General update on the situation here at "Manor Care" = I told them yesterday I was going home after my post-op with OS next Weds. NO MATTER WHAT. They don't want me to sign myself out, of course, because then there would be problems with billing, possible complaints or lawsuits, etc. So, I think I finally got thru to them (but then I have thought that several times before). Yesterday the discharge coordinator was in here and assured me they would have the paperwork completed by my discharge by 10 am on Wed. (OS appt. 11:20). I am going home after that appt.
Reasons I'm going along with this = I am now getting my pain meds on time and without long delays (I think the move to another "wing" helped greatly because of the different personnel over here). I am really doing well in terms of the surgery despite my treatment. It has actually spurred me to be more active than I might have been. I cannot believe the progress on day 9 from acute pain in the beginning to being able to get to the toilet and do the walking I need to do to get dressed, straighten out my bed, etc. The PT has been good, actually. They haven't hurt me or pushed me too hard, it was just difficult to get them to see that I didn't want to fool around with tiny little increments of improvement but to learn to do stairs and go home. I feel very good about the progress I've made although I was told even in the hospital that I was moving well. They haven't fixated on the numbers but have commented positively on my flexion and especially extension. I am able to move around enough now so that I'm not miserable, I can dress myself and I'm on the road to recovery. I know I still have a long ways to go but I believe that I can continue that path at home. They are supposedly going to set me up for home health care and in-home PT for a period of time. I might get better PT by going to a facility, but after all this I just want some time to be at home, rest and recover. Then I can get into out-patient PT and continue the improvement. What's difficult is I'm still getting all the little comments about how showering will be more difficult at home (I can't have a shower until the staples come out Wed.) and how there won't be railings at my door to help me get into the house, etc. I think it's just all part of their philosophy that patients should stay in rehab for lengthy periods of time or their money-making scheme, I don't know which. If I hadn't found Bonesmart and read all the many, many positive stories of patients managing their own recoveries at home, I might have believed that I will be endangering myself at home.
My son is a gentle and loving soul who tends to see the best in people and we both realize that we should have asked more questions in the hospital and not just accepted the idea that I "needed" to go to this type of rehab.
My son and friends are committed to breaking me out of here should they try to throw up any more roadblocks (and they tried until I said I'd sign myself out).
At this point, my experience has reinforced what I said before surgery and should have kept in mind in hospital (but strong drugs make it difficult to stay focused): If there is a joint replacement rehab, that could be a good thing but DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES LET THEM TAKE YOU TO A "SKILLED NURSING FACILITY" unless there are clearly other medical reasons that require it.
As to Bilaterals in general, again my experience really follows what others on Bonesmart have said - The first couple of days were bad but I needed both done rather badly, and now both knees are replaced and I'm on "the other side" and picking up speed.
United States
They do not want to let you out as you are nothing more than money$$$$$$$ to them. I would get out as fast as possible! It sounds horrible to be mistreated while just getting over major surgery. So sorry you are dealing with such incompetence and neglect. I hope when you get out you go to a lawyer and sue them.What you have written here is enough evidence. What is the name of the care facility....?? Name it here so it is on record!
I was suppose to go to a special rehab hospital but insurance wouldn't pay for it. Now they are refusing to pay for nursing home bill. 
Be sure to watch your bill
(hopefully that will help some future patients) but I'm having my visitors bring me ice. I have been able to easily elevate my knees with the bed. My swelling has gone down a lot, incision looks good with no bruising. 
food provided. Hopefully I'll come out of this with some weight loss to make up for everything else.
:iagree:
