Wednesday, August 21, 2024

it will be interesting to know if those over the counter cholesterol lowering supplements really work. And hood that you are moving forward on the surgery.

Just quickly catching up...my DH is in the hospital with a raging fever (104 deg) of unknown origin--though they are thinking either pneumonia, probably viral, or possibly meningitis. He is very ill and out of it...happened very quickly. On Monday, we went to Costco together and to a physical he had with his pcp. He had a mild cold, def not covid or RSV. By the next day, he was showing odd symptoms...long story but they were worried that he might have had a stroke, but then this infection took hold. Because he has advanced Parkinson's, it masks certain things, makes others seem worse, etc. So right now, they are trying to deal with the infection and then will give him an MRI to see if he's had a stroke, but it's not easy to do as he has a Deep Brain Stimulation implant, which means MRIs have to be done VERY VERY carefully. I personally think he did not have a stroke and that his symptoms were Parkinson's exacerbated by this other infection but time will tell. In any case, he is not out of the woods yet and will have a long road ahead of him, so please hold a good thought.

I was reading all the comments about Medicare/Medicare Advantage and will throw in my two cents...my DH has a 100% service connected disability rating from the VA (he was a Vietnam draftee and was exposed to Agent Orange so his PD is presumed to have been caused by that). Because of that, ALL of his health care/drugs/dental/eyes is covered fully by the VA. Nonetheless, because I was worried about being limited to only going to the VA and because we can afford it, we also have him covered by a classic Medicare program (not Medicare Advantage) that pays for anything not covered by Medicare including deductibles, so no out of pocket. I am SO GLAD we chose to do this. Our VA near here does not have a hospital, so he can choose the hospital and the VA will pay...or they split it with Medicare...I don't know or care, but we get NO bill for anything. However, we do have choices. If he has to go to Skilled Nursing after this for a while, we can pick where he wants to go and Medicare/Part C coverage will pay if we choose someplace not contracted by the VA. I like having the freedom to choose his doctors from any practice (he's been seen and had his surgeries at Stanford and UCSF), particularly since he needs specialized care. The plan goes up some every year, started at about $200 and is now about $300 (he is 76)...but for us, it's money well spent.

That's all for now. My DD (who lives in SF) is here with me, thank God, and we're getting through this...but we're exhausted...

Lizanne

So sorry your DH is so ill. Glad to hear your DD is there to help. How overwhelming.

Thank you for taking the time to explain your health insurance/Medicare decisions. I'm learning a lot.

I sure hope DH improves soon. I have a friend with advanced Parkinson's. He is a bit younger (about 70), but has had it for a long time. I didn't know about the complications that can occur with other illnesses. Hopefully it is something that antibiotics, etc can resolve. And great insurance choices with his illness.

I'm so very sorry y'all are going through all of this. Best wishes for you all. Big hug to you.

Hi Lizanne, so sorry you are going through this. Hope some answers are found for your DH and that he recovers soon. PD is not good. My mother had it and I believe it was caused by the old sick building she and her co-professors were in at the university. Four of them got PD out of a small department. That whole building had weird smells

Anyway, wishing you some rest and progress for DH. Glad DD is nearby and glad you have good insurance. It is a blessing. Sending good energy.,DS