Hubs had the procedure today... they found one of the stents (probably the first one they placed, some time ago) was completely clogged. They replaced it and called it "good"... said it was a matter of "medical management" now. I'm still trying to figure out that phrase. It's not one I've ever heard a doc use. I'm assuming it means keep him on a good diet, on his meds, and away from too much exertion. I will admit I was trembling in the waiting room. The fear of losing him came way too close for me this time, for some reason.
The staff at Providence were wonderful to us. I stayed the night because I was afraid of what the morning would bring, snow-wise. And I made the right decision. But they were constantly offering blankets, food, drink, etc. and ready with hugs. Beautiful people, professional -and- caring.
Once hubs hit recovery, I had to start figuring out how to get him home. I knew I couldn't drive him, not just coming out of that procedure. With no working blower in my car, it meant a bitter cold drive all the way back to LV. I finally went out to the car, grabbed a smoke to relax and think, and remembered how the "patient advocate/case manager" was there for us when my Mom was an in patient. When I got back, I asked the Info person if there was still such a position, and he called the head RN to come talk to me. Luckily, I'd spent most of the day yesterday with her, so we were acquainted with each other already. I told her about my car, my fear of driving in this snow, and wondered if there was anything like a medtaxi that could shuttle him back home to me. Lo and behold, she told me she'd ensure he was either in a cab or a MedBus. When I asked if she could give me an idea of about how much it'd cost to travel that far, she told me not to worry... Providence would be paying it. I'll admit... I broke down in tears. You can't imagine the relief I felt. Some days, it seems like no matter how hard you think you just can't come up with the right answers. But even in some of the worst of times (like I felt this was for us), there's a "helper" waiting to come to your aid.
I'm still shaky from the experience. I've always been the one to have all the answers, and the one to offer help. This is a new position for me... to be alone and trying to figure it out and asking for help. It doesn't come easy. But the nurses and staff at Providence made it as dignified as they possibly could, and I'm so grateful for that.
On top of that, the nurse I shared a joke with in the cafeteria this morning... neither she nor I could see the lids to the cups that were staring us right in our faces, turned out to be one of my hubby's recovery room nurses. When she saw me at his bedside, she came over and gave me a huge hug, like we'd known each other for years. She told me she was so white knuckled driving into work this morning and still shaky when we met up... but sharing such a "dumb" moment with someone and the both of us laughing at it relaxed her and let her start her shift in a completely different frame of mind. And then she gave me her gloves, because I didn't have any.
To say I was bowled over by my experience is an understatement. These people just had their professional status ripped away from them by trump... but they are still the most professional, caring people you could hope to meet. May their God and my Goddess bless them in every way possible. They truly stand as examples of their profession and their faith. Humana doesn't want us to go there because they're not "in network"... so far, Humana hasn't worked out so well for us, anyway. I'm working with my MA helper to find a plan that will "work" better for us, and will allow us to continue to go to Providence. I plan on making it known throughout the network the kind of experience I had. I learned a few years ago that words of support... or, at that time, words of misdeeds, make a difference when it comes to companies working with hospitals to be in or out of network. Hopefully I can fight for them in this way. They so very much deserve it.
And the best news is hubby is coming home tomorrow. I'll sleep better... and Lexy, our dog, will be absolutely ecstatic.
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