April 20

Hi, I'm TV's Uncle Jerry. No, not really. But I said that to open the door to a major problem that has plagued "How's Barbara Doing". It seems that after I write these plain, simple, easy to understand entries, somebody slips in and adds obscure pop culture references that have confused many of the fair readers who inhabit the palatial estate that is this blog. So, in order to aid you, my fair reader, in the event of such bizarre ventures into how my mind works when writing late at night, I will begin hyperlinking to a helpful web place to help you get it. In fact, my last entry will be retro-fitted due to all the "what in the world were you talking abouts" that I received after that nocturnal rant.

Well, Barbara is still at Miller's Merry Manor thanks to eleventh hour wrangling that concluded that our secondary insurance will indeedy doody pick up the amount that medicare will not pay since she had exceeded 20 days. I will try my best not to go into an insurance/medicare rant at this point in time! Just let me say that I would not wish what I've gone through on my worst enemy. Not that I have any enemies. At least none that I know of. OK, maybe the resident at the nursing home who sits by the door and gives me the stink eye every day when I arrive.

Barbara, coming off of 2 exceptionally good days, had a bad day today. As for the good days, she has been eating very well (she is craving junk food, so I make many trips to oblige her when the meals there are gross). She has been pushing herself to stay up in the wheelchair so that she can build endurance. Today she just pooped out on us, though. Pray that this will be a one day set back!

Otherwise, she is doing quite well, all things considered. She has yet to walk, but I pray everyday that this will be the week that she does so.

There is also some good news on the financial front that may come to pass. We are praying that Barbara will be accepted onto a brand new medicade waiver program that won't garnish my wages, and will provide many services so that she can come home. This would be a true answer to prayer. We want her to be at home, but we also want her to get daily physical therapy, and we realize that her care needs exceed my abilities at this point.

I believe that the nurses and aids are giving her good care. Her winning smile and sweet spirit continue to win over most of those who come in contact with her. There are a couple of aids who were quite gruff and impersonal at first that are now quite friendly and loving.

God has been so good to us.