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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Busted Knuckle on February 09, 2009, 08:17:43 PM

Title: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Busted Knuckle on February 09, 2009, 08:17:43 PM
Y'all know I don't usually ask for much, but it's not for me!

http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=10849.165

OK y'all been following the Libby thread right? Well I just found out that she desperately needs an oxygen machine and the state won't help! I also know that CODY won't ask, and is probably gonna be mad at me for doing so! But if it gets them the help she needs I'll let him be mad at me! I can set it up where the donations go thru my paypal account or we can send them straight to Cody & Libby's (I'll have to find out what his account email is first)

PLEASE HELP ANYWAY YOU CAN!
BK
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Airbag on February 09, 2009, 09:37:01 PM
I will try to pitch in. Just need a place to send it to.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Busted Knuckle on February 09, 2009, 10:06:23 PM

I'm going to do my part and send what I can & I'm opening my paypal account to any and all donations! Any credit card donations will cost me 3% but I don't care it'll all be passed on 100%!

the e mail for my paltalk is bustedknucklegarage at yahoo dot com 

PS if ya send $ please send me a msg telling me how much $ when & from who so I can keep track of it!

BK
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: HighTechRedneck on February 09, 2009, 10:36:58 PM
Bryce, I commend you for stepping up to the plate to offer the channel for helping.

I don't know who's PM that was, but I don't think it needed to be published or passed along in whole or in part.  Cody already "gets it" as denoted in the following quote and doesn't need a tough love slap in the face.

Quote from: cody on February 09, 2009, 06:17:49 AM
I've filled out many applications for different agencies to locate help but so far I've come up empty, my income is high enough so be over most of the guidelines for concideration, we also applied for disability for her at the recommendation of the doctor, all these things take time and we just have to tread water until the calvary arrives lol, mean while we're doing ok.

And he is precisely right, these things take time.  SS Disability takes several months.  Other assitance programs are usually faster than that but still take time to process all the red tape.

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 10, 2009, 04:06:55 AM
Ok guys, I've got to step in here, this bunch of guys has got the biggest heart I've ever seen.  I do appreciate the thoughts but what we need far more is an oxygen machine, libby is probably not going to make it unless I can find one quickly, if anyone has one laying around that I can buy, I would greatly appreciate it. My daughter is a CNA/RNA and between me and her we can help libby if I can get the proper equipment, I've been contacting every company, healthcare group, etc that I can find and so far have come up empty, what I'm going to do today is see if I can get my cardiologist to prescribe one for me, I have medicare and with the perscription of it for me, I can certainly find a use for it if I found I could get by without it for a bit here and there.  With my congestive heart failure, he may be able to provide one for me and I'll have that mask on libby before anyone knows what happened.  I do appreciate the passing of the hat but that is only a short term measure, what I need far more is the oxygen machine. I'm hoping to find a portable machine that can be recharged, but any machine would be a life saver, with libby having no health insurance I'm finding out how easily companies can stonewall a person.  It appears that the massive doseage the doctor gave her of the Verapamil may have destroyed her kidneys and lungs, but if it did, thats a battle to be fought somewhere down the road, right now she is fighting to stay alive, for that, one of the things I have to find is the oxygen machine, if anyone has one that they don't want or need, I'll buy it, just let me know what you want for it and I'll send it.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: grantgoold on February 10, 2009, 04:31:41 AM
Cody, here is a link to someone on craigslist that has an oxygen generator. You may want to contact him to see if you can work something out. There are also a few units on ebay that would fit the bill as well. We had one of these for my mother in law for several months worked flawlessly.

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/hsh/1006223357.html

Good luck and God bless!


Grant
Sacramento

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: rv_safetyman on February 10, 2009, 06:16:10 AM
I am not able to contribute money, but I will pay the shipping if a generator is found. 

The way that works is that someone needs to box up the generator and let me know how much it weighs.  I will need to know a ship to address.

With that information, I can process a UPS shipment on our account and email a PDF of the label to the person doing the shipping.  That makes it simple for them. All they have to do is put the label on the box and catch the UPS person or take it to any UPS store or Office Depot/Staples/etc.

Keep me posted.

