Comments on: Adventures in Healthcare

By: Teri

Teri — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:15:44 +0000

This breaks my heart. It’s too true that people need an advocate. One of my best friends passed away because the folks at the hospital would not treat him.
Patrick went away to college and caught a cold, like most kids in a new environment do. He seemed to get better, but then got very ill one night. His friend was concerned. He kept coughing and losing consciousness, even though he had not been drinking heavily and had not taken any drugs. The people at the hospital asked if he was high, then allegedly refused to treat him because, in his delerium, he kept mumbling about wanting to go home (meaning, back to his mom in Wooster).
His friend took him home and put him to bed. He never woke up. Rumors circulated that he ODed on some drug. The autposy showed that he only had medications for his cold in his system. He died of acute bronchial pneumonia.
I understand that doctors cannot treat patients without their permission (take the case of the young boy refusing to take chemo for religious reasons). However, I think Patrick would have lived if he’d had a parent or a closer friend with him that night, someone to fight for him. Our doctors and nurses are overworked and are slaves to too many constraints that don’t let them give the care the should. When time is of the essence, orders trickle slowly up and down the chain of command. And everyone suffers.

Get well, darling. Miss you.

By: Adnan

Adnan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:34:57 +0000

Definitely agree about taking an advocate with you. It’s often the case that hospital workers (saints, angels, and bastard doctors alike) have too much work and too little time. As the number of patients under their care goes up, the less time they have with each patient. This is sometimes why nurses are perceived as more caring than the MD who only sees you for 5 minutes a day. If you’re stable and don’t have that person badgering your docs and nurses, it’s easy to fall between the cracks.

By: kristin

kristin — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:11:26 +0000

Holy crap! That sucks! I recently had the pleasure of using our health care system through the doctor’s office. I’ve discovered they’re clueless and cost a lot. Hope you don’t have to go through that again!

By: Doug

Doug — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:05:58 +0000

Crazy story, hope you’re back to 100% soon, iStudio seems to rapidly falls to peices without your guidance!

By: John

John — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:53:28 +0000

Colter:
Sorry to hear about your tough time at the hospital. Now you have another war story to tell!

Seriously though, here in Mexico, I´ve seen the good and bad, and have found the bad places to stay away from. Generally, doctors here look at the person first, and try to treat him as a brother (or sister). I think the treatment is a little better here.

But your mom is right. Don´t go to the hospital alone. Take a friend who can run interference for you. I found that out a long time ago, and I guess you´ve found it out the hard way. It´s tough dealing with “the system” of anonymous people you don´t know, especially when you´re sick and befuddled.

Thanks for sharing your story.

By: Josh and Robin

Josh and Robin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:18:29 +0000

Sorry for the ordeal but glad you’re better now.

By: mom

mom — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:03:31 +0000

This whole thing makes me cry.
Next time I WILL get on a plane and sleep on your floor.

I used to feel that we had superior care in the U.S. compared to my brother’s stories of health care in Mexico. You definitely must have an advocate there and probably someone to bring food. Of course, some of us do that in the U.S. too. However, he said he had to bribe his wife’s way out of the hospital–maybe you should have tried that.

By: Reece

Reece — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:04:24 +0000

Weird. Bizet and Berlioz too… maybe there is a musical connection…

By: Reece

Reece — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:34:00 +0000

Yes, what was the diagnosis?

Very good point about making your one visit with the doctor count. Also, I would emphasize to anyone going into the hospital to be very persistent in checking that things have been documented (like if/when you are to be released).

Well written article, too. Bonus point for the Fangoria link. :)

By: Jay Burling

Jay Burling — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:08:17 +0000

Holy crap, man! What was the actual diagnosis? Feel better soon.