Suggestions for Rehab?

ijan01 · 03-03-2003, 04:10 PM

Hi all. I'm new to this site and to this whole topic since December 26, 2002. On that day my father had an accident on a construction site and as you all know too well, his life and my family's lives have changed dramatically since then.

He's in a rehab hospital in Iowa. Is being weaned off the vent and is paralyzed from the neck down. We have some doubts about this facility being able to really deal with someone at his level of needs but workman's comp is balking at moving him. Our family wants to get him to the Rehab Institute in Chicago and the local doctor has written a statement approving that transfer, but workman's comp says no.

Does anyone have suggestions for us on getting them to change their minds? We're concerned that he isn't getting enough stimulus where he is and that if any mobility or sensation is possibly going to return, it would be more likely to happen in a more proactive rehab program. I question many things about his current treatment in both breathing and other rehab.

For example, while the ventilator hasn't been set to give him oxygen for a couple weeks, it has been providing extra push for his breathing. So Saturday (when of course the therapy staff is at minimal level) they decided to just shut the vent off for the whole day. He was totally exhausted and finally a third shift nurse put it back on for the night. Is that really the way something like this should be handled? What about the weaning/increasing time approach that is what I seem to read about as standard procedure?

And then there's the chair issue. A custom chair is on order but in the interim, he's being set up for most of the afternoon in the chair the hospital has. The armrests are too low and consequently the weight of his arms is pulling on his neck, back and shoulders which are tight as a knot. He's in misery from this--a farmer who could work outside all day in 20 below weather and never complain is in tears because they are putting him in this chair. Would other facilities have something more adjustable? Or do people just get tortured for the weeks it takes to get a custom chair delivered?

And what about muscle stimulation and massage? He gets about a half hour of stimulation of arms and legs each day with therapist moving and flexing limbs. No massage. This seems pretty minimal to me. He's never been out of his room, never had any other type of muscle stimulation, never talked to another quad who's been through this. . . and Mom isn't getting much formal training on care issues either.

I'm really worried about this and I'm fifteen hours away and trying to kick butt and ask questions and rally Mom to do the same but it's tough.

I've tried to read and visit websites and gather info but any suggestions some of you can provide would be helpful. Especially if you can tell me if we're on the right track in trying to get him into a different facility. And assuming that is the case, any thoughts on dealing with workman's comp would be much appreciated too.

Sorry if this is long and involved even while being very superficial about where we're at right now. But I thought you folks might be understanding.d

dogger · 03-03-2003, 04:38 PM

ijan01 , i don't understand the system in the U.S. [ other than it makes ours in Australia look magnificient ] . you are right about getting your father out of there ! at almost 2 and 1/2 months post he should be getting intensive therapy . a suggestion about his chair if he is to be stuck with this unsatisfactory one for a while , cut some high density foam [ thick enough to lift his arms/hands to a comfortable level ] in a rectangle shape and duct tape this to the arms of his chair .
wishing you success in moving him , and tell him from me , that stubborn , hard working quality farmers have is useful in going through this .
thank you
dogger

every day i wake up is a good one .

marmalady · 03-03-2003, 04:55 PM

I think your mom needs an advocate like a disability lawyer to give these workman's comp folks a kick in the butt.

A chair should never take that long to get. He's not only uncomfortable, but in danger of skin breakdown from not being able to do pressure relief off his butt.

Your mom and you, too, can and should learn how to do the 'massage'and exercises like range of motion; it's something that will need to be done every single day.

I don't know about the vent or the weaning procedure; all I can tell you is from my observations when my son was being weaned. There were days when he was exhausted, too; just sipping on a straw wore him out. It's hard to sit back and watch that, but it ultimately was for his own good. As long as his oxygen saturation is okay, he's in no danger. Remember, his respiratory muscles are learning to work again, and he's having to learn to use different muscles to breathe; all very, very exhausting.

I'm glad you found this site, although as I'm sure everyone here would say, so sorry for the need for you to be here. Keep reading, and posting, and asking questions! If your mom has computer access, try to get her up on the Caregiver's forum. There's a wonderful bunch of folks there for support!

_____________
Tough times don't last - tough people do.

antiquity · 03-03-2003, 05:53 PM

Hi Ijan, I'm copying this topic to the Care forum where the Spinal Nurses can see it and help steer you in the right direction.

Chris Chappell · 03-05-2003, 10:34 AM

ijan01,

You may want to consider giving Craig Hospital (Englewood, CO) a call as to facility transfer, workman's comp and your other questions.

PH; 303-789-8000

Contact: Kenny Hosack

Good luck.

etexley · 03-05-2003, 02:45 PM

God bless your family.

What level is the injury?