Jim
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: VanTare on February 10, 2009, 06:21:07 AM
Cody I will check the Goodwill and Salvation Army in my area today for you i have saw them there before.Could you fellows check the same in your area for Cody and Libby i know some places lease the unit but require a 3 or 4 k deposit so i am told
by 1 of my employees that donated 1 to Goodwill    

David
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Hartley on February 10, 2009, 06:33:26 AM
I found a couple on craigslist (nashville) in the $350 to $400 range.
Didn't see any on eBay that would do the job.

Dave...
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Catskinner! on February 10, 2009, 06:36:35 AM
Cody

Call me and give me your shipping address.  I have the OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR
that I had in our bus for my wife Patti.  

Catskinner!
Sonnie Gray
Pottsboro, Texas
903-815-2141
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Gary LaBombard on February 10, 2009, 06:44:05 AM
BK, Cody And all concerned

I too have tried to reach out in this moment of need for Cody & Libby and here is what I do know.  It seems that Cody also called this morning the following people about the much needed Oxygen machine for libby and he received the same information.

1)  I called (Apria Health Care, 989 W. Washington St., Marquette, Mi. at (906-228-2230 and talked to Betty about 1/2 hour ago.)

2) Medicare will pay ($175.79 per month) to help get Libby the oxygen machine needed and Cody has to pay only about $20-30 month copay for this rental for this machine.  There is a portable machine also needed which Medicare will pay $28.75 per month and again Cody has to pay only 20% per month or about ($6.00).  A Doctor Prescription is needed to verify the need for this equipment.  

3)  There is a set up charge but that also is minimal and only a one time fee, it looks like for about $30 a month average that Cody & Libby can have the equipment they need for her comfort.  I am only guessing but it sounds like if they have a Doctor Prescription and abut $100 starting out fee they can immediately have the equipment needed.

4)  buying a new and maintained oxygen machine and all the equipment needed to make it functional 24/7 sounds more like the way to go for the cost and safety of knowing you do not have to worry about tubes etc. that wear out.  I have no idea what is involved in using this but I think Cody & Libby will be much safer with equipment always maintained for their peace of mind.

I hope this information will help and if we need to help set them up you can count me in if this is what Cody wishes to do.

Gary
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Gary LaBombard on February 10, 2009, 06:47:05 AM
Sonnie,

As usual you still are my hero.  Very nice gesture from the best person I know. Patti's passing will help someone else survive.  That is the way it should always be.
Gary
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: JackConrad on February 10, 2009, 06:51:56 AM
Gary,
  I think you have to be 65 to qualify for medicare and I don't think Libby is 65. I think Cody said their income is just above the limit for Medicaid. That seems to be their biggest problem. Without insurance and unable to qualify for medicare or medicaid, all the expense falls on them.  Jack
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: VanTare on February 10, 2009, 06:56:58 AM
Catskinner you are 1 hell of a man stepping up to help in your time of grief and sorrow the world needs more  people like you  

David
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: bubbaqgal on February 10, 2009, 06:58:28 AM
From what I have heard about Patti I would say she would be very proud of you for this offer.  What a wonderful thing to do in her memory. 
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 10, 2009, 07:02:12 AM
I just talked to sonny, I don't know what to say, the machine will be on it's way shortly, all libby has to do is hang on until it gets here.  Jack is right, libby doesn't qualify for medicare unless she is determined to be disabled, and then it takes 24 months to kick in, medicaid turned her down because I'm over the quidelines.  Her only chance was for us to find a machine, my prayers were answered this morning.  Libby told me during the night that she was tired of fighting to breathe and I was afraid she was giving up, I just told her a machine will be here soon and she smiled, this means so much to the both of us.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: rv_safetyman on February 10, 2009, 07:26:52 AM
The shipping label has been sent to Sonnie's daughter.  She is pretty busy today, but she is going to try to find a way to get it picked up.

Gary, you nailed it.  Without question, Sonnie is a super guy!!!!

When Sonnie first called telling me what his plan was it made me very emotional!  Pat and I  have been having trouble dealing with the thought of the terrible pain Sonnie and his family have been going through and the fact that we will not get to see Patti again.

BK, thanks for bring this to our attention.

Sonnie, what can we say?  Words don't work right now.

