Helping Individuals and Families Navigate Healthcare

“My husband was medevac'd from Avalon to Torrance Memorial Medical Center (TMMC) to a higher level of care with a severe staph infection of his spinal column. What followed was an exhausting and challenging time for us — a year-long journey that included a 4-month hospitalization, complex wound vac care, severe bed sores, and a total loss of mobility. He was unable to sit up, requiring a Hoyer lift to move him.After running out of Medicare days, my husband was discharged from TMMC and we returned to our condo in San Pedro. As a caregiver, navigating insurance limits and multiple care transitions felt overwhelming, especially when my husband was not mobile. Ekua was in communication with us frequently throughout the process so we never felt alone.Because of the complexity of my husband's care, there was concern about whether he would be able to return to the hospital in Avalon. However, he did return home as it was more stressful being away from home and our support system. Ekua assisted me in getting a hospital bed and arranged home health visits for wound care. Eight days later, he was readmitted to the hospital in Avalon when his Medicare-covered days reset and the staff was equipped to manage his care. Ekua was instrumental in facilitating his transfer from home back to the hospital and ensuring the staff was prepared.Thanks to the physical therapists, he was making progress. However, Ekua and the staff believed he would receive the most benefit from acute rehab. Facility after facility rejected him due to the complexity of his wounds. Loma Linda University Medical Center agreed to accept my husband due to Ekua's intervention and persuasion. After 6 weeks, he returned to Avalon where he stayed in the hospital as he steadily improved.I attribute my husband's overall recovery to Ekua's intervention and perseverance, and God working through her.”