Out of Nursing Home: Miles To Go

Theater was my life and my passion. Now my passion to live is all consuming. I battled cancer and won, twice. I have happily made a home for many people through the years. I have always been proud, independent, and determined to make my way through this world with compassion, passion, and a deep empathy for others. I have worked with amazing people through the Groundlings, Lansing Riverwalk Theater, MSU Breslin, LAR and raised countless dollars for various charities, causes, and rescued animals, bringing them (and sometimes their owners) into my loving home.

I have recently battled through a dire blood infection, broken femur, and crippling lung damage from a thyroid tumor. At 52 years old, I was discharged from the hospital to a nursing home. I worked hard to regain the ability to stand and walk, with assistance from a walker. The illness took away my ability to achieve the most basic bodily functions, without assistance, and the medications made even that assistance inadequate at times. What I refused to do was allow this illness to take away my dignity, although it has tried. Through pain so extreme it caused me to hallucinate,

I have applied for disability, after working most of my lifetime to pay into the system, but it will take months for them to reach a decision.

It’s a horrifying experience, to be trapped in a body that will not obey the most simple of commands. It’s even more of a nightmare to deal with the constant stream of denials of coverage from the insurance company.

They approved a wheelchair (even though they gave everyone grief about it – even knowing my limitation is about 25feet with the walker). I am hoping that a big push from my pulmonologist will persuade them to approve a portable oxygen unit, which is essential to my continued exercise and rehabilitation. Appropriate breathing apparatus for my BiPAP is just one example of the items not covered. Other things essential to my recovery, but not covered by the insurance company, include:

*A chair pad to accommodate my size, and prevent pain, from sitting too long.
*Protector pads for the bed mattress.
*A bariatric/size-appropriate (transition) shower chair which will allow me to shower safely.

The list is long and with no current income, it seems insurmountable. I have taken a bare-bones approach to my request for assistance and I am reaching out to anyone willing to help. While I wait the months long time it will take to be approved for disability and/or SSI, I would appreciate your assistance greatly. Please know that I look forward to paying your kindness forward in the future, as soon as I am well again.