My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. The tumor fractured 3 vertebrae and paralyzed him. He has regained feeling in his legs but not his bowels, bladder, or digestive. He has been in hospital since May 30th. He needs rehab to help walk again and he will need to start Chemo treatments. The hospital is trying to get him into a nursing/rehab facility, but they will not do Chemo treatments there. How do I get him the rehab care and the Chemo care he needs? Is it insurance reasons they won’t do both at the same facility? I tried to get him disability, but he was denied. My mother is also in a nursing home so he can’t go home he has nobody to help. I live in another state so I can’t be there to take him back and forth. I need help.
You say Mom is in a NH now. Is she on Medicaid and if so, how did she get it and Dad didn't. Is 63 the correct age? Seems young for 2 people to be in NHs,
Rehabs are not skilled nursing. They primarily are physical therapy that maybe Dad is not able to do. And chemo is usually done in a hospital setting as is radiation. NHs are not equipped for this kind of care. Dad may need to be transported to an oncology unit. Seems to me, the cancer has spread to the bone. Why is chemo being suggested and how much time is it going to buy Dad?
We cannot know your Dad's condition, diagnosis or prognosis, general condition. I don't know what kind of pain he is dealing with. But in truth from what you say the prognosis sounds very very guarded and uncertain. It is doubtful getting chemo would allow Dad ANY reserves to participate in rehab of any kind.
I am so sorry. I think anything those of us on Forum could advise would be guessing in a complicated and dire situation we know very little about. I do not know of anyone getting chemo and entering rehab at the same time in my career as a nurse.
I would discuss with your Dad's doctors options for help for him, but I suspect he will need placement for certain.
I do think that you are going to have to utilize family leave and travel to where your Father is to at least understand fully the situation, the prognosis, and the plan of care, and how to implement same. I am so sorry. This has to be shocking and I can't imagine how helpless you must feel at present. I hope you will update us.