Small progress...

He is making small progress...still in quite a bit of pain from the surgery since the screws are in his knee and hip area as well...still some swelling...the 3 post-op wounds are looking good...just the bigger one is still draining yet a little bit...

The home health care nurse came out yesterday to check vitals, take pictures of the wounds and leave dressing changes but MOST IMPORTANTLY to check a drop of blood for his blood thinner level to make sure not getting too much or too little...the nurse used a small machine sort of like a blood sugar monitor but maybe 3x the size or if no one has concept of that try a small cell fone 3x...his blood thinner is at the right level so he took his coumadin yesterday at the same doseage...she will be back on Thursday to check everything again and will be here every 3 days until he is off the coumadin...hopefully in 3 weeks...

The physical therapist came out today...slowly but surely said Tim is making small progress...the pain is expected from surgery but after it's healed due to the cancer he will still have some pain...said Tim handles himself well getting in and out of bed with some of my help on lifting his right leg...went over exercises again that he can do laying in bed to strengthen the leg/knee/hip...he has a harder time lifting his leg and doing the side to side...easy out but hard coming back in with the leg...he needs to work on arm raises and weight arm curls, etc...Tim finds his previous fractured left arm is bothering him at times when he over uses it by pushing his body weight up, etc...

It has been a busy last couple of days for him as well as me...making phones call for this or that and doing follow-up calls on other stuff outside of him...he has an appointment with Dr. Todd on the 5th for staples to be removed and on the 11th for Dr. Joe and see if okay for the infusion and sutent...found out today that the stutent could make his post-op wounds bleed more and so we'll see what Dr Todd has to say on Tuesday and if okay then start his sutent on 8th...

Thank you all for prayers, calling and coming by to check on him...the offers of help...you are kept in mind when the time comes when I can't cover it all or get too tired and run down...

Elf...eryone take care be safe and enjoy your day tomorrow...:D

Released home...

I called nurse Cindy this morning after getting up and she said he would be released sometime today...he had a few things he needed to do...she also had to consult with the ortho doctor and do paper work before he was released...

He had visitors, he did his p.t. anxious to get out...by the time I got there he was
ready to go home and he was just seeing the doctor...nurse Cindy still had to do the paperwork yet after doctor saw him...write up the orders for home health nurse to come in starting tomorrow and check on him, do a blood prick for coumadin levels so he gets the right dosage at least for 3 weeks every 3 days...check post-op wounds and give me more dressing changes and do p.t. with him...

Nurse Cindy said he had to get all the way to the nurses' station before he could go home with home care...lol...he made sure he got that far too...feisty...omg...since we've gotten home, he's settled down quite a bit and calm as a kitten...uses his walker like he's suppose to and there are a few times I remind him about like to breathe as he is exerting himself, as explained to me if you don't breathe as you exert yourself your body temperature goes up...now I know why mine goes up cuz I don't breathe properly at times...a BIG difference again from yesterday...

We get home around 4pm and its been busy for awhile...finally calmed down around 6pm and I ate dinner and he sacked out...very long day for him...he's doing really good...I'm happ:D for that....moved the hospital bed around a little for now til we know what is really going to work and then probably make some more changes...we did notice or should say Red, one of his coffee buds said needed to rig up something that he could grasp better when he's getting into the van...the handle above the passenger seat was a little too high...will work on that one....

He has to see ortho doc in 10 days and reschedule 3rd time an appointment with Dr. Joe in Georgetown and see when he can get the infusion of zometa and when he can start back on his "Sutent"...he should have started on the 23rd...

I will be sleeping out on the couch til I know or the home health nurse feels he's strong enough to be doing things on his own during the night and/or the ortho doc ...so I'll be busy for a while and maybe a bit tired...

Sorry, it's now 11:05pm and just getting back to finish blogging...needed to help him get settled for the night, change dressings as there was drainage and put some ice packs on his hip and knee...til 3am for pain meds unless he wakes sooner and needs something...lol...work out and a half...wow...maybe this will help me to drop a few pounds again...:D

Well, I think I covered most everything...will keep you posted on how he's improving...you'll have a good day and be safe...:D

Improving...

He is improving by about 50% from yesterday (Friday)...to see him get up out of bed and use the walker half way down the hall and back with more ease and understanding of what he needs to do without hurting himself again...like no shuffle of feet or twist turn...found out today that the elderly or someone with compromised bones shouldn't shuffle/twist/turn, too easy to break/fracture their hips...don't get me wrong...he's still in pain because of the surgery but also from the cancer (which that part will probably never totally go away)...

