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.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, April 9, 2007
April 9
Sorry for the lack of updates lately - Holy Week can be quite hectic anyway for a pastor - but with everything going on concerning Barbara's care, this past week has been especially busy. I should tell you first of all that as of last Saturday, Barbara has been returned to Miller's Merry Manor in Hobart.
I can't say enough about the wonderful team of doctors who took care of Barbara at St. Mary's. The kidney infection has been resolved. Plus, they discovered the cause of her inability to eat and subsequent severe malnutrition. Her adrenal glands are not functioning at all, so she will be forced to remain on prednisone to make up for this. This is a bad news/good news thing since the prednisone, while helping her, will also continue to damage her body. They also determined that there was a thyroid issue that is being treated through meds. The wound on the back of her head from the pressure sore and debridement is nearly closed now, and hair has begun to grow back. Plus, as I think I mentioned before, they had been getting Barbara up on her feet some (while being supported on both sides), although she still hasn't taken any steps.
I must also commend the nursing and support staff at St. Mary's for the good work they did. And I must say that the rooms in the new wing of the hospital are really nice!
I'm not sure how profitable it would be for me to go into my tirade about the fact that insurance companies now dictate care, and that doctors have little say. But the doctors believed that it would be essential to her progress to receive more intensive physical therapy before returning to the nursing home. However, insurance refused it. Does that mean we have bad insurance? I suspect that the truth is that this is the way all insurance providers behave. You could have the best policies available and still encounter nightmares with unconcerned and uncaring people who make care decisions. Insurance is NOT about caring for people, it's about profit and profit alone. Medicare is NOT about caring for people, but about numbers and numbers alone. Someone jokingly asked me if I would be in favor of a national healthcare program. I laughed and assured him that my experiences prove that the government can thoroughly screw up any good thing they handle. I'm not sure which is worse - the government's inept inability to provide insurance (such as our experience with Medicare), or the uncaring incompetence at other providers. It's a good thing that I decided to speak softly about how I think concerning this issue!
Well, the good news is that Barbara is doing very well outside of her dire need for intensive physical therapy. The aids and nurses at Miller's couldn't believe how good she looks now. She did lose another 10 pounds while in the hospital, and has lost at least 40 pounds altogether. There are some wonderful Christian aids who really love Barbara and they were praising Jesus for her improved condition.
I am terrified at prospect of how we'll survive getting her to Jackie's wedding at the end of next month, but we are resolved and determined to make it work one way or the other. I'm also thankful that we've already had a volunteer offering medical help for the trip if needed. We are blessed with such wonderful friends here!
Here's how to pray at this point in time... Pray that Barbara will continue to eat well and that she will get food that she likes,
Pray that Miller's physical therapy team will be inspired to get Barbara on her feet,
Pray that God will miraculously cause Barbara to walk THIS WEEK,
Pray that there will be no other setbacks.
Oh, and pray for our emotional needs as well. Barbara continues to be in tears over the callousness of the insurance companies to her needs, as well as prospects for her state at the time of the wedding. I myself have had a real emotional struggle of late. I've had a deep sense of despair and loneliness set in despite my faith and hope and relationship in Christ. Don't know how to explain this one. It's just the reality of the situation, I guess. I fully see how our Father in Heaven is also our Father here and now. It's a weird paradox, but perhaps those of you who've gone through similar crisis can relate. Thanks again for your prayers!
I can't say enough about the wonderful team of doctors who took care of Barbara at St. Mary's. The kidney infection has been resolved. Plus, they discovered the cause of her inability to eat and subsequent severe malnutrition. Her adrenal glands are not functioning at all, so she will be forced to remain on prednisone to make up for this. This is a bad news/good news thing since the prednisone, while helping her, will also continue to damage her body. They also determined that there was a thyroid issue that is being treated through meds. The wound on the back of her head from the pressure sore and debridement is nearly closed now, and hair has begun to grow back. Plus, as I think I mentioned before, they had been getting Barbara up on her feet some (while being supported on both sides), although she still hasn't taken any steps.
I must also commend the nursing and support staff at St. Mary's for the good work they did. And I must say that the rooms in the new wing of the hospital are really nice!
