Apart from a restless period around 3:00 A.M., she had a quiet night. Fr. Mark arrived promptly at 10:00. Though he couldn't stay long - "Gonna love ya and leave ya, as he said - just hearing his voice was a comfort to me. From what Mom said, she recognized him and was pleased to see him. He gave her the blessing for the sick and left the Body of Christ (that is, a few consecrated hosts) for us to give her when she wants them. Donno
Donno whether it was seeing Father or because it's a sunny morning, but she's somewhat brighter. Asked for and ate a fair amount of oatmeal. So far, so good today.
RC priests were always the most busy chaplains at the hospital where I interned. Two guys for the whole hospital.
Your presence makes all the difference. Just hold her hand and tell her you love her. Pray the Lord's Prayer with/for her. (Related note on the last thread.)!
Thanks guys♥ I can't help thinking she's gonna get better. But everyone else thinks she's dying. While not wanting to bother her, I try to spend as much time as possible with her.
Renee, as far as we can make out, Spectrum's only "concern" was that they were not gonna get another warm body for one of the nursing homes they own. Oh, yes, they own several nursing homes, which it seems to me would constitute a conflict of interest for a home care company, but what do I know? The minute it became clear that Mom wanted to stay in her home and that her family were going to honor that wish, the bastards dropped her.
Dad thinks it's a MEDICARE scam. May well be. I personally am of opinion that they lodged the bogus elder abuse claim deliberately to prevent us getting any other care company. Mom had a stroke, for Christ's sake! She needs skilled nursing care, more than non-professional family members can provide. I'm quite sure she can get better and would be getting better with proper care. If she dies it will be their fault in my view. Am I angry and distraught? You bet your sweet patootie I am! But that doesn't help anybody. So I try to stay calm and get some sleep when possible.
Trump's entire strategy is back***ward. The Republican Georgia Secretary of State has said in so many words Trump would have carried that state had he not discouraged mail-in voting.
“The number of applications for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, indicating continued challenges for the U.S. economic recovery as coronavirus infections increased around the country,” the Wall Street Journal reports. Gee, what a surprise. Not.
After some restlessness this afternoon, Mom settled down at Honore's suggestion to listen to music on YouTube. She wanted Christmas music and did very well, wise cracking and singing along with all the songs. It was wonderful and at the same time terribly sad, because she almost seemed like her old self, only rather tired. It was tiring for her though, and eventually Sis got her to settle down listening to Sinatra CDs. I don't know if she has eaten supper.
I'm worried about Sis. She's marvelous with Mom but OTOH when not with Mom she's a jittery wreck. Doesn't sleep and can't settle down to rest. I don't think she eats anything other than coffee and tea. She can't carry on much longer.
Dad's holding up remarkably well under the circumstances, which keep getting worse. Late this afternoon he received a message from the insurance company. He played it several times on his speaker phone but neither he nor I could make out everything the woman was saying. Something about Spectrum having notified them that 'the insured' had been discharged and so Dad had to tell them whether 'the insured' would be receiving further home care. By the time he got the message, it was too late in the afternoon to call. So, now he has to face explaining the whole unholy mess to the insurance company.
To top it all off, every time the doorbell rings we all think it's the inspector from the Dept. of Elder Affairs. And we're terrified that the inspector will substantiate the claim of abuse and take Mom away by force. If the people at Spectrum wanted to make sure that this most difficult time was also one of uncertainty and anxiety, they certainly succeeded.
That sure is a harsh situation made worse, Cat. Sending love and keeping you all in my heart and prayers.
Am I correct that Spectrum wants your Mom to be in a nursing facility and she does not want to go there? Does she want treatment, but only at home, or does she not want treatment at all? If the former, since she doesn't have her own primary care doctor to order home help, would Mom consent to going to the ER for an evaluation? I'm thinking the ER folks could contact the insurance company and get the treatment ball rolling. Or would she let you call a local doctor's office and explain her situation and see if they would take her on?
Can you get a copy of her medical records from her former doctor's office? Even if the office is closed, they have to keep the records available, for at least 7 years.
