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.

April 16

What do you mean I haven't done a very good job keeping you updated lately? You mean you haven't seen all those entries I've been posting? Oh wait - I see the problem - I accidentally typed backwards and left all the posts on the bizarro blog. I'll try to do better.

Don't you just love it when I delve into the weird pop-cultural references? Not a match, the board goes back.

Barbara continues to show modest improvements, fighting the challenge of deep emotional pain, and trying to eat despite her more-extreme-than-ever-pickiness.

The greatest challenge right now is that she may have to come home Thursday. That is both good news and bad news. She is desperate to come home, but also realizes that in her present state, she would be a big handful for me. On Thursday, she will exhaust the days that Medicare will pay 100%. While Medicare will pay 80% for a while thereafter, we can't afford to pick up the rest unless her secondary insurance comes through. Right now, we're getting conflicting reports, but my dear friend, the Grand Poobah of insurance is trying to help us find out what's up. In the meantime, I feel like David swinging an empty sling.

Barbara continues to loose weight on the world's worst diet plan. She's been having difficulty getting food that she likes, and at times, has refused to let me go get her something else to eat. I think it's all a part of wanting to come home.

She did stand up, with assistance today. While she still hasn't taken steps, I keep praying the BIG prayer that this will be the week God miraculously restores her legs, and she dances like Molly Spotted Elk.

A very special friend sent a wonderful, heavily stocked care package to Barbara and she was thrilled. She said it was like having Christmas, which she doesn't really remember. She did tell me that after she comes home, she wants to have a big Thanksgiving dinner, since she missed that as well. She becomes quite emotional when she hears all the things she missed, and all the things she's been through. I thought to tell her today that we had gotten a birthday gift for her mom, and took her out to dinner, and she cried. I'll never forget that day, though, because that was the day that the heart doctor announced that he didn't expect her heart to beat much longer, and that we should consider whether or not to sign a DNR (do not resuscitate).

It's truly amazing how God has healed her. Please join us in praying that our Father will continue to move in unexpected ways.

Pray that her spirits will stay up.

Pray that the food will get better.

Pray that insurance/financial issues will resolve well.

Incidentally, we're very excited that there is a new Medicaid program that will give her a lot of help without touching my income (traditionally, they would have taken everything of value we have and forced us to live on a sub-minimal amount). This looks promising, and could be VERY VERY good news. Pray that the right thing will happen.

Please also keep our finances in your prayers.