Hi all!
So my baclofen pump replacement surgery is today. This will be my third pump.
Hoping no setbacks, like last time. Had a major flare after that surgery, and spent months in inpatient rehab. First inpatient rehab at hospital, then transferred to a rehab facility. Last place I would want to be right now.
This isn't the greatest timing for my surgery with another Covid-19 surge in my area. We're a hotspot again, with a severe outbreak of cases. Remember being grateful wasn't having surgery in the spring. Yet, here we go again.
My plans were to have it done Sept/ Oct. No later than beginning of November. (But, definitely before the end of year because my copays and deductibles have been met.)
Well, those "plans" have definitely been put to the test! My preferred hospital, and the one my doctor was thru, are making changes to save money. Learned announcement was mid July. Part of it was because hospital is in the red from the spring, when all but "essential" healthcare services were shut down because of Covid-19. There's also a CEO who is retiring soon. He has tried to merge with other hospital systems a couple of times this year. The rumor mill at the hospital has it the CEO is trying to pad his pockets before he retires. He sold off the hospital's DME and home health care last year.
Now doctors are leaving that hospital. Many are being contracted out. Sad, whatever the reasons, because has been a top rated hospital in our area. My pump doctor also decided to leave, and went to another hospital system. So reason for delay of my surgery. Had to wait until he had everything set up to practice medicine with new hospital before could get scheduled for my surgery. Received a letter yesterday that practice is closing permanently Dec. 30, and referred remaining patients to a new practice, at one of their smaller hospital locations. Guess all of them are leaving. Another casualty of the virus never saw coming.
Initially, in early July, told by phone by scheduling that pump needed to be replaced in August, which would've been six months prior to end of service alarm date, which is early February. (Told same thing last time.) At my refill appt end of July, Dr said could wait up to end of January. Then said pump continued to work 90 days after alarm date before battery died. Would even be ok to wait until March to have it replaced.(I did know this already from the Medtronic site.)
He's a new doctor for me (long story).
Basically because doctor who did my last surgery left a few years ago. Not sure if he changed his tune because he knew he was leaving, and would be some delay before he could do the surgery, or if felt this way all along. But, I do like him.
His explanations have been spot on. Other doctors have given me some that weren't. I've had a lot of increased spasticity this past year, and was concerned my catheter might have to be replaced. Had the dye test done, and original catheter still looks good. Yay!
I know now I don't want to wait. There's always a risk something could happen to delay my surgery further.
Finally got to a dosage that provides relief again for my spasticity in October. So grateful to have a baclofen pump!
Will update everyone when I can.
So my baclofen pump replacement surgery is today. This will be my third pump.
Hoping no setbacks, like last time. Had a major flare after that surgery, and spent months in inpatient rehab. First inpatient rehab at hospital, then transferred to a rehab facility. Last place I would want to be right now.
This isn't the greatest timing for my surgery with another Covid-19 surge in my area. We're a hotspot again, with a severe outbreak of cases. Remember being grateful wasn't having surgery in the spring. Yet, here we go again.
My plans were to have it done Sept/ Oct. No later than beginning of November. (But, definitely before the end of year because my copays and deductibles have been met.)
Well, those "plans" have definitely been put to the test! My preferred hospital, and the one my doctor was thru, are making changes to save money. Learned announcement was mid July. Part of it was because hospital is in the red from the spring, when all but "essential" healthcare services were shut down because of Covid-19. There's also a CEO who is retiring soon. He has tried to merge with other hospital systems a couple of times this year. The rumor mill at the hospital has it the CEO is trying to pad his pockets before he retires. He sold off the hospital's DME and home health care last year.
Now doctors are leaving that hospital. Many are being contracted out. Sad, whatever the reasons, because has been a top rated hospital in our area. My pump doctor also decided to leave, and went to another hospital system. So reason for delay of my surgery. Had to wait until he had everything set up to practice medicine with new hospital before could get scheduled for my surgery. Received a letter yesterday that practice is closing permanently Dec. 30, and referred remaining patients to a new practice, at one of their smaller hospital locations. Guess all of them are leaving. Another casualty of the virus never saw coming.
Initially, in early July, told by phone by scheduling that pump needed to be replaced in August, which would've been six months prior to end of service alarm date, which is early February. (Told same thing last time.) At my refill appt end of July, Dr said could wait up to end of January. Then said pump continued to work 90 days after alarm date before battery died. Would even be ok to wait until March to have it replaced.(I did know this already from the Medtronic site.)
He's a new doctor for me (long story).
Basically because doctor who did my last surgery left a few years ago. Not sure if he changed his tune because he knew he was leaving, and would be some delay before he could do the surgery, or if felt this way all along. But, I do like him.
His explanations have been spot on. Other doctors have given me some that weren't. I've had a lot of increased spasticity this past year, and was concerned my catheter might have to be replaced. Had the dye test done, and original catheter still looks good. Yay!
I know now I don't want to wait. There's always a risk something could happen to delay my surgery further.
Finally got to a dosage that provides relief again for my spasticity in October. So grateful to have a baclofen pump!
Will update everyone when I can.
Comment