Day 17: Insurance Reform - Friday March 30, 2012

Last evening we got word that Scott’s facial surgery was scheduled for 1:00pm today.  Hooray!  He was off food and water as of midnight and we all sat, err... wrestled, excited through the night and morning as the next step toward getting to rehab was drawing near.  We were told he would be picked up around 11:00am.  Then at 10:30am we were told the surgery was canceled due to a problem with insurance.

We were told that the insurance company could not assign a required case number in time for the surgery because of the dynamics involving multiple lead surgeons and the complexity of the procedures.  The case number was required only because the surgery was to be performed at St. Joseph’s but he was a patient of Select.  We now have to admit Scott to St. Joseph’s first. Once admitted to St. Joseph's, Scott will not require the case number from the insurance and we will then proceed with surgery tomorrow (Saturday).  Fortunately Scott should still be able to head to Barrows on Monday.  

Warning - I personally take responsibility for all following editorial comments and apologize to those who work in the insurance industry that may take offense.

For many years there has been much political debate about healthcare reform.  I believe the discussions should be about health insurance reform.  The insurance “Middleman” is the real gatekeeper to health care and needs to be neutered.  We the customer/patient should be able to act as consumers of healthcare, but instead we are subjects of corporate and statistical policy handed down by insurance companies.  I encourage everyone to take control, do all you can to be a consumer to health care and not insurance.  Yes, I believe that insurance as a catastrophic umbrella for protection is useful, however there is too much insurance sold as a means for people to be unaccountable.  This is what I see as fundamentally wrong with insurance.  

Sorry again for editorializing but Ashley and I were a bit peeved and I had to vent.  Thanks for your indulgence.

Now back to Scott.  His short term memory is not good and Ashley and I continue to work with him, asking questions of recent happenings.  He is very much in the now and responds only to an immediate situation or stimulation.  This is definitely adding to his agitated state when awake as the senses of feel take over.  So much for reason helping us.  Scott repeats what he hears a lot and when we need for him to tell us what he wants, we need to be clear that we do not suggest the answer.  

We tried something else for the first time today.  Ashley wrote words on a piece of paper and had him read them.  He was able to with both eyes. (NOTE - this has since been shown not to be the case as he was later diagnosed with Marcus Gunn Pupil which most likely will result in the loss of eyesight in the right eye)  His speech is getting clearer (even without the speaking valve) and we are beginning to understand some of his mumbled ramblings.  Last night I swear he said he wanted to go fishing. He definitely said to me “I have a wonderful wife” as Ashley was leaving the room to go down the hall (Insert tear of joy emoticon here).

The Shoulder MRI results arrived.  There is no nerve or soft tissue damage, only the grade 3 AC separation.  This pretty much confirms that the lack of movement with that arm and the right leg is due to the brain injury.  Barrow will for sure be working on that.  Patti will be assisting with the ortho rehab of the shoulder as well.

Ashley and I are excited for Scott to have more family with him this weekend providing additional stimulation.  Also for the additional tag-team partners.

Joy!

Mickey Moore