Another bump in the long road

[silverhead]

On top of Sharon's 6 day a week Hemo at home, being pretty much bed ridden, we have been fighting the Insurance company about their denial of any more rental of the hospital bed we have in the middle of the living room, this was prescribed after her heart attack (CHF), some idiot at the Insurance company determined she no longer needed it, after a prolonged review that our wonderful Neph joined us in, they have relented and will continue the rental for another 9 month's than we will see what happens next on that. In the meantime we started asking about a sore on her upper left arm, We were suspicious of it and the Neph took a culture  and called us right away when the results showed some staph in it, he recommended a Dermatologist look at it, had to go to our PCP and another culture was done, sure enough, same results, got a referral to one of their dermatologists, but it was for 6 weeks away, and would require travel to a sight in downtown Seattle, to far for Sharon to travel comfortably, requested a local doctor and finally after many more weeks going round and round with idiot office personnel at the PCP's we got into one here yesterday, he took some scrapings of 3 different sights on her body and said he was pretty certain they are Basal Cell Carcinoma, waiting now for definitive results and then can start treatment, outlook is very good, but it is hitting Sharon hard as another slam of her delicate health. We will fight through this like we have the other health issue's she has been hit with, but man oh man, I sure would like to see some light at the end of this long tunnel.
Have to go now and prep the NxStage for her run, then a few loads of laundry, figure out what to cook for the day. It's a beautiful day outside, supposed to hit the mid 80's out, keep dreaming of going outside and washing and waxing the car, have only washed it twice this year (and I used to be rather anal about keeping it looking clean and shiny, but cannot leave her for that long anymore). Like so many of the others here, I know I need a little Me time, but just don't see it happening any time soon, but I can dream about it a little. Thanks for listening.......
Tom

[rose1999]

Tom I have been there and I know how it feels, I wish I could do more than send you a virtual hug.    Come and share here whenever you need to, people here understand  

[thegrammalady]

      

[billybags]

Silverhead, I just feel like giving you a hug. Hang in there, keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

[cookie2008]

 

[willowtreewren]

Oh, Tom. So sorry for all Sharon's medical troubles. It must be exhausting.

I hit a low yesterday. It must be contagious. 

Hugs and support. One day at a time. Hang in there.

 

Aleta

[pamster42000]

When my daughter first was dignoised with renal osteoporosis Medicare covered the cost of a wheelchair, as time went on the Dr. wanted her to walk short distances with a walker. Medicare covered the cost of the walker but then took the wheelchair away. That really put her ( us) in a bind for a few days because she couldn't walk very far. I contacted the local VFW and they loan out items such as wheelchairs, walkers etc. Also sometimes nursing homes sell beds when they get new ones. There is always other options.

Sorry Sharon has to go through all this and you as her care-giver. This is the time where all you can do it take it one day at a time. It sounds like you have the faith everything will work out and that is very important to have. That faith got Sarah and me through some rough times.

Keep us posted on how things are progressing. I will keep you and Sharon in my thoughts.

 

[silverhead]

I have been through the Medicare nightmare of wheelchair payment, Her doc of course recommended one, but Medicare denied because she could walk (very slowly, in pain, by holding on to my shoulders) to the bathroom. I shopped online and bought a very good Invicare chair for $125 delivered, the same thing with the 4 wheeled walker with the seat and hand brakes that so many have now was only  $95 from Costco. I just fail to understand how they can equate making a short walk to the bathroom with making Doctor or Dialysis clinic visits without the chair as a basis for denial. I was asking for a relatively cheap wheelchair, not one of the 5 to 6 thousand electric ones so many seem to get from them and are more ambulatory than she is. I took her to our local County fair a few weeks ago, she looks forward to this so much each year, She enjoys the 4H exhibits and animals (must have something to do with our rural upbringing in Wisconsin). anyway, they have an entertainment stage going most of the time with a variety of entertainers, one of them that day was a local Elvis impersonator who is very talented, during on of his songs a lady near us was so aroused by the song she got out of her powered chair and was doing on hell of a dance routine to it, then walked back to her chair and I stood there scratching my head.
By the way, the fair will rent you a manual wheelchair for $15 a day, the 10 day fair will pay for it in one year, I'm sure they get  a few years use from them, what a money maker that is to charge that much to  people who are mostly financially challenged as it is.
Tom

[okarol]

  Tom 

[Mimi]

Tom, sorry to hear all of this about Sharon.  You both will be in my
prayers.


Mimi

[Jean]

Thniking of you and Sharon, and hoping something good will come along. You have both had more than enough. You are a great guy to take care of her and I am sure she is grateful for you. 

[breezysummerday]

Could I wrap a warm and loving blanket around my loved one as you have done for Sharon? 
You have set a high standard my friend.