Thank goodness it's the weekend. After being out of town last weekend, I feel like I have been going, going, going for two weeks now. I'm really looking forward to some downtime, although I am going to have to spend some quality time at the office at some point.
So I finally got an answer out of the doctor regarding when my mother's custom hip implant would be ready. December fucking 12. Thank you Biomet. No, they haven't given me any reasonable explanation for why it takes 3.5 MONTHS to make a custom hip implant. It is beyond ridiculous.
No, the doctor did not ever advise us at any point that it would take 3.5 months for this part to be made. We were told the second half of the surgery would be in 8 weeks--NOT 15!
I am not happy, but I don't think there's much I can do about it, at least not right now. I really believe that Biomet dropped the ball somewhere along the way. And the lack of communication from the surgeon is appalling. In typical surgeon fashion, he just wants to cut and has no interest in patient care. But by all accounts, he is the very best at this specialized surgery, so I am treading carefully so that I don't piss him off.
Meanwhile, she has run out of time on her insurance. They are telling her she needs to move out this week--just when we learn it will be another month. The rehab facility keeps asking her why she can't go home with me--and she asked me about it this week. This is an asinine question. SHE CAN'T GET OUT OF BED!!! She is completely non-weight bearing on both legs. A physical therapist or nurse has to move her from her bed to a chair on a board. She has been injured twice by professionals trying to move her. She can't transfer to a toilet. She would require in-home care at least 16 hours a day. A wheelchair won't fit through my doorways--she would be living in my living room or dining room. And for my own sanity: I already have 3 kids to take care of; I'm gone at least 12 hours a day; I'm not going to force my husband and children to take on this responsibility; I am stretched as far as I can be stretched right now moving her here would undoubtedly break me.
The uninsured per diem to remain where she is is $170/day. That's about $5000/month. I'm certain she has access to $5K, so it's not like I'm forcing her on the street by telling her that she can't stay here.
Not to mention that home care would cost close to that $170/day, if not more. And it doesn't cover room and board and food and laundry service and a full professional staff.
It was just beyond her comprehension that she might have to pay something out of pocket after she has been in rehab for 2.5 months. But after telling her that moving in with me is not an option, and breaking down the finances, I think it is getting through to her.
Boy, I wish they'd get that new hip in.
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