I'm not sure how profitable it would be for me to go into my tirade about the fact that insurance companies now dictate care, and that doctors have little say. But the doctors believed that it would be essential to her progress to receive more intensive physical therapy before returning to the nursing home. However, insurance refused it. Does that mean we have bad insurance? I suspect that the truth is that this is the way all insurance providers behave. You could have the best policies available and still encounter nightmares with unconcerned and uncaring people who make care decisions. Insurance is NOT about caring for people, it's about profit and profit alone. Medicare is NOT about caring for people, but about numbers and numbers alone. Someone jokingly asked me if I would be in favor of a national healthcare program. I laughed and assured him that my experiences prove that the government can thoroughly screw up any good thing they handle. I'm not sure which is worse - the government's inept inability to provide insurance (such as our experience with Medicare), or the uncaring incompetence at other providers. It's a good thing that I decided to speak softly about how I think concerning this issue!
Well, the good news is that Barbara is doing very well outside of her dire need for intensive physical therapy. The aids and nurses at Miller's couldn't believe how good she looks now. She did lose another 10 pounds while in the hospital, and has lost at least 40 pounds altogether. There are some wonderful Christian aids who really love Barbara and they were praising Jesus for her improved condition.
I am terrified at prospect of how we'll survive getting her to Jackie's wedding at the end of next month, but we are resolved and determined to make it work one way or the other. I'm also thankful that we've already had a volunteer offering medical help for the trip if needed. We are blessed with such wonderful friends here!
Here's how to pray at this point in time... Pray that Barbara will continue to eat well and that she will get food that she likes,
Pray that Miller's physical therapy team will be inspired to get Barbara on her feet,
Pray that God will miraculously cause Barbara to walk THIS WEEK,
Pray that there will be no other setbacks.
Oh, and pray for our emotional needs as well. Barbara continues to be in tears over the callousness of the insurance companies to her needs, as well as prospects for her state at the time of the wedding. I myself have had a real emotional struggle of late. I've had a deep sense of despair and loneliness set in despite my faith and hope and relationship in Christ. Don't know how to explain this one. It's just the reality of the situation, I guess. I fully see how our Father in Heaven is also our Father here and now. It's a weird paradox, but perhaps those of you who've gone through similar crisis can relate. Thanks again for your prayers!
Monday, April 2, 2007
April 2
I've been wanting to let you know how well Barbara is progressing, but alas, it has been a busy couple of days. We can't say enough good things about the doctors who've been attending to Barbara's health needs. They have now determined that her adrenal glands aren't working at all, and that she will need to remain on prednisone (likely, for life). While that's not exactly what we wanted to hear, it is sure better than some of the alternative things that could have been wrong. If you want the whole medical explanation, give me a call. Otherwise, suffice it to say that she is improving daily, and is eating better every day. This won't be a quick thing to resolve, but she is on the right path. Her malnutrition is quite serious, but at least she's holding down the feedings being delivered directly to her stomach. She has been craving foods once again (an answer to prayer!), and last night she ate a half a piece of deep dish pizza that I picked up at a local place.
Have I mentioned that she is no longer on oxygen? Not that she has quit breathing (I know what you smart alecks out there were thinking), but rather she doesn't have that wonderful little tube wrapped around her head delivering extra oxygen. She is also making various other improvements that are paving the way to coming home.
They are hoping to find a way to keep her at St. Mary's for a little longer to give some intensive rehab that will better facilitate recovery. In that we are in the cruel hands of Medicare on that decision, I'm not holding my breath. Either way, look for her to return to Miller's Merry Manor nursing facility soon. I should tell you, though, that they actually had her on her feet TWICE today!!!! It was with assist, of course, but she said it felt really great.
So, please join us in praying that it will work out for her to stay and get more intensive therapy for a little while,
Pray that she will eat more and more everyday,
And join me in praying BIG - I'm praying that she will walk on her own THIS WEEK. That would be huge, but God had done it even more quickly before, so I think I'm cutting Him some slack! Seriously, if He will, He can.
Blessed Easter, everyone!
Have I mentioned that she is no longer on oxygen? Not that she has quit breathing (I know what you smart alecks out there were thinking), but rather she doesn't have that wonderful little tube wrapped around her head delivering extra oxygen. She is also making various other improvements that are paving the way to coming home.
They are hoping to find a way to keep her at St. Mary's for a little longer to give some intensive rehab that will better facilitate recovery. In that we are in the cruel hands of Medicare on that decision, I'm not holding my breath. Either way, look for her to return to Miller's Merry Manor nursing facility soon. I should tell you, though, that they actually had her on her feet TWICE today!!!! It was with assist, of course, but she said it felt really great.
So, please join us in praying that it will work out for her to stay and get more intensive therapy for a little while,
Pray that she will eat more and more everyday,
And join me in praying BIG - I'm praying that she will walk on her own THIS WEEK. That would be huge, but God had done it even more quickly before, so I think I'm cutting Him some slack! Seriously, if He will, He can.
Blessed Easter, everyone!
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