Mrs OH Farmer has new knees

[ohiofarmer 3,276]

   On Tuesday of this week she had a bilateral knee replacement (s) .

    It was in Springfield Ohio and glad to be out of there without a car accident. Saw some stuff, believe me.

      Surgeons are a funny lot and they kept insisting that home was the best place to recover. We have a supplemental Medicare and when I was driving to the hospital to visit her the next day, a calm series of thoughts guided me toward listening heavenward and to my own common sense.

    When I started questioning some things about my conflict with me being the caregiver, suddenly they said if we went to a recovery center,it won't have to happen yet that day.

   She was still at a high pain level,but I did manage to get her there OK. The heavenly voice was correct in that there were and still are manageable problems internally that require a hospital setting. It would have been a nightmare to deal with them at home and may have required an ambulance to get her back to hospital.

    Now she is impatient with a great physical therapy team as well as proper care for her medical issues .

  My wife was pretty scared to have both knees replaced at once, but is now very happy that she did.

   We certainly are getting our money's worth for paying the extra premium.

[953 nut 55,376]

31 minutes ago, ohiofarmer said:

We certainly are getting our money's worth for paying the extra premium.

Anyone who doesn't have part "F" coverage in their Medicare supplement should look into it. The extra premium you pay is nothing compared to the bills that can pile up without it.

I pray that your wife will make a speedy and complete recovery. Home is by far the best place for final recovery but inpatient PT for initial recovery was a wise choice.

[rmaynard 15,530]

We have Medicare "G", and along with the supplemental insurance and we have had no out of pocket costs. 

[Ed Kennell 38,305]

My Medicare BCBS supplement ins. has full coverage for inpatient PT, but $25 copay/visit for out patient PT.    Just received notice of ins. changes for 2025.   The PT copay drops to $10/ visit.

     Mrs. K had her tenth and final PT session for her Feb. foot surgery  yesterday.

 

Best Wishes for Mrs. OF's complete knee recovery.

[peter lena 8,648]

@ohiofarmer  surprised that a double was done , when I had mine done it was exactly 6 months apart , to insure  a secure  baseline on one . there are many steps involved , personal interest / desire , easily said but tough to  get  started . after 3 days in hospital , was sent to a nursing home rehab , center . ensuring daily movement gains . hope it goes good for  both of you , have a hip replacement coming up , looking forward to it , eliminating  lower spine  strain . getting older , has issues , pete  

[ohiofarmer 3,276]

Thanks for listening. I watched a therapy session yesterday and was amazed at her progress. She is having a more painful day today,but the team promised there would be ups and downs.

   They are working on getting her anemia better because of blood loss during surgery and are trying to do it without a transfusion. I suggested that she try a protein shake that the surgeon wanted her to use and the second hospital okayed it. She has a bit more color this morning and I pray it is helping...

   

[dcrage 628]

23 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Anyone who doesn't have part "F" coverage in their Medicare supplement should look into it. The extra premium you pay is nothing compared to the bills that can pile up without it 

And the extended care at a follow up facility (nursing home setting) in use for Mrs OH Farmer is one of the BIG items NOT currently covered by Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) that is covered by traditional Medicare. 

Edited September 29 by dcrage

[953 nut 55,376]

8 hours ago, dcrage said:

BIG items NOT currently covered by Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)

When my brother had a stroke followed by a heart attack and lengthy hospitalization his "Advantage Plan" had co-pays, out of network charges and deductibles that  totaled well overt $ 20,000 it a couple months' time.

Following my stroke I spent seven weeks in the hospital and in-patent rehab combined followed by nearly a year of rehab three days a week without one penny of out of pocket cost for me to pay.

That is why I suggest that everyone check to see what coverage you have. None of us plan to have a major medical occurrence but when it happens it is comforting to know you won't be going to the poor house because of it. 

[ohiofarmer 3,276]

    She is coming home today and walking on her own two feet. We still have to keep working on her excercises to keep the range of motion intact ,she is already at 110 degrees bent and can nearly straighten them as well. the main thing is not to get lazy and let scar tissue form. Her goal of attending our daughter's wedding celebration in Michigan will be met.

 

   The main therapist is a real hoot. Think of Bill Engvall in looks and personalty in a Larry the Cable Guy sized package.

[peter lena 8,648]

@ohiofarmer  glad to hear your wife is paying attention to it  ! inspiration  / encouragement  is vital ,  also suggest  a flat roller stool  for  move gain ease . lets you push / pull yourself  around on a flat floor .  once starting that , it easily filled in the gap , for muscle strength  wake up . go roller stool , nap , pete

[Handy Don 12,265]

13 hours ago, ohiofarmer said:

She is coming home today and walking on her own two feet. We still have to keep working on her excercises to keep the range of motion intact ,she is already at 110 degrees bent and can nearly straighten them as well. the main thing is not to get lazy and let scar tissue form. Her goal of attending our daughter's wedding celebration in Michigan will be met.

Motivation!

My wife has one new knee, was diligent with recovery (while grumbling often about how hard it was ), and danced at both our daughters’ weddings the next year. 

Well done both of you.

Edited October 2 by Handy Don