Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Stilly River Sage Date: 14 Oct 14 - 11:55 AM I'm of two minds here: the bicyclist is responsible for seriously injuring someone because of his/her irresponsible behavior. Riding a bicycle on a pedestrian area is foolhardy - too many people do it often and don't think about the consequences. If that individual has auto or homeowner's insurance, there may be a way to sue to at least recoup some of the insurance costs. Another option is to sue the owner of the sidewalk - and that is also fraught with difficulties. Municipalities are often self-insured, and have ways of simply saying "no, you can't sue us. End of story." However, anger is a caustic emotion. It's self-destructive. To sue someone (if a law enforcement entity isn't taking matters into their hands and arresting and charging the individual) is usually prolonged and expensive. Insurance companies push back with puny settlement offers or foot-dragging for years if you choose to fight them. All of this is counter-productive to the healing process. My friend who was injured on Jan. 12, 2012 (in this case, a pedestrian struck by a car in a parking lot) was in the hospital ICU for 2 weeks, then the next 3 1/2 months in a couple of rehab hospitals. She has had surgeries to correct several problems resulting from her head and hip injury. The only way to cover those vast hospital co-payments was to sue. It has been hard on her, she'd like to get on with life but has to keep focusing not only on that day, but on the deficits in her life because of the brain injury. She'd like to look forward and continue to improve, not continue to look back. It involves attorneys looking for the deep pockets to cover the bills - in this case, the owner of the property where she was struck had business insurance that included their parking lot. But insurance companies, as I said, to not play nicely when they are sued. Good luck, whatever the decision. If you can shame the bike rider into a settlement to cover the insurance co-pays, that might be the best outcome. SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 14 Oct 14 - 09:34 AM I've been thinking of a charge of reckless endangerment. That's a felony. I think conviction should carry a penalty of at least 350 hours of community service emptying bedpans at the hospital or better, at the veterans' home. Of course, every bicyclist in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest will be angry with me, but I don't care. But it's up to Pat; she's the lawyer. I'm jist a poor broken-down retired ol' liberrian (not a Liberian liberrian, although I do know one) who kin barely look it up any more. Craniotomy surgeon's fee: USD 5,700.00, near enough. My part: $14.10. But I have no idea what the other bills will be. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: GUEST,Rahere Date: 14 Oct 14 - 08:58 AM Rap, she's entitled to go after the bastard, it is likely to be rather therapeutic for her and speaks pages for her recovery. The biggest question may be one of cost, but his lack of consideration put her life at assessible risk and unless she does the best you both can to bring him to real account, putting his liberty at risk, then firstly all other cyclists will be tarred with the same brush and secondly he'll only have his own self-reproach to bear - if any. You've seen your medical insurance take a heavy hit, and all the other costs not associated with it: you should force him to undo the damage as far as possible. Try taking out some form of attempted murder against him, for starters. Someone rides on the sidewalk, of course he's putting pedestrians at risk, so if the risk crystallised - and that is the nature of risk, sometimes it does - then he takes the lumps, not his victim. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: jacqui.c Date: 14 Oct 14 - 07:57 AM Great news! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 14 Oct 14 - 07:12 AM Where is the Like button?! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Nigel Paterson Date: 14 Oct 14 - 06:07 AM Rapparee, I enjoyed reading your post of 13th...full of positivity, optimism & progress. That damned cyclist's 'moment of madness'...does s/he fully appreciate just how much pain & distress they've caused? I wish your wife a complete & pain-free recovery & send you my sincere thoughts as you support her through the coming days & weeks, With Love, Nigel. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 14 Oct 14 - 02:56 AM my physio runs a class of Tai Chi & Gentle exercise for seniors & I'm not telling her about the stand-on-a-foam-block-close-eyes-and-touch-nose. Standing on foam blocks is enough for us oldies practicing balance! congratulations to Pat. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 13 Oct 14 - 10:25 PM We kept the appointment and she was feeling pretty good. The UTI seems to be completely cleared up. She slept for EIGHT UNBROKEN HOURS last night!! And, yesterday, when everybody else was going to church, she DROVE around the neighborhood for forty-five minutes. I was with her, so I can verify that she did. (She's not about to go driving in traffic yet.) Today she walked, with the physical therapist, perhaps a quarter of a mile on the golf course -- uneven ground. Then she was made to stand on a foam block, close her eyes, and touch her nose. Heck, I would have a hard time with that! There will be more bumps, of course. She's fighting inside with wanting to "do something" to the bicyclist and she frightened herself with the morbidity/mortality rates for a craniotomy...and even more by discovering what the rate is for an untreated subdural hematoma. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: ChanteyLass Date: 13 Oct 14 - 10:04 PM Whenever you can, Rapparee, please let us know how your wife and brother and you are all doing. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: maeve Date: 11 Oct 14 - 07:00 AM Happy Birthday, Pat! http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1474211/thumbs/o-CRAZY-900.jpg?6 (Found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/23/workt-by-hand_n_4312371.html ) |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: ChanteyLass Date: 10 Oct 14 - 10:31 PM Let us know if that appointment was kept and, if so, how it went, please. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Oct 14 - 12:28 PM Good analogy for surgery and other traumatic events. Hopefully the insurance company isn't able to cap benefits - that is part of the Affordable Care Act legislation. Or are you seeing something different? SRS |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 09 Oct 14 - 11:50 AM Wise your bro is. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 09 Oct 14 - 08:46 AM Our insurance assigned a registered nurse to sort of "oversee" the case. She cannot do anything unless in her opinion (subject to appeal) those providing services aren't doing their job. For example, if the physical therapist isn't showing up or is incompetent the Case Manager will contact the people providing the service and either get them to shape up or lose the job to another provider. The Occupational Therapist made her last visit yesterday; Pat's received all that the OT can do for her at the moment. I said that if to Pat that since occupational therapy has finished she could go to work and support me; she said something that sounds painful and anatomically difficult or impossible. She did over 4,400 steps yesterday, the most since the surgery. There's another doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow but she can cancel it if she feels as if it isn't necessary. We'll probably know by early tomorrow morning or late tonight. My brother -- whose birthday was yesterday and who's having rotator cuff surgery tomorrow -- made a nice analogy. He said that recovery is like the tide: it flings you up on the beach and then drags you away and you hope that each time flings you up a bit higher until you no longer wash back out. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: LadyJean Date: 09 Oct 14 - 01:22 AM Happy Anniversary. I have a friend who's trying to crowd fund cataract surgery, if that's helpful. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Janie Date: 08 Oct 14 - 11:52 PM I'm wondering also, Rap. I know for some of my clients with complex health needs some insurance companies will assign case managers. When I first encountered them I was suspicious, but my experience with them in my capacity as one of the treating professionals is that they are very helpful and work to support the patient to take advantage of the best care and recommendations available. Have not experienced these case managers, from the provider end, as trying to limit care, but trying to enhance and promote good utilization of care. Hope Pat's experience, on the receiving end, is as positive as my experience has been from the provider end. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 08 Oct 14 - 09:45 PM insurance nurse/case manager? wazzat? |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 08 Oct 14 - 09:49 AM Today to the clinic to hopefully find out why she isn't sleeping well and why the fluctuations in body temperature. The insurance nurse/case manager comes the afternoon (no, we're nowhere near the insurance or any other limit -- I checked). |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Severn Date: 07 Oct 14 - 04:31 PM I have been away from the cat for awhile, for the most part. My best thoughts are going out to you and Pat for whatever you will be facing from here. Hang in there. I will be following this thread closely from now on....... |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 07 Oct 14 - 09:23 AM thanks for the link, maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 07 Oct 14 - 08:12 AM You THAT much younger? |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 07 Oct 14 - 05:24 AM Happy Yesterbirthday, CL! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: ChanteyLass Date: 06 Oct 14 - 10:05 PM Happy anniversary from me, too! You got married on my birthday--well, probably not the same year! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: maeve Date: 06 Oct 14 - 09:53 PM Quilt was found here: Click and scroll down. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 06 Oct 14 - 09:02 PM anniversary greetings & early birthday greetings! & another wow! to that quilt sandra |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: JennieG Date: 06 Oct 14 - 05:42 PM Happy anniversary to you both! Maeve, that is a gorgeous quilt to dream of........all I have to do is dream........it's now a musical thread. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 06 Oct 14 - 02:24 PM Happy anniversary to youse! I hope you got her something nice like a Weatherby or a Browning or some IMR powder. