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Dictated on Saturday at 3:30 pm:
Again I was misdiagnosed. For three weeks I have been complaining about pain in my lower abdomen and telling the "professionals" I have an infection, which I based on a fever and pain like I have never had before. They based their findings on guesses. It turns out I have an intense infection resulting in ulcers bursting forward in a matter of 72 hours. I have "skin necrosis," from the Greek origin, or "death of skin" which is from the English "HOLY CRAP!"
I am on heavy doses of intravenous antibiotics and it appears that they caught it in time to avoid surgery and resulting in some lessening of pain. However, they did up my pain medication -- Dilaudid IV -- which is stronger than Morphine and seemingly quite a bit of fun! A very attractive nurse has been changing the dressing twice a day and yes, I do cry like a little girl. This is worth putting up with for the pain med.
If anyone wants to call me here at JFK Hospital, my newest phone number is 732-321-7223. THANK YOU for all your kind thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
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29 comments:
Oh Crotchety- why do we pay them so much for healthcare when we inevitably have to just diagnose ourselves??
I'm glad at least they admitted their mistake in time.
Feel better, fine sir.
Doctor's are assholes - I do hope and wish for a quick recovery....and pretty nurses.
I swear Joe, if my work schedule allows after this week, if you are still in that hospital I'm driving there and I'm going straight to the charge-nurse and going to explain how a very long letter to the proper people in your state is coming should they A-not listen to your health concerns even one more time, and 2)delay anymore diagnosis due to their clear negligence and that 3)I work in healthcare and I have the names and telephone numbers of the proper channels and my letter won't be delayed getting to the correct person. Because I'm completely sick of the shit I'm reading here. There's nothing wrong with our healthcare system -- we have the best meds and tests available all the time and you have insurance, but the people hired are asshats and not doing their jobs correctly!
BTW Grace not ALL doctors are assholes. Sounds more like the nurses in this case and a very large patient load getting Joe burried in the cases.
Jenn, because of administrative costs to the asshat insurance companies who do what they can not to pay for certain things, that the hospitals do completely overcharge for because of malpractice insurance rates being so high...this is the result. So let's put our braincaps on and be more intellectual about this.
In the meantime Joe is my friend and my job is to advocate for him around this situation until they figure out how to smooth the wrinkles in the system.
Joe you certainly come by the nom de blog "Crochety". Honestly. This has been a case of things constantly going from bad to worse. I sincerely hope you've turned the corner for the better. But you should change the name of your blog now to "Crochety Old Man Yells at Doctors"!
This is just another reason why doctor's should NOT get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Perhaps further education is called for here. I'm sorry to hear you are still suffering, but at least now you get to tell them "I told you so". Get well soon Old Man, we still need you around.
OMG Joe! You poor guy. You have been through such hell and can still laugh and make us laugh. THAT is what has kept you going. My prayers continue for you and you family
Thank God for friends like Lauren. I hope you DO write that letter
Joe, is it the hospital, the doctors? It sure seems like they have taken some big risks with your health. The fact that you have Diabetes should make them be that much more diligent. Any skin problems with that disease is not good at all. I wish you all the best dear man.
What the deuce?! Well heck at least they did avoid surgery hear, just hang tight and strong Joe.
I'm so sorry you have had to go through this. It sounds similar to what my mom had to go through in 2007 (mis-diagnoses) and what my mother-in-law deals with getting infections identified and treated. They both have diabetes and the doctors seem to forget about that sometimes.
Sheesh! Enjoy your nurses and get well soon!
for the love of pete. you poor man! my thoughts remain with your fast recovery!
Money grabbing is at the base of this. Not enough time to care properly. Work overload in any hospital means mistakes get made and shortcuts occur. I've seen it happen on wards myself!
But in site of it all Joe you sound alive! Your mind is there, or your secretary is building up your posts!
