frustration so bad it makes you cry (Paris)

And so, we left the hospital behind. We had presents: x-rays, certificates, scripts and so on.

First to Jayne, then to the saga. She is not in pain, but is on regular pain relief. The bruising is massive across her lower back down to the top of her thighs. She had her first proper shower today, after we'd covered the cast in a garbage bag. Then it was back to bed, but it is better than being in hospital. The doctor wants her to be as immobile as possible, which is fortunate when you consider how well she works a pair of crutches. She did enjoy her welcome home champagne last night.

I am off the scale on the frustration meter at present to the extent where I am even having trouble getting things in chronological order. But, I'll try.

Before Jayne could be discharged she needed to have her crutches. No, the hospital don't issue them, you have to purchase them at a pharmacy. So, I walked to the hospital from our new accommodation and stopped at the last pharmacy to fill the script. The girl came back with arm brace crutches, no, I said, cannes anglaise, under the arms. Ahh, she said, and off she went again. Finally, she returned with a new set of aluminium crutches.

Jayne finally got to see the surgeon - while I wasn't there, of course. He confirmed that to fly home the cast had to be split, but that he would not allow her to fly prior to June 16. He wasn't particularly keen on her leaving the hospital either, despite one of the other doctors saying she could have left as early as Thursday.

We made it to the hotel, which is not quite the accommodation we were used to, but there were no stairs. The sad discovery that there was no restaurant or room service either, this provided food for thought (did you see what i did there? food? never mind). The local area has two take-away stores, that we'd eat from. That was OK because we didn't know how long we'd need be here. We had booked for two nights. So I ventured toward the 'Asian' food store and purchased a selection of spring rolls and stick things. It must be able to be eaten by hand because there is no cutlery etc in the hotel.

Imagine my surprise to discover that the food was pre-cooked, but sold cold. Curiously and fortunately, there is a microwave in the hotel, so we could re-heat them. It was passable. But, does it raise questions that they would provide a microwave to heat food, but not eating utensils?

Overnight I received an email form the insurance company, who are not my faves any more. This was in reply to my email that asked a few simple questions like WTF is going on? All I requested were some answers to simple questions. When are we going home? That was important because we didn't have accommodation beyond Sunday. It became more crucial when I realised that our current hotel didn't have room for us beyond Tuesday morning. A little certainty about where to go and what we could spend would be nice.

I also pushed the line about me being in Business Class with Jayne to assist her.

So the response ... no statement about the flight home, just more questions back to me because someone hadn't read my email through. And a 'cut and paste' from their policy telling me that I was responsible for the cost of the alternate accommodation. No, no, no. And a message to say they will phone me.

That's pretty much how the last two emails have finished. No calls. So, I sent them another email. And finally scored some answers. They are trying organise flights for the 16th, but Jayne will be in Business and I will be in Cattle. No other answers. 

Another email. Instant phone call. And, something I haven't mentioned yet, another case manager, our 5th in four days. Is it any surprise that someone can't follow what's going on? So, we've sorted the accommodation. We'll be here till Tuesday then we're moving to a hotel that is closer to the hospital and has room service, but we have to pay for that from the 14th because that was the last of our pre-paid stay.

Then to the plane travel. Their policy says that unless a doctor says Jayne needs assistance that she travels alone. We have spoken to two doctors about this and both said the same thing. They won't recommend that because it is a matter for the insurance company to work out. They knew this, it was in one of my many emails and I told one of our case managers on the phone.

And so the battle continues. I'll keep you in the picture.

I have just given Jayne her first needle of the anti-coag stuff. She said I was a l little too eager to deliver the needle. And told me that I'm taking the 'doctor stuff' too seriously. Blah, blah, blah. I wonder how she would feel if I walked and left her to fend for herself? She's whimpering now, I think that's answer. Not sure what she's worried about the insurance company thinks she can do it.

a demain