Jim
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 10, 2009, 07:46:21 AM
You guys have probably saved libby's life, she's mean and evil but she's all I got and she means a lot to me.  I just don't know what to say.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: HighTechRedneck on February 10, 2009, 07:46:42 AM
Quote from: cody on February 10, 2009, 07:02:12 AM
... my prayers were answered this morning.  ...

Praise God!  I am certain a lot of prayers just got answered with that news.  I am very happy for you.  It will still be a struggle but as you noted, with the right equipment you and your daughter can do it.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Busted Knuckle on February 10, 2009, 07:56:38 AM
Well first off I want everybody to know that the PM was not meant as a slap in the face! I didn't take it as one and I didn't re-post it as one! To me it was a sobering wake up call, and not wanting to "put it up in CODY's face" I weighed the thought on post or not. So I posted it, so CODY could see that we care, but that he was gonna have to swallow that pride and ask anyone & anywhere he could! I know how proud CODY is, and I can agree with being proud. But this is Libby's health or life we are dealing with which to me is worth more than $, pride or anything else!

BOTTOM LINE IS I AM PROUD TO SEE WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME ASSISTANCE FOR LIBBY & CODY NO MATTER WHAT IT TOOK TO DO IT!

Thank you Sonnie & Jim! Also thanks to all who wished well, and had great intentions!

Also thanks for the wake up call, you know who you are and you know how you meant it, and how I took it! I do appreciate it!

;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: BG6 on February 10, 2009, 08:21:16 AM
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on February 09, 2009, 10:06:23 PM

Now what we all know CODY IS PROUD, and doesn't want all this fuss about them!


After all those years of paying into the system, now it's time to take back out.  Pride shouldn't be an issue, any more than it's an issue when you take money out of your bank account at an ATM.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Sojourner on February 10, 2009, 09:16:12 AM
I just learn this about oxygen news that Libby needs. While waiting for the shipment from wonderful supporter Sonnie...is there any way she have bottle oxygen until the other gets there? Drug store with doctor slip should be able get all you the need.

In the mean time...praying is the most important to keep her alive.

Gerald & Lynette
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: jackhartjr on February 10, 2009, 09:19:59 AM
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes reading these posts!
Ya'll done good!
Love to all!
Jack-N-Dianne
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: rusty on February 10, 2009, 10:07:04 AM
Cody, Hang in there every one is pulling for Libby and you. Thank you Sonnie, Patti would  be proud of the selfless jesture you made. Thank you Jim and Pat for your help. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lin and Wayne
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on February 10, 2009, 10:41:11 AM
WOW!!!!!!

You guys are Amazing!!!




Our Prayers are with all involved.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Chopper Scott on February 10, 2009, 10:47:45 AM
There are some incredible folks here. Way to go BK... you got the ball rolling and what can anyone say about the generosity of Sonnie and everyone else who pitched in. This is a model of how people help people and make this the greatest country in the world. Cody can be proud of the friends he has indeed!! Keep those prayers on the way everybody! Later
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: busshawg on February 10, 2009, 12:11:54 PM
Please don't be scared to ask for anything else you may need Cody, life is easier as a trusting group supporting one another. What a wonderful thing to do Sonnie. All the best Cody.

Grant
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Dreamscape on February 10, 2009, 01:35:39 PM
Cody,

This is good news! And you're right Sonnie is one heck of a guy, just ask anyone that knows him.

I'm so happy that help is on the way. Tell Libby to keep smiling, because an angel just smiled down on her!

Well Done!

Paul
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 10, 2009, 02:45:22 PM
Sonny just called, the oxygen machine is on it's way, UPS just picked it up.  Jim Shepard provided the shipping, I just don't know how to thank everyone.  We got some special people here on the board. 
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: bubbaqgal on February 10, 2009, 03:46:00 PM
We really do have special people here Cody and you and Libby are two of them.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Kwajdiver on February 10, 2009, 04:18:30 PM
I've set it once, and I'll say it again.  This is the most amazing group of people I have ever been associated with.

