They put me in the hospital

For malabsorption. I ended up collapsing Monday night and falling down a flight of stairs. When i called my PCP yesterday, she asked me to come in. When I got there, she said she wanted to admit me. I was shaking really bad, and have been for a few days. And my BP was 98/63. Not good. The BP went back up to normal after I had rested. So I've been here since yesterday afternoon. And the only thing they have done is hook me up to an IV with potassium, and taken a stool sample. I spoke with the admitting dr. about a plan, and she is getting a gastroenterologist involved, and I'm supposed to have a bunch of tests. But I don't know what tests, or when. I just sit here waiting. No one seems to know anything. It's like pulling teeth to eat around here too. You'd think that a person admitted for malabsorption and excessive weight loss would be given food all the time. But I barely got dinner last night, and only after I begged for 1-1/2 hours. And no breakfast this morning because they needed me fasting for something. I finallly got my breakfast, warmed over and stale at 9:30. The dietitician came in and got me set up on 3 snacks a day too, which were supposed to start 1/2 hour ago. Bet I have to beg for those too. They weighed me when I got here, fully clothed. 101.8. This morning, after all day/night of IV, I'm 101.6. My PCP is trying to get ahold of my surgeon and get a surgery report. She reached him yesterday, but he was in surgery and said he couldn't get it to her until today. I think he's avoiding me. Luckily, Henry brought my laptop to me today so I don't go stir crazy. So here I sit, and wait. I'll give updates as I have them.

Kim, I was just thinking about you! I'm so glad you posted. So far your hospital experience sounds awful-I really hope they can figure out what to do as soon as possible and take good care of you!  I feel so bad for you-please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care and let us know what happens.  Lisa

Hi Kim!  I was thinking about you all day yesterday.  I'm so sorry that they've got your trapped in there and aren't even feeding you.  Are they crazy? I hope they can find a solution for you soon.  While I understand that you don't want to get on a path of gaining a whole bunch of weight, they do need to get you to gain enough to restore your health.  Can Henry bring you snacks? Linda

They actually have me set up for 3 snacks a day, but I haven't gotten any yet. They are sending in a nutritionist as well.  Can't wait to talk to her.

Hi Kim, I'm sorry you're in the hospital, but I'm glad that FINALLY someone will listen to you and maybe get something done to correct this ordeal of yours.  I was so glad to have met you at Linda's house.  Please keep us posted.  Take care and gain some weight for us all! Donna   

I'm so sorry you're there!  I'm glad you didn't get seriously hurt falling down the stairs.  The good thing about being there is that you will hopefully begin to find the source of trouble and be able to address it.  Just getting your chemistry normalized will do wonders sometimes.  Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can really make you feel bad and give you low blood pressure.  I've wondered if there is a gastro that has a strong understanding of bypass patients issues in Portland.  If I've ever had concern I call Dr. Hong my surgeon, but now he moved back to Canada.  I hope Dr. Patterson's office would cover past patients questions, but it would be good to find a gastro doc that knows about some of this stuff. Good luck to you kid!  You've got your husband (notice I called Henry that instead of Henry) who is so caring and will make sure your taken care of.   Get some food in there or I'll do a burrito run for you! Patty

Hi Kim, I saw your posting a couple days ago and have wondered how you were doing. I'm new to the site (a couple months). I went to the Lane County bariatric group last night and meet Linda. I was thinking of you while there and was going to ask Linda if she had heard how you were doing but the group was busying talking and I had to leave as soon as it was over. I hope your bariatric surgeon comes in. I'd think he would be the one checking this problem out. A lady in the group last night had lost alot of weight also and was sick, she said it was a bowel blockage and was corrected here in Eugene by a bariatric surgeon on call. I sure hope they find out what is going on. Thinking of you, Carolee

Hi Kim.... I met you at the gathering at Linda's a couple of weeks ago.   Saddened me to hear you are in the hospital.  Hopefully, they will be able to find out what the hell is wrong and why you keep dropping the weight!   I do hope your surgeon is able to provide the necessary reports and that you will be on your way to recovery.  Thinking about you!

I'm with Lisa, I am glad you weren't seriously hurt when you fell down those stairs.  How scary for you to have to go through this and how annoying too!  What hospital do they have you in right now?  I'm appalled that they are treating you in this manner.  Hopefully your surgeon follows up with the hospital.  Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.   Best of wishes to you and yours.

Leslie

They just released me from Willamette Falls in Oregon City.  I just got off the phone with their patient care department to complain about my stay.  I really feel no better off, and just wasted a day and a bunch of money to have my blood drawn, a stool sample, and two bags of potassium choloride.  In addition to having to beg for food. I'm so confused.  Don't know what dr. to report to, where to get my test results, what do to next, other than make an appt. with the gastro guy.