Just some food for thought.
I'm so glad Mom is having some sweetness in her day. Music is excellent for that! It does sound like your sister could use a little respite help. Of course, that's hard to find during COVID. =Sigh=
Hey! Wait! I have something to back that up. Years ago I went to Massachusetts to stay with my aunt while my uncle was being treated at the hospital for an infection. My aunt had multiple sclerosis. While there, her social worker called me to talk. Seems they were hoping I would declare my uncle incompetent so that my aunt could be taken to a nursing facility where she could have more activities and perhaps a better quality of life. Instead, I chatted with my aunt. I told her about it and asked what she truly wanted. And here’s the thing. She wanted to stay home. She told me she had been a nurse in her younger days and she knew what her days would be like in a facility. She told me that it would not be a better quality of life to be wheeled each day into a noisy activity room then back to a shared room at night where she would be interrupted by beeps and check ins. No, she would rather spend her days with her husband, keeping him company, after all his years of taking care of her, because that was what she had left in her life that had real meaning: being faithful to her marriage vow. Plus she got to watch Conan O’Brien and have quiet where she could pray. Talk about being of sound mind! Yes, my aunt was now only able to lie down in her hospital bed and have regular visiting nurse visits. And yes my uncle is the worst curmudgeon anyone ever met...! But he was not harming her and she was fulfilling her vow, which meant everything to her. And I told this to the social worker, who backed off. My aunt died about 2 years later.
That said, I wish for your Mom that in these critical first days after a stroke she could have had some hospital care. My aunt definitely was in and out of the hospital when needed. At this point, though, she’d had MS for over 40 years and now was beyond possible treatments.
There is a rumor that Fresno County is to receive 100,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine come the middle of December, if nothing goes wrong. At 2 doses per person, that is enough for 5% of the population. Front-line health care workers will be vaccinated first, they say.
On CNN someone said tonight that were the Transition going smoothly we could have a database where you could log in and it would tell you when and where to expect your vaccine!
I also noted that a DT ally says DT knows he lost. He is just exacting revenge on Dems before he leaves.
Cat, I'm keeping your mom (all of your family) in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteUrgent care centers are cementing their role in American health care during Covid-19 [Click] It strikes me as a pale imitation of the East German [DDR] polyclinic system, which I have long admired. All things considered, I should prefer the urgent care centers operated by hospitals—I have seen them work very well.
ReplyDeleteMOM UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteApart from a restless period around 3:00 A.M., she had a quiet night. Fr. Mark arrived promptly at 10:00. Though he couldn't stay long - "Gonna love ya and leave ya, as he said - just hearing his voice was a comfort to me. From what Mom said, she recognized him and was pleased to see him. He gave her the blessing for the sick and left the Body of Christ (that is, a few consecrated hosts) for us to give her when she wants them. Donno
OOPS!
DeleteDonno whether it was seeing Father or because it's a sunny morning, but she's somewhat brighter. Asked for and ate a fair amount of oatmeal. So far, so good today.
❤️
DeleteEvery little bit helps.
RC priests were always the most busy chaplains at the hospital where I interned. Two guys for the whole hospital.
Your presence makes all the difference. Just hold her hand and tell her you love her. Pray the Lord's Prayer with/for her. (Related note on the last thread.)!
The opportunity to be with a loved one at such a time is not given to everyone.
DeleteI'm really hoping she gets better.
DeleteWhat Bill said.
DeleteThanks guys♥ I can't help thinking she's gonna get better. But everyone else thinks she's dying. While not wanting to bother her, I try to spend as much time as possible with her.
DeleteRenee, as far as we can make out, Spectrum's only "concern" was that they were not gonna get another warm body for one of the nursing homes they own. Oh, yes, they own several nursing homes, which it seems to me would constitute a conflict of interest for a home care company, but what do I know? The minute it became clear that Mom wanted to stay in her home and that her family were going to honor that wish, the bastards dropped her.
