Today, I woke up to a beautiful sunrise. I turned on the altar lights, opened the doors and windows to let in the morning air, even though it was not too cool (already almost 80F at 6:30 a.m), and turned on the sprinklers in the back garden to water it while I drank a cup of coffee. Then, I drove myself to the office.
Later in the morning, I called my doctor, again, to ask about my referral. The nurse transferred me to the referral desk and the clerk there said he had just processed my referral. It was authorized, h has just faxed the information to the specialist, and he gave me the name, address, and phone number to call. I called the specialist's office and made the appointment for next week. I took the first date and time they had available. But, daughter wants to attend the initial consultation with me, so, I might need to switch it for the next day, if possible. I shall call tomorrow to see if that can be done. If not, daughter will try to make it on the scheduled day. She has spoken with her professors and explained the situation to them and they are bending over backwards to try to accommodate her need to be with me. We are so grateful for how understanding they are.
Today, I received some information and literature from my colleague who has been through a similar experience. I have spent most of the evening reading articles about what to expect, other people's experiences, and post-operative care. So now, I am wondering how will I manage after I come home from the hospital. Daughter will be with me during the surgery, but she'll have to go back to her classes. Even with helpful professors, there's only so many lectures she can miss. Even if she comes home for the weekends, I'll still be on my own during the week. Who will help me change the dressings, empty the drainage tubes, clean the cat's litter box, etc.?
Family and friends will drive me to appointments (I won't be allowed to drive for 10-14 days after surgery), bring me meals, clean my house, wash my dishes, etc. But, can I also ask them to clean the litter box, too? Will they be willing to change my dressing and clean my wound? Will I be able to do it by myself? The wound will be on my right side and I am right handed.
So, today, I am full of doubts and some worries. Today, I will ask for more help from a Higher Power for help with the details of aftercare. Tomorrow, I might arrive at some solutions.
Today, is what I have and today, I am grateful for:
- a very slightly cooler day
- having my referral authorized
- having an appointment to consult with the specialist
- knowing daughter will be there to ask the questions I tend not to ask
- knowing that things will work out, some how.
How was your day, today?
Bless, I am sure that your friends and neighbors will help out with whatever is needed. We have neighbors who are cat lovers who look after our cats when we are on vacation, including cleaning the litter box.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and your DD.
Greta, thank you. Yes, I am sure someone will help. I just have a hard time asking for help, especially with some of the messier jobs like pet care. But I'm sure things can be worked out.
DeleteGood morning Bless. Sorry, our medical system is so entirely different... Since you are looking at practical solutions, I suggest you check your medical insurance documentation to assess what they cover. You may need to talk to an HR benefit specialist or Insurance representative to interpret small details. Do you have any coverage for home care? What specific services are available in your community? Where are they located? How do you access an LPN, aide or out patient service? Is there anyone on your street with any medical training background [military history for example]. I've no idea of the specific procedure but they'll have you up and mobile very quickly.
ReplyDeleteIn hopes of being helpful...I suggest buying/using larger packages of Dollar Store [smaller] 8" paper/styrofoam plates, small bowls, cups as well as quality ZipLock sandwich sz bags to package foods in serving sizes for fridge and fridge freezer. Friends and relatives will bring food and you can make it easy for them to package as individual servings so you can heat and eat anytime you are on your own.
I've just gone through the bandage/dressing/tape purchasing [costs] and found WalMart pharmacy was the most cost efficient based on access & price. We've a terrific medical supply outlet but it's too far away and they sell in Costco-like quantities which was excessive to my needs.
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Hon, thank you for great "pointers". I still need to contact insurance and see what will be available, but I don't think there will be much home health care available. I don't have the "premium" health care insurance package, just the generic one. But I like the paper plates, etc. suggestion. I won't have to worry about doing dishes, etc. And, thank you for mentioning the bandages, etc. That didn't occur to me! I shall talk to my friend in the pharmacy and have her help me with what is needed in that department. Thank you, again, for all your helpful suggestions. :)
DeleteBLess, I am so thankful you got your referral. And got that set up. Also, happy that daughter will be able to attend that appointment with you. Also, happy that her professors are being helpful.
ReplyDeletePraying for your surgery and also your aftercare.. I am a retired Respiratory Therepist..so have spent a lot of time in the hospital setting. Not sure about your area, but in our area, They have home health nurses/aides that provide a lot of the aftercare for patients who need it. Normally insurance,etc pays for it.. This might be a solution for you to check in to? Will be praying ..
You try your best to not worry about these things.. God is awesome, and He will take care of you and provide.
I am sure your friends/family would be happy to clean your cats liter box.ha Wish I lived close to you, I would be happy to do it, or help with your aftercare. hugs..
Judy
Judy, thank you! I will check with my insurance to see what is covered in terms of home health care. And thank you for the reminder that I need to ask and help will be given.
DeleteBless, I fully understand the reluctance you have to ask someone to clean the litterbox. I think we as humans really like to keep a bit of control and it is so difficult to have to accept being unable to do a whole lot of things. I know I would find it really, really hard. Stupid independence! I cleaned the litter box among many other things for DS and DDIL when DGD was a newborn, they had so much going on with a tiny baby. Cleaning a litterbox is no big deal for most people.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you might have a nurse come in regularly to see to the drainage tubes and dress your wound? That is what happened for my mother in England.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are so right, things will work out, somehow! Bushlady
Bushlady, I doubt very much if my insurance will cover home health care. I was reading a UK-based cancer center's information on-line and was marveling at all the after-care made available. As for cleaning the litter box - that's one of those icky jobs that you don't mind doing for your pet, but don't necessarily want to do for someone else. Daughter says she'll come down every weekend and do what needs to be done. So, it's for the 4 days between her visits. If worse comes to worst, I'll get a bunch of shallow litter trays and ask someone to toss them after a couple of days! Somehow, asking someone to toss a litter box seems less imposing on them than asking them to clean it! :D
DeleteBless- your insurance will pay for someone to come and change the dressings for you. A neighbor would probably help with the litter box. Try making some freezer meals before surgery so you have a few things on hand. Cooking may keep your mind off things for a bit. And when your coworkers ask if they can do anything let them know you may need some meals. Even if they live a ways a way most people are willing to help you. Buy canned fruit and frozen veggies to get you through a couple weeks after surgery. By then you will have more strength and may feel like cooking. People will help if you let them. We found most people need to be told specifically what you need. For instance, 'I need some groceries. I have a list, can you go to the store and get them for me'. I wish we lived closer, I would be there to help you out. Google 'Cleaning for a Reason'. They may be able to provide a cleaning person for free. My continued prayers are with you and Little Bless.
ReplyDeleteFrugal
Frugal, thank you! I will check with insurance. And my fridge is already full of food that people have brought! It could be, too, because I haven't had much of an appetite this past week (lost 4 lbs. per scale at the dr's office!) I'm sure you'd be proud of me to know that, today, when a friend mentioned she was going to a certain crafts store, I asked her to pick up a packet of pipe cleaners for me (Dancer cat's favorite toy!) :)
DeleteSometimes it's difficult to know just how to help someone. But now that you've expressed specific needs, I'm certain your friends and/or family will be offering to do those tasks. Hope you are getting some rest. :)
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, yes, I'm starting to identify things I'll need help with (litter box duty, driving me for the 1st 2 weeks, etc.) According to what I've read, if lymph nodes are removed, there might be some loss of sensation and movement in the arm and since I am right-handed and surgery will be on the right side, I might need to learn how to do some things with my left hand for awhile, and will need help with more things!
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