Thursday, February 3, 2011

PREPARATION FOR HOME



Total medical bill for st lukes hospital ICU and intermediate critical care(not including 1mo at Good Shepherd):$475,467.17. Having the man i love more than anything in the world spared and getting a second chance at life...PRICELESS!
Facebook on February 2 at 1:15am 


John V. Peletsky That hurts a little bit.
February 2 at 5:10am 

Kathleen Quinn-Farber Well john, guess they will need to accept what little we can pay each month. The itemized charges were utterly silly, but ill be eternally grateful to every emt, dr, nurse and specialist who pulled danny thru. Being a nurse myself, i know its not their fault that medical costs are outta control.
February 2 at 5:20am


Well, it was official...Danny would be going home on Friday Feb. 4th...exactly two months to the day since his accident. I received a bill from the trauma hospital of 475 thousand dollars. When I saw it I couldn't help it...I just laughed. It was so much money that it seemed surreal...There would be many many more bills to come as well.
Therapies were busy with Danny, making sure he could do the necessary things for his own ADLs (activities of daily living...dressing, grooming, toileting, getting around) Dressing was a tad difficult because his left shoulder was sore...and he was still incontinent a third of the time...but he was able to do what he had to in the bathroom with minimal assistance. Occupational therapy worked with him more than anything now...counting money, which he wasn't real good at, and looking at photos of potentially dangerous scenarios to see if he could recognize the hazard and/or solve it. He did about 50% well on most things. His confusion and distractibility were what hurt him.
It was awesome to see the changes in Danny. I remembered thinking about where I would put a hospital bed in my livingroom because I was afraid he'd be unable to climb the stairs well, and thinking about where I would put a bedside commode and how to make it private for him downstairs. In the last two weeks it was becomming evident these things wouldn't be needed. Danny's aunt gave me money for door alarms for the front and back door, because him wandering outside was a real fear of mine, and his cousin Sherry bought a shower bar which my daughter's boyfriend installed for us. I bought adult briefs for him, a urinal, and plastic liners to protect the bed at home.
Wednesday night I laid down with him at bedtime to help him get settled for the night, and fell asleep again. I awoke an hour later to find both of us absolutely soaking wet. LOL, Wendy was there that night, and gave me scrubs to wear home to Barb's.
I had many fears of the unknown, but was excited and anxious to get him home.
We had family training as well that week. Shannon and boyfriend Earl came, and Janna from occupational therapy took us all to the "apartment" model in the rehab to teach us all about safety, what to expect and how to help him. At home I cleaned really well, knowing I'd be pressed for time and busy with Danny once he got home.


Family training went well. Brought 4 bags of dannys stuff home. Tomorrow just in over discharge plans again, recheck all dr appt plans, collect prescriptions, and bring him home. I am just beyond words n so thankful to god n each n every one of you for your prayers and support! One more night without you baby. I love you more than anything!
Facebook on February 3 at 3:39pm

Melinda Young so happy for you
February 3 at 3:45pm ·

Denise Marie Startzel Praise God! Congratulations! Danny is a walking, breathing MIRACLE! I am so happy for you, Cathy! Now you'll know what tired it! BUT HAPPY!
February 3 at 3:52pm ·

Sherry Peletsky Cant wait to visit him some where other than a hospital setting! Get ready for that seafood party we talked about...I am sure it wont be long before he is ready for something other than pureed junk!!! I am getting out of work a little earlier than usual tomorrow afternoon so let me know if you need anything!
February 3 at 4:16pm 

Jeannine Ann Carroll Thats GREAT Kathy, I'm so happy for you.
February 3 at 4:18pm 

Joan Mermon Polk That's great news, Good Luck!!!!!
February 3 at 5:18pm 

Stacy Derr- Walker This whole journey was truly amazing and your love n dedication is a true tribute to Dannys will to pull thru this! So happy for you all!
February 3 at 11:12pm