DeleteDad thinks it's a MEDICARE scam. May well be. I personally am of opinion that they lodged the bogus elder abuse claim deliberately to prevent us getting any other care company. Mom had a stroke, for Christ's sake! She needs skilled nursing care, more than non-professional family members can provide. I'm quite sure she can get better and would be getting better with proper care. If she dies it will be their fault in my view. Am I angry and distraught? You bet your sweet patootie I am! But that doesn't help anybody. So I try to stay calm and get some sleep when possible.
Thanks, Renee! ♥
ReplyDeleteStates Imposing Few Restrictions Have Worst Outbreaks [Click] Why, imagine that!
ReplyDeleteMichigan Militia Also Planned Televised Executions [Click]
ReplyDeleteTrump Has Abdicated in the Face of Disaster [Click]
ReplyDeleteConservatives Fear Public Preparation for Biden [Click]
ReplyDeleteTrump's entire strategy is back***ward. The Republican Georgia Secretary of State has said in so many words Trump would have carried that state had he not discouraged mail-in voting.
DeleteThreats to Officials of Both Parties Rise as Trump Attacks Elections Process [Click]
ReplyDelete“The number of applications for unemployment benefits rose sharply last week, indicating continued challenges for the U.S. economic recovery as coronavirus infections increased around the country,” the Wall Street Journal reports. Gee, what a surprise. Not.
ReplyDeleteCash pours into Georgia for runoff elections [Click]
ReplyDeleteIn huge show of support for Israel, Pompeo labels BDS movement "anti-Semitic," plans Golan Heights visit [Click]
ReplyDeleteTrump Reached Out To GOP Canvassers Before They Flip-Flopped On Wayne County Ballots [Click]
ReplyDeleteKristi Noem rigidly follows Trump strategy of denial as Covid ravages South Dakota [Click]
ReplyDeleteNoem seems to follow the template for Republican women: pretty face, empty head.
DeleteThis election showed how the Republicans' racist 'Southern Strategy' is falling apart [Click] Well, I sure hope so.
ReplyDeleteOHIO; COVID cases 326,615 and 5,890 deaths.
ReplyDeleteTrump administration in 'staggering' isolation at UN on health issues [Click]
ReplyDeleteRudy G. has a meltdown. [Click] Or at least his mascara does.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking his hair dye ran.
DeleteWil thinks maybe he's related to the Wicked Witch of the West, and he got a little rained on, so he's melting.
The End of Acecibo [Click]
ReplyDeleteStatus in August—not as bad. [Click]
They were considering closing it down when I was there in 2018. It has largely been superseded by Greenbank. The damage made it inevitable.
DeleteGreenbank? That surprises me. Modern electronics and all that, I suppose.
DeleteAnd Greenbank is bigger.
DeleteLargest Greenbank radio telescope is the Robert C. Byrd Telescope. Diameter 100m, collecting area 102,000 sq ft (pardon the mixed units).
DeleteArecibo Radio Telescope 305m diameter, collecting area 790,000 sq. ft.
Figures per Wikipedia.
OK, I was wrong
DeleteI thought it was really amazing that Arecibo was used to locate Soviet radar stations by triangulating their reflections from the moon.
DeleteMOM UPDATE:
ReplyDeleteAfter some restlessness this afternoon, Mom settled down at Honore's suggestion to listen to music on YouTube. She wanted Christmas music and did very well, wise cracking and singing along with all the songs. It was wonderful and at the same time terribly sad, because she almost seemed like her old self, only rather tired. It was tiring for her though, and eventually Sis got her to settle down listening to Sinatra CDs. I don't know if she has eaten supper.
I'm worried about Sis. She's marvelous with Mom but OTOH when not with Mom she's a jittery wreck. Doesn't sleep and can't settle down to rest. I don't think she eats anything other than coffee and tea. She can't carry on much longer.
