October 9, 2008 11:27 AM
Tripp hits setback to his recovery
Tripp's recovery from his knee replacement surgery took a turn for the worse last week. He'd been making great strides (no pun intended) and his physical therapist had said he was two weeks ahead of schedule.
But then an infection set in and while he was put on oral antibiotics immediately, it just wasn't enough. When his doctor saw him Friday he said he needed to eat more - he looked malnourished. His skin was kinda gray. I thought he looked like a concentration camp survivor.
Our college kids were home for a four day break - which included Ben's engagement and lots of exciting activity - but Tripp was feeling worse and worse. Monday morning he went to see Dr. K, who took one look and set things in motion for Tripp to be hospitalized.
So Tuesday morning was another unplanned surgery to reopen his knee and clean it out and start him on a more aggressive antibiotic. Of course it was the same day that Justin's birth family from Taiwan was coming to visit and I had no way to get in touch with them.
Yesterday morning I went to see him:
We took lots of pictures of ourselves - which reminds me of those little machines we used to go in for a quarter to get a strip of four photos:
The reason I look so happy is because it was such a relief to see him back to his normal cheerful and optimistic self. Still, it was a setback with repercussions - longer recovery time, more time off work (unpaid), and he will have to have a PIC line for at least 6 weeks - for those who've not had to deal with one, it's a semi-permanent IV hookup into a major artery which will allow him to leave the hospital and still receive the powerful IV antibiotics he needs.
He may or may not be coming home Friday. Dr. K is insisting he go into a rehab facility for managed care. But our insurance company balked the last time.
In fact, I blame Anthem Blue Cross for this whole crisis because Dr. K asked for Tripp to be admitted to a rehab facility and we even appealed, but Anthem refused. I have written to the president of the company, but received no response.
But the good news is that Tripp is on the mend again. Please pray for him. And pray for God to be a comfort as I can't be there every minute.
Comments
I'm so glad he's doing better now, what a scare! I love that last picture, you look beautiful Barbara!!
Posted by: Angela | October 9, 2008 2:21 PM
Barbara,
You probably know this already, but for the benefit of your readers: keep meticulous records of everything. Record the date and time you speak to a service rep, and the rep's name and ID number.
Get the name and liscense number of each provider that your husband sees - as well as the name of his/her practise and the practise phone number.
Insist that all bills (from providers, hospitals, rehab centers, pharmacies, etc.) be itimized. Keep all your bills in a binder, in chronological order by provider.
Call Anthem and request a case manager/care coordinator so that each time you call with a question or concern you're speaking with the same person who knows the ins and outs of Tripps case.
File a complaint against Anthem with the Virginia Insurance Commission. You can do this over the phone by calling: 1-877-310-6560 or visit this site: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/boi/webpages/boifilecomplaint.htm
Insurance companies, like any other privatly held company, are in buisness for one reason: to make as much money as possible. They do this by denying claims. The way the system is set up, the burder of proof - to prove that the treatment is medically necessary and covered by the policy - falls on the shoulders of the patient. That is why meticulous record keeping is so crucial.
I am praying for Tripp for a speedier recovery and appropriate and effective pain managment protocols.
(Complaining to the Virginia insurance commission really works. My doc and I both submitted complaints on my behalf to the commission against Anthem (PPO, not HMO) and it worked like a charm. I wrote a long blog entry about it -- read it if you want more info.)
Posted by: Anna | October 9, 2008 2:32 PM
I hope the recovery is fast and smooth from now on; I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with insurance issues in top of it.
Dear Mr. Curtis: please take it easy from now on; don't push yourself harder than you have to; don't worry about anything, but in everything give thanks; even if you are out of work, God is never out of funds, so He will provide for your family and all your needs. My prayers are with you.
(and if you are into natural remedies, check into applying raw honey to the wound; it is a natural antibiotic and just wonderful in general in bringing the body up for the recovery; and what to say about raw garlic! -besides the smell of course)
Momma C: I wish I was there to lend you a hand!
Love,
Nilda
Posted by: LadyLovas | October 9, 2008 2:35 PM
Aw Barbara - what a bummer. My MIL's 2nd knee replacement was moved up unexpectedly to last week and she flew through with ease...again. Bless his heart. Tell him to hang in there - remind him that when the pain and soreness is gone, he'll be amazed and how good he feels and he'll wonder why he waited however long as he did.
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVIkings | October 9, 2008 3:08 PM
Prayers for a smooth recovery for Tripp from here on out, Barbara.
Posted by: KatieButler | October 9, 2008 6:52 PM
Sorry to hear about Tripp's set back. I'll be praying for him.
Posted by: Tressa | October 9, 2008 7:43 PM
Oh no! Anneke said, "Poor Papa Tripp has a big boo boo on his knee! We must get him a band aid!" She looked at the pictures many times and wants to know every detail. I am so sorry that this has happened, and I continue to pray for healing. I pray too for excellent care from the medical staff. It is very distressing that he was refused coverage to be able to go to the rehab hospital the first time, and look what happened!!! Praying for you all...
Posted by: Greta | October 10, 2008 10:53 AM
Barbara-
I am so sorry Tripp is going through this. He will be in my prayers......He seems like such an awesome dude. :)
Just wanted to quickly thank you for your blog. It has been just what I have needed lately to feel connected to the world, and to be encouraged. :)
Posted by: Lisa | October 10, 2008 1:10 PM
I was going to tell you to file an appeal with the Virginia State Insurance Commissioner but I see someone already beat me to it. You can also ask to speak to the medical director at Anthem. I work in a Pediatric office and insurance is my job, sometimes the medical director can get things moving for you. Your physician also needs to call and request to speak to the director. It is completely ridiculous that they will not let him go into a rehab especially after the infection.
Posted by: Bridget | October 11, 2008 9:24 PM
