Tag: nursing

Monday, 28 Feb 2005:

Today we met again with Barbi and Leilani, two of the kind ladies who are attempting to help us arrange nursing care for Gabriella.

Initially, we thought the shortage of nurses here in Hawaii would be the primary obstacle to home nursing care. However, that has not been the case, primarily because of your efforts to help us find nurses by getting the word out.

Instead, the problem is one of funding. TriCare, the military’s insurance company, denied the doctor’s request for home nursing care. They denied the request even though everyone, including Tri Care, agrees that Ella’s condition meets the “need threshold” for home nursing care.

It appears the basis for their denial is the fact that Tri-care knows other agencies, such as Medicaid, will eventually provide some funding for home nursing care.

Until then, Mum and Dad are on watch 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, except for the four hours of “respite nursing care” we receive each week. All for now.

Thank you for your prayers.

Saturday, 26 Feb 2005:

Gabriella had another good night. It seems that she is completely over the virus which gave her so many problems last weekend. What a difference a week makes.

Earlier this week, we had our first “respite” nursing visit. Although it was only for four hours, it is clearly a step in the right direction. The nurse, who is named Pixley, is exactly the type of individual we hoped would be assigned to care for Ella.

Having worked for a number of years in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), Pixley clearly appreciates the seriousness of Ella’s condition. Moreover, her experience as a NICU nurse and attentive professional manner, enabled Mum and Dad to relax for a bit.

We are hopeful there will be sufficient funding for her to make additional visits in the not too distant future. Pictured left is Pixley and Ella. All for now.

Thank you for your prayers.

Friday, 25 Feb 2005:

Yesterday we had the good fortune to meet with two especially caring women, Mary Lancaster and Leilani Mejia.

Mary and Leilani work as Case Managers for a non-profit organization that supports Medically Fragile Patients such as Gabriella. They helped Mum and Dad gain a thorough understanding of the various programs and agencies which are available to provide support to Medically Fragile Patients and their families.

Additionally, they are able to remove some of the roadblocks that have prevented us from receiving home nursing care for Gabriella.

In short, they are an answer to our prayers and we are truly grateful for their expertise and compassion. All for now.

Thank you for your prayers.

Friday, 11 Feb 2005:

Gabriella had a quiet and restful night after her busy day at the hospital. Yesterday, we were visited for the first time by one of the nurses who will be stopping by once a week to check on Ella’s progress. As this was the initial visit, there was much paperwork and some time spent getting to know one another. These short weekly visits are the first of three types of nursing support we hope to receive.

The purpose of these weekly visits is to help the parent’s of “medically fragile patients,” like Ella, identify potential problems between regularly scheduled visits to the doctor. The second type of nursing support allows the parent care-givers some time off (16 hours per month) to decompress and relax, hence the name “respite nursing care.”

Although Ella’s condition and our situation merit this type of nursing support, it is currently unavailable due to the shortage of nurses here on the islands. It is likely that Ella will also qualify for the third option – “full-time nursing support” (56 hours per week or more) – however, the nurse shortage is once again a factor.

Your continuing efforts to help us find nursing support is greatly appreciated. And, as always…

Thank you for your prayers.