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 06 Oct 14 - 09:12 AM Our health insurance is, thank goodness, quite good and we have some resources we haven't tapped yet and it doesn't look like we'll have to. I don't mean the County Poor Farm or the Workhouse, either. I won't be forced to sell my body on the streets or, worse, become a Walmart greeter*. I do wonder, though, what people without what I have do (actually I know -- I grew up that way and it ain't at all pretty). *Me: "Hi! Welcome to Walmart, the slave wage store! Can I help you find something made by a political prisoner in an impoverished country? No? Perhaps you'd like some chocolate harvested by child slaves in Afica?" Nah, I wouldn't last long. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: maeve Date: 06 Oct 14 - 07:54 AM Save my birthday greeting for the 11th then, and please accept congratulations for your anniversary! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: GUEST,Rapparee on an iPod Date: 06 Oct 14 - 07:51 AM My mistake. Her bday is the 11th. Today is our 41st anniversary. Wednesday my brother turns 68. Friday he has shoulder surgery. It's a busy week. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Nigel Paterson Date: 06 Oct 14 - 06:22 AM Rapparee, I have been conspicuous by my absence...far too self-absorbed with my own probs. I apologise & send healing, comforting thoughts to you & your wife. It grieves me that you have to consider the financial implications of your wife's care in the way that you do...that is so unjust & unfair. Much Love to You Both, Nigel. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: maeve Date: 06 Oct 14 - 05:46 AM Happy Birthday, Pat. We are glad you are here to celebrate with Mike! Dream of your next quilt. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 06 Oct 14 - 05:12 AM I hope she has as happy a Bday as possible. Perhaps my loss of words is due to still being half asleep... I'll just say again, youse are in my thoughts and prayers. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 05 Oct 14 - 05:14 PM As I said before, no home should be without a mortgage. But it's not going to come to that if I can help it. Worked too hard to pay the damned thing off. She's going to get the help she needs if I have to sell gnu's house. The nurse comes as needed, and I can afford that, I think. I mean, what else can I give for her birthday tomorrow? She sure ain't goin' out for a big party! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: ChanteyLass Date: 05 Oct 14 - 01:53 PM "Next week her home health care benefits run out. We'll pay for them to continue." Uh-oh! |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 05 Oct 14 - 05:23 AM Glad to hear the fever is under control. How often does the nurse visit? |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Mrrzy Date: 04 Oct 14 - 08:52 PM Keep your pecker up, as they say! Thinking of you all, -Mrr |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Anne Lister Date: 04 Oct 14 - 06:06 PM Sending love and warm wishes to you both, Rap ... |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 04 Oct 14 - 03:15 PM Very weak and quite cold. Her temperature has gone down to normal levels, but she's been taking acetaminophen as a febrifuge. Don't know what will happen if she stops. Not much food intake, either. Next week her home health care benefits run out. We'll pay for them to continue. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Stilly River Sage Date: 04 Oct 14 - 12:45 PM How is she feeling this morning, Rap? |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Bill D Date: 04 Oct 14 - 12:11 PM Watching and sending good thoughts |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: jacqui.c Date: 04 Oct 14 - 10:54 AM More good thoughts coming to both of you from Maine. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Janie Date: 04 Oct 14 - 08:31 AM Hope that fever dropped overnight, Rap. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: gnu Date: 04 Oct 14 - 05:35 AM I agree with CL. For one thing, I am not awake enough to be cohereatall. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: ChanteyLass Date: 03 Oct 14 - 07:30 PM Praying for the best--no ambulance ride needed. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 03 Oct 14 - 06:53 PM She's down today with a temperature of 101 (F). If it goes up .4 more degrees she goes to the Emergency Room -- this from the home care nurse. Since she's on antibiotics this doesn't seem to be related to the UTI. (If she has seizures she gets another ride in the ambulance...also says the nurse.) |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: LadyJean Date: 03 Oct 14 - 12:58 AM I'm glad your wife is doing so well. I hope you're looking after yourself. Being caregiver takes it out of you, I know this from experience. Anyway, you're making me feel better aboug my PCI. (Permanent Car Issues). |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Janie Date: 02 Oct 14 - 10:45 PM What maeve said. |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: maeve Date: 02 Oct 14 - 10:35 PM You're doing an impressive job taking care of Pat- do please take care of you as well. Maeve |
Subject: RE: BS: My Wife's Having Brain Surgery 5 Sept From: Rapparee Date: 02 Oct 14 - 08:46 PM Almost certainly a torn meniscus, sayeth the Doctor. And he sayeth further, you can let it go, take NSAIDs, have a cortisone shot, or have surgery. I chose the shot and will revisit the problem later, if I survive until then. Yes, a UTI. E. Coli. She's on cefalexin and cranberry extract, and she's stashed on the new mattress that arrived today instead of tomorrow when it was expected. Yes, a new mattress. I ordered it about a week ago when I found that wires from the springs of the old one were stabbing me in the back of the leg when I got up. |