(Note: Names have been changed pending litigation.)
I am a telephonic nurse case manager for a healthcare insurance company. On a warm August morning, my 35-year-old client, Mary, a single mother of a 9-year-old daughter, entered a small local hospital and delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl via caesarean section. Bubbly baby Rose went home five days later. Mary did not leave the hospital for another four months, enduring 35 surgeries, including the loss of both arms below the elbows and both legs beneath the knees, and hours of intensive rehabilitation. What ensued is a story of love, devotion, courage and a will to live that overcame the worst of odds.
Shortly after giving birth, Mary complained of abdominal pain. The doctors said she was probably constipated and suggested she drink prune juice and walk the corridor. Ultimately, the pain became more severe and she was med-flighted to a major teaching hospital in critical condition with severe septic shock. Her fiancé, Michael, was told to prepare for the worst. Mary was taken to the OR and quickly diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. Despite rapid and heroic medical intervention this flesh-eating bacteria caused Mary to lose most of the organs in her lower abdomen, as well as both arms and legs.
Once her condition stabilized, I swung into action. I was involved practically on a daily basis with Michael and the case manager at the hospital, explaining benefits and coordinating care. Despite her brush with death, Mary’s spirit remained undaunted because of her intense desire to be a Mom. She was entirely focused on getting home to her family.
The initial issue was the cost of her prostheses. Her employer’s health plan had very limited DME/prosthetic benefits. Discussions with Michael revealed his insurance policy provided an unlimited prosthetic coverage. At his suggestion, they were married in the hospital chapel and Mary was added to his benefit plan. It never occurred to him to jump ship; he was committed to his new family.
The next challenge was to provide a safe and functional home environment. I worked with Michael and the staff at the rehab hospital to ensure their small apartment was wheelchair-accessible, obtain non-medical items such as voice-activated software and facilitate homecare services, including a personal care attendant.
Mary is now at home and has made an incredible functional and psychological recovery. She is able to put on her prostheses herself and walks using “poles” her husband made by cutting the handles off canes and attaching them to her artificial arms. She loves caring for baby Rose and spends hours on the floor with Rose by her side, performing exercises to keep her numerous skin grafts stretched.
Mary credits her 9-year-old daughter, Beth, for her tenacious will to live. On one of Beth’s many visits to the hospital she said: “Don’t worry Mom, you will be able to dance again just like Heather Mills!” And so she will!
