By Pam (“Gates”) Johnson
Almost seven weeks in of staring at the four walls of my front room. My back surgery went well, but I came out of it looking at a couple of months of recuperation.
When getting discharged, I was given the option of going to a rehab place or going home. Since my daughter had blocked out two weeks to stay with me, I opted for home. That was not necessarily the best decision. Had a little medical problem at the end of the first week. Had to call 911. I don’t remember what went on, only that there was a lot of pain involved.
Everybody thought I should have opted for rehab, but apparently once the hospital discharges you to home it is very difficult for them to change their minds and send you to rehab. So, I stayed home and gutted it out.
The last few weeks have been spent moving from one recliner to another recliner to the sofa. I even started sleeping in my bed, which I haven’t done for years. In March, I bought new furniture. Knew I was probably looking at a back surgery, so I got a big cushy power recliner that I could sleep in. The furniture arrived and it was just what I wanted. Until … the power recliner broke at the end of August.
There was a year-long factory warranty, plus I purchased a five-year extended warranty. I thought there wouldn’t be a problem. I was wrong.
The chair broke in the reclined position with me in it. Funny thing I never thought to ask about, there is no kill switch to un-recline. Hadn’t had my surgery yet, so I managed to wrestle my way out and called La-Z-Boy repair. I was certainly under warranty, but they couldn’t get a repairman out here until October 30th.
A five-month old chair that could not be used. I was not happy. October comes and almost goes, and the repairman shows up, fixes it in five minutes, and leaves. A month later, the power chair quit again while I was reclined. Had to call my nephew, who came over and got me out. My surgery was scheduled for December 4th.
About a week post-surgery, the chair broke again. By this time, I was fully incapacitated. No bending, no twisting, and no lifting anything over five pounds. I called La-Z-Boy. Their response to my getting stuck in the chair was to tell me to just climb over the arm. I told them I had just gotten out of the hospital with major back surgery. Their response? “Oh.”
I needed a power chair so I could stand up from a sitting position. Fine, says I. Bring me a chair to use while you get my chair fixed or give me my money back. Oh no. They can’t do that, even though they have about 852 power chairs on their showroom floor. Their response was to send a repairman out to see what broke. That took a few weeks. The repairman took one look and said, yup, it’s broken.
Of course, he did not have the parts needed. Parts would have to be ordered and would take two weeks to get here. Once they arrived, I would need to call and schedule the repair, which would take at least three weeks. I told them it was an urgent medical situation. Their response? If someone cancels, we will try to get out to you sooner. Otherwise, February 11th.
I threatened them with lawyering up, but can’t find a lawyer. Someone suggested I send a complaint to the Washington State Attorney General’s consumer complaint department, which I did. Now I wait. I either want a new chair because I think this one is a lemon, or my money back, which is almost $3,000.
The chair situation took up a lot of time and energy. Lots of friends have dropped by with soup and cookies. They are what has kept me from going bat-guano crazy. I’m watching too much television. Got tired of watching YouTube videos of lawnmowers and police bodycam footage and political junk. I have even begun watching Japanese udon food truck videos.
My melon is so foggy, I can’t concentrate on reading or puzzles. One good thing is my inactivity has led to a totally decreased appetite. Having to ask people to get groceries for me has also cut down on eating. My jeans are getting a little baggy.
Dr. Jones called me yesterday and said if I was off the pain pills I was good to drive! Yay! My little black Bronco has been looking awfully lonely. It might take me a few days to get my driving confidence back, but I will power through that.
Vacuumed the house today. Might try to go to the store tomorrow if my grandson can come with me to carry the bags. Remember, I still can’t lift over five pounds. My next doctor’s appointment is February 4th. I think he will then give me the okay to go back to the pool (just walking, no twisting). This has been a journey.
Oh, the chair is still broken.