He's spaced his pain meds a little further apart today but not much and he gets the last of the IV toradol tomorrow...it's an anti-inflammatory med...also he's on coumadin a blood thinner to prevent blood clots after surgery...He has to stay on them at least 3 weeks...He was off the oxygen last night but when I got there today late morning...he had it back on and then I noticed blood in his tubing from IV...is he supposed to have blood in his IV???...lol...I was told yes...his RBC (red blood count) was low and that's why he got dizzy this morning and his blood work was showing low too...so oxygen back on for most of the day to help get oxygen flowing back through his red blood cells plus the pint infusion of blood to bring it back up to good levels...he's to let the nurses know at anytime if weak, dizzy and they'll check blood right away and start another infusion of blood...otherwise, it will be checked again in the morning...the way it was explained to me on blood loss was whenever any surgery done on any major/large bone it will have more blood loss/draining after surgery as it heals...
A couple of ice packs were used today to help with the swelling from surgery...he has 3 sights for dressing changes...at the knee where screws were put in...at the hip for the others and the incision in low back side to put rod in...

He is not to put any weight on that leg/hip for at least 6-8 weeks or it could break on him again and possibly be worse...so, I learned a few more things to help assist him at home when the time comes if needed...I have pretty much already done some of it before Thursday...he found at times it was awkward to get up and lift the leg and down to the floor so I would help him...

Not much of an appetite today...their food isn't bad...I suggested the burger yesterday and he liked it...had another one today for dinner but only half...plus his 1/2 cup whippy type ice cream...I had the turkey breast sand tonight and last night it was a chicken salad sand and apple...

He had several visitors today...good to see everyone...his coffee buds, family that came down for the reunion today...which it's the first time he's missed it...Tam at work in Vegas and Charli back in Indiana...both God Sends to us...:D

Tomorrow is the day the doc/nurse determines his status and how soon he'll be released and where...so I'll have more updates tomorrow...hope I've covered everything...

We appreciate everyone reading the blog it really helps to keep all informed...trying to make calls to whom and give all info can get time consuming and chance of leaving people out and we don't mean for it to happen...again apologies if we have overlooked anyone...

You'll have a good day tomorrow and be safe take care and be happ:D ...I know when I'm tired I'm silly...:D

Post-op...

I was late getting there this morning...more closer to noon...heard that his brother came to visit before I got there...he had physical therapy to use walker non-bearing weight on that right leg/hip just a touch toe and all the way to his room door and back and sat in chair for a short bit...hurting...he was in bed when I got there...

At that time, occupational therapy showed up to do an assessment as far as dressing himself, etc and how and what he did to shower...to help decide what was needed for him to do to get stronger and pretty much when he came home do all on his own but be available to help...

Lunch rolled in and he scarfed it down and was ready to get in bed and sleep...uhhh, he no sooner was resting and physical therapy showed up and he refused to get out so they did therapy in bed with the leg-foot slide, side-side, leg raise...in between a few more visitors and another visit from occupational therapy...he didn't get out again so they worked on the arm-curls, raise up arm, couple others not sure proper name for them...he sacked out again...

Several visitors but by the time dinner rolled around he was getting feisty, hurting, and due for pain meds again...he wanted my help and I snapped at him to calm him down that I couldn't help him get back to bed cuz he was still learning the proper way to go from the chair to the bed after...he hollered for the nurse and he's at the end of the hall...told him to push the call button...the nurse came in and helped and he got his next round of pain meds and an IV of toradol which is an inflammatory med...doc said to give to him for the next 48 hours...

The nurse this morning did tell me for now that Dr. Joe didn't want him to start back on his sutent or have an infusion of zometa until he saw Tim...so it could be delayed again for a couple weeks until he feels able to make the drive to Georgetown and see Dr. Joe...

He seemed to be resting good, a few moan and groans so I rested on the little couch for couple hours and as much as I wanted to stay there again tonight...I couldn't, the shortness of sleep this morning when I came home around 2 a.m...I find left me trying to find that inner strength I usually come up with but just not quite there today...plenty of faith but with my health and lack of sleep...I find that I am easily tearing up and trying to fight them back...I told him I had to come home to get some stuff done and get to bed and get at least 8-10 hours sleep to get my stamina back to get us both through this...he understood...

