by Judy Handley | Aug 1, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 214: Roller Coaster Ride
Date: Thursday, August 1, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Hot; High Temp 94, Low 73 degrees F
Location: At Home in an Airbnb in Mooresville, NC
Down–Today was a day of ups and downs. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride. When I made the choice of a rehab facility, I assumed that was all set. But at 8 am this morning I got a call from the hospital Case Manager telling me that because of the kind of insurance Patsy has, it could be four or five days before she gets approval. My heart sunk. She said not to worry as even after Patsy is released from the hospital, she can stay there until her insurance company approves the rehab. Evidently Blue Cross-Blue Shield Medicare Advantage is just very slow.
Down–I got to the hospital just before 9 am and found Patsy in a dark room, fast asleep, with her breakfast tray untouched. I found the floor nurse to ask what was happening. Evidently after I left last night, she got even more agitated than she had been most of the evening and the further they go into the night, the more agitated she became. I was told that she did not sleep a wink. But during the 7 am change of shifts, the daytime floor nurse tried to convince her that she really needed to sleep. He tried to get her to eat breakfast first, but she refused to eat. Then she did go to into a deep sleep.
Up–I was there for an hour when Kate, the case manager, burst into the room with a great big smile. After our earlier phone call, she called the Administrative Director of Autumn Care facilities in North Carolina and she dug deeper into Patsy’s insurance and found that her particular Blue Cross-Blue Shield Advantage is administered by naviHealth. Kate had no idea why, but I didn’t care because they approved Patsy’s placement with one phone call from the administrator.
Down–So we were back to being released late today and moving to Autumn Care tomorrow. But not unless Patsy perked up a bit. I then learned that not only did she not sleep last night, she spiked a fever and had to be given Tylenol. And her oxygen level is still continually dipping even while she is being given oxygen. No one has any idea why. So now the doctor is saying that she has to stay in the hospital at least until the issues resolve.
Up—One of Patsy’s Home Helper companions came to spend time with Patsy and brought her flowers. That perked Patsy up, and Brenda was able to get her to eat her whole lunch and assisted with her physical therapy regimen. She did all of the exercises twice and got out of bed twice to stand on one foot. Her blood sugar has finally normalized. And I got her to eat her entire dinner.
When I left tonight she was sleeping restlessly. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring and no idea if she might be released tomorrow or Saturday. So we are playin
by Judy Handley | Jul 31, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 213: The Search for a Rehab Facility
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Weather: Sunny Day, Rainy Evening; High Temp 90, Low 70 degrees F
Location: At Home in an Airbnb in Mooresville, NC
Today was all about the search for a rehabilitation facility where my sister can go when she is released from the hospital. I have heard people talk about going to rehab for years and getting skilled nursing care there, but I truly never realized that being in a short-term rehab facility is often in the same building as a long-term nursing home. (Note to my nursing friends—Am I right about this?) I know you must be thinking, where have I been that I didn’t know this? Wherever, I now know. At least in this area, every rehab skilled nursing care rehabilitation facility is in the same building as long-term nursing care, and they are not separated. Depending on room availability you could go in for rehab but be in a wing with all long-term nursing care residents. Some of these homes have only private rooms, but some have shared rooms. Some come with television and phone service, but many have television, but you have to have a phone line installed. Some take Medicare Advantage and some do not. And unfortunately, the facility I wanted for my sister does not accept Medicare Blue (Blue Cross-Blue Shield) as it is an Advantage program. When I asked them if we could pay cash, they said they had never been asked that question before. But no, they have no private pay rooms.
Today, my crash course in local rehab facilities led me to only two choices. I visited both and then it was obvious that there was only one choice. One facility had only double rooms available and there is no way I would put my sister in that situation. So, the choice is made. Patsy will be released from the hospital tomorrow if her oxygen level normalizes and she will go to a place called Autumn Care. If the oxygen level does not normalize, she will be in the hospital until it does or until they identify the cause. I know her oxygen level was normal all day yesterday prior to the surgery because I watched the monitor all day long.
Tonight, I had a nice diversion. Patsy’s son-in-law came to be with her at dinner time and my nephew Tommy and friends Brian and Judy Thompson invited me out to dinner. I had Mediterranean Red Snapper and it was absolutely delicious. Afterwards, it was back to the hospital for a couple of hours of breathing exercises that the nurse asked me do with Patsy before I left for the night. What I discovered is that she can exhale just fine, but she inhales very lightly.
My goal is to get Patsy settled in rehab as soon as possible, hire the extra help that is going to be needed, and then fly home on Sunday. I would then return when she transitions from rehab back to Terra Bella. But that is just my goal. Who knows what will happen tomorrow to adjust that goal?
by Judy Handley | Jul 30, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 212: Happy Birthday to Coco and Congrats to My Sister
Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Weather: Sunny Day, Rainy Evening; High Temp 86, Low 68 degrees F
Location: At Home in an Airbnb in Mooresville, NC
Coco turned 12 years old today. Happy, happy birthday to my one and only very special granddaughter!
