Part 1

I feel like I say this every year at this time, but it is December, and it is hard to believe the year is almost over. December is also the month Haven Healthcare Advocates launched. I am so proud of the work we have done and the families we have helped. For the next couple of weeks, I would like to take some time to highlight several of our clients from this past year. While I am thankful for each and every one of our clients that gave us the opportunity to advocate on their behalf, I also want to share these stories in hopes that their experience may help another family.    

I would like to start with Mr. K. He and most of his family live in Iowa. A couple of years ago he was in Florida visiting his son and needed to have emergency surgery. This past December he was again back in Florida visiting his son when he again needed to have emergency surgery. This time the surgery resulted in a large section of his skull being removed and temporarily not being replaced. 

Mr. K’s daughter-in-law reached out to me in January. His family was concerned he was not getting the appropriate level of care. His original neurosurgeon agreed that he should be transferred to a facility that could provide 24-hour monitoring for seizure activity. However, the neurosurgeon did not have privileges at his current facility and could not order the transfer. Mr. K has an amazing family that not only care for him dearly but are determined as well. 

After completing a thorough health history, reaching out to the original neurosurgeon, and developing a concise plan of care with the family we got to work trying to get Mr. K transferred to an appropriate facility. It took five days and a lot of phone calls, but we were finally able to get Mr. K transferred. This however was only part of his journey. Although we had him in a world renown medical facility, the ultimate goal was to get his skull replaced and to get him back to Iowa with his family.    

For several months I followed Mr. K. He went from hospital to rehab to skilled nursing. I was with the family every step of the way. I researched facilities, gave the family frequent updates, answered questions, and coordinated care with the social workers, nurses and providers at each stop as needed. 

Mr. K got to the point where his recovery had plateaued, and his family needed to make some serious medical decisions. In speaking to them I could tell they had some reservations and needed additional information before they would feel comfortable making those decisions.  We scheduled a conference call with the neurosurgeon. We discussed risks and benefits. We did not end the call until we felt confident that everyone in the family felt comfortable with the information and could make a well thought out and informed decision. Ultimately Mr. K did not have the skull piece replaced, but we were able to get him transported back to Iowa where he is able to spend quality time with his wife and family. 

I spoke with Mr. K’s family almost daily for months and I still check in to see how he is doing periodically.  While I never met Mr. K or any of his family members in person, I felt and still feel a strong connection to them. I am thankful I got to know his wonderful family. I am thankful they trusted me to be his advocate and I am thankful we were able to work together to get him the best care and the best outcome. Most importantly I am thankful he is back in Iowa where he so desperately wanted to be, and he is with his wife and his family because ultimately family was the best medicine. 

Next, I will introduce you to Mr. R, a retired New York City Fire Fighter, and former Coast Guard member who spent the first 38 days after 9-11 at ground zero. This national hero did everything he thought he could to protect himself but is still trapped with an insurmountable medical bill.