Last Wednesday,the 11th, Linda and I returned from a mud bath in Calistoga. That afternoon we decided to play pickleball. On our way to the court, Linda was making a U-turn,and the golf cart got away from her and turned over. Linda was trapped ,and her ankle caught . I was horrified , helpless and unable to save her . I attempted to lift the golf cart so she could remove her leg from under the cart, but I couldn't. Luckily, 3 neighbors stopped . Then we picked up the golf cart so Linda could remove her leg. Mike F. , a Search and Rescue friend wrapped Linda's leg and assisted expertly. We got her back to the house and I drove her to the hospital in Auburn.
At the hospital, she was x-rayed and scanned from head to foot. After a while, the emergency room physician told me that she required going to a trauma hospital. Later , he said he couldn't find a bed in either Roseville or Sacramento and Linda would have to be transferred to Modesto. I asked if we could remain in Auburn until a bed opened up closer to home. The physician said she required treatment for her ankle immediately. An ambulance drove her to Modesto and I followed.
At the hospital in Modesto, Linda's leg was treated and she was admitted early Thursday morning to ICU. Later that morning the surgeon came in and said he didn't think surgery was indicated but he would have to clean her wound, stitch it and put her in stirrups so that the bandage could be changed every other day.
After that procedure, she was placed in a two patient room . Linda's children Sidne,Kristie and Buck provided tremendous support. I had to convince those in charge that I needed to stay with Linda during the night. It was clear that she had to deal correctly with her weight-bearing issue and that she required assistance to keep her in bed during the evening. Eventually , after serious discussion, the nurse in charge said ok and brought in a more comfortable chair in order for me to spend the night at her side .
On Friday, her ankle injury remained infected . Initially, I intended to take her home that evening. After receiving input from Dr. Warren, the physician, the staff and her children, I decided to keep Linda at the hospital. They moved Linda to a single room that had a loveseat that could be extended like a bed .
During that evening, I decided to have a fiesty Linda transferred to a rehab hospital . Her son Buck has a Home Instead franchise and recommended two rehab hospitals. The one hospital in Sacramento would have 24 hour care so that Linda would not be alone. Super !
Saturday, the discharge process became complicated. Fortunately, Daniel.a head nurse ,facilitated the discharge process. We had to remind Daniel that we would transport Linda to the rehab hospital in Sacramento. Buck facilitated the admission, Sidne transported Linda in her car . I thought the Corvette would be more complicated and less comfortable getting Linda in and out.
Linda was admitted Saturday evening to this new facility and was accompanied by her three children. I left that evening and was able to have a non-interrupted night of sleeping.
At the rehab hospital, Linda had 24 -7 hour care with a nurse and patient care technician. She’s provided with physical, occupational, and speech therapy during the day. Linda's mood was upbeat and she was a pleasure to be around despite her discomfort. Her wound is changed every other day by her nurse. The staff changes occur and there were a lot of new faces daily
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On Thursday, Linda visited an orthopedic surgeon in Roseville. He unwrapped her bandaged ankle and decided not to take out the stitches at that time. He said there was no medical necessity for Linda to be in the rehab hospital. His office arranged for home healthcare, and an appointment was scheduled for September 30.
Friday morning I contacted the home healthcare office; made arrangements with Sidne for her to provide workers to help with respite and her ability to provide a wheelchair, walker and shower chair. With all that in place, I decided to bring Linda home Sunday.
Linda's home and she has home healthcare. Home healthcare consists of a nurse case manager, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and a health aide. She has a follow-up appointment with her orthopedic surgeon on Monday the 30th.
This accident episode seemed more difficult than her hip replacement last December as Linda is unable to put any weight on her left foot. Being on 1 leg, Linda has to be able to transition from bed to wheelchair and from wheelchair to toilet. Linda is getting stronger and more familiar with the process. However, she is still wheelchair bound. Modesto Hospital did their job, as did the Sacramento rehab hospital. It's difficult to be the advocate within the maze structure and rigidness in healthcare. In any event, my advice is not to be a patient.
PS
Our friends Dave and Joyce have been angels sent from outer space or more accurately from Michigan and Ohio. They took care of Teddy ,Linda's love child during her hospitalizations. We were able to use FaceTime , including Teddy daily . They have been a godsend again and again. They also have provided a wheelchair, porta potty commode and a tub transfer bench. They have been a tremendous support and we value their friendship and support .I thank the support of many friends, including my sister Bev, Tony, Debbie, Rachel, Paul, Melissa, Lee ,Avi, Shelley, Wiff’s, Trula, Pat and Diane.
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