Update on Juliana

Just talked to Juliana she sounded good and is working on getting liquids in and some protien. Her surgeon has not come to see her since her surgery. Also she is NOT having the barium swallow the doctors changed thier minds??? She also was given a tray of popscicles that were NOT sugar free and was also given on the same tray cranberry jucie with sugar. Juliana knew what she could and could not have and questioned the nurses about this tray. Her replie was the tray looked ok to them. She also had blood drawn and 10 minutes later they tried to do it again until Juliana said no they just did it. From the info I have gotten from her is they think that she may have a sight tear in her intestines and the feeling of the doctors is hopfully it will resolve itself. She is also on lovenox injection which is a medication for clots. She has not been able to get up and walk yet because of the monitors but she is moving her legs alot. Also her heart beat has been irregular. I hope I have reported everything as she and her mom have told me. Julianan agrees with me that when you are in the hospital it is a very good idea to have a family member there who knows what is going on and who can questions things that dont look right. Anyone having this surgery my advice is to know it backwards and forwards and gain as much knowledge before as you can. Also have a friend or family member be aware of everything about the surgery. My belief at this time is Juliana will recover and soon all this will be just a memory.                                                           Annie

Oh wow I hope things get better for her! why hasnt her surgeon seen her yet?? and she should NOT be getting things with sugar in them!! The only thing I was allowed to have was a tiny amount of Boost and that was AFTER the Barium swallow and tiny sips of water. What a mess! Tell her I am thinking of her and if I was closer I would come up and help out!!! thanks for the update Annie!!!

Darcie

Personally I think it is appauling that the surgeon has not come to see her when she has had nothing but problems!!! And apparently what ever ward they have her on doesn't pay attention to dietary needs of bariatric patients and that is scary.  Did she say she was having hers at Duke and was at Durham Regional? I'm no doctor but tear in the intestine...  I wonder if it was done during the surgery.

I'm appalled!  That poor kid!!!  I cannot believe her surgeon hasn't been there to see her yet and it's equally unbelievable to me that they would allow her to take ANYTHING by mouth without passing a leak test!!!   And as far as how she GOT that tear in her intestines that they "THINK" she has?????  I'm sure SHE didn't reach in there and tear them!!!  And I cannot tell you how many times I had to correct the nurses on my meds and procedures!  And good Lord, if they gave her a transfusion, that suggests a bleed somewhere, and if that is so, what on earth are they giving her anticoagulants for???  Oh gosh, don't get me started!!!  I am having flashbacks!!!

Oh, and thank you so much for the update, Annie.  You are a great angel!!!  

Good God, I hope she survives that place!  I think I remember her post saying her surgery was at Durham Regional. Don't EVER be in a hospital or leave a loved one in there w/out an advocate there 24 hours a day!  I have some horror stories as well, and w/out somebody there screaming on your behalf, it can be awful... just look at this mess when Juliana DOES have someone there... How on earth can a doc be ordering blood transfusions and DXing intestinal tears and not come see their patient?   ATROCIOUS behavior........ And they need her up and moving... monitors ARE mobile... I've walked with all sorts of them hooked up to me.  That's no excuse and sounds like lazy nurses don't want to go to the trouble.  I pray to God she doesn't get any clots. Tell her and her mama and daddy and whoever is there to march down to Administration.  DOCUMENT dates, times and collect NAMES.  Go armed with specific information that can be dealt with. When they (ADMIN) get wind that a doctor with privileges in their hospital is ignoring a patient, and that inappropriate diets are being given (just as important as meds for us), some actions will start happening.  But ONLY if they let their voice be heard.  When I started yelling in the recovery room about my treatment (or lack thereof) that I was going to Admin as soon as I could and would be sending my sister if they would EVER let me get to her, I got immediate actions.  And before they had settled in my new room and hooked up, the Admin staff from the recovery room was standing beside my bed with a bouquet of red roses and bucket-loads of apologies. If they don't raise hell for themselves up there, nothing will change for them or the next unfortunate WLS patient that comes along!  And if they need (and want to), ask to read her chart.  I got mine while in the hospital a couple of times AND signed a release 2 weeks later and had a complete copy mailed to me.  I wanted to see just if all the crap I put up with in recovery was documented as it happened... I'm STILL trying to figure it out, but I see nothing of ANY of my complaints (multiple) and hours of begging for pain meds on my chart.  And that's because they don't want JCAHO reading such.  I worked in the WakeMed system for 15 years and helped write policies in the ER and Trauma Center and did much of the ER/Trauma prep work for JCAHO's visits, and believe you me, these are the kinds of things EVERY hospital tries to prevent, or at least "not expose" to the accreditation folks. With the state of health care in this country, as the old saying goes, we're all going to hell in a handbasket... I will up my prayers for her and wish her home ASAP.  OH, this just ****** me off... I'm sitting here gritting my teeth!!

Annie -

Thanks again for the update. I know that Tammy, Doug and Juliana all truly appreciate the support you have provided.

Barb

I never had any of these problems at Moore Regional or with Dr. Mitchell. he was there the day of the surgery afterwards (evening) to check up on me and every single day after that.  If he couldn't be his PA was there, sometimes both.  His PA actually just happened to be in the hospital to see his girlfriend and stopped by just to see if I needed anything (and at no charge! LOL).  The nurses checked what I had to eat before I ate it...   Both my Dad and my Aunt came to stay with me. For the exact same reason ya'll said.  To make sure someone stayed on top of the nurses and staff 24/7.  But after the first day they were so amazed and shocked. They didn't have to do anything the entire 4 days I was in. They absolutely could not believe it.  So, what actually scares me is that apparently my experience was rare?  But I'm really worried about Juliana!

Now I just want to go see her and give her Mom a break and support her. But my daughter is very sick (strepp) and I don't want to bring anything in...  GRRRRRRRRR

I hope that Juliana will feel better real soon and that all of her problems will get fixed quickly.  I hate to hear that she has gotten off to a rough start. I felt bad that I said Saturday that some people have rough starts but that unfortunately is a reality. I don't like to sound like a pessimist, but at the same time we can't sugarcoat the fact that things can happen. I just hate that has to happen to anyone who is making such a brave attempt to combat this issue. You are right when you say that hopefully this will all be a memory soon! I am hoping that fo sure! Lisa