Gabriel spent the night with Geraldine and me. The night was fairly stable, with no major bouts of bronchospasm or heavy breathing. Around 4 a.m., he had an episode of tachycardia, and a fairly pronounced dry cough appeared several times during the night.
The day was also stable. Amelia was supposed to come and take over from Geraldine, but in the end she couldn’t because of personal problems. So Manuel arrived early, and the three of us stayed with Gabriel all day.
At the end of the afternoon, I wanted to get my car back from the garage, as it had a radiator problem. In the end, it wasn’t ready and I have to go back tomorrow. Nothing serious, just a setback.
It’s funny how issues that might seem important to the average person become trivial in such a situation.
This morning, we received a visit from an important member of the hospital administration.
According to this person, the hospital is trying to obtain the list of recommendations necessary for Gabriel’s home care, as indicated by his pneumologist.
I should point out that the pneumologist states:
“All these measures are aimed at improving quality of life and optimizing survival for the patient, who is exposed to serious complications, including the risk of death.”
However, according to this same person, this list (or part of it) is refused by the health plan’s “operadora”.
In clear, understandable language, one of Brazil’s largest healthcare companies is refusing essential medical recommendations, even though the pulmonologist claims that failure to take these measures exposes Gabriel to serious complications and even the risk of death.
So it’s official: we’re moving on to the next level.
If I have to give my life, I’ll give it. But I’m going to fight to the bitter end.