And congratulations to my sister Patsy. She came through her surgery tonight like a superstar. The surgery was supposed to be between 3:00 and 4:00, but they didn’t take us to pre-op until 4:00. We waited until 5:00 when we were told that the doctor was still in the OR with a surgery that was taking much longer than expected. Then at 6:00 we were told that he was still in the OR, but nearly finished. The nurse thought we would have to wait another hour, but the doctor came straight out of OR to talk to us, and by 7:04 pm I got the call from an OR nurse telling me the surgery had started and that Patsy was doing great. The surgery took only an hour and when the doctor called me just after 8 pm, he also said she was doing great. But he added that the hard work begins now. He does not want her stand on that leg for at least 6 weeks. No weight bearing. Due to her age and lack of upper body strength, he thinks she will need to be in a wheel chair and have help moving from place to place. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how that is going to work. But after 17 hours at the hospital, my brain is fried. Maybe tomorrow that won’t seem as difficult as it seems tonight.
Prior to going down to pre-op at 4 pm, Patsy chatted with visitors and on the phone all day. Brian came around 9:30 and at 1 o’clock, Brenda, one of Patsy’s Home Helper companions came to visit. And then Bill came. I told Patsy we were having a party and she enjoyed every minute of it. When she got back to the room at 10 pm tonight after the surgery, she was cheery and wide awake while I was about to pass out. So, I headed home which is an Airbnb about 4 minutes from the hospital. It feels so good to be in my own space after days of being at Terra Bella and at the hospital today. Thank you, Heather, for arranging this stay so close to the hospital. And now to bed.
by Judy Handley | Jul 29, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 211: Life Happens
Date: Monday, July 29, 2024
Weather: Rainy Day; High Temp 83, Low 70 degrees F
Location: Alone in My Sister’s Apt, Mooresville, NC
Once more I quote my friend Lynne Kirwin, who happens to be at my house dog sitting. “You make plans and then life happens.” I was busy, busy today doing the last things for my sister, fully preparing to fly home tomorrow. I bought her a new mattress, made arrangements for delivery this Thursday, went to Walmart to buy a new mattress cover, and went to the laundromat to wash and dry it. While there, I got a call from my sister’s afternoon Home Helper, Renee. Patsy had fallen and I needed to get home as soon as possible. It was a terrible connection, so I knew nothing more. I grabbed the mattress cover from the dryer and headed home as quickly as possible. When I arrived, Patsy was sitting in the kitchen floor with her legs extended. She was talking away to the Med Tech and Renee and seemed fine, but I was told that EMTs were on the way. The top of her right leg hurt a little, but it was not painful. The EMTs asked some questions of her, evaluated the leg, and said she needed to go to the hospital for x-rays. None of us thought it was very serious because she really seemed fine. So off to the hospital she went with me driving along behind. The first thing that was done was an x-ray and the result was not good. She has a fracture running vertically from her hip down about four inches (my estimate from seeing the xray). The ER physician told me she would need a hip replacement and that an orthopedic surgeon would come to talk to me in an hour or so. In the meantime, they did all the tests for pre-op, put in an IV and catheter, and on and on. As the evening wore on, I could see her energy draining and her emotional outlook went from sunny to cloudy. The nurses were not allow to let her sit upright, so eating or drinking anything was very difficult. But an internal medicine doctor came in and announced that she was cleared for surgery. Then the orthopedic surgeon arrived and told us that she would not be having a hip replacement. She needs an intramedullary nailing, meaning a rod inserted in her femur. Here is the full description from the web of what will be done: “The procedure where a rod is put into a fractured femur bone is called intramedullary nailing. It’s a type of surgery called open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), which is usually required to heal a broken femur:
1. The surgeon makes a small incision in the hip or knee
2. A specially designed metal rod, usually made of titanium, is inserted into the center canal of the femur, also known as the intramedullary space
3. The rod passes across the fracture line to keep it in place
4. Screws are placed above and below the fracture to hold the leg in alignment while the bone heals
The rod helps support the bone until it heals. Other devices that may be used during ORIF include plates, wires, or nails. The surgery usually takes place while the patient is asleep under general anesthesia and may take a few hours. While most people do well after ORIF, complications can occur, including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and blood clots.”
Recovery is easier than a hip replacement, but no surgery is easy when you are 91. The surgeon told me that a decision on whether it will be done tomorrow or Wednesday will be made between 7 and 8 pm in the morning. He suggested I be there, so I headed home. I hated leaving Patsy alone, but she has to spend the night in the ER as there are no rooms available and there was no room for me in the ER room. I stood outside her room for most of the four hours I was there, and no way was I going to sleep in folding chair!
