well,.. I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. We have a very strong stand on accepting Blood. In other Words, No Blood. This was an issue addressed with Dr. Gilman and he agreed that he would use alternatives if needed. The problem was, Dr. Gilman was not a caring Dr. I had an IV in my arm, Zantac in my stomach to reduce acid, Blood Thinner in my system, About to put on the leg warmers, in my hospital gown, and all checked out and hooked up, when I make sure that my request are known before IM sedated. He then goes into a different mode. Saying that he HAD TO have FULL RANGE to operate with Blood if needed and he didn't feel comfortable operating if he couldn't give it. No IM the patient, and If I say no to something, FOR MY BODY, that means no... He kept trying to pressure me, even had his sidekick surgeon there listening, and the nursing staff, and all of the office personnel, VERY UNPROFESSIONAL!! Out of all the time I had seen him, even up to last week seeing him, that wasn't the topic for discussion. The sad part about it was the fact that a request for NO BLOOD, int just something that Jehovah's Witnesses do, many others do no want blood to be used for many reasons. The fact that he has been a surgeon for around 6 years, and NEVER has operated on a JW nor ANYONE, that has requested NO BLOOD, Compromised the knowledge and integrity that he possesses. He stated "IM the DR and you are the Patient," that wasn't disputable, why would he say that?? I obviously know that.
But to Mr. KNOW IT ALL, what he didn't realize, is that Charlotte Has a Bloodless Office of surgeons -Dilworth Surgical Group, and they operate out of Carolina's Medical Center, That there are over 100 Bloodless hospital's and center all over the United States and outside the country. That they can perform OPEN HEART surgery without a Blood Transfusion. They can remove a Gall Bladder, without a Blood Transfusion, AND, That many rely on the CELL SAVING MACHINE to process one's own blood, in the even that it is necessary and that they are other alternatives, such as Vitamin K, Albumin (derived from blood) blood fractions, Iron, Volume Expanders, Such as Crystalloids, Normal Saline, Hypertonic Saline, or Dextran. There are DR.s out there that will respect my wishes and be more open to the possibilities of alternatives Should they be needed. Dr. Gilman was not one. He simply stated "just call my office tomorrow, and we will see if we can help you find a Surgeon". I havent received a call at all. I feel like I went for several weeks and months back and forth to another City, for Medically Necessary Procedures, and was smacked in the face, while on the Table. Regardless of whether I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses or not, I would NEVER recommend him to ANY ONE. The mere Statement alone "I guess I will go to Charlotte and Party with my friends" shows his lack of feelings and care. What was the reason for that? Why say something so impersonal, when someone is feeling at their lowest because of his recent change in attitude. Then to constantly mention that we would have to come to an agreement on him being allowed to use Blood if he deemed it necessary, went against my standards and my personal Religious Convictions, founded on God's Word the Bible at Acts 15:28,29 and my awareness of the health risk of Blood, to Absolutely, Unequivocally, and Resolutely Refuse allogeneic Blood. I will accept Alternative NONBLOOD Medical Management to build up or conserve my own blood, to avoid or minimize blood loss, to replace lost circulatory volume, or to stop bleeding. Hence, such Volume Expanders as Dextran, Saline Solution, Ringer's Lactate Solution, and Hetastarch are Acceptable to me.
There is a Dr. that will accept my insurance and my request for no blood. He simply wants to know what items he can use if the need arise. The problem with this is that I now, Have to Start the Entire Process ALL OVER AGAIN. But you know what, Regardless of what may happen, I feel good knowing I brought Praise and Honor to God's Holy Name, Even under Pressure!!!! Thanks for all the support and I hope this clarifies some things that were fuzzy.