Satomi’s Job

As of January 15th, 2010, the Outpatient Physical Therapy department at Healthsouth Tustin Rehab Hospital will close it’s doors and associated staff will be laid off.  

Satomi will be officially losing her job.

While the situation does create some short-term financial savings for us, I consider the closure mostly a bad thing for Satomi’s future health.

The layoff will officially end her “Personal Leave”.  As I described in my post COBRA Hiccup back on November 3rd, we now qualify for subsidized COBRA.  Luckily, the Fed recently extended the subsidy enrollment deadline to February 28th, 2010 (See http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/2009/ebsa122109.html).  The cost savings is significant but this job is so much more than a paycheck to Satomi.

The job was a great motivator-She so wanted to return to work and make-a-difference in people lives. Just like she had done for the previous 15+ years there.  This job was her second home-a deep sense of familiarity, security, and support.  Those traits are essential to Satomi’s continued healing and return to normal life.  Although she may not vocalize it, I know that the love and friendship will be sorely missed.

So what are we going to do now?  To be honest, I have no idea.  Satomi has never been lacking of headhunter calls to the house or flyers from countless other hospitals looking for qualified Physical Therapists.  The problem is that it is no longer a proper job description for her.

While her mental facilities remain sharp, her physical capabilities are much more limited.  She has limited mobility and suffers from fatigue.  She is always dizzy to some extent.  My point is this:  If she were to return as a PT, she would likely be in a worse physical condition than her patient. 

A part-time supervisory position would probably be ideal for her initial return.  For now Satomi is focusing on healing.  We’ll consider options more seriously in a few weeks, after her next Vertebroplasty session.