I have cancelled tomorrow’s flight, extended my car rental, and Heather has found an Airbnb for me near the hospital where I will have a kitchen and can cook. I have eaten nothing healthy since leaving home on Friday. Hopefully I’ll have a successful surgery story to share tomorrow night.
by Judy Handley | Jul 28, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 210: Shop ‘til You Drop
Date: Sunday, July 28, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Hot; High Temp 87, Low 71 degrees F
Location: At Home with My Sister in Mooresville, NC
You know you are in the Bible Belt when there are book racks at the end of aisles full of Bible study books. And you know you are down South when it is so hot that the black steering wheel in your car is literally so hot you cannot touch it. So, yes, I am in the Bible Belt down South. Since it has been a year since I have been here, and since I am the person officially in charge of making sure my sister has all of the clothes and household items she needs, there have been a lot of things to buy. My first foray was back to Walmart to return some clothing items I bought yesterday that didn’t fit. Then I started on the household items. Commander Clips to hang to hang a wreath on Patsy’s door and photos on the walls. Duct tape to match her brown/ beige carpeting to tape down the long phone cord that had to be installed. The cord runs right in front of her door to the outside, so it had to be securely taped down. Paper towels, liquid hand soap, laundry detergent to wash her compression stockings each night, dish detergent. And on and on and on. I got back just in time for lunch. This Wednesday is the last day for residents here to switch their cable tv to a private account instead of being provided by Terra Bella. And one woman at our table has been given the run around by the cable company. Since I have dealt with this already, I had the private cell number for the man from the cable company who is supervising the changeover. I was able to text him and get answers for the woman as we sat there for which she was very appreciative.
The afternoon required a trip to the laundromat. For whatever reason, when I arrived on Friday, Patsy’s dirty clothes basket runneth over. Usually, the laundry is done a couple of times a week, but I don’t think that happened last week. While the clothes were washing, I went to a mattress store. Patsy bed is too high and can’t be lowered any further, so I need to find a solution. I think that will be buying a new mattress that is not as deep as her current mattress and a bunkie board instead of box springs. But that search will continue tomorrow, my last day here.
I was supposed to take Patsy out to dinner tonight, but by the time I got back from the laundromat, it was after 5:30, the time for dinner here at Terra Bella. Patsy was not in her room and she was not in her normal dining room. I found her in another dining room happily eating dinner. She had forgotten that I was taking her out. We did need to go out to pick up something from Brian and Judy Thompson, so we drove there and visited a bit before returning home to watch the Olympics tonight. All of the running here and there today totally wore me out. Hopefully that will help me sleep a little more soundly in the recliner. I miss my bed!
by Judy Handley | Jul 27, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 209: Fun BBQ at Tommy and Marilou’s
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Weather: Partly Sunny; High Temp 85, Low 66 degrees F
Location: At Home with My Sister in Mooresville, NC
Most of today was spent checking things off my list of ‘must do’s’ while here with my sister. After a mostly sleepless night due to the Sudafed I took (the instant cold is gone), I got up at 7:15 to go to breakfast with Patsy. One of my goals while here is to determine if the food here at Terra Bella is just normal institution food or is as inedible as my sister says. After breakfast we worked on going through more piles of papers and cards and getting rid of as much as possible. We did this while watching a bit of the Olympics and suddenly, it was time for lunch. I decided to skip eating lunch with my sister so I could go shopping for much needed clothing essentials. That was a painful, but a partly successful venture. However, trying to find long-sleeved pajamas in the middle of summer just didn’t work. I did find some options to order after seeing the real thing in the store—just not in petites sizes. I am only 5 feet tall, and I look tall next to my sister. So she really is short. Anything not in a petite size is always too long in length and in the length of the sleeves.
When I got home from the shopping trip, I had leftover salad from yesterday’s dinner for lunch, watched more Olympics, and did more apartment organization. Then we were off to our nephew Tommy’s. And what a fun time we had there. Tommy’s wife, Marilou, has her 94 year old father, Bob, living with them. His 94th birthday was this week and his two sons that life out west were there visiting. Patsy and I played a game of Play Nine, a card game where you play nine holes (rounds) and the person with the lowest score wins. This is a game the whole family can play and the two 90 somethings scored in the top half. Such fun. Tommy was outside at the grill all of this time cooking a feast of grilled steak, shrimp, and sausages, potatoes and zucchini and onions. He has a cast iron grill that is fantastic. As we wrapped up the card game, the neighbors arrived, plus one of Marilou and Tommy’s daughters, Madeline. Added to all the meat and grilled veggies Tommy prepared, we had a beautiful fruit salad, cucumber and tomato salad, and a to die for chocolate dessert. It was all fabulous.
