Journal entry by Margie Johnson —
Hello,
Happy ALMOST July!
It has been two months since Ken first went into the hospital.
Today Ken had his second orthopedic follow up appointment. The surgeon said that his femur was healing well, and actually looked better than he had anticipated. But, he told Ken after looking at a new set of x-rays, he said Ken could only put resting weight on his leg for the time being. He said to come back in a month and we'll check on it again.
This information led to a process of making other changes in Ken's care plan. This afternoon there was a care planning meeting with folks from the Rehab Center at Hillside. Tom, the main physical therapist said that he wanted Ken to move, when he's able to put weight on the foot, to an inpatient rehab center, in which he will live there for up to 30 days and receive intense physical therapy. We included the medical insurance company case manager in the meeting via phone and we found out that he can stay in the rehab center through July 12. The Rehab Center requested an extension another week. That has not been approved yet, but most likely will be. That takes us up to July 19. Then we have to wait until July 27 for the next orthopedic appointment and hope for weight bearing to be the outcome. The options between the Rehab Center he is at now, and the intense inpatient rehab are: 1) to either come home or 2) stay at Hillside in a respite room, at out of pocket cost. The option to move home would mean costs to pay for a ramp to be built, have in home health care and support, and have a hospital bed at the house, plus a lot of other equipment.
Depending on the outcome of the July 27 appointment, will help to make the decision. But for now, it seemed most cost effective to do the respite care with all the support that Ken needs, as well as in house PT and OT. The hope is that as of July 27 he will be able to move onto the intense inpatient rehab. We are looking at the various options and thankful that our medical insurance pays for 30 days of it.
I hope that all makes sense. I haven't written for awhile, but I want you all to know that everyday I see Ken making progress and our hope is that he will be up and working to walk in a month.
More to come. I promise!
Margie
Happy ALMOST July!
It has been two months since Ken first went into the hospital.
Today Ken had his second orthopedic follow up appointment. The surgeon said that his femur was healing well, and actually looked better than he had anticipated. But, he told Ken after looking at a new set of x-rays, he said Ken could only put resting weight on his leg for the time being. He said to come back in a month and we'll check on it again.
This information led to a process of making other changes in Ken's care plan. This afternoon there was a care planning meeting with folks from the Rehab Center at Hillside. Tom, the main physical therapist said that he wanted Ken to move, when he's able to put weight on the foot, to an inpatient rehab center, in which he will live there for up to 30 days and receive intense physical therapy. We included the medical insurance company case manager in the meeting via phone and we found out that he can stay in the rehab center through July 12. The Rehab Center requested an extension another week. That has not been approved yet, but most likely will be. That takes us up to July 19. Then we have to wait until July 27 for the next orthopedic appointment and hope for weight bearing to be the outcome. The options between the Rehab Center he is at now, and the intense inpatient rehab are: 1) to either come home or 2) stay at Hillside in a respite room, at out of pocket cost. The option to move home would mean costs to pay for a ramp to be built, have in home health care and support, and have a hospital bed at the house, plus a lot of other equipment.
Depending on the outcome of the July 27 appointment, will help to make the decision. But for now, it seemed most cost effective to do the respite care with all the support that Ken needs, as well as in house PT and OT. The hope is that as of July 27 he will be able to move onto the intense inpatient rehab. We are looking at the various options and thankful that our medical insurance pays for 30 days of it.
I hope that all makes sense. I haven't written for awhile, but I want you all to know that everyday I see Ken making progress and our hope is that he will be up and working to walk in a month.
More to come. I promise!
Margie
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Ken Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Ken's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
