(no subject)

[thejunipertree]

Some days, I swear to God and all that is holy, I feel like I'm going to wind up on a rooftop. Dressed in a pink ballgown. Holding a semi-automatic rifle.

Today happens to be one of those days.
And if I knew where the office was for Amerihealth, I'd go a-visiting. Sonsofbitches.

Why on earth does one approve a feeding tube surgery, but only give approval for TEN DAYS of use for said feeding tube?

Also of shit, receiving a phone call this morning at half past eight whose sole purpose is to inform me that TODAY is the last day Amerihealth will cover my mother being in the nursing facility.

Brrrt. Wha-what?!

Now I've managed to spend most of my day making phone calls and attempting to wrangle some form of continual nursing/housing for her. In between bouts of furious sobbing at my desk.

I just don't know what to do any more. She can't come home. Not in the condition she is in (remember the other day when I thought things were getting a little better, I thought wrong, silly fucking optimistic me). We don't have the room in our apartment for any kind of aparatus. She's unable to take care of even the most basic of her own needs. I am unable to be there twenty four hours a day for her. Hell, I'm unable to be there for her even 12 hours a day. (Not only that, but I would most likely attempt matricide if it was solely my responsibility to care for her, things are bad enough as it is and it's not even completely on me.)

She needs to be in some sort of twenty four hour a day nursing facility. A nurse friend of mine recommended this inpatient hospice place, which I swiftly called, but I was informed that they only accept people who are diagnosed with TEN DAYS OR LESS to live.

I'm not even going to comment on that.

Then I spoke to the nursing home, who told me that for her to stay there, she needs to apply for (and receive) Medicaid. That swept me into another round of phone calls and message leaving, NONE OF WHOM called me back. Pigfuckers.

Say it with me: PIGFUCKERS!

I don't know what to do and precious few people understand. A long time ago, I joined a cancer patient caregivers support e-list. Posted an introductory message and nothing else. I can't post to it. Shit, I can barely even read it half the time. It's far too depressing. And as I am already heartily depressed 95% of my waking day, I don't need any more.

The only things which keep me sane these days are my friends and The Engineer. And maybe the ferrets. They're like cheap therapy, the weasels are.

This can't keep going on. It just can't.

Comments

[drewness.livejournal.com]

PIGFUCKERS!!

Sorry, hun. *BIG-ASS HUGS*

[sophiaserpentia.livejournal.com]

Is there some sort of patient's advocates who can help you deal with these sorts of things?

[ninjalicious.livejournal.com]

That is so insanely fucked that they can get away with telling you with no notice. While I know that laws aren't always fair or well-planned or anything else we'd like them to be, it still strikes me dumbfounded that there's no requirement for them to give you prior warning about finding somewhere else to stay for a patient so dependant on care.

[neenerface.livejournal.com]

I'm at a total loss and wish I could help. If there should be anything I can do, even if it's run errands for you on a week night or weekends, anything just let me know. I wish I could do more to help because I know what it feels like to want to crack but you can't because *you* are the one holding everything together.

[lachupacabra.livejournal.com]

oh honey.
you & your mom will be
in my thoughts & prayers.
*hug*

[dabble.livejournal.com]

Pigfuckers. Jesus Fuck thats harsh.

Gorgeous woman, you are in my thoughts. I want the best for you and your mother in this horrible, horrible time.

SSD

[rowan-1958.livejournal.com]

Since your mom is getting Social Security Disability, have you called Social Security to see if she's eligible for Medicare? I don't believe the nursing home can just discharge her, so you should probably speak with either a-the patient advocate at the nursing home/hospital; b-the ombudsman at the nursing home/hospital; or c-the social worker at the nursing home/hospital. Also, Camden County Social Services would be who you call about Medicaid, as that's a State run program, as opposed to Medicare which is Federal. I can't imagine that she's not eligible for Medicare, given the fact that she's getting SSD. Are they talking about trying to discharge her, or just making noises about getting her some type of insurance? I'm truly surprised that AmeriHealth has carried her this long after her disability ran out....if there's anything I can do to help with the bureaucratic b.s., let me know.

Re: SSD

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

She can't get Medicare for two years. That's one of the icky things about being on permanent disability.

I spoke with a social worker from the nursing home and she told me (in very broken English) to contact Medicaid through Human Services. Which I did, but didn't speak to anyone until today. I'll post about that later.

I have to go through Burlington County Social Services, because that's where the nursing home is. At least, that's what I was told. I'm still unsure as to how much I believe that.

She's not being discharged from the nursing home. They can't do that. Especially since I would be the one who would have to come and get her and I would flat out fucking refuse it.

All I was told is that Amerihealth won't cover her staying at the nursing home anymore. Mostly because she's not doing physical therapy anymore. And when I questioned her about that, she told me that the PT person hadn't been down to get her since before she went into the hospital the last time, which was about a week ago.

I'm surprised Amerihealth is still carrying her, too. Especially since she's not generating a paycheck for her 'employment' to take the premium from. The girl from Medicaid told me that Amerihealth will probably drop her when they find out about all of this, but it won't matter because Medicaid will pick her back up. She also told me that the income eligibility is assets of $2000.00 and under, which Mom more then qualifies for with her piddling $1000 a month from SSD.

I'm going to Medicaid tomorrow to apply for all of this crap, which means I have to dig out a boatload of freaking paperwork to bring with me.

Lovely.