We took another big step and signed up for hospice in home care yesterday. I was suspicious about this as Dr. Kaseb had no plans for further treatments and handed off my care to the Supportive Care Team at MD Anderson. We had talked with Supportive Care on Thursday about getting some oxygen to take home for the weekend until another chest draining could be performed. I mentioned to Rae and Jane that MD Anderson would loan hospital beds as well. So getting a hospital bed entered the conversation. It was a incremental step for the MD Anderson to suggest hospice care as hospice routinely provides a hospital bed and oxygen as part of their services and could execute quickly.
As of Friday I was still holding off on triggering hospice with the concern that it would interfere with the chest draining I was pushing for at MD Anderson. The primary question being, will the insurance company pay for both hospice and procedures at MD Anderson. I talked with the insurance company on Friday and did not get a definitive answer but any medical procedures are not in the base hospice services. I interpret that as the insurance company will be charged extra for procedures in either case so I don't see any reason that they should deny MD Anderson from executing this procedure.
We tried everything Friday to get some oxygen for the weekend that would not involve signing up with hospice but at 5pm found it impossible. So we resolved to call on hospice care who signed us up and brought the oxygen I needed and a hospital bed. Both have helped tremendously with the breathing issues I am having. I now can get through the weekend and not end up in the ER. We have thus bought some time to get the chest draining procedure coordinated. Hospice claims that they can remove me from their services for external treatment and then resume as necessary to mitigate insurance conflicts. Hopefully that will not be necessary.
So being on hospice means I will terminate my visits to the Supportive Care team at MD Anderson and possibly look at the local cancer hospital for any medical procedures I might require. There is no significant change in my health that precipitated this change, only that it was a convenient solution to resolve the immediate issues. So far I am impressed with the services hospice has provided.
Glad that Hospice was able to met your needs so quickly. The hospital bed should make you comfortable and help keep the fluid low in your lungs. Being able to sleep should help make your feel better.
ReplyDeleteLove, Cathie
Ray, we enjoyed visiting with you, Jane & Rae Nelle so much, last weekend. It was good to see you. I agree with Cathie that it is great you were able to get the oxygen & bed you needed & that they are providing you with relief. Glad to hear there's been no significant negative change in your condition. You are very much loved & are in our prayers for Christ's encompassing love, protection, healing touch & guidance. Blessings to you & yours. With love, Gayland & DeLaine
ReplyDeletesounds like a load of your shoulders - having the oxygen in your own home will be comforting and you should relax a bit more knowing that should you need it, you can just stay home.
ReplyDeleteYou can move in and out of hospice care, Ray--my elderly relatives have had to do this, and it even works pretty well!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to read that it was not a downward spiral that sent you to hospice, merely the need for oxygen at home. Being propped up in the bed will make it easier for you to breathe.
Keeping you all in prayer--
Sue.
Ray, I don't know what to say...Sorry about the misspelling of RaeNelle. My heart goes out to Jane and you and RaeNelle. I will keep praying for a miracle. We love you!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Karen