Dad's holding up remarkably well under the circumstances, which keep getting worse. Late this afternoon he received a message from the insurance company. He played it several times on his speaker phone but neither he nor I could make out everything the woman was saying. Something about Spectrum having notified them that 'the insured' had been discharged and so Dad had to tell them whether 'the insured' would be receiving further home care. By the time he got the message, it was too late in the afternoon to call. So, now he has to face explaining the whole unholy mess to the insurance company.
To top it all off, every time the doorbell rings we all think it's the inspector from the Dept. of Elder Affairs. And we're terrified that the inspector will substantiate the claim of abuse and take Mom away by force. If the people at Spectrum wanted to make sure that this most difficult time was also one of uncertainty and anxiety, they certainly succeeded.
Damn and double damn.
DeleteThat sure is a harsh situation made worse, Cat. Sending love and keeping you all in my heart and prayers.
DeleteAm I correct that Spectrum wants your Mom to be in a nursing facility and she does not want to go there? Does she want treatment, but only at home, or does she not want treatment at all? If the former, since she doesn't have her own primary care doctor to order home help, would Mom consent to going to the ER for an evaluation? I'm thinking the ER folks could contact the insurance company and get the treatment ball rolling. Or would she let you call a local doctor's office and explain her situation and see if they would take her on?
Can you get a copy of her medical records from her former doctor's office? Even if the office is closed, they have to keep the records available, for at least 7 years.
Just some food for thought.
I'm so glad Mom is having some sweetness in her day. Music is excellent for that! It does sound like your sister could use a little respite help. Of course, that's hard to find during COVID. =Sigh=
One day at a time.
If Mom is still of sound mind and doesn’t want to go, I think it would be illegal for them to force her. That’s worth googling.
DeleteHey! Wait! I have something to back that up. Years ago I went to Massachusetts to stay with my aunt while my uncle was being treated at the hospital for an infection. My aunt had multiple sclerosis. While there, her social worker called me to talk. Seems they were hoping I would declare my uncle incompetent so that my aunt could be taken to a nursing facility where she could have more activities and perhaps a better quality of life.
DeleteInstead, I chatted with my aunt. I told her about it and asked what she truly wanted. And here’s the thing. She wanted to stay home. She told me she had been a nurse in her younger days and she knew what her days would be like in a facility. She told me that it would not be a better quality of life to be wheeled each day into a noisy activity room then back to a shared room at night where she would be interrupted by beeps and check ins. No, she would rather spend her days with her husband, keeping him company, after all his years of taking care of her, because that was what she had left in her life that had real meaning: being faithful to her marriage vow. Plus she got to watch Conan O’Brien and have quiet where she could pray.
Talk about being of sound mind! Yes, my aunt was now only able to lie down in her hospital bed and have regular visiting nurse visits. And yes my uncle is the worst curmudgeon anyone ever met...! But he was not harming her and she was fulfilling her vow, which meant everything to her.
And I told this to the social worker, who backed off.
My aunt died about 2 years later.
That said, I wish for your Mom that in these critical first days after a stroke she could have had some hospital care. My aunt definitely was in and out of the hospital when needed. At this point, though, she’d had MS for over 40 years and now was beyond possible treatments.
DeleteUtah hospital workers rushed to NYC to help with covid in the spring. NYC workers just returned the favor. [Click]
ReplyDeleteThese frontline health workers could have retired – instead they died helping others [Click]
Yep. There's a lot of that going around; always has been.
There is a rumor that Fresno County is to receive 100,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine come the middle of December, if nothing goes wrong. At 2 doses per person, that is enough for 5% of the population. Front-line health care workers will be vaccinated first, they say.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds about right.
DeleteOn CNN someone said tonight that were the Transition going smoothly we could have a database where you could log in and it would tell you when and where to expect your vaccine!
I also noted that a DT ally says DT knows he lost. He is just exacting revenge on Dems before he leaves.
Vermont has had yet another death. Two days in a row. This is getting much worse.
ReplyDeleteVT cases: 3310-3161=149
943 active cases
61 deaths😩
Recovered 2157(+22)
Hospital 17( 0) ICU 1 (-1)
Tests 205,694 (+2973! )
Our positivity rate is up to 2.1%!