|
Musings
of a Senior Scribe
My Three Friends
By Mona Lease
Hi, all! For the last 10 months, the hype concerning Medicaid,
mandatory insurance, and the like have escalated to dizzying degrees.
So, consider this.
Last March, I got "the call." " Betty Grable is in ICU. We took her
there last night. We've been there all night..E.R., regular room, and
finally to ICU. She is very ill. If you want to see her; you better go
- today. If you don't feel you can drive, we'll come and get
you." "Yeah, come and get me."
As we walked in the room I looked around and saw Betty. She is hooked
up to a machine that is blowing air into her lungs. In an upright
position, her head is slumped to one side. She is sedated. Her daughter
sits at her bedside. I take a seat. We pass around "the look." Without
a word, we say it all. There's real trouble here and we're here for
each other. Whatever it takes. I realize we are all breathing in time
with the machine - sssssss - shhh - sssss - shhhh.
Betty awakes and looks around the room. She sees me, smiles, and
motions me to the bed. I drag my chair closer. With the mask on her
face, it is hard to hear her. We do a crossword puzzle together,
passing the book between us.
From the hospital, she went to a nursing home. Fast forward to today.
She has filed bankruptcy. She lost the house. The nursing home took
7/8's of her retirement check (some receive the bills for you and then
bill you)...those pesky "uncovered expenses"....prescriptions,
"in-home" Dr. visits, trips to the hospital and back, trips to rehab,
oxygen, tanks, tank caddy, specialists, shampoo, soap, clothing,
personals, ..the list is endless. Meanwhile, you file for the insurance
to pay the house payments while you are "laid-up." How many do they
make? If you die, it's paid in full. If you are "ill", the insurance
argues over making more than two. Then it's only the regular payment
and not the late fee. "Travel time" for the paperwork to get approved
usually puts you behind another payment. This process is lengthy, at
best..."Get a Dr. to sign this".."Get him to write it this way".."We
need copies (stamped, sealed, approved, notarized, witnessed, etc.)"
As I write this, I have three friends in this precarious position. Life
hangs in the balance. Every minute is precious. Every chance to sit
with a friend, chat on the phone, relive "old times", is more precious
than gold itself. Every opportunity to give/get a hug or say/hear
"I love you" one more time, is sterling wrapped in gold.
As for Betty? She pushes/pulls the oxygen tank around with her. A few
steps, pause, a few more steps...she is making her famous Carrot Pie
from scratch. Thanksgiving is here. There is much for which to be
thankful. The family is together. A new grandson will sit at the table.
She has rented another house.
Why didn't Betty have the bank called? Why didn't she tell the bank, "I
want all of my money with me in ICU. Put it on a chair beside my bed so
I can look at it. Bring all my certificates of achievement, too." Why
didn't she say, "Bring me the keys to my brand new truck. I want to
hold them."
Yes, readers, I know the answer. Do you? Simple physics says, "Matter
in an unnatural state must return to it's natural state." Do ya suppose
that works with Love?
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Be good to the furry and
feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next time. Ever
Toodles!! MONA
|
|
|
<
|
