"Fit to fly"

Peter

Peter is getting stronger and the pain is reduced. (needless to say, with such good private nurses, you know;) The stitches are removed and he' s practicing the art of walking with crutches, without using the left foot. And avoiding using the whole left side of his body too much. Besides the many broken ribs, it turned out that his collarbone was broken too.. I'm really surprised as how he is doing now!  We had a wonderful time at aunt Willy's, she offered her own bedroom, so Peter could use the bed that goes up and down automatically. Her home is at the golf course, surrounded by the mountains, so we were treated by a beautiful view and we got our own big bathroom, everything accessible for disabled Peter. She was waiting for us every morning in the kitchen with coffee and boiled eggs.. It was a real luxury rehab!   My job for the first week was helping Peter with E-V-E-R-Y-THING. Once or twice a day I walked the dog, to clear my mind and have some fresh air. Honestly I never was a dog-friend but this situation made us real friends. She used to lay in front of our bedroom door, waiting until I would come out and take her for a walk, well, actually for a run!                   

The "FANTASTIC" American Medical care system 

The emergency care and the daycare in hospital were fantastic, but from the moment on Peter was discharged and transported, it seems no one cares anymore.. Maybe because we had an "translation-error", as Peter had said that he didn't want home care. They had offered a special rehabilitation clinic for an expensive rate but Peter could go to his aunt so he said no. At home, looking into the pale of papers he got, there was with bold letters: "homecare NO".                                                                                                                     So we had to find a doctor or therapist on our own to see him for a check but this was a real nightmare. We made phone calls to aunt's therapist, but because of the weekend, we needed to wait until Monday. The insurance needed the medical report, before they could approve any help, but despite the bunch of paperwork, we had no real report. We got a code for a personal digital medical environment, but I couldn't enter it because of the invalid personal information..:( After some calls I learned that they had misspelled our address. It took us hours to get this right.) Finally the insurance confirmed the homecare and we tried to make an appointment. They connected us to homecare and there...dead end. Voicemail. We left a message for 3 times, but they never called back. Back to the girl at the frontdesk of the hospital who promised us to call back in 2 hours. Never. In the meantime, Peter ran out of his diabetic meds and we got a prescription from our own doctor, by email. I went to the pharmacy. Guess what? "No, we can't do that, we only work with doctors with a Californian license, you need to see a doctor..." So we called aunt's doctor and the assistent goes: "he needs to come, so the doctor can see him". We: "sorry, half of his body is broken, he can't sit in a car, he only needs his regular pills!", damn it.. She promised to call back in 2 hours. So no. Next day: voicemail. Never called back. Unbelievable.  What a stupid system. It seems this has all to do with the fear to be sued, because you can be sued for everything.              

Allright, to make the story short: we 've seen a doctor this Monday when Peter was able to get there, he removed the stitches and prescribed all needed medications. We payed cash. (To be sure that we wouldn't get stuck again).The insurance arranged our flight back tomorrow, both in business class and with assistance! Our relatives 've brought us to LAX airport where we stay in a "wheelchair friendly;)" hotel for the night.  

School

I am placed on a medical leave and this will protect my I-20 status. (Visa) Regarding the fees, they will hold my balance on my account until they know when I am coming back and my plans to study and for residence. That's great. But first I want to see Peter totally healed, then I hope to go back for 3 months, probably in August. For now, I don't feel sorry to return, we are having a special, unique time together. Sometimes you are forced to let go your plans and routines, to find something else... 

So far my exceeding adventure in the States, hopefully be continued later this year.. without any hospitals;)..!