Good Luck Cody and Libby,

Bill
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Greg Roberts on February 10, 2009, 05:14:18 PM
You guys are awesome! It sure is good to be associated with all of you men and women!
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY! UPDATE
Post by: rv_safetyman on February 11, 2009, 08:25:59 AM
Update:

I just checked the tracking and it should arrive Monday

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Tracking Number:      1Z 4Y5 V15 03 4028 772 1      

In Transit - On Time    
Scheduled Delivery:    02/16/2009    
Shipped To:    BARAGA, MI, US    
Shipped/Billed On:    02/10/2009    
Service:    GROUND    
Weight:    50.00 Lbs

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I wish I could have justified sending it faster, but at that weight, the costs got out of hand.

Cody, I hope you can find a way to get Libby some relief while you are waiting for the concentrator.

Jim
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 11, 2009, 09:53:03 AM
I'm doing everything I can on my end, I'm thankfull for the concentrator and the shipping, all the prayers and kind thoughts from the people here are making the differnce for her, she has a long uphill climb ahead of her but hopefully she'll find the strength to do it, I'm going into town in a bit to try to find the support things that will be needed for her care, my daughter says we'll need a oxygen monitor so we can determine her saturation levels and of course the tubing and all the little things that go with the other stuff.  I'm not all sure what is needed so I'm going to meet with a respiratoy therapist and hopefully she'll give me some guidance, I've got a bunch of stuff to do here to make this place and the bus handicapper friendly but the doctor was right, she is a differnt person with different needs, I'm so thankful that the most critical need is on it's way.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: grantgoold on February 11, 2009, 06:18:44 PM
Cody, if you have the time, I would appreciate a list of the items your RT says you will need to purchase in order for Libby to get the oxygen she needs. I have access to items like cannulas, face masks, non-rebreathers......

Thanks

Grant
Sacramento
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: travelingfools on February 11, 2009, 06:27:08 PM
Cody,
Ditto on the equip..Let us know what you need re: hose, mask ect.. We've got a bunch of stuff around the firehouse we dont use..
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 11, 2009, 07:42:52 PM
Grant what we don't have yet is a the oxygen monitor, the one that clips onto her finger and tells her saturation level so we can set the flow properly, the hospital provided a concentrator to get her thru the weekend and I had to kinda guess on the level, I called a RT friend and she said to set it at 2LPM for now, thats a basic rate and will help, I really don't know what all is left to get, the one we rented came with hoses and a cannula and I can't see them wanting those back next week but I don't know.  I was looking at the intake ports on the sides and was thinking that on days that she is hard to get started a whiff of starting fluid would get her fired up, or if she fell into depression then maybe a little shot of laughing gas, or even if I needed a mood lifter just a quick shot of helium so I could hear her talk.  The possibilities for me to get into trouble is endless. lol  I was going to check on the monitors but forgot today, getting old here.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: chargePlus on February 11, 2009, 08:25:00 PM
I've been swamped all around and just got caught up on the other Libby thread and this one. What a great bunch of folks. Just amazing.

Cody, you and Libby are still in the thoughts and prayers of Natasha and I. I can't help the way others here can, and did, but I can surely offer some cash to help you should the need arise.

If you'd care to make your home address available we can send a card. Send it to me in a PM instead of public if you'd feel more comfortable doing it that way.

Hang in there, we're all pulling for the both of you.

- John

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: NJT5047 on February 11, 2009, 08:36:01 PM
Quote from: cody on February 11, 2009, 09:53:03 AM
I'm doing everything I can on my end, I'm thankfull for the concentrator and the shipping, all the prayers and kind thoughts from the people here are making the differnce for her, she has a long uphill climb ahead of her but hopefully she'll find the strength to do it, I'm going into town in a bit to try to find the support things that will be needed for her care, my daughter says we'll need a oxygen monitor so we can determine her saturation levels and of course the tubing and all the little things that go with the other stuff.  I'm not all sure what is needed so I'm going to meet with a respiratoy therapist and hopefully she'll give me some guidance, I've got a bunch of stuff to do here to make this place and the bus handicapper friendly but the doctor was right, she is a differnt person with different needs, I'm so thankful that the most critical need is on it's way.

