FINALLY ABLE TO POST

Came home Sunday...tried to post Monday, but couldn't get the page to load. So here I am! Alive and well!!!!!!!!!!! In case you didn't see my post on the main board...I'll share my experience here. LONG STORY SHORT.... Nov. 11th had surgery, 3am on the 12th some how overdosed on Morphine (on the PCA pump) ended up in a coma. Late on the 12th I was finally awake, not exactly lucid, but awake. I also endure my leak test, which the leak part I passed. Unfortionatly (sp?) the opening to my intestine was blocked (not completely) so on the 14th I went back to surgery. I didn't actually need surgery, but my doctor felt it would be best to slice me open again and look around (you can imagine how sore I've been). So he cleared out what was basically a scab that had formed using a simple endo-scope (could have been done WITHOUT putting me to sleep or OPENING me up again!!!!!!!!! I am very ticked about that). Of course, I had a bad reaction to the anasthia (sp?), woke up with a tube down my throat and for 45 minutes was begging them to take it out. I was told I was breathing fine, they just had to wait. WAIT FOR WHAT?????????? I was throwing up and gagging and it sucked. And some how, my hair got matted to my head with some kind of glue which resulted in me nearly having to shave my head.... I spent Tuesday-Friday in the ICU, finally got into a room on Saturday. THE HOSPTIAL WAS NASTY!!!!! I cannot being to tell you how horrible. First, I wasn't bathed or even offered to be bathed the ENTIRE time I was there (6 days). I started my period, they wouldn't allow me to use any padding so you can imagine how gross that was after 4 days of sitting on my ass. I wasn't allowed to walk. When I finally got to a normal room, I was told I couldn't shower for at least 2 more days (which meant Monday). But finally I was able to pee in a toliet. The toliet was broken though so for all of Saturday and half of Sunday, I just went in the broken potty (not able to flush). It was horrible. There were no other rooms avaliable and no one came to fix the damned thing. I cannot being to tell you how much this experience should be making me regret surgery. I almost died. I was mis-treated (and have a bed sore on my ass to prove it!!!!!!!!!!)....but I am not sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All that occurred was NOT the result of my surgery, but of poor hospital staff. Although I will never allow myself to EVER go into a hospital again, I don't care for what!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am glad I did this surgery. I feel pretty good. My incisions are healing up nicely and I am tolerating clear liquids well, even my protien drink goes down. I am only able to get 2 oz of liquid an hour because much more than that and I feel too full. I cannot take the Pepcid they perscribed for me so I'm going with Tums, which is much easier to take. The vitamins make me want to gag, but I choke them down anyway. I am sore inside. Feels like a tummy ache with sore muscles...like after you've spent hours throwing up. But I'm trusting this will pass in time. So to all those waiting for your day...my best advice is BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!! We are so concerned with the surgery itself that we some times forget to check into the hospital staff, the nurses, and double check what drugs we will be on. Have someone (husband, wife, friend...) who will play advocate for you. When you hurt, have them go to the nursing staff and be there to watch the dosage and ensure you are feeling your best. Have them ensure that you are up and walking, regardless if the staff makes you or suggests it. Have them help you to the bathroom when a nurse is to busy and make sure they make the nurse take the time to clean you up. The surgery is a good thing. But its a hard thing and you need people who will look out for you there with you at all times to ensure things don't go wrong.

WOW, Renee!! I can't believe your ordeal, hon!!! I am so sorry you had such a horrible experience! But I AM so glad to see you back home and up and around. Pls take care of yourself and continue to let us know how things are going, OK? (((hugs))) -Karen

Renee, I'm glad you are doing well after that horrible experience. I truly hope that you intend to speak with someone concerning your stay. It sounds as if there are several major no-nos that have occured that need to be brought to the attention of the administration of the hospital. There is no excuse...there are guidelines and rules for hospital functioning. Not good word of mouth advertising from you either; hospitals do not like bad PR. I would at least speak to someone there. At our hospital we do patient surveys and issues are addressed from those. Debbie

OMG Girl! First of all, I am glad you are home. Second, put the past in the past and keep moving forward (which you are!!). I am sorry for all that you went through. I too second the part about having someone there for you. Also, if you are alert, make sure you you realize what they are giving you. I was almost given something twice and it would have made me very sick. My husband was my nurse. He was the one who gave me a sponge bath each day. HE was the one who helped me up, and he was the one that helped me in the bath room. Anyway, girl, I am glad you are home, please keep us posted on your progress!

It's so sad that we have to be there to play patient advocate when that is what the nurse should be doing ofr you!! I had to advocate for my husband when they asked him if he was a diabetic and he said his dr told him he was last friday, but he isnt taking anything for it. (The reason being is that he was diagnosed two weeks before surgery and the surgery is expected to clear the diabetes up) So the nurses jsut brushed it off and called it UNDIAGNOSED! After talking to 3 nurses who all told me they would contact the dr, I finally had to contact him myself. Turns out his blood sugar WAS high, and it was because non diabetics get D5W (an iv solution that has sugar in it) and diabetics get something else!! SO they changed him and things are normal. It's just those little things that people try to get away with the make their job easier that can make a dramatic difference in your care. As for your stay GOOD GOD! They need a letter of complaint to the administration, floor supervisor, maintenence supervisor, everyone! I think even the health department would like to know about this! YUCK! No working toilet! and no PAD! That is just plain stupid! As a nurse (LVN) after my stay in the hospital (I don't work there) I have a whole new attidtude about patient care and about being FREAKING quiet at night AND during the day!!! I had noisy CNA's at night and housekeeping hanging out at my door during the day talking with anyone who walked by! Then nursing students talking with their instructor about patients right in fornt of my door! How insane is that?! SO much for recuperating and so much for patient confidentiality!! Time for a reform huh! Trust me it will start here! Good luck to you on your recovery and for me and many others, it just seemed to get better every single day. Take care, Kristen

Wow, you sure have been throught it. I am sorry that things went so bad at that hospital. I agree with everyone else, get on them and make some serious complaints. I am glad that you are finally feeling a little better and your attitiude to move and despite what you have been through is very encouraging. Take care and continue to get well. ~Always, Tiffany

Renee: I am so happy that you are home and on the mend. I am headed to Mexico next week for surgery. My husband will be watching the hospital staff like a hawk. Thanks for giving us the heads up.