Please pray for my husband Mike,

[susan lynn]

So sad to hear this is happening to you and Mike, i worked in a nursing home for 7 years and with Senior Service ( in home care, adult day care) for 12 years. I have seen so much neglect of the elderly but we also had younger patients. Unfortunately nursing home pay is so low that some of the people that work there don't care about actually doing their job, also usually understaffed so the few of us that did want to give good patient care were overwhelmed. but this is no reason for your husband to be treated this way. Many of the people I knew would hire a private sitter for their loved one to make sure they got the proper care.I think more people (if they can) are choosing to keep their loved one at home, they receive better care. I never understood why Medicare and Medicaid would pay enormous amounts of money for someone to live in a nursing home instead of giving that money to the family so they could care for their loved ones at home. Also by state gudelines al staff is required to document everything that is done for every patient. My neighbor had his wife in a nursing home (private pay) and decided to bring her home where he could take care of her(he was 88).Hopefully you can have someone (nurses, aides , therapy) and insurance will pay for it, don't know if you have medicare.It is a tremendous strain on a spouse to give this care everyday, so hopefully you will have someone give you some rest. I would report everyone involved, nursing homes have an organization Ombundsman program that you can report neglect and abuse, My prayers are with you and Mike that he can come home and receive the care he deserves. I have always told myself I would never have my husband in a NH if I was able to take care of him at home, but I know this isn't always possible for everyone. God Bless You and Mike.

[aproctor]

Oh my gosh I just read through this entire thread for the first time and I am soo sorry you are going through this. I have had experiences with nursing homes with my grandma and I am happy you are able to take Mike home. You are a very strong, wonderful woman!!!

I will keep all of you in my prayers!!!

[MauiGirl]

So sorry this has been difficult at every turn for Mike. I pray that you both will stay strong and will be able to handle all the hardships together. Enjoy having him happily at home, and get some help to come in if you can.

[marcie]

Thank you for the updates.
I am so sorry this is hapening over and over with the caregivers.
You are always in my prayers dear lady.

[marcie]

Checking in for any updates.
Mike and Brenda you are in our prayers.

[Patti]

I hope Mike is safely home with you now and getting the TLC he needs. Remember to take some time to care for yourself too. Keeping you both in my prayers.

[Doodlebug]

Brenda, I am praying for you and Mike. You are an awesome, caring wife to Mike and I hope you are taking care of yourself too. Hugs, Jean

[brendarash]

I hope every one is enjoying there summer. Well Mike went to see his Doctor the other day. The doctor was happy with the way Mike was looking as well as his labs. He was not very happy that they drained off 11 liters of fluid and within 3 days he had already gained 10 lbs of fluid back already. I let the Dr. know my intensions of bringing him home,He said he understands, and feels that it would be a good idea but He will be increasing his meds and will need his blood monitored very closely for the next few weeks. So, We had no options but to have he stay a few more weeks in the rehab. He was not very happy but It is what is best for Mike. I had the Doctor write down step by step orders for the Dr at the rehab to follow. I will keep you updated as I get a chance. Thank you all so much. Brenda and Mike

[lisaly]

I'm really happy that Mike's doctor had a lot of positives to say about him, but I'm so sorry that he is unable to come home with you. Your love for each other is so strong, and it will help you both to overcome the adversity. I pray that each day gets better for both of you and that Mike gets stronger and healthier. I understand how difficult this is for you, and I think of you often. I believe that love conquers a great deal, and your devotion to each other demonstrates that. You are an amazing person, and I always wish you both much health and better days ahead.

[marcie]

Checking in for an update.
You are both in our prayers.

[Lil Sis]

just checking in... you all are in my prayers

[brendarash]

Hi everyone and Happy Summer. I hope everyone is enjoying your summer. I took today and went for a ride to Philly, Pa. I felt Mike Is in good hands at the rehab and I felt like i could go for a ride with our Son Mike. We had a short but sweet trip to Philly to try a cheese steak. We did this before but Mike was along for the ride the last time. I sure did miss him. I do not feel right going and having a good time without Mike. I talked to Mike a few times and he was so happy that I was doing something for me for a change. Mike is doing about the same No change at all. He was doing pretty good until his fall, and now he can not even stand on his legs at all. His knees are still so sore. I asked the nurse to see if he could go see a doctor ( ortho) They agreed. He goes Thursday. He was suppose to go to get drained on Thursday of this past week but the nurse got that messed up and the ambulance did not pick us up, so he goes Tuesday. Finally the doctor has stepped up to the plate and is watching Mike closely. He is not progressing so he should be coming home in the next 2 weeks. If the ortho doctor is able to give him a injection and that takes some of the pain away, then he may be there a bit longer. I was told in the beginning that for every one day of no movement it will take 3 to 4 days of exercise to get back what he lost. He has been in there now for over a month. Please continue to pray for Mike, he sure could use it. Thank you all so much. Brenda and Mike

[aproctor]

I will pray that Mike heals and is able to go home soon.

[Buster Brown]

Just thinking of you and Mike I hope things are going better for the both of you. Best wishes.

[brendarash]

Hello all. Hope everyone is enjoying there summer. Seems like it was a fast summer. Mike is still trying to get himself better, so he can come home. On Wednesday while having P.T. at rehab he started with chest pain and off he went to the ER.They admitted him.So They can do a stress test today, but the nurse forgot to let the dept. that does the tests, know that Mike needed to be put on the list for todays stress tests so he had to stay another night in the hospital and Tomorrow he should have it done. He has been in rehab for a little over 60 days. I am so ready for him to come home. It has been since April. He is still not able to stand on his legs for any longer than 45 seconds. He has a very long road ahead of him. This is getting so old for me, I know it is so much worse for Mike. He was in the ER for about 2 hours and the rehab.(Envoy) called asking if he was coming back. I talked to them today to let them know he was staying another night and again they wanted to know if he was coming back. I told them he was and they said he is the nicest guy and every one was missing him. They treat him and myself so good there and they want to come work with him at my home once he is abe to come home. I still have a problem with the doctor but he is watching his blood work closely and he has not needed to be drained in a month. I want to thank everyone for all the thoughts and prayers for Mike and please continueto pray for him. The prayers have gotten him this far and him and I really apprciate it so much. Mikes best buddy Romeo has been going to see his Doctor on a regular basis. I thought it was a long time for him to be acting funny about his daddy being gone so I took him back to the vet again. I told then to do a senior blood test and would you belive that Romeo has possibly the same things wrong with him as Mike. He has elevated liver tests, possible kidney, theroid (low level) and diabetes. And they said possable cardiomyopathy (spy) I have to take him back to see a specialist to see what is going on. The vet could not belive that he has the same things wrong with him that Mike has. This is the strangest thing I have every heard of.The vet said those are some of the things that he could have with the results of the blood tests. He goes next week to get to the bottom of this.My poor baby. He seems okay but a little lazy sometimes. I will keep you posted on Romeo as well as Mike.Thank you all so much. Brenda and Mike