There’s nothing like the pressure of the clock. When it was time to take a test, our teachers said we had only “x” minutes, and when the time was up, we had to turn in our papers without delay. Just glancing at our watch while taking tests added more stress. Were we ahead of schedule or behind? Clocks add pressure in the sports arena. How many times do we watch quarterbacks see the play clock run down to two seconds and frantically pressure their centers to snap the ball? The clock adds pressure to golfers. They can’t take their time to swing a golf club or read putts. If they take too long, the golf officials put them on the clock, or they get penalized strokes. The pressure of the clock is stressful.
There are clocks in the medical world, which I learned in my Dad’s care plan meeting last week. Medicare has a standard of 100 days for senior adults who are in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). It doesn’t matter what medical condition brought them there. If they are in a SNF to recover from a stroke, they have 100 days. If they were in a car accident and need a SNF, they have 100 days. If they just became a double amputee, they have 100 days. Medicare has set the clock for recovery, and if the patients haven’t recovered by the 100th day, they are no longer covered. They become a private pay patient.
Dad feels the pressure of the 100-day clock. The physical therapist in Dad’s care plan meeting announced that if he can’t transfer by the 100th day of rehab, he will not be able to return to his assisted living apartment. Dad lost 70 days waiting for his new prosthesis, as he didn’t feel safe trying to transfer with one artificial leg while waiting for his new one. Dad had difficulty embracing the news that he had 30 days left to learn how to transfer with both artificial legs. He said, “I just got my new prosthesis on June 21st! Thirty days sound like a very short time frame. I’m not sure I will be able to do it that quickly.”
I can’t imagine what Dad is feeling. It feels unfair that a double amputee has to perform rehab as quickly as a stroke victim. But the therapists weren’t as sympathetic. They made it clear that they have helped many double amputees learn how to transfer with just one artificial leg. So the clock is ticking. I told Kendal, the social worker at this meeting, that Dad had VA benefits, so I need to begin pursuing this avenue. Kendal warned me that the VA is not known for providing long term care unless it is connected to his time in the service. My heart sank. Kendal handed me a VA brochure so I could contact the VA attorney to see if there might be other benefits we could pursue. I thanked the ladies for including me in the care plan meeting. I kissed Dad goodbye before heading back to the office. I gave him a pep talk and said, “You have 30 days to show you can transfer yourself. You can do it!”
As I headed to the car, it struck me that Dad is not the only one who has 30 days. I, too, have 30 days, but my list looks different than his goal to transfer. I need to meet with the VA attorney as quickly as possible. I need to visit with the nursing director at his assisted living apartment. What is the protocol to terminate the rent agreement in case he’s not going back there? If he can’t go back home, then our family needs to deal with moving all of his stuff out, but where? There’s no room at a nursing home facility. How much of his things should we donate versus keep? I have to figure out the financial implications. If he doesn’t qualify for VA benefits, then all of his income could potentially go toward nursing home expenses, which means we’re looking at Medicaid. What about credit card bills? Most importantly, I need to shop for affordable nursing care and do site visits. Whatever facility is best for my Dad will need to have an available bed, preferably a private room, on July 29th. I also need to figure out how to transport him. He doesn’t fit in my car, and if the facility is not in town, then finding transportation may be a problem. I feel the pressure of the clock.
As I get my track shoes on to race the clock, I am comforted knowing that God already has the facility picked out. He already knows what the financial picture will be. My family is ready to help me get him moved out if necessary. The Lord will help me navigate through the VA system. In the end, God is sovereign, and He is the true caregiver. I look forward to seeing how He leads our family to do what’s in the best interest of my Dad and be financially sound. Please keep the prayers coming. The next 30 days is filled with stress. Dad has 30 days to learn how to transfer, and I have 30 days to find an affordable facility in case he can’t transfer. The Lord will get us to this finish line in a glorious way. He always does.
Blessings, Lee Ann
Debbie Mielke wrote:
My goodness Lee Ann. I think your job is harder than your Dad’s job! The clock keep ticking as my my heart-beat sounds louder! God, please give Lee Ann the wisdom and direction to take first to put this task in motion. I pray that she gets favor for all who she is working with to make this transition easiest! If I can help in any way, please let me know Lee Ann. My prayers continue to be with you and in agreement that you find a nice place acceptable to him. Maybe the class can help offer suggestion on Sunday!!!
Blessing buddie,
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie. I am writing on a lag basis. So much has happened in seven days since that care plan meeting – including 35 phone calls to nursing homes on July 4th getting quotes for semi-private and private rooms and getting to a Top 5 list. I will be doing some travelling tomorrow to do site visits.
