That blog really hits home! Before my accident I was a public health nurse and knew I would never want to be dependent on our medical system in the United States and now unfortunately I will be for the rest of my life. They sure don't preach prevention and are not very compassionate. I should have been sent home with an air mattress, instead I had to develop pressure sores before I even found out they existed.
Debbie C4 incomplete/April 2005 --- On Mon, 6/23/08, Quadius <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Quadius <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Alternating Air Pad To: "John S." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Monday, June 23, 2008, 2:21 PM I kind of fell into the low air loss mattress by sure luck. I had a lateral rotational overlay which was finally giving up the ghost after 10 years of dedication. I started looking online and came across a company which was liquidating some medical assets they had procured. Last year I developed this weird rash which started on my hips and then traveled around to my buttocks and then all the way up my back, my arms, and the sides of my body. My spinal cord doctors didn't know what it was, but they were terribly concerned as the rash was developing into pustules. I had remembered reading on this list that whenever you have a skin problem and also have access to low air loss mattress is that it was imperative to not have too many things between your skin and the healing properties of the mattress. I took everything off but the sheet and lo and behold I healed up within a week. Granted I was using Nizoral, but I really don't think it would have gone that quickly if it wasn't for the low air loss system. When I went home back in 1996 I was amazed that no one even thought to provide me with a mattress which would help prevent pressure ulcers. It just seems like common sense to me. Pay a couple of thousand dollars for a good quality mattress so the person is less likely to get an ulcer. I can't remember the exact cost, but I believe it's something around $20-$30000 if a person needs to be hospitalized in order to cure a pressure ulcer. Just seems like a no-brainer to me. I read a blog from a quadriplegic back in September 06 which summed this up a lot better than I have. http://smalls149.spaces.live.com/?_c11_BlogPart_BlogPart=blogview&_c=BlogPart&partqs=amonth%3d9%26ayear%3d2006 Q On 6/23/08, John S. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: It is amazing the way an LAL Mattress can change your life. I'm more than a little disturbed by the trend toward not paying to prevent wounds has gone. I know most quads on this list use something else, but I have never had a wound heal as fast as when I had that. Now, take good care of it and watch Ebay for any deals! I'm very happy for you! john ----- Original Message ---- From: Debbie Hamilton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 6:49:28 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Alternating Air Pad I paid $1095 for the aerodyne mattress. I put in for a reimbursement through Medicare and they told me they would pay 70% of the price. I'm still waiting for my check, but I'm really pleased with the mattress. My bed sores have all healed. Debbie C4 incomplete/April 2005 --- On Fri, 6/20/08, Quadius <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Quadius <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Alternating Air Pad To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, 3:36 PM I'm just curious how much you're paying for this particular model. Quadius On 6/19/08, Debbie Hamilton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I just ordered one, it is the tube type though, but it helped heal my bed sores. It's made by airodyne. Here's the link www.wheelsunlimited.com Debbie C4 incomplete/April 2005 --- On Tue, 6/17/08, Lori Michaelson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Lori Michaelson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Alternating Air Pad To: "Greg" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 4:12 PM This topic was covered very recently because someone else had the same question. Many answers were given. It was not all that long ago so look in the archives. Lori On Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 3:38 PM, Greg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Anyone know the name of or where to find an alternating air pressure pad? They used one in my bed at the hospital. It was not full size, it was only used on the middle of my body. At least I never felt it in my shoulders and when I saw it, it looked like it was just covering the butt area. I never heard it or felt it. I didn't think I had one, until a nurse said it was on. I tried the tube ones before and hated it. This one was not so big. And they just turned it off to help dress me. Thanks, Greg -- Lori C4/5 complete quad, 27 years post Tucson, AZ