Cody, I don't mean to throw cold water onto what's going on, but you don't need an O2 sats monitor for a concentrator.   What you should be doing is setting the unit for what your doctor is prescribing.  Probably one or two LPM.   Using a sat monitor is not the problem.  But, unless you have 'standing orders' to adjust the flow rate, you may be treading on treacherous water.  You won't, your daughter may be.   
It's doubtful that a concentrator will deliver much more than 1 LPM.  Your potential for harm is limited.
Your daughter will want to avoid being "technically" involved with establishing what flow should be used in order to maintain a specific saturation.   
I have no idea of Libby's medical history, but running up oxygen sats on a patient that has resp history may by deadly.   They'll relax and stop breathing. 
I would strongly recommend using your prescribing physician's 'script for setting O2 delivery. 
Unless your daughter is licensed to prescribe, she'll want to avoid making overt decisions that could be traced back to her.   A nurse Practitioner or an MD can make this call.  And, if you have orders to monitor and adjust the O2 delivery on a sliding scale you can do that.  But if ya'll don't have such a 'script'...get one, or don't adjust the 02 delivery beyond what is prescribed.
You can keep the 02 extension and cannula.  Those are disposables.   You can probably keep the hospital's concentrator too...tell'em to add it to your tab!   
If you're using cannulas, any more than 2LPM (air or O2) will severely dry out Libbys nose.  2 LPM is a distraction to some folk.  Try it and you'll see. 
I apologize in advance for interfering in Libby's care, but please check with Libby's resper doc before altering his script.   
The possibilities of you getting into trouble with a concentrator is not too great...any licensed or certified medical workers clearly could be called if something goes wrong.     
Glad you're getting what you need for Libby.  The medical profession can be downright unmerciful at times.  Busnuts will save the day!   :)
Regards, JR

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: grantgoold on February 11, 2009, 10:12:48 PM
I agree with JR. I would not spend the money or time to have a constant 02 sat monitor.  Your RT friend will be your best resource for information regarding what she needs without a prescription or evaluation. As far as the cannula's, let me know how to get a bunch to you and I will send them after I return to Sacramento. A trick of the trade to keep Libby's nasal passages from the drying affects of the 02 is to put a little dab of Vicks vapor rub or even Blistique lip balm (sp) in each nostril prior to attaching the 02.

Let me know how I can help. Sounds like a few of us in the Medical profession can help reduce some of the ongoing costs.

Regards,

Grant

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 12, 2009, 05:32:15 AM
My daughter is a CNA/RNA/RT so she is well versed in the opreration, I'm the dummy lol, her concern isn't to change the doctors orders but to monitor libby's saturation levels so she can report them to the doctor, right now the doctor has ordered a home nurse to be here 3 times a week and it's costing 150 a visit plus the concentrator the nurse brought to tide us over till monday is another 340, we can handle this for a short time but because this is going to be a long term thing we looking at ways we can trim the cost, she is doing exactly what my daughter used to do before she went back to school to get her RN, the difference is the hospital provides the equipment for the home nurse and she rents it to us.  The home nursing company that the hospital sent uses the "point of service" or insurance billing system, yesterday I paid for the first visit.  She brought over a concentrator last night, we can use this until the one sonny is letting us use gets here, the nurse set it for 2LPM and within minutes the color started to return to libby if I would have known it was this easy, I would have taken her down to the Marathon Station and filled her up lol, last night was the first time she actually got any sleep and so did I, I've been sleeping in a chair by the bed so I could tell if she stopped breathing or not.  It gets hard to watch libby laying on the couch gasping for air, last night she could actually breath a little.  She sure appreciates the cards, she has them all lined up around her on the coffee table and she watches for the mail, when the air person was here yesterday she was picking up a card and telling her, "this one came from a friend in Montana, look, this one is from a friend in Arizona", she reads them over and over. lol  If anyone wants to send her a card, her address is Alice Clishe (libby),,,,, 206 Maple Street,,,,, Baraga, Michigan,,,49908.  We still got a long hill for her to climb but with such good friends she stands a chance. It looks like possibly her problems were caused by the massive dose of Verapamil the doctor gave her, a friend of her sisters is a phamacist and he said that the level given would have gaurenteed renal shutdown and probably repiratory failure at the least, I asked her doctor why he would do that and he said he didn't, that he would never prescribe a dosage like that but we have the script and he did, it's sad what damage a typo can do, it's also sad that it was filled by a pharmacy tech and wasn't checked by somebody that would have known, it's my fault tho cause I saw the increase on the paper but I figured the doctor knew best, they change things around all the time, things happen I guess.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: HighTechRedneck on February 12, 2009, 06:03:38 AM
Cody, I am so glad to hear that you have gotten the temporary oxygen concentrator and she is responding so quickly to it.  You are both still in our prayers daily.

