4. Those damn steps 21 May, 2025 - 50 days

Some dude updates...

The super duper walker some of you generously donated to help us get was ordered! However, there are issues with tariffs and shipping, so I'm trying to get it here without having to pay even more for it.

He sees orthopedic tomorrow and hopefully they can do more for pain management with his knee. He has a freakishly high pain tolerance, possibly higher than my own. So for him to be complaining of pain, I know it's pretty bad.

Approval for his bathroom modifications and ramp have stalled at the higher level with the MCO's (medical care organization AKA beancounters who make life unnecessarily difficult) medical review board. I told his case manager to please convey to them each day is another opportunity for injuries to both him and me and that I will retain counsel if one of us is seriously injured while we wait. Not that they'll care, but I needed to growl.

In happier news, at his annual physical today, we discovered the dude lost 12 pounds in one month after I finally convinced him to give up soda. I only lost 3 pounds. I'm big mad, but proud of him. His new BP med is working! He's almost to normal now. We'll monitor for another 30 days and if his BP is still trending higher than the doctor is happy with, will do a modest dosage increase. I also let his doctor know of the run around with his home modification approvals. She noted in his chart today "MCO is unnecessarily delaying approval for these obviously needed supports and in so doing, endangering my patient." We love her ❤️

We also rigged up a ramp for the mounting block, which we will test at his lesson tomorrow. Unfortunately, it won't work for getting in the house and can't be used with his walker, but will hopefully make getting on a horse easier.

This is why it takes about a half hour going and coming from the house. Pardon his French, but he's tired, frustrated, and in pain. And my mama nerves are low key shot every time because I don't want him to get seriously injured.

This video was sent to the MCO medical review board. Why they even need to think as to whether or not a ramp is needed is beyond me.