Candy Miller

Lock Haven

Four years ago my family was given some of the worst news anyone can be ever given. “Your father has cancer.”

My first thoughts were how and why. Then it turned to where do we go from here? Well next came Chemo and with Chemo came the pain, weight loss and weakness he felt. While dealing with Chemo and its side effects more problems surfaced. Emergency surgery on his colon with a 20% survival rate came next, but he survived and kept fighting. Now he had another thing to overcome and heal from. “Not quite what you expect to wake up to.”

We thanked God that day and all the staff at Williamsport Hospital for another chance. While healing, everything seemed good. He was in remission and gaining weight, until he wasn’t. Yet again, another problem reared its head. His cancer was back and this time in his kidneys. To which many surgeries followed trying to help with everyday life and the pain. Until the last surgery where we were told there was nothing left to be done. The cancer had spread too much to stop. My father was too tired to fight anymore. He was done with being prodded and poked. No more pain. It was time to look for another way and place to help.

So we were directed to Lock Haven Rehab and Senior Living Center until we could take him home where Hospice could help. This is where I feel the need to express my thoughts to all who are considering Lock Haven Rehab and Senior LIving Center.

Please stop by and visit more than once or twice before you bring a loved one to a place you’ll regret. After signing all the papers and transferring my father I soon realized it was a mistake. For us it was too late at this point, he had taken a turn for the worse and we were advised that moving him would cause him too much pain. Hospice was now involved to try and make him as comfortable as possible. Hospice seemed great and tried everything they could for his pain. But that didn’t last.

As soon as the Hospice nurse would leave, Lock Haven Rehab would screw it up. They had their own “pain management rules” and would miss doses or tell us he couldn’t have certain pills. We were to the point where we would have to ask, beg and even demand some form of pain pills for him since he was in such terrible pain and being given everything sporadically. After five long days, countless disagreements, tons of pleas, Hospice finally got the point across for what he should have. His last days were finally pain free.

To put an end to a long story, think twice before you choose a facility for your parents. My father’s room had no hot water, a clogged sink and an AC that you had to hope would work that day. As far as cleaning, I would like to say it was done at night when I went home, but that would be a lie. When you can wipe the floor with a hand wipe and see the clean spot for five days, you wonder to yourself what else they are not cleaning.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a few employees that care. You know who you are and I would like to thank those few. As for the others, your work ethic, no empathy and lack of communication shows. Not to mention only one week after my father’s passing we were sent a bill for over $2,000 from Lock Haven Rehab. We were told the insurance companies would not cover it and it was due in two weeks.

Thank you Lock Haven Rehab for the condolences.