I have been impressed by your lack of interest in pursuing the doctors on this.  I don't like the modern trend of suing doctors over every little thing.  However this wasn't a little thing.  And I do believe in their financial responsibility for their mistakes.  They don't hesitate to use legal means to hold patients financially responsible for their bills.

The doctor's error, albeit just a typo, nearly cost Libby her life and she still has a long hard road ahead and in the doctor's own words, she won't be the same again.  And the doctor's error has left you with a quarter million dollar hospital bill that is still growing.

You have the evidence in hand and an expert witness.  If it were me, I would approach the doctor personally and say:

"You accidentally prescribed a severely toxic dose of Verapamil that nearly killed my wife and has left us in debt for the rest of our lives.  I have the prescription and a Pharmacist's statement as to the effect it would have.  I understand we are all human and make mistakes so all I really want is for her existing and on going medical expenses resulting from your mistake to be covered.  We can do this with or without legal fees and court costs.  Your choice."

He may choose to continue denial or disagreement.  And he may be required by his insurance to fight it.  But you will have given him the chance to do the right thing at the lowest possible expense and minimal publicity.  If it goes to court, your lawyer will advise additional "pain and suffering" and "change of lifestyle" damages.  And the court could impose punitive damages.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 12, 2009, 07:00:12 AM
Mike, my first concern is her getting better, the financial end will work out somehow.  I did meet with the hospital administrator yesterday, he's an old friend and I believe some of the things we discussed were the first time he had heard them, I've known him since high school and he is an honest person, I did bring up the financial end and all the ongoing things that we're going to have to deal with.  He is aware of the errant doctors actions and told me that the doctor had his hospital privileges revolked a couple of years ago and that the guy doesn't have standing at the hospital, he indicated that the guy cost the hospital a great deal of money once before and apparently has done so again, he didn't offer any additional information and I didn't ask for it.  In a small town approaching things like this has to be done very carefully or the medical community circles the wagons and a person is completely left out but I've also found that if they are allowed the option they will often do the right thing anyway.  Legal action isn't my first choice but is always an option to be held in reserve, I'm kinda more inclined to sit down at a table and hash it out, when I called john for the appointment I told him I wanted to sit down with him over a cup of coffee and discuss his ancestors shortcomings and he told me great cause he knows my parents too lol.  We'll see what all happens, I'm just glad that libby is doing better, she is rereading her cards again this morning, she sure enjoys them, course, I'm kind of boring, it's all new and interesting for her lol.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: JackConrad on February 12, 2009, 07:13:00 AM
Cody,
   So glad to hear Libby is doing better. it is amazing how much difference a little oxygen can make. However, as JR mentioned, with oxygen the old rule " more is better" is definately not always the case. 
   Over the years, I have been involved in several different "communities" such as Water Skiing, Scuba Diving, Rodeo, MotoCross Racing, etc. I have never seen such an outpouring of support for fellow community members as I have from our BUsnut Family.  Jack
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Sam 4106 on February 12, 2009, 10:18:30 AM
Hi Cody and Libby,
My wife and I have been closely following Libby's ordeal and you both have been on our minds throughout. However, your post this morning really got my attention. I was prescribed Verapamil yesterday for high blood pressure and had'nt picked it up yet this morning before I read your post. Since I have cronic kidney disease and am one step from dialysis, I asked the pharmacist if Verapamil was appropriate for me. He printed out some information and handed it to me with the coment that I should talk to my doctor about it again. After reading the first line of the information: "Although most cases of acute renal failure following verapamil involve overdose of supratherapeutic quantities, at least 10 cases have been reported involving therapeutic doses." Therefore I decided not to take Verapamil and called the doctor for an appointment to discuss an alternate drug.
