"Preparations Begin"

July 1, 2009
0500 Hours

In the two short weeks Dar has been at CareMeridian she has made awesome progress during her therapies. Dar has full range of motion in her legs and is able to participate without much pain while working her legs and feet. Dar is finding her "trunk muscles" and is working hard at keeping herself upright while in the seated position. Friday Dar began moving her fingers and thumb on her left hand, very exciting. Christy atributes this to the "tone" Dar has been experiencing is beginning to diminish in her upper body and the "request" from the brain is not being hampered as much as it was before. This is all very exciting news. Dar is showing full rotation with her upper and lower arms with some slow stretching and a little bit of effort. She is such a trooper and is working oh so hard at getting better.

I often get a phone call from one of the therapists during the day with an update as to Dar's progress. Each time Dar gets on the phone and I get to hear her talk and tell me she loves me. It truely makes each day better. We chat for a moment and play "simon says" and she is winning more and more.

Friday and through the weekend Dar had her good days and her better days. Friday we decided to change her dosage on her pain meds to see if she might be a little more "perky" during the day. Saturday it seemed to help. She was more like her old self than she had. Granted, the frequency of UTI's has got to make her uncomfortable and not as happy as normal but she is such a petit little gal it does not take a large dose of pain meds to put her into "la la land".

Diane, Dar’s little sister from Oregon and my daughter and granddaughter were with Dar for her birthday celebration on Sunday and we provided cake and ice cream for the staff and residents. It was a fun time for all.

I can only be excited to think about how far Dar can come over the next weeks and months. By months I mean, hopefully Dar will be able to continue her stay at CareMeridian till September early October.

That being said I must tell you the battles with insurance have already started, “utilization reviews” are done on a weekly basis and last Thursday the phrase “custodial care” was used. Anne Marie went ballistic, and informs me that all the staff is ready to do “battle” to keep Dar where she is. Dar belongs where she is and is progressing very well and needs to continue there.

Soooo, preparation has begun on the home front to prepare for “Dar’s homecoming”.
I have been in contact with one contractor in regards to remodeling the bathroom to make the shower wheelchair accessible and handicap ready. The price was what I thought to be very reasonable but I am having another contractor come out this afternoon for another quote.

Being handy myself, I could probably do the work myself with the help of some “pros” and save even more, but I am not sure I have the time.

I still continue to fight with Aflac regarding Dar’s benefits and have already turned one claim over to the Calif. Insurance Commissioner and we are awaiting their findings. I sent off another claim to Aflac on the 29th of the month and it was “denied” because Aflac was told that Dar was discharged from Kentfield back in March. I have no idea where that came from. So, yesterday I was on the phone again fighting for Dar’s benefits. I was told that it will go back for review again and I should hear something in a few days.

As we have lost at least half of our income as a result of Dar’s accident I have no choice but to fight for what I believe is rightfully hers.

I guess I will have to weigh out the prices of having the bathroom remodeled with what can be saved if I do the project and keep our savings and hopefully future Aflac benefits intact. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know. You can always leave me a comment or drop me an email @ cntrydjpro@sbcglobal.net.

The times they are exciting, Dar’s progress is amazing, her future is what God has for her, my commitment, unwavering, Stay tuned, we are just getting started.

As far as the phrase “custodial care” and what it implies. It will never happen, When Dar is ready, Dar will “come home” to her house, to her “dawg”, to her family, to her friends, and to all of her “DREAM TEAM”.

I do have to say at this point that I am very proud of someone in particular. My daughter, Jamiesue has stepped up and said that she will attend to Dar while I am at work during the day. Such a selfless commitment from her because she too believes Dar belongs nowhere else but at home when the time is right. Thank you Jamie, thank you Brian, thank you Vanessa. You are angels and God is smiling over you.

Stay tuned folks and again thank you for your prayers and support, have a wonderful July 4th weekend and remember those who have given their lives for our freedom.

God bless you all,

Danny