Depending on the insurance approval and how he gets through the therapy and how far he gets with it will depend on whether he comes straight home from hospital or go to the rehab therapy facility...he doesn't want to go...wants to come straight home...that sounds like me in 2003 with my knee and calf surgery...I've done some of helping with him here at home before all this came about yesterday morning...the nurse and doctor are concerned how much I can do/handle with me on oxygen 24/7...they want to see him get down the hall to the nurses station before he goes home...its what I had to do when at the rehab therapy facility...

Anyway, trying to get a couple of things done around the house, post to blog and get some laundry done...so can go back tomorrow...late morning seemed to work out good this morning...so I'll try to be there around 11 a.m. and be there most the day...as for vac/mop house which should be done tomorrow...guess will do it Sunday with Tamra's help again...then go over to see him and spend the day...

If Tam and I have missed anyone with news or updates, we apologize...another reason for me to come home is my poor baby Jack...lol...stays in his bed, won't eat or go out til I come home and he's running circles around me and hopping on the top of my foot telling me he wants out or feed him...then he's all happ:D as a bug in a rug...yea, ain't that cute...:D

Elf...eryone take care be safe enjoy your wkend...:D

Appointments cancelled....

A lot of you probably have already heard...appointments got cancelled...he woke me up with a blood curdling scream yesterday morning bout 3:30 a.m....said his leg was really hurting...got some pain meds in him and he was resting...to make a long story short for now...called dr's office cancelled appointments and doctor said to take him to Mesa ER...thought possible blood clot...

I couldn't get him up so I called for an ambulance...EMT's thought dislocated hip...ER doctor had x-rays taken and he has a fractured hip right side...more than likely ortho doctor will put in a few screws to hold while healing...

Yes, they had him pretty well sedated for all the excruciating pain...I was with him all day until 2 a.m. this morning til I finally came home to get some sleep, otherwise I wouldn't be any good for him....
He got admitted and surgery was scheduled for about 6-7 p.m....I came home to change my ox tank out and eat and get his DNR papers just in case to back up his verbal DNR...since he is high risk...I got back to hospital and he's already down in prep for surgery...I get down there and it's delayed about 3 hours...ortho doctor would call 45 minutes before to give the surgical team heads up...Dr. Todd got in from Georgetown about 10 p.m. and said he would be putting in a rod from his ball socket down to the knee and securing at the knee with two screws and then up at the ball socket...surgery would be about an hour and depending on patient be in hospital about 3 days...Dr. Todd came out and said hardly not bleeding as blood was crossed matched in case of extra blood needed...he came through with flying colors, no problems...would be in recovery for bout an hour and then be back in his room...

I'm draggin butt this morning...email server still down if anyone wondering why I haven't answered any emails...since 22nd...they still working on it...cancelled another appt for Monday with another doctor...get self ready, eat, run and fax some papers and head over to sit with him again...

I called and talked with the nurse and Dr Joe is to call back and advise on the zometa infusion as the hospital can do it while he's in there and how soon he can start his sutent since he was to be back on it yesterday...he's feeling alot better this morning...a lot less pain but still on them...he wasn't quite too happy about being told he had to get up already today and get to moving around carefully :D of course, to see how he's going to doing with this rod in his leg/hip...he didn't want to but agreed the surgery was done to help him get out of pain and get up and moving again...!!!! So, I said I'd be over in couple hours so I could finish up what needed to be done here...

Will blog more lata so take care be safe have a Happ:D day post more
lata
me :D

Several things...

One that we need prayers for several people...Aubs uncle Kim who was in a four wheel accident last week...needs surgery and last word he was at UMC in Vegas...don't have any other word and need to check with Aubrey or Brenda...don't know if anyone is doing a blog on Kim to keep everyone posted...This is the latest I got tonight from Brenda on Kim...I haven't had an update this afternoon. He was hoping that he might be released today. We were just waiting for a good result to come back on the chest x-ray....his lung was collapsed and it has to be better before he can be released. He really did a number on himself. It's a wonder it didn't kill him.
His scapula (blade and socket) are broken and all of the ribs on his left side are too. They will have to heal themselves though. I'm sure his shoulder will need therapy.

Also, prayers are needed for Shane Jensen who got hurt on a job site and Tim has been kept informed by friends he has coffee with most every day...just got the blog on Shane and you can click the link for updates on him...

Also, my mom has been on several antibiotics to help with the pain and swelling in her thumb...it's been a week and swelling and pain still there but docs say will take a lit'l bit but feel it was from a bug bite suspect possible spider????