Thanks to your timely post, you may have saved me from an unfortunate incident, and possibly prolonged my life. Because of all the past adverse effects I have had from prescription drugs I am extra careful with any new drugs. My kidney disease was caused by another drug that has been keeping me alive for more than 8 years. You win some battles and you lose some others. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your experience.
Sam 4106
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 12, 2009, 10:50:00 AM
Sam, I'm glad your checking into your meds closely, I'm not sure it was the medication yet tho it looks like it.  What happened to libby I should explain in more detail, she had been prescribed verapamil to regulate her blood pressure and had been on it for a couple of years, she told me she had just taken the last of her med so I told her we'd go and get the prescription refilled, that afternoon we took the empty to the walmart pharmacy, the pharmacist looked at the bottle and told me she didn't have any refills left but he could call the doctor and get it authorized, the doctor told him nope, he'd have to see her first so he handed me the phone so I could schedule an appointment, that was on a thursday he said he couldn't see her till tuesday at 10AM, I said ok, now I asked him about a temporary supply to get her thru till then, he said no, so we went home, on sunday her blood pressure spiked and she ended up in the ER, they stabilized her and sent her home, on monday it happened again, this was about 4 weeks ago, on that tuesday she went to her doctors appointment and he prescribed her verapamil again so I took the script to the walmart pharmacy and it was filled and she started taking it, we found out then that he had doubled the dosage, 4 days later she was suffereing from bad lower back pain so her doctor told her she had a urinary infection and prescribed an antibiotic that she was to take for 5 days, it didn't help so he prescribed another one for 5 days, 2 days into it she was admitted with acute renal failure that went into respritory failure the next day then a heart attack 2 days later.  I found out later that by her having to go "cold turkey" for 5 days while she waited for her doctors appointment, then suddenly taking twice the dosage of verapamil almost gaurenteed renal shutdown, a person has to be weaned off it if they are to be removed from the medication and when it is started must be gradually built up.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: NJT5047 on February 12, 2009, 03:08:40 PM
Cody, dinking with the legal system is typically the last thing I'd recommend, but you describe a situation that would probably be easy to recover some (all?) of your costs  Maybe a little PnS for Libby too.   
Knowingly forcing Libby to go cold turkey off Verapamil is contraindicated.  Waiting a week to see someone that needs Verapamil creates risk on the doc.   
You don't indicate whether the doc actually saw Libby when he ordered antibiotics for an assumed (?) UTI.  That's bad form.  Any complaint of pain that could remotely indicate renal involvement while on Verapamil (and high BP, or UTI) should result in immediate doc visit and evaluation...most docs would insist on an evaluation to rule out renal problems. 
Libby's doctor would seem to be seriously exposed.   
Even the pharmo should (could) have intervened and supplied coverage for the Verapamil gap.  As long as the script was written recently.
From what you describe, Libby's care under the Verapamil prescribing doc sucks.
Add to that the fact that the hospital administrator say the docs priviliges were lifted...not good.   
If that doc was seeing Libby, or was in any way responsible for her care while she was hospitalized, the hospital shares responsibility. 
As painful for you as it may be, an hour spent with a good malpractice lawyer may be in order.
Glad to hear Libby's perking up!  Ya'll stay warm up there! 
JR

Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: Chopper Scott on February 12, 2009, 06:55:02 PM
I really don't want to be advising anyone about legal matters and such but I have to somewhat in this case Cody. I for sure wouldn't be posting anything about this on a public forum. You can be well assured if anything resembles any large monetary compensation dollar wise that someone is going to be snooping into anything you do or say, especially on a public forum such as this. Just a word of advise to consider. I'm probably wrong but I wouldn't mind seeing the mods eliminate any posts concerning this that could be twisted about by high priced lawyers. I'm getting paranoid in my advancing years!!  ::)Later
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: cody on February 12, 2009, 06:59:59 PM
Doesn't matter much, what I posted is documented and posted accurately from the documents.
Title: Re: HELP NEEDED BADLY!
Post by: NJT5047 on February 12, 2009, 07:19:27 PM
Quote from: cody on February 12, 2009, 06:59:59 PM
Doesn't matter much, what I posted is documented and posted accurately from the documents.

I agree Cody. As long as you're truthful, no problem. 
JR