I so appreciate your offer to help. If there is any help I could use from anyone or our class is to help clear out his apt if he doesn’t get to come home. It’s dirty work and not glorious work, but it’s necessary!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Linda Dill wrote:
Can’t wait to get the message after 30 days! My prayers are with you and with your Dad. Linda
I love your attitude, Linda! I can’t wait either! You know the good Lord is working out something that will be just right for Dad. I don’t see it yet, but I know it’s coming!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Beth Defenbaugh wrote:
I will pray harder for you and your dad. For you: Godly direction, wisdom and signs from God that you are following the Lord’s direction. For your dad: strength to be positive and look and see the blessings he has been given from the Lord and the Lord’s strength to follow through and do his best to obey.
Hugs and blessings! Beth Defenbaugh
Thank you, Beth! Dad and I need God’s leadership every step of the way. I treasure your prayer support and encouragement.
Hugs and Blessings to you as well!
Lee Ann
Bliss Angerman wrote:
I’m so sorry Lee Ann! I know what pressure you feel. We had an excellent social worker who pushed to get mom in the SNF that could handle wound care and was close to her old facility so that friends could come and visit her. It’s scary when they bring in the form that says, “Notice: Medicare will no longer pay for your care beginning at noon tomorrow!!” You feel like they will push him out the doors and just say here’s your bag–good luck!
But they won’t, and like you said, God already has it figured out.
Thank you for sharing this – you are a strong witness to many!
See you tomorrow,
Bliss
Thank so much, Bliss! God does have the plan, and He is slowly unveiling it! I will continue to do my part to find affordable sites, do on site tours, do the VA paperwork and see how the chips fall according to God’s will. I bet there’s an amazing story developing here!
I look forward to seeing your smiling face tomorrow. You have been MISSED in our SS class!
Blessings,
Lee Ann
Dearest Lee Ann,
I know our great God hears and answers prayer. I’m certain he knows the cry of our heart when we can’t even utter words. I KNOW He has a GREAT plan for life. Finding the courage to believe and the resources to REMEMBER that in the midst of difficulties becomes MY challenge. Maybe others find it hard as well. I LOVE the truth in God word to each of us. It’s truth that will guide us home…. ALL THE WAY HOME. It’s not just for today, but for every day of our future. When I have quiet moments 😉 I love to read God’s word and discover truth I’ve never seen before and think on the truths I’ve learned through hard times, good time, lean and plentiful times. God refreshes me when I’m sitting quietly in his presence AND when I’m running full speed. Those little details of our lives don’t hinder God from sending just the right thing at just the right time when you live each day unto His glory. God seems to operate in the rushing, mad chaos of life just as effectively as he does in the still and quiet. (I know this because I’ve had a LOT of rushing, mad chaos in my life EVEN when I aim and PLAN for tranquility… go figure! Aug… lessons EVERYWHERE)
I hope to encourage you with a thought I learned some time ago. I LOVE TIME SCHEDULES! Clocks and calendars are a gift I treasure. Day planners give order to life! (family, work, celebrations, deadlines, purchases, school, changes, remodels, relocations , etc) The great assurance I’ve learned is that God’s time supersedes my time because He CREATED MY time. And all that He ordained for me will be at the APPOINTED time. Because of His great love and desire for me, there is no fear in that. This truth set me free from the stress of a clock or calendar that would appear to be screaming at me some days. Though it doesn’t reduce the work load, phone calls nor planning and strategizing that must go into ALL the activities of life I hope this perspective on time schedules can reduce the “pressure” that may initially appear to come w/them. Don’t grow weary! Ask to see life from God’s perspective. It’s AMAZING. (Day planners are great, too….. have you every pictured God’s “day planner”.?)
I’m late getting this note and maybe by now you’ve found direction and answers and don’t have to know anything about the productivity of “the last minute”. I hope to rejoice with you in the answers God has for this situation.
On a personal note…. Michael proposed w/the boys blessing! He would like to marry in December 2012….. I’ve changed jobs and the new email is richardsl@hutchclinic.com. Yahoo and gmail are still active also. School plans have changed for EVERYONE. It’s been a busy few months! (Remember that rushing, mad chaos I eluded to earlier…. ) I hope we can catch up soon.
Love you so much and will continue to pray.
ALIVE,
(Always live in view of eternity)
Lyrinda
Lyrinda,
I am very encouraged by your wonderful message, Lyrinda! I love the reminder that God created my time, and all that He has ordained for me will be at the “appointed” time. I definitely am the type who is “scheduled”, and my Palm Pilot contains my appointments, my task list, etc. I’ve always said that if I lose my Palm, my life will be in complete chaos!! The Lord has been very good to me through this very fast-paced month. He has cleared my schedule when it needed to be clear, and the right people are returning calls and assisting as needed. Thanks for your word of encouragement!
I am delighted that you and Michael are getting remarried in Dec and that the boys have blessed that decision!! I have been faithfully praying for you daily since our last email exchange. I would love to catch up with you as well. You are truly a dear, precious sister in Christ. By the way, did you know that Monica Maxfield got married on June 26th to Tracy Hoskins and is now living in Wichita?! God is obviously moving in the area of marriage in our cell group!! Know that you are loved much by me, and I look forward to catching up with you soon.
Blessings,
Lee Ann