call from one of my best friends and it was nice to hear from Paul. He’s been with Nordstrom for 23 years! The new job is going well and I really like my new friends I work with and the company. I am now on some new medication for my cholesterol and having to take an additional medication for my high blood pressure at night. I have to wait 2 months then get it re-checked. My son keeps bugging me about my chin and tummy and he thinks it’s funny.. but I don’t!
Happy Holidays!
Brian
Sunday… A great day!
It’s a beautiful sunny day here in Everett, WA! I am watching the Sea-hawks and the Redskins game and decided to write a bit. I have just finished publishing my 187 personal story on my website. You can read all the stories here. You can also join the Aortic Dissection Forum and read stories as well as chat with other survivors. That link is found here.
I can’t believe that Halloween is over and this week it’s Thanksgiving already! Wow.. time is flying. Speaking of Halloween! My daughter was a candy corn princess and my son was a gangster. They always have so much fun trick or treating!
We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year and I think there’s going to be 16 people! Everyone brings something and we do the Turkey and drinks!
My tennis game is still in the toilet. I got my Prince Graphite 107’s back and have been playing with them again, but just feel that my service return and serve are not that great! I am going to try the Mid size (93) and see how I like that. If not, I am eyeing either the Head Microgel Extreme Pro or Babolat Pure Storm Tour. My stringer should be there this week too! You can see it here!
Have a great rest of the day!
Brian
Miracle Lady survives an AorticDissection
I got this alert from my Google notifications about a women who experienced and AD while giving birth to her child. It’s a terrible outcome for the baby, but the mother survived and was able to keep going forward with her life. The story is here and it’s a great outcome for her. What’s interesting is that they show a Type B dissection in the story, when it appears to actually be a type A, requiring emergency surgery. I actually agree with the doctor that there’s few cases under the ages of 30, but… they are out there and I have documented them on my website as well. Those can be found here along with many other AD stories.
I feel so fortunate to be alive today thanks to Dr. James Brevig and the staff at Providence Everett General Hospital in Everett, WA. And, I am so thankful to the ER room for being able to catch it!
God Bless,
Brian Tinsley
My tennis game.. and stringing dilemma
Well, after playing with my Prince Oversize 107 rackets for 25 years, I have decided to switch.. Or did I? I ordered 3 new Head MicroGel Extreme Pro’s and had leather grips put on them, but never gave them a chance as I was having issues with overheads and forehands. So, after selling my Prince’s on ebay, I ordered 2 more Graphites, strung one, went to the wall, hit a few balls and realized that the HMP really were my new sticks. However, I had already sold them too! So, I had to ask the buyer to listen to my story and I gave him the funds back and have been watching my rackets travel to Arkansas and now are on the way back.
Next problem… I sold my stringer too! Then, I decided to get the new Top of the Line, LaserFibre Quantum. That’s what I ordered last week and was told it would ship out this Friday, 11/7/08. However, that got shipped out yesterday and left my bank account in a negative situation. I contacted the LaserFibre folks and asked them what happened? I also asked for a refund of the shipping charges as it’s the least that they can do for the screw up that they caused me!
Oh.. the game of tennis!
Brian
Back to work… Getting back into the swing of things!
Well, it’s back to work for me.. finally, after being laid off on 5/2/2008, I landed my first day on the job with Global Crossing on 10/20/2008. I really like the company so far and the people are great! It’s nice to be in a much smaller company than BIG BROTHER VERIZONBUSINESS. I am so happy to have a job at such a great place. The being out of the work realm was a bit tough to get back used to. I am still struggling a bit to try and stay focused. I am getting better and better each week. I also got my first paycheck and just in the nick of time!
I had my review of my Echo-Cardiogram that was done back in May/08 of this year. My doctor said that everything looked fine, still small leaking in the valves due to my “genetic” make up of a deformed bicuspid valve since birth. The nurse checked my BP and and it was 140/71. The my doctor checked it about 10 minutes later and it was 176/78. I told him that I was going to get my weight down from 212 to under 200lbs and that I would do it by Jan 1st, 2009. He said that I needed more BP meds and now I am going to be taking a pill at night. It sucks having high BP…it really does! I am on so many medications as it is, granted I take them about every 3 days on average, I need to get on the daily program - which I am going to do! I am also going to get my Excel weight charts and BP charts, put them on the bathroom walls and get focused about getting this BP thing down. We also discussed that I could go to 1 Echo per year and I told him about my CT/Angio’s and how Dr. Liang thought going to MRI’s would be less radiation for me. He seemed to agree. I also had a blood test for him to review and my hope is that my cholesterol is OK and I don’t have to go on meds for that!
Take care!
Brian