I'm sorry that your doctors didn't listen to you. You really do need a patient advocate. What Lauren says is true: not all doctors are assholes and hospital workers are understaffed.
I know you were happy to get released before but I question the wisdom of sending you home. It seems like you need constant and close care. But I think from what you've said, the doctors missed your infection then, too.
My mother recently had bilateral mastectomies and afterward was sure she had an infection. The doctor never looked at her, didn't even have her undress for followups. The physician's assistant looked at it and didn't recognize it for what it was or just blew it off. It was staoh and she had to have surgery for it. I'm glad that you might be able to avoid it.
I don't think these people had malicious intent but my mother was also embarrassed to have anyone look at her chest and didn't insist on it. Once my stepfather stepped in and started yelling, her care improved. But he shouldn't have had to.
It's not fair, but I hope you're yelling at doctors and not just at cars. ;) Take care of yourself, Crotchety.
Oh sure blame it on the nurses... Just an FYI , we can't diagnose shit..
Joe , wishng you well and your in my prayers!!
I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope at least now they have figured it out. My partner is in the hospital for the 2nd time in a week. They say she has a viral infection in her small bowel and they can't treat it, she says she just has to ride it out. All they can do is treat her symptoms which is constant vomiting and diarrhea, then dehydration. The new ER doc yesterday said she should have been sent home with anti-nausea when she was discharged on Tuesday. That would have been nice for her not to suffer 4 days and have to go back. She was so dehydrated yesterday it took 4 extremely painful tries for the blood work and IV. She was supposed to get out today, but now she has a UTI and they are giving her antibiotics.
I hope you get to feeling better soon.
That is a very serious infection you have! I'm glad they got it in time.
Best to you. Sounds like you're on your way to becoming a medical professional!!
May all your nurses look like Danigirl...
Oh... and get the COL to buy you some raw garlic. Good stuff for infections, and it doesn't taste too bad either.
Get out of there soon!
Damn Joe. Wouldn't it be better for you just to go somewhere outside of N.J. to the hospital? Seems like you'd be safer somewhere else anyways. You just need a new couch that's all. Hell, I'll talk to you soon. Good luck as always Joe.
Good grief Crotchety. Enough is enough. I hope this is cleared up shortly and you can come back home. Take good care of yourself. Oh and a tape of you crying like a little girl would be great. Just saying. :)
Good lord, Joe, this is never ending. I don't know how you cope so well! Must be that charming disposition and sense of humor. :-) We're thinking of you and hoping to see you out and much better very soon.
Ouch DOM!
Pain sucks!
I am so sorry that you are still going through all this. It sucks when the journey has so many speed bumps, eh?
Still happy to send prayers and good vibes your way! DOM you will get through this! Despite their mistakes...the doctors WILL end up helping you! Right?
I'm counting on it! Cuz I need my daily fix of crotch...erm, I mean crotchetiness! hee hee hee
Dude - I had a dilaudid drip on top of a fentynal patch. I actually don't remember much. Cyst burst on an ovary.
I am so very sorry for this. You KNOW my thoughts are with you. I think you need Abby, stat! heh heh.
I think when I was sick it was somewhat advantageous to be married to a lawyer. Even though he only did real estate they took REAL good care of me. heh heh
I can imgine that you feel much better (or just don't care)at this point because of the dilaudid IV. That stuff is amazing! Morphine never lasted long for me either, but dilaudid...mmm...I remember it well! Enjoy it & get it as much as is allowed. Get well soon!
yikes Joe! I hope your infection clears up soon and you are feeling better!
best wishes your way my friend : )
You're gonna be OK Old man, just hang in there.
Prayers / good vibes / well wishes / and dilaudid should do it!
This is so frustrating to hear, but the second part is relieving to hear. I hope you get better soon and can go back home to your medical supply cabinet - er, I mean - living room.
Thinking of you...
(((HUGS)))
- Margaret
Sending positive thoughts your way, Joe. Keep fighting.
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