Welcome to our blog! I originally started this blog in November 2010 just prior to having a major brain surgery to remove a large bleeding cavernous angioma from a deep part of my brain. You can best understand the gravity of our experience by reading the first several entries.(Nov 2010-Dec 2010) I wrote the first one and my sweet, adoring husband, John, wrote the next several (while I was too sick to do much of anything) that documented surgery, immediate recovery, and our reaction to the surgery complication (stroke)that was revealed 2 days after surgery. This recovery process has been difficult but we are making it. We appreciate all the kind words of encouragement we have received and we would like to thank everyone that has participated in helping us along this difficult journey. Also, if you have any questions about my personal experience, please leave them as a comment or contact me directly at thankfulforeveryday@yahoo.com and I will respond although I am not a doctor and this is not a replacement for medical care or advise. Please ask a real professional, or probably several. :) I hope to be able to help at least one person along the challenging road of brain surgery and recovery.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Getting into rehab is hard

We've been back from AZ for about a month now and I am yet to get started on an official rehab program. I have been doing all the work Barrow's suggested I can do on my own....but I am so wanting to be in a more inclusive program. I'm currently seeing a speech therapist near our home in SCV....and he's really great in addition to being super-nice. He has gone above and beyond to try to help me and we are very appreciative to have found him. Regardless, I've interviewed twice for a day treatment program at Northridge Hospital. From what we have heard, their brain injury program, is the best near us....and I really want to be a part of it... The program is very inclusive and runs about 7 hours a day of therapy. They do speech, physical, and occupational therapy as well as cognitive rehab.We are hopeful our insurance will finally approve it next week. It's been so frustrating for me waiting. I want to get back to my life....Jack most of all. I want to be able to hold him, carry him, and cuddle him before he's all grown up. We got the movie ToyStory 3 for Christmas and to me it resonates the message about how special every moment is with your child because in what seems like just a few minutes my little baby is going to be all grown up. He's already almost two, but it seems at times like we just brought him home from the hospital.Our little baby is going to be all grown up...and I feel like I'm missing a part of a part of it!!! I feel like they(the insurance company) are wasting my valuable recovery time and I'm wanting my brain to get reprogrammed ASAP, but I do not have all the tools to make that happen yet. I'm cautiously optimistic that this will be THE week that they finally approve me. On Monday I'm starting a part of the program, but I need to be approved to be involved in the whole program. We'll be crossing our fingers that we will finally get the good news we've been waiting for this coming week.
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    I hope that everything will be array in the best of ways, so I´l keep my thumps for you and hope that you will get to start soon, the sooner the better with your rehab training

    Hugs and thoughts Chili

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  2. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    I dispise insurance companies!! I don't know why they think they can take their time!! grrr!!!

    Praying you get in the whole program quickly so you can get the therapy you need!!

    hugs!
    Bec

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    Elizabeth,

    OK...I'm gonna write a letter to the insurance company!!!! Where do I send it or who can I call! I wish it was that easy and I could make it happen for you. Insurance is frustrating at times. I hope it happens this week for you!! We saw Toy Story 3 in the theaters right after Zach graduated from high school last year. I sobbed like a baby!! Love Woody and Buz! Loved that movie! Ironically, Andy is the same age as Zach so I really felt it! Don't you wish we could keep them little for a while longer? Don't give up and keep being that squeeky wheel! I know you will get there cause I know how determined you are! Crossing fingers and saying prayers that you will hear good news soon!
    "To infinity and beyond... Partner!" See ya soon! Rebecca!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Oh Elizabeth,
    After everything you've been through, then to have insurance holding you up on therapy - grrrr!!! It's unfortunately all a business to them. If they continue to 'drag' this on, maybe have John contact the insurance commissioner?? @ http://www.insurance.ca.gov/. Don't know if they can help, but would be worth looking into.
    In the meantime keep up your great efforts @ home. Rest when you need to and enjoy your beautiful family! :)
    Hugs,
    PattiG

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  5. Crystal January 26, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Ugh, insurance companies, even when you do have it they drag their feet on everything, but if you're late on a payment they're quick to let you know (speaking from a car insurance perspective, never had health ins ;) ).

    I'm sorry they're wasting valuable time, luckily your attitude is so upbeat and you're not giving up. I didn't realize that you couldn't hold Jack :( He's so handsome, he has both of his parents' golden beautiful hair! With time and all you motivation, I'm sure he'll be in your arms soon.

    Good to hear from you,

    Crystal

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