Turns out there is some sort of "day count" in Medicare that has reared its ugly head; some sort of 60-day rule, or 99-day rule, or whatever.
Bottom line is- Mom has to have been out of the hospital for 60 days before she can go back in again and Medicare will cover it; otherwise, it is 100% billable to the family (yikes!).
So, let's see- her last day in the hospital this last time was January 3rd- that leaves 29 days left in January, plus 28 in February, making 3 in March, carry the two, move the one over to the tens spot and... oh, never mind. Looks like if she makes it to March 3rd, she gets a whole new set of days... don't know exactly how many, but at least it all starts over.
So, surgery has been re-scheduled for March 5th. Meanwhile, the plan is to strengthen everything else, so that all that is left to rehab will be the right knee. So, they (Dad and Mom) are working together at least 3 times each day on different exercises to strengthen the left leg and upper body.
They both have a very positive attitude about everything, and think this will all be for the best, so, in spite of the time delay, hopefully that will really put her on the fast track to recovery- and getting out of Vista Ridge.
So, keep Mom in your prayers that she doesn't have to go to the hospital between now and March 3rd!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
And the verdict is...
Surgery.
They're going to try to schedule it for February 5th. The right kneecap especially has to be replaced, and the dislocation of her leg put back straight again.
This was a long day. They left around noon for the 1:00 p.m. appointment. Pam & I got there around 6:45 p.m.- nobody home. We went and grabbed a bite; they were there when we got back around 7:30 p.m. (finally!). So, they were both beat.
The surgeon was very positive, and Mom was very upbeat about the surgery. It will be held at Presbyterian Hospital (we think) on Walnut Hill in Dallas. That's the best I know right now.
The surgeon has indicated this should be an easy but very necessary surgery. The dislocation (which happened over 6 months ago, according to best estimates) has caused some stretching of the muscles and ligaments and could lead to nerve damage if not repaired as soon as possible, so that's the reason for the early date.
Mom (and Dad, for that matter) remain in good spirits, and they both believe this surgery will stall part of the progress but hopefully increase it on the other side. Recovery will be different- the surgery will leave her leg straight and she will have therapy to bend it. Could be helpful in the long run...
So, put her and the surgeon back close to the top of your prayer list! I'll keep you posted as I find out more.
They're going to try to schedule it for February 5th. The right kneecap especially has to be replaced, and the dislocation of her leg put back straight again.
This was a long day. They left around noon for the 1:00 p.m. appointment. Pam & I got there around 6:45 p.m.- nobody home. We went and grabbed a bite; they were there when we got back around 7:30 p.m. (finally!). So, they were both beat.
The surgeon was very positive, and Mom was very upbeat about the surgery. It will be held at Presbyterian Hospital (we think) on Walnut Hill in Dallas. That's the best I know right now.
The surgeon has indicated this should be an easy but very necessary surgery. The dislocation (which happened over 6 months ago, according to best estimates) has caused some stretching of the muscles and ligaments and could lead to nerve damage if not repaired as soon as possible, so that's the reason for the early date.
Mom (and Dad, for that matter) remain in good spirits, and they both believe this surgery will stall part of the progress but hopefully increase it on the other side. Recovery will be different- the surgery will leave her leg straight and she will have therapy to bend it. Could be helpful in the long run...
So, put her and the surgeon back close to the top of your prayer list! I'll keep you posted as I find out more.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The new attitude and the old knee
Things were really going great with the new attitude-- until the right knee issue reared its ugly head.
For those who have visited and seen the right knee, it looks like it has a grapefruit attached. With all the other problems, it sort of slipped by. It wasn't really painful, and none of the medical folks seemed to think it was an issue, until someone (I think it was Mom) actually asked to have a doctor take a serious look at it.
It's dislocated.
It probably happened during one of the many moves, and actually probably happened during the first 3-4 months while she was unconscious.
So, there was kinda of screeching halt on the new attitude, and she seems very concerned with the possibility that surgery may be required to fix the knee. They are looking at it carefully and we still haven't heard the final word. They did give her a brace for it so far, but have slowed therapy (again), which also affects the attitude.
Meanwhile, I actually haven't seen her since last Monday (January 12th- Pam's birthday) due to night meetings and a nasty cold that I am still recovering from, but hope to see her today.
Her birthday is January 23rd; you can attach good wishes to her on this blog and I will print them out for her.
For those who have visited and seen the right knee, it looks like it has a grapefruit attached. With all the other problems, it sort of slipped by. It wasn't really painful, and none of the medical folks seemed to think it was an issue, until someone (I think it was Mom) actually asked to have a doctor take a serious look at it.
It's dislocated.
It probably happened during one of the many moves, and actually probably happened during the first 3-4 months while she was unconscious.
So, there was kinda of screeching halt on the new attitude, and she seems very concerned with the possibility that surgery may be required to fix the knee. They are looking at it carefully and we still haven't heard the final word. They did give her a brace for it so far, but have slowed therapy (again), which also affects the attitude.
Meanwhile, I actually haven't seen her since last Monday (January 12th- Pam's birthday) due to night meetings and a nasty cold that I am still recovering from, but hope to see her today.
Her birthday is January 23rd; you can attach good wishes to her on this blog and I will print them out for her.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Back, bigger and better than ever
It was a fairly short stay in the hospital. She was back home Saturday, January 3rd, with a new attitude and new resolve to get better. She seems determined to get out of the nursing home by the end of the month: a giant leap, so prayers are needed!
Dad supports her in this, and continues to help work her legs when not in therapy. They are shooting for at least 3 extra times a day to do self-therapy, so hopefully this will help.
I don't know whether they jacked up her anxiety and depression medicine or what, but it really seems to be helping. She got her hair fixed/cut yesterday and seemed in the best spirits I've seen her in a while.
According to my non-exact figures: as of December 29, she has been in a medical facility of some sort for 9 months.
Her birthday is January 23rd, so if anyone wants to send a card or email, let me know. She would love to hear from you!
Thanks for all your continued prayers. Happy new year, everyone!
Dad supports her in this, and continues to help work her legs when not in therapy. They are shooting for at least 3 extra times a day to do self-therapy, so hopefully this will help.
I don't know whether they jacked up her anxiety and depression medicine or what, but it really seems to be helping. She got her hair fixed/cut yesterday and seemed in the best spirits I've seen her in a while.
According to my non-exact figures: as of December 29, she has been in a medical facility of some sort for 9 months.
Her birthday is January 23rd, so if anyone wants to send a card or email, let me know. She would love to hear from you!
Thanks for all your continued prayers. Happy new year, everyone!
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