Now, for Tim...his "Sutent" will be here tomorrow to start back on time Thursday, April 23rd after his 14 days off from last round...we thought he was going to be starting back on it late cuz of the health insurance situation...whoo hoo...:D
and it was too late Friday to call the doctors office as they only do half days unless busy...so I called as soon as I got up this morning which was about 8:20 a.m....

The health insurance was reinstated retro to March 31st and all three of us are on it, at least til the end of the year (9 months)...qualified for the 35% (the percentage goes up to 110-150% for the extension and there's no way we'll stay on it he says)and its the same insurance he had through work, like nothing changed...same co-pays, deductibles, etc...so his sutent was $20 copay and not full price of $7500.00...yea!!!!...

His doctor's appointment was rescheduled for Thursday April 23rd and after he sees the doctor, he'll go down the hall for his infusion of zometa which will take about half an hour. I'll be glad for the infusion cuz he is finding more and more that it is hard to be on his leg...he's thinking about trying the crutches to see if it'll be any better...he got home from coffee tonight and he could hardly get across the room without the pain and of course he was due to take his pain meds again...he uses the cane a little but always the wheelchair...

Not sure or hope I've covered everything and mentioned everyone that are in need of prayer besides Tim...oh, and congrats to our niece who passed her test for phlebotomy at 100%...whoo hoo...:D

We are also starting to get our hot weather...last few days our porch thermeter has been reading 90 degrees...mornings are perfect...but to kool down towards end of week and 80 on Saturday when we have family reunion...hoping he's going to make it...he just got up and hollering from pain in leg...pray that the infusion works for him by strengthening the bones and taking a lot of the pain away as doctor says...

Well, it's dinner time so I need to get off here and Elf...eryone take care be safe blog more lata...

ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoo hoo...it's our 23rd ANNIVERSARY....

LVU HONEY BEAR :D




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Phone calls on insurance...

We got up bright and early...at least I did before him...630 a.m. and waited til he woke up...called the insurance about enrolling health insurance over to cobra insurance...

It's suppose to go to the 35% not 102% coverage premium payment amount like the stimulus package says...I am covered as well...Tamra has been on but to be put back on...that change has to come from works home office in putting her on and taking off Cajon since he passed away in 2005...we fig'd this had been taken care of a long time ago since the new cards in the beginning of the year didn't have his name on any of them...

We have to pay the 102% for the first month which is $1252 and once the enrollment is completed about $450 will be minused from the $1252 and the balance is suppose to go towards the 2nd month and third month is when we should pay the difference and 4th month we will start paying the $450 each month that we are covered...don't know if his work will still do the 18 months or just the 9 months but if we want an extension of I believe additional 11 months it could go up to 110%-150%...we'll see if we actually need it that long and if we would be approved for the extension...

I went online and set up the online account and it shows stuff pending until payment received and the enrollment agreement signed and sent in...I faxed the agreement but as a back up sent the form thru the mail as well...also went online to make the initial payment...by doing this we were told it would be processed within 7 working days...if agreement and check came by mail it would be 14 working days...we need results sooner so we can get appointments rescheduled and get prescriptions filled and order his next round of "Sutent" to arrive by the 30th if not sooner...to stay on schedule with his "Sutent", he should actually be starting them again on April 23rd...until we both see confirmation by mail or online changed from pending to final approval...no assuming...:D

Now to change the subject...our nephew Timmy's viewing will be tomorrow at Whipple Chapel Mesquite from 3-5 p.m. and the graveside services will be Wednesday, April 15th at 2 p.m...hoping the 50% chance of rain at services will hold off til afterwards...if windy I'll have to sit in the van...wouldn't be good for my lungs and the wind always takes my breath away...

Prayers are needed in family loss and those for health issues in healing...Elf...eryone be safe and good night...

Insurance...

We finally got the cobra health insurance papers today in the mail...doesn't look too promising...lit'l confusing...sez one thing here and then sounds like they take it away there...they don't even have Tam (as long as she is a full time student the health insurance was covering her, not sure now) on but they do Caj (he passed away in 2005)...yeah...it shows insurance eligible for two months, is that only for 2 months or just to get it started...(April 1 to June 4) at $1252.00 for a month (102%) not at the stimulus package rate of 35%...so there are a bunch of questions come first thing MONDAY morning as soon as we get up when we make a call to the insurance company...

