Seventy-fifth Trip Around the Sun

My Seventy Fifth Trip Around the Sun

So far this was the worst birthday ever. Below is a letter I wrote to Greystone Home Health. I can not describe my 75^th birthday any better:

My husband and I have used Greystone three times in the past and written glowing reviews. In fact we had a particularly nice relationship with Sheri Blume whom I understand is no longer with Greystone. We are equally fond of Aycha and Prisca.

Our most recent experience has been a nightmare of epic proportions. On Saturday July July 15^th my husband was near a wall that collapsed and lacerate his leg. 911 was called and he was taken to St. Anthony’s emergency room. I spoke with him by phone while he was being stitched up and told him to get an order for home health. It was about 6:00pm and knowing it was the weekend I called Greystone to give them a scheduling heads up. I was told that the order needed to come from his primary doctor so I called Dr. Gross’s office (Baycare Medical Group) and got the “on call” physician who said she couldn’t issue the order. On Sunday the wound started bleeding through the bandage making a spot about the size of an orange. I again called primary and got same “on call” doctor who was rather short with me saying: Mrs. Woodrough I told you last night I cannot write the order. (one wonders why she didn’t contact Dr. Gross but I didn’t think to ask at the time).

By now I was frantic as was my husband. He is 80 years old recovering from recent back surgery and not very mobile with the wound. I spoke with Donna at Greystone and she said nothing could be done without an order. I was left with no alternative except to call an acquaintance who is a retired nurse. She came and changed the bandage Sunday and Monday.

On Monday I started calling Dr. Gross’s office early and the line was constantly busy. About noon I finally got through to the office and made my request. When I received no response in the afternoon I started calling again and getting the same busy signal. Finally toward the end of the day I received a message that Dr. Gross (primary) was not going to issue an order since there was a referral from St. Anthony’s for Steve to see a wound care specialist (Dr. Murphy) on Tuesday. Dr. Murphy saw Steve on Tuesday and faxed the order to Greystone early afternoon of Tuesday the 18^th of July. Both Steve and I made several follow up calls to Greystone Tuesday afternoon and were told they were waiting of a form 485 (? I think that is the number I was told) and a third piece of paper. Steve seems to be of the impression you were still waiting for a referral from Primary Dr. Gross (whose phone continued to be busy) It was late Tuesday the 18^th that the paperwork apparently was all in place. (On Wednesday July 19^th both Steve and I spoke with our insurance company and were assured that there was coverage. Steve and I both asked that the customer service representative contact Greystone which they did.)

However, no one from Greystone came until Thursday the 20th when Prisca came. (I told Prisca about the nightmare and she said I should talk to you.) (I did get a call from Donna but it was unproductive.) Yesterday Leasa came to dress the wound and complete the paperwork and we are now on a sound footing with Greystone. I told Leasa of the trouble and she encouraged me to talk with you. I asked her to have you call me at your convenience.

Please tell me for future reference how this nightmare could have been avoided. (I must have a very sound heart as the stress would surely have killed me last week.)

After sixteen years of luxury living our precious Little Libby died in her sleep in June. May was an interesting month with the visit of the Woodroughs for the Derby Party, the party itself followed by Steve's back surgery then a visit from the McDermotts.

All of the kidlets are growing up to be lovely people.  their parents have raised them well.

After Libby's death I searched for another long hair chihuahua and found a dream dog in Isla.  She joined our family in August and is truly the best dog in the world.

I cannot bring myself to detail the emotional distress that Donald Trump has inflicted on the country.  As I write this august 16th 2017 it appears that Republicans are finally getting the message, but it has been a long time coming.  Unfortunately, the damage done to our country may never be repaired.  Last weekend there were racist riots in Charlottesville, Virginia.  The Tea Party and radical right have split the country in ways that remind me of the Civil War.

I've said it before and will repeat that I am ready for my life to be over.  No regrets.