Hospitals......

I was shocked to hear some of the things posted about surgery and hospitals. I used Oschners, New Orleans (they do have surgeries in Baton Rouge also) I was self-pay, with my insurance here picking up some of the bill....$17,500 total cash. I also had to pay $4500 to a fund for doctors, tests and other things not covered, such as Psych appt. So, round figures $22,000. Cost of a car more or less. I did have a problem, the staple gun misfired, knicking the lower stomach..NOT THE DOCTOR'S FAULT!!!! They rushed me to intensive care and then to surgery, then back to intensive care. Most of the time, I was by myself, since my daughter was working. The staff were great! Even one shift was a male RN and wouldnt you know that was when my colon started pumping and BM was going everywhere every 45 minutes or so. I was so embarassed but he just told me no problem and cleaned me up like a baby. They all took really good care of me, when I went to the floor, they helped me bathe and wash my hair, scrubbed my back and even ordered up a potty chair for the side of the bed cause I was too weak to drag myself into the bathroom with all the drips and stuff on a pole. I had physical therapists to come every day, Respiratory came three times a day, the hospital chaplain came to see me and of course one of the dear sisters who make rounds. I was very well cared for. The doctor and his interns popped in at least 3 times a day, his partner came at least 4 or 5 times as well as the administrative head nurse. Food was awful, just the worst liquids but I didnt realize that it was because of my tummy and every patient gets the same stuff..... But I drank a lot of water as much as I could and tried to take all the meds that they brought me constantly. I would say that my hospital experience was good, and the care was more than good. I think that it is good for persons who may want this surgery to know how they are cared for afterwards. It helps you through the trauma and believe me the first 2 months are traumatic in a lot of ways!!!!!! By the way, when I was discharged, the bill was covered in full, no other charges....... Cheryl

What good news to hear! I had a very similar experience at Keesler - and in the ICU (as a precaution cause of the sleep apnea), I had my own nurse and aide. For that reason, I didn't need Jim as much as I thought I would. Just for moral support. The aide even just sat in my room alot of the time and chatted with me. When I walked, i walked with an entourage!!! One carried the catheter, one pushed the IV pole, one blocked from the front and one hovered behind. We were like a traveling circus!!! My docs came by SEVERAL times a day - sometimes on the way to lunch and would just stop in to say hi and how are ya. It's amazing how the hospital experiences can be so different and so traumatic. Smoochies Arlies PS my bill was $40 and some change - for the 12 "meals" I was in the hopital during....I had "designer" ice.....

That is good news ladies. I had a wonderful (if you can call surgery wonderful) experience at Oxford (Baptist) Hospital with Dr. King and crew. The nurses or aids came as soon as I called. The dietician was there every day. My husband was there round the clock though, and it is very important to have somebody with you if at all possible.