Advocating for my Poppa... A 12 hour shift today for me from 10 AM to now with my Favorite U.S. Marine!!! Bakersfield Memorial Hospital staff have been doing a Wonderful job of caring for him. Poppa had his right leg amputated below the knee yesterday and about 6 pm went from recovery to his room on the 5th floor. Dr, Tivnon had said he would be in the hospital 2-3 days after surgery since he is older. By 10 AM today, BFMCs Dr. wanted him to be discharged home. His blood sugar had been low throughout the night and morning, at one point was 44! Of course I expressed concern as to him being stable enough to go home with readings that were so low. It hadnt even been a full day since they amputated his leg... All I wanted was another day to stabilize his sugar levels. His RNs at Memorial were in total agreement about the concern as well. BFMC said other patients who have had the same thing go home after one day. (Poppas right leg was his good one. He has not been able to stand or sit on his own for over a year. He had left side deficiency from an old stoke.) What is the problem is what the BFMC case manager asked me. I want to appeal the discharge I answered. Id like just one more day to get his sugar more stable prior to him going home. Yes, he was there for surgery, it is complete, but his sugar is low because of the surgery. (Dad has not been on insulin or pills for 5 years, his diabetes is controlled through diet). I had to speak with 2 different case managers who worked hard to tell me Poppa was fine to send home. At 9:30 PM I called the 1800# to appeal the discharge. What a day! Just now getting my Momma home to rest. I truly feel sad for those who have no one to advocate for them and are simply discharged. I only have one Poppa and I want him to have the best opportunity to heal. I know they want to save money...I want to save a life. That is why he had the amputation and is getting hospital care. I dont want to get him home to have to rush him back in via ambulance. He has much to live for and a wife who is lost without him. Long day!!! Advocating for my Poppa... LOVE, Audrey XoxoxO
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:37:13 +0000
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