Humans of HEP
We would love to deny it, but the annual HEP deadline is just around the corner!
If that doesn't convince you to complete any outstanding requirements right now, perhaps these amazing stories will.
This message is part of an ongoing series about the "Humans of HEP" – snapshots of stories about real people whose lives were saved, or changed for the better, because of the Health Enhancement Program (HEP).
Fellow state employees have volunteered to share their stories with you. These stories will hopefully inspire others to participate and obtain screenings that could potentially save or change their lives as well.
A State of Connecticut employee’s story:
"In June of 2015 I went for my annual physical. My doctor performed his routine pressing of my abdomen and expressed his concern about its density.
For some months I had dismissed the increased size and density of my waist as nothing more than newly acquired excess weight; I had gotten married about a year and half prior and just assumed it was the result of my wife's great cooking. I was feeling great and had plenty of energy.
The doctor ordered an ultrasound and then an MRI. There was indeed a large mass inside my abdomen.
Within a couple of weeks of my first visit with the surgeon, my ankles started to swell; the tumor was pressing against a vein and was impacting the flow of blood through it. A scan also revealed that my kidney function was slightly impaired. It was a relief to know that, by then, all the necessary biopsies and tests and been done and we could quickly schedule the surgery – before any damage would be done to my internal organs.
The surgery went without complications. The tumor turned out to be 5 ½ lbs. I had no idea that I was carrying around such a large tumor.
I did some research and found that my experience was not uncommon. I read or heard about others that simply thought they were putting on some extra weight. One of my co-workers told me that her father had died from a sarcoma in the abdomen. He thought it was just fat and, sadly, by the time more serious symptoms became apparent, there was nothing that could be done.
My case turned out to be highly unusual one. The three biopsies that were done (two before the surgery and one after) showed no signs of cancer.
Before HEP, I would go years without a physical. There was no history of cancer or tumors in my family. My parents lived into their nineties, I had a healthy diet, and I exercised regularly. I didn't see the need to get an annual physical.
Who knows what serious condition I would have encountered before going to the doctor if my general practitioner hadn't caught my problem when there was still time to do something about it."
A State of Connecticut employee’s story:
"Until HEP, I was one of those who rarely obtained medical treatment – unless required to. I was fortunate to have excellent health. In December 2015, I reluctantly had a physical with accompanying blood work. I would not have done so absent the threat of increased premiums, etc. My bloodwork showed significantly elevated calcium. Upon further testing it was discovered that I had a problem with my parathyroid (which I did not even know existed until then) that required surgery.
During the previous year, I had experienced symptoms that I attributed to stress. I was wrong. Ultimately, I underwent several hours of surgery, two weeks of bed rest, and slowly back to work. Weeks later, I felt like a new person. Absent HEP, I would not have had that physical. In the most extreme cases, parathyroidism can have devastating consequences. While I still loathe the HEP requirements based upon my irrational fear of anything medical, I am grateful and dutifully attended my annual physical last December."
Thanks to those who have shared their stories above – and to those whose stories we will share in the coming months.
Do you have a HEP success story that you want to share? If you have any interest in sharing your story, please email us at HEPStory@connect2yourhealth.com.
Check the HEP portal now at www.cthep.com to find out what requirements you’ll need to complete this year, by Dec. 31, 2017! The portal – at www.cthep.com – also allows those with a chronic condition(s) to complete those requirements quickly and easily online.
For further assistance, contact Care Management Solutions toll free at (877) 687-1448. HEP representatives will be available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, contact: Human Resources at hr@uconn.edu