Oh yea! WELCOME HOME! Do I miss the obvious or what?
I look at it more like, I'm playing Crazy 8's with Death rather than him breathing over my shoulder. (Now I'm wondering what death's breath might smell like.) I'm real sorry if it chills you and I can forego another rendition of my hospital experiences. Most of my visits are outpatient and completely boring with the exception of some jokes and running into people I haven't seen in years. Like Elizabeth said, write stuff out ahead of time in case they can read and be prepared. Have your Meds written next to your doctors favorite golf course. A bogus insurance card is great for a private room and fast care in the ER. Don't lie to them, but if they happen across it and don't ask you, well, it can't be your fault they thought you had anthem platinum. If you hurl chunks on the floor of your private room then you've marked your territory and changing rooms is too much effort for the 3 nurses watching 46 patients. I'm truly thankful you're out of the hospital and feeling better. All my very best Wishes, john ----- Original Message ---- From: Elizabeth Treston <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Dan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Quad List <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:10:52 AM Subject: RE: [QUAD-L] Hospitals and Quads It still is up to us Dan to be our own advocate in our care. I had to go via ambulance as I was very ill. I insured about an egg crate mattress, booties, skin care etc. It's that we know our bodies best and explaining sometimes for the 50th time when you feel like Death is breathing on your shoulder is physically and mentally draining. If you're ill and need medical assistance, of course, you should go to the doctor. Be prepared. Have the plastic coated AD card. Ensure your primary dr. or a general intern in your area knows YOU. I am grateful to be home but still the effects of the stay are with me. From: Dan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 3:44 PM To: Quad List Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hospitals and Quads Okay, enough already! I know we all have had bad experiences with hospitals, but you're all starting to sound like they are death camps. There are many of us that don't have a close relative to stay with us in a hospital - myself being one. And frankly, you are scaring the shit out of me. Being in the hospital for many people is not a pleasant experience but you have to do what you have to do. I always have a typed list of: my medical history, surgical history, current meds regimen, and prescriptions I am allergic to and those I'm not allergic to. This is given to them upon registration. So I feel at least they are aware of the basics. Please give those of us - and I can't be the only one - who will be entering the fray alone some hope, encouragement and peace of mind. Dan At 05:39 PM 3/16/2008 -0700, Lori Michaelson said something that elicited my response: I have ALWAYS had a family member (mostly my significant other or my husband) present during any hospital procedure or stay. Because they simply do not have a clue about spinal cord injuries. In fact, it's pretty scary how much they don't have a clue about anything! A very high percentage of folks die in hospitals because of negligence or malpractice that gets swept under the carpet. They explain it away somehow and there is nothing one can do after the damage is done especially if it is death. Lori Michaelson Age - 43 C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ -------Original Message------- From: Merrill Burghardt Date: 3/16/2008 5:02:17 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] Hospitals and Quads Are you suggesting to have caregiver present at a procedure? In scrubs? Merrill From: RONALD L PRACHT [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 4:51 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [QUAD-L] Hospitals and Quads Anytime a quad gets any procedure done at the hospital I think it is wise to have someone there as your backup. Someone that knows your disability and the in and outs. Many of these people at the hospital have no clue about spinal injuries and have a deaf ear when you explain anything. When your life is at stake you cant be to careful. ron c7 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