03-03-2003, 04:10 PM	#1
ijan01 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: fredonia, NY Posts: 6	Suggestions for Rehab? Hi all. I'm new to this site and to this whole topic since December 26, 2002. On that day my father had an accident on a construction site and as you all know too well, his life and my family's lives have changed dramatically since then. He's in a rehab hospital in Iowa. Is being weaned off the vent and is paralyzed from the neck down. We have some doubts about this facility being able to really deal with someone at his level of needs but workman's comp is balking at moving him. Our family wants to get him to the Rehab Institute in Chicago and the local doctor has written a statement approving that transfer, but workman's comp says no. Does anyone have suggestions for us on getting them to change their minds? We're concerned that he isn't getting enough stimulus where he is and that if any mobility or sensation is possibly going to return, it would be more likely to happen in a more proactive rehab program. I question many things about his current treatment in both breathing and other rehab. For example, while the ventilator hasn't been set to give him oxygen for a couple weeks, it has been providing extra push for his breathing. So Saturday (when of course the therapy staff is at minimal level) they decided to just shut the vent off for the whole day. He was totally exhausted and finally a third shift nurse put it back on for the night. Is that really the way something like this should be handled? What about the weaning/increasing time approach that is what I seem to read about as standard procedure? And then there's the chair issue. A custom chair is on order but in the interim, he's being set up for most of the afternoon in the chair the hospital has. The armrests are too low and consequently the weight of his arms is pulling on his neck, back and shoulders which are tight as a knot. He's in misery from this--a farmer who could work outside all day in 20 below weather and never complain is in tears because they are putting him in this chair. Would other facilities have something more adjustable? Or do people just get tortured for the weeks it takes to get a custom chair delivered? And what about muscle stimulation and massage? He gets about a half hour of stimulation of arms and legs each day with therapist moving and flexing limbs. No massage. This seems pretty minimal to me. He's never been out of his room, never had any other type of muscle stimulation, never talked to another quad who's been through this. . . and Mom isn't getting much formal training on care issues either. I'm really worried about this and I'm fifteen hours away and trying to kick butt and ask questions and rally Mom to do the same but it's tough. I've tried to read and visit websites and gather info but any suggestions some of you can provide would be helpful. Especially if you can tell me if we're on the right track in trying to get him into a different facility. And assuming that is the case, any thoughts on dealing with workman's comp would be much appreciated too. Sorry if this is long and involved even while being very superficial about where we're at right now. But I thought you folks might be understanding.d

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03-03-2003, 04:38 PM	#2
dogger Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mitchell , Qld. Australia Posts: 2,239	ijan01 , i don't understand the system in the U.S. [ other than it makes ours in Australia look magnificient ] . you are right about getting your father out of there ! at almost 2 and 1/2 months post he should be getting intensive therapy . a suggestion about his chair if he is to be stuck with this unsatisfactory one for a while , cut some high density foam [ thick enough to lift his arms/hands to a comfortable level ] in a rectangle shape and duct tape this to the arms of his chair . wishing you success in moving him , and tell him from me , that stubborn , hard working quality farmers have is useful in going through this . thank you dogger every day i wake up is a good one .

03-03-2003, 04:55 PM	#3
marmalady Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,988	I think your mom needs an advocate like a disability lawyer to give these workman's comp folks a kick in the butt. A chair should never take that long to get. He's not only uncomfortable, but in danger of skin breakdown from not being able to do pressure relief off his butt. Your mom and you, too, can and should learn how to do the 'massage'and exercises like range of motion; it's something that will need to be done every single day. I don't know about the vent or the weaning procedure; all I can tell you is from my observations when my son was being weaned. There were days when he was exhausted, too; just sipping on a straw wore him out. It's hard to sit back and watch that, but it ultimately was for his own good. As long as his oxygen saturation is okay, he's in no danger. Remember, his respiratory muscles are learning to work again, and he's having to learn to use different muscles to breathe; all very, very exhausting. I'm glad you found this site, although as I'm sure everyone here would say, so sorry for the need for you to be here. Keep reading, and posting, and asking questions! If your mom has computer access, try to get her up on the Caregiver's forum. There's a wonderful bunch of folks there for support! _____________ Tough times don't last - tough people do.

03-03-2003, 05:53 PM	#4
antiquity Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 14,540	Hi Ijan, I'm copying this topic to the Care forum where the Spinal Nurses can see it and help steer you in the right direction.

03-05-2003, 10:34 AM	#5
Chris Chappell Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 7,035	ijan01, You may want to consider giving Craig Hospital (Englewood, CO) a call as to facility transfer, workman's comp and your other questions. PH; 303-789-8000 Contact: Kenny Hosack Good luck.

03-05-2003, 02:45 PM	#6
etexley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Boca Raton, Florida, USA Posts: 1,446	God bless your family. What level is the injury?