In ER last night

was in the ER at OHSU yesterday afternoon and evening because I have swelling and severe pain around my J tube port. I also starting bleeing from the hole. I called Dr. Deveney's office yesterday morning to try to get in, and they said he had NO appts. before my next scheduled appt. on March 10. This was after explaining to them what was going on. So they put a message in to the "team" for someone to call me back. I waited, but things were getting worse. So I called my PCP. She snuck out to a dental appt. before they got the message to her, although her nurse said she would probably want me to see my surgeon. So I had an appt. scheduled with my employer at 2:30 to talk about a re-entry plan for me to go back to work. I was in severe pain, but decided I needed to try to suck it up and get through the meeting. When I left there we went immediately to the ER where I sat for 2 1/2 hours before being called back. And then I was put in an "interview" room with just a bed. This room is the room they use for court held patients, usually accompanied by their police security. The door did not shut, except for electromagnetically, so I had to have it open the entire time I was there. There was also a window in the door that was not covered up. AGH! This is ******g me off just typing about it. So, I get seen by a couple docs, who don't understand that I am swollen. Sure, I only weigh 112, so I don't look swollen! And during the 2 1/2 hour wait in the waiting room, my swelling did go down somewhat. But the pain was still consistently around a 4, unless trying to walk, or move, when it was more like a 6. Anyway, they took an x-ray and confirmed that my J tube is in correctly, couldn't figure out WHY I was in such pain, or what the swelling was caused from. They gave me pain pills and told me to get an appt. with Dr. Deveney sooner than the 10th. OOooooK! Ya, right! So I call first thing this morning and tell them I was ER last night. J tube is correctly placed, but no reason given for why I am in such pain, have swelling, and am still bleeding from the hole. They supposedly ruled out infection because the discharge didn't smell and I'm not running a fever. So, back to my phone call this morning. The lady on the phone puts me on hold to check on an earlier appt. She comes back and says to me, Dr. D. is out of town and I'm lucky to have the appt. I have! WTF!!! So I said, there's got to be SOMEONE on the team who can see me sooner! She asked if I was still bleeding, um, YES! And she asked what they told me in ER. I said they gave me pain pills, said they didn't know the cause of the pain and swelling and the bleeding and too see Dr. D. earlier! So they sent an urgent message to the nurses to see what they could do. I just got a call back. She said that Dr. Crawford saw me in ER last night and that she would call me back today. But later, "because we have some big thing going on here." She said Dr. Crawford told her to tell me to sit tight, that she wants to talk to me and then they will decide IF I need to be seen sooner. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN DAMN APPT. UP THERE! TO GET THEIR ATTENTION THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG! The amount of pain I am having does not equate to a tug on my tube from days ago. I have one ER doc telling me to get seen earlier, then I get the one from the clinic telling me to sit tight, not to worry, she will call me LATER. Well I felt like telling this lady that I MIGHT BE THE NEXT BIG THING happening up there if someone doesn't take me seriously! What a nightmare! So I am waiting for a phone call back. I'll let you know what happens. But I'm pretty pissed. I can't seem to get anyone to listen to me!

Kim, Just when it seemed things were calming down for you! Hey, you've had that darned tubes for MONTHS, the doctors should listen to you - YOU know when things are different and it's HURTING! It may still be placed right and they may not think it's infected but something is going on! Hope it is resolved SOON. You have the absolute worst luck with medical stuff! I hope you are feeling better this afternoon. CeCe

Thanks CeCe. I'm not puking anymore, but now I'm getting a fever. Up to 100 now. If it gets worse tonight, I'll go to ER.

OMG!!!! You have been through so much... you don't need this now, just when things are starting to get better.... It sounds like you are doing all you can do to get their attention, but they just aren't listening.... I don't know what to tell you sweetie.... I will definitely keep you in my prayers that you get through yet another obstacle in your path... I can't even begin to imagine going through all that you have endured.... Keep us posted on when they get back with you and what they say and do.... You may need to find yet another doctor if they don't provide some action soon... ((((((((((((((((KIM))))))))))))))))) HuGs, Shawn M.

Shawn, you may be right. See what I found out from a fellow patient of my doc's area: "All you get at OHSU is inexperienced students and burned out docs who are leaving in droves due to a recent court case and policy changes. Theren isn't a hospital in metro Portland that won't understand your story. Trust me." So, now that I'm running a fever, if it gets any higher, I may just go to another hospital ER tonight.

If you are running a fever now, I wouldn't hesitate and I would get into an ER as soon as possible.... And I would try some place else... the place you are going doesn't sound like it is the right place for you... You need someone that is going to be there for you through this whole journey, not just for the moment.... We will say a family prayer for you tonight... I sure do hope you get the care you so desperately need.... HUGS, Shawn M.

Oh my goodness. Kim let us know how you are today feel better