CAREGIVING: Yesterday Christina from Baystate VNA came for her weekly check on Kathy and to discharge her. Basically that means that Kathy’s condition after the hospital stay has stabilized. Her blood pressure and Oxygen levels are as good as new. I’m managing her feeding tube OK and keeping her throat free of mucus. Her diaper rash is getting better. And we have help… Read more →
Tag: health insurance
TGIF? Coming Home
HOME / June 6th: Friday morning was an anxious time. I wanted to be with Kathy, but had to be here to direct everything. A guy from Baystate Infusion called about delivering the suction machine and then someone called about the feeding pump and supplies and wanted to make sure some one was home. They called from the hospital and… Read more →
We’re sending Kathy home, today. Huh?
HOSPITAL / June 5th: In the morning, before I went to my doctor’s appointment, I got a call from the discharge case manager at Baystate. “We are trying to arrange to send Kathy home today, Thursday. ” I said,”Huh? What about the rehab place?” “No rehab. Dr. Kampe talked with Physical Therapy and they said she is good to go home.”… Read more →
Hospice? Not so fast after all
CAREGIVING: Tuesday had been an emotional ride, what with Erica saying it was probably hospice-time; and realizing that Kathy was making her own decisions quite well. On Wednesday Hope came to give Kathy her shower and stay with her. Monday had been too tough for Kathy so she gave her a sponge bath.She really was due for a full shower.… Read more →
New wheels
CAREGIVING: On Thursday Bob our new physical therapist came with a wheelchair expert named John to assess and hopefully get us a new chair for Kathy. The idea will be to convince Medicare, MassHealth (Medicaid) and probably Health New England (her Medicare Advantage plan) that it is a necessary piece of equipment due to her Huntington’s Disease. Best case is… Read more →
The Way It Is
CAREGIVING: This afternoon Jennifer from Greater Springfield Senior Services (GSSSI) visited to talk about how things were going and to line up more help for Kathy. I had just hung up the phone with Louis & Clark, the medical supply firm that had provided the transport chair. They were having trouble getting reimbursed from Health New England (Kathy’s Medicare Advantage insurance)… Read more →
’twas the Day After Christmas
CAREGIVING: I am one of those “Glass is rather large for its contents” people. I’m generally cautiously pessimistic. Things go right and wrong, so I try to be prepared. Today Brooke, the nurse from the VNA, came for her weekly visit. She said that no further services would be authorized by Kathy’s health insurance after January 2nd. I’m not totally… Read more →