Family Receives Much Needed Medical Supplies

In August of 2023 we received an email from Barbara for her 35-year-old daughter Emily needing a Bladder Scanner. Her doctor had recommended a specific machine, the Verathon Bladder Scanner from Acme Revival which had the lowest price with easy use for the patient.  Emily was under the care of a Doctor and a Urology Home Health Nurse with weekly visits. Emily had been connected with a new agency which sent out “the sweetest Home Nurse which specializes in Urology”!  Emily was better because of this referral from the Doctor as Nurse Brittany helped with the daily needs for Emily's bladder health and they were learning so much to help Emily work through averting an over extended bladder.  One of the tools needed to help avoid backed up urine in her kidneys which result in kidney stones is a bladder scanner. Since Emily's infected kidney stone removal on June 8, 2023, by the Doctor and post recovery, Emily was the best she had been in years. Emily had gone 2 straight weeks feeling well from morning to bedtime with restored sleep. On 7/29/23 & 7/30/23, Emily had a rough weekend with urine retention. Emily’s mother Barbara had stated that if they had the Bladder Scanner it would have helped them find ways to bring her relief and find the best treatment pathway. They had been working and researching this for Emily since January 2023. They needed to keep her urinating well to avoid back up in her kidneys.

As this was a health and safety issue for our community members, Area Agency on Aging 3 and its Silver Birch Foundation were pleased to assist in whatever manner we could as there was nowhere else to go for this member to stay healthy in her own home.

Ann Carroll, Silver Birch Foundation’s Fund Development Coordinator and Emily’s Care-Manager Aleashea Hohe, reached out to Acme Revival to assist in the purchase of the Verathon Bladder Scanner. The order was placed right away on Saturday August 8, 2023, with Emily receiving her scanner on August 29, 2023. Ann and Aleashae stayed up on the delivery status and passed on any information and dates that they would receive to the family.

On 8/7/23 Emily’s mother sent a message stating “Aleashea and Ann have gone above and beyond the call and always doe to work alongside Emily and our family to meet her on-going needs, especially with Durable Medical Equipment. There is so MUCH detail to attend to and she does it with grace and a can-do attitude. Also, I wanted to shout out to Marianne Jahnz at AAA3 for connecting Emily with a Care Agency for Emily's daily personal care - life giver providers that we were able to hire. Such a life-giving connection. Emily's need for a bladder scanner is going to go down in history as one for the books! Thank you for grace, teamwork, and Emily's flatter bladder thanks you.” 

On Wednesday August 30, 2023, we received an email from Emily stating “PRAISE DA LIVING LAMB, THE BLADDER SCANNER IS HERE!  After 9 months of prayer, advocacy, teamwork, and persistence, the bladder scanner has finally arrived. The Verathon BVI 3000 arrived at 11:30am via UPS delivery driver on August 29th, 2023. What a wonderful, belated birthday present from God! What is even more wonderful is that my weekly meeting with Brittney, my case manager nurse is today - August 30th. Nurse Brittney and I are planning on having fun together on YouTube learning how the bladder scanner works as a team. Joyfully celebrating with you in Jesus!"

Emily (and Barabara) is just one of many needs our community members might have that Area Agency on Aging 3 and its Silver Birch Foundation is proud to have assisted. Barbara & Emily are very grateful to have a caring community outreach program stating, they are very thankful for the help.