Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Well, hopefully this will be my last post from Mayo Clinic. We are "busting" Mom out of here tomorrow (Thursday.) She will be transferred by ambulance to Manistique Hospital in the swing bed program.

She is more alert today, but is very, very weak. For those of you who plan to visit, please be aware that Mom CANNOT have any thing to drink or eat--it could result in aspirating her food. Hopefully, as she becomes stronger, this may change.

Ron and I had a long talk with the doctor this afternoon. It's hard to believe that in this huge, busy hospital, a doctor would take time just to "talk." He is also the doctor that came up and sat with me the day mom had such a time after the feeding tube was inserted. Uncle Ron ended by inviting him and his wife to visit and stay in one of his cabins!

Hopefully, in a few weeks (months?) Mom will be strong enough to come back and have the surgery to repair the Zenker's pouch in her throat. Until that time, she will require 24-hour care.

So family, I am going to need you more than ever now. Mom/Grandma has ALWAYS been there for us. Now is the time she needs us. One or two people cannot handle this. I need everyone to give up a few days and stay with her--24 hours a day. She will only be able to stay in the swing bed for a few weeks--if that. As some of you know, the swing bed unit DOES NOT provide total care. It is a transition to home. We have to assist. She must get dressed each day, and into a nightgown each night. Physical and occupational therapy will be provided. If the family cannot - or will not - help, then she will have to go to a nursing home. You decide.

It would be great if one of you would volunteer to make a schedule for the rest of us. Someone who can keep track of who is going to visit. She could use someone to visit her in the hospital at least twice a day. You grandkids--I need you, too. A day or a weekend spent with Grandma would ease some of the rest of us. The doctor just said that the key to Mom getting stronger is to have family around. At this time, she can barely lift her arm. I'm confident that by the time she goes home, she will be much stronger.

I guess I'm being rather blunt. But, I know you all want facts--not fluff. I do need to go back to work. I'm sure my kids miss me (not...!)

The paper work is a nightmare, but Mom has always been there for me, also. I appreciate all your kind words of encouragement, and your appreciative notes; however, I love Mom as much as you do, so this has not been a burden at all. It is the least I can do. No, I have not been put out--although I must admit, I do miss my hubby...

Questions? Please call, e-mail, squirrel mail. I love my big family, and I am so proud of each and every one of you. Mom and Dad did a super job--and I think all 8 of us did a super job. Take a look at this next generation--they are also doing a tremendous job of raising this new "batch" of kids.

Many of the grandkids have e-mailed me and called Grandma. I will close with a copy of an e-mail I just got from Mark and Lisa's daughter, Jessica, to Grandma.

"Hi aunt Jane this is Jessica. I just wanted you to tell great Grandma that I hope she gets feeling better and that today I had a cross country meet and I got 7th place out of the girls and over all I got 17th. Tell her that I got those places for her and that I was thinking of her. I love her and you bye.

Love,
Jessica"

Love,
Mom/Aunt/Sister/Niece

Tuesday, October 2

I have been a little busy with Mom the past few days, so have been unable to update this blog. Mom had a feeding tube inserted in her stomach yesterday (Monday) She had a very rough time after the procedure. Today she is doing a little better.

Today I have been fighting Medicare regarding the transportation back to Manistique in the Swing Bed Program. The Social Worker here at Mayo and the lady "downtown" who is in charge of medical transportation told me that Medicare would not pay for an ambulance to another hospital because of various reasons. Well, don't tell a good strong-willed Rushford "no"!!! I told them this was not acceptable, so I did what any techno-grandma would do! I first called Medicare direct, obtained a lot of valuable information, along with a website.

I then went to the Medicare website and spent an hour or two reading. BINGO! I found what I was looking for!! The criteria - in detail-that is necessary in order to have Medicare pay for the ambulance service. I then called the social worker and gave her the address. Hmmmm, she was a little surprised that I had the complete policy--not just the abbreviated version she had given me. So, I convinced her to 1) go to the site, 2) read the policy, 3) print it, 4) give the doctor a copy (because the doctor has to write a detailed letter stating the specific reasons for a medical transfer) and 5) LISTEN.

Now, I'm trying to convince Ron that he needs to take me to Washington D.C. to fight Medicare. YES!!! The 60's/70's again! Protesting!!! Jeanne needs to iron my hair, and Julie, find your bell-bottoms!

OK. Enough. Ron and I are headed to Walmart to buy certain necessities like beer and chips.

Mom is resting better. She cannot have anything by mouth until she can have surgery after she is stronger, because of the fear of her choking and/or aspirating. A swallowing test was done today, and it showed that foods and liquids were not going where they should. But, she is starting to get nourishment through the tube.

More later--must get to Walmart...

Jane/Mom/auntie/whatever...