The saga continues:
Exhibit E: I Hate Clinicians (also featuring Return of the G
Word).
I
told the triage nurse about my gluten-intolerance. I also told the attending
doctor at the ER, two Physician’s Assistants, and all of the nurses. I am
therefore still unclear on why they chose to give me broth made with gluten as
part of the mandated “clear liquid diet.” Cue the return of dry-heaves. And
another day in the ER. That’s right, folks, I spent 2 days in the ER/ICU
because nobody listened to me, (as well as due to a debate between different doctors over whether and/or when to admit
me). This is not hard folks: don't give something to a patient who is allergic to it. Period. End of lesson.
Exhibit F: Did I Mention I Find Rheumatologists Frustrating?
Ok,
so they finally gave me enough steroids/anti-nausea drugs/liquids/etc. to make
it so that my leaving the ER would not result in an immediate malpractice
lawsuit. And my rheumatologist won the debate over whether or not to admit
me…so I get to go home! Yay! I was ordered to “follow up” with various doctors,
so I dutifully sent a note to my rheumatologist. I got a note back that, and I
swear that I’m not making this up, expressed her displeasure with the fact that
I went to the ER at all. (Remember, I was unable to keep down water, and had both dangerously low platelets and extreme dehydration). No, apparently the correct
protocol was for me to email her because, and I quote, “there are no
rheumatologists there!” Really. Well, from where I stand, that seems like a
pretty convincing argument to go to the
ER.
I found this puzzeling, so I wrote back the following email:
“Just to be
clear, considering that my platelets were at [dangerously low levels] and I
wasn't able to keep water down, would you still want me to email you in the
future, or was the ER the appropriate choice this time?
…and got the response “Please always email me?” Next time I can’t stand up and am vomiting the first thing I will do is sit down
at my laptop and send an email. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief at
this one, honestly.
Exhibit G: Incompetence Chez Hopkins.
Hopkins
has the number one hospital in the country. It is indisputably the best place
to go if you have a weird mix of autoimmune diseases. That being said, their
administrative branch sucks. I had an appointment with a GI doctor scheduled
for October. The day before the appointment (after I had made arrangements to
leave classes early, etc.), I got a phone call that said the doctor would not
be available. I was, they said, to be put on the “cancellation” list, and told
that it shouldn’t take more than a couple weeks. Well, after this whole
incident I thought that maybe I ought to go in and formally get a diagnosis of
celiac disease so at least it’s on my chart. I rang the office, only to find
that apparently I have an appointment at the end of January (news to me), but
I’m still on the cancellation list. Lovely.
So there you have it, the story of
my “winter break.” I’m thinking of submitting it as a mini-series to Comedy
Central. After being forced to watch early morning TV in the ER for several
hours, I’m thinking I may have a shot. If what I saw was any indication, the
screenwriters could use a little help.
Perhaps an email from the coroner would satisfy her? Or does she somehow think that death requires her pre-authorization? Just do what you have to to stay alive.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I should write that into my advanced directives...
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