He's worrying too much and you can see it in him that things are going good and alls well then something shoots it in the butt...sorry, just being up front...we don't have the money to put out for appointments, medicines, etc. until we know for sure...so this may hinder his treatment plan...may not cover me either and don't know if have time for a medigap insurance and prescription part D enrollment...if there's 63 days laps in insurances then the pre-existing conditions won't be waived...yes, it does show fax number so when we decide Monday after we get the info, we can then go from there and get it faxed out on Monday...we have 45 days to get check sent in but 60 days to sign up for cobra...

Also, I have been busy making potato salad for dinner tomorrow to go with a ham...did laundry and vacummed and mopped...too busy...low back hurts...laz:D fixed pizza...lol...yum...stuff cheese crust pepperoni and thin crust bbq chicken pizza...

He's feeling low and just laying back...holiday weekend didn't feel like going to coffee tonight but might tomorrow afternoon...no one around for morning coffee today or tomorrow...

This week a lit'l discouraging but still hopeful...somehow the insurance part will work out...Elf...eryone have a safe holiday Easter...

Happ:D Easter....

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So far...

This is what we have so far...yes, he was terminated effective March 31, 2009 to which the health insurance gets termed and goes to cobra once we sign up for it...no, it doesn't affect the short term disability insurance check which are good til June 15th and that's why we thought the health insurance was good til then too...the employer is expediting the health insurance company to send paperwork asap to have us fill out and send back...which I plan on faxing if possible to get it back to them sooner...the employer said he is eligible but that's no guaranteed approval so he is waiting before anymore tests, appts etc are done...I will only get those meds of mine that have to be filled, when cobra goes thru I can send claim in and get reimbursed as it's retroactive...I've dropped it down from $1000.00 to $489.00 to get by on...also considering that I'll be approved to be on cobra too...

The doctor office also called back and said the appointments for the doctor and the infusion for zometa can be rescheduled hopefully for April 30th and even if he started his "sutent" a week late would be okay...his last day for this round is Wednesday April 8th and then off 14 days and due to start again on April 23rd. We need to have it shipped from the specialty pharmacy back East by Monday April 27th or Tuesday April 28th in order to get in time to start on Thursday April 30th if that is the new schedule...

Also, shortly after we made the phone calls, we got a call that said our nephew passed away from a heart attack...this not good our kids aren't suppose to go before us...that has been what five now in the family since 2005 that have passed away...

Let's pray that this year is better as the rest the year goes on...Elf...eryone take care, be safe, blog more
lata
me <3

"I am a Christian"...

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin."
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou.
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but Beautiful is just plain Beautiful!

by Maya Angelou

NO HEALTH INS...

NO HEALTH INSURANCE...found out today when I went online for something to look up and I was just on yesterday and it didn't say anything...didn't get NO info to sign up for COBRA before 3/31/09 UNLESS an oversight on EMPLOYER's part since he is still on SHORT TERM DISABILITY til June 15, 2009 and FORGOT to tell the health insurance company about the change...

I tried making some calls while he was at coffee and insurance company just says termed and I would have to call the employer on Monday...said thank you for helping and I will call to find out...

This puts me at not able to buy my medicines as I don't have Medicare Prescription Part D and his sutent to refill on April 15th and his infusion of zometa we won't be able to buy cuz the sutent is $7000.00 and I don't even know how much the infusion cost...

I do HOPE we get answers on MONDAY...that it is all an oversight and everything is corrected that day...I have pain meds to pick up for him tomorrow the latest on Monday...otherwise, he's out...he has had to finally to bump up his meds to every 4 hours...

He is now reading the info and I have to go and talk to him about all this...Not much can be done til Monday...have a good wkend...:D

Up...

He's upped his pain med lortab from every 5 hours to 4 hours...this weather isn't helping either...be glad when April 15th is here to get the infusion of Zometa...it'll help with the pain, strengthen his bones...

He didn't even go to coffee today...last few days I think he has pushed himself to go just to get out...

As for my blood work on March 17th, got results today and they were good...need to bring up potassium level more...doc very happ:D with blood sugar levels too and said to keep up what I'm doing...if not improve...ha ha ha...sometimes it would be easier if you didn't have to eat...

Winds around here have been gusty...caught me off guard when I came out of the store around noon today...it always takes my breathe away...the wind and heat you can keep...lol...

Well, not much else going on...hope Elf...eryone has a great wkend coming up!!!! Take care and be safe...:D