This is it...

[Princess-Snake]

Well, this has been an interesting week. My leg is feeling much better. They think they might have compressed a nerve or something during surgery. I need to have my ostomy scoped two times a week. I was nervous the first time, so I was a bit upset and a nervous wreck during the procedure. Which made the social worker here think that I'm mentally retarded and illeterate. No, I'm not making that up. She called my mom a couple hours after the scope and asked my mom those very questions. Oh, and it wasn't just because I was upset during the scope, apparently it was also becuase I asked for a bit of sedation to help me relax. Yeah. I didn't know it was taboo to ask for a a bit of sedation for a procedure where they stick a camera and a biopsy needle up a hole in your abdomen, even for a first time patient. They did give me some versased like they do for other first time patients, but that apparently made no difference to Ms. Know-it-all. She wouldn't believe my mom at first and kept insisting I'm mentally retarded and started recommending psychiatrists, anti-depressants, mental help facilities. She made my mom hopping mad. When she came to talk to her the next day, she wasn't her and would remain out for the rest of the week.
Anyways, during the weekend my blood pressure decreased rapidly and I had to be transferred to the ICU. My IV line got infected which wouldn't be much of a problem if my immune system was working correctly. They had to take out the line and put a temporary one in my leg. They looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for sedation for the procedure. Luckily a doctor there understood and ordered it. The new line burns a bit though, so they're removing it and putting a PICC line somewhere in my arm the day after tomorrow. Again, I was looked at like I was nuts when the doctor ordered sedation. I'm out of the ICU now, it's much better over here. Well, that's the update for now.

[Binky]

why is it taboo to ask for sedation?

[BookstoreEscapee]

Have they never had a patient who was nervous about an invasive procedure before? Especially after major surgery. Geez...

[Princess-Snake]

Because the procedure is relatively painless. Your intestines don't have any nerve endings, so all you would feel is pressure, so sedation shouldn't be necessary. And because I'm having it done twice a week, I should suck it up and get used to it.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Because the procedure is relatively painless. Your intestines don't have any nerve endings, so all you would feel is pressure, so sedation shouldn't be necessary. And because I'm having it done twice a week, I should suck it up and get used to it.

Well, you probably will get used to it, but they could have a little more compassion. I would hit you over the head with a mallet if you asked me to.

[blas]

The more threads I read on here about doctors, the angrier I get. The lack of compassion for fellow humans, especially their own patients, really chaps my behind.

I'm glad everything went well, Princess. Keep us updated as often as you can. We care for you very much and are always here for you!

[SengaKitty]

I'm glad to hear things are going well (in so far as your leg is doing better), and glad that your doctor gave you the sedation! I'd be scared too. Keep us posted hon, and know you're in our thoughts!

[crazylegs]

You make sure you get better y'hear?

If it makes you feel any better whatsoever some random Englishman who you've never met () is thinking of you.

(Glad to hear your legs on the mend too!)

[Saydrah]

The more threads I read on here about doctors, the angrier I get. The lack of compassion for fellow humans, especially their own patients, really chaps my behind.

I feel very lucky to have a good doctor who does care about his patients, but I agree: Too many doctors seem to be in the business either for money or academic curiosity, not because they care. Worse yet, some seem to be there because they enjoy the feeling of power.

Snake, a friend of mine had a similar experience to yours, except instead of being labeled "mentally retarded" for her need for sedation before an injection (severe needle phobia), she was diagnosed with "Conversion Disorder" because the doctor perceived her as hysterical. Then, all the symptoms she was at the doctor for originally-- seizures, peripheral nerve death, irregular heartbeat, etc.-- were blamed on Conversion Disorder and she was offered a cushy spot in a psych ward where the neurologist assured her the therapists would be able to fix her right up. So yeah, people suck sometimes. Glad you're recovering!

[Lady Legira]

Doctor thought I was odd because I told them that they would need to do a general anaesthetic for a simple procedure that "I should be able to relax and be fine with." So me and my mother nodded our heads and said go ahead and try. Guess what they failed I locked up tighter than a safe in bank. So they ended up doing what we had told them to do in the first place.

Glad everything seems to be going well and hope you are doing even better before long!

[Amina516]

Im just reading this now.

I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery Princess. Be strong.

[monolayth]

The first time couple times I dislocated my knee the docs thought I was nuts because it always popped back into place.

It really made me upset that they did not believe me. It was not till there was a specialist in the ER one day for them to take me seriously.

[Princess-Snake]

Damn, it's been a while since I was last here. So, the doctors had got me feeding formula through my g-tube. My left leg feels a whole lot better, except I can't feel my knee or knee muscles. I went home with only formula and saline the day before Thanksgiving. No TPN for the first time in my life! However, I am on a very strict diet. No fats, no sugar, no spices, nothing fried, no nuts, no fruits with seeds, no seafood, no wheat bread it has to be white bread, the list goes on and on. Basically just bland foods. They will eventually reintroduce these foods into my system, but for now my mom is going food crazy. She has gone and bought boxes and boxes of crackers, cheerios, rice, and baby food. She put bananas in the baby food and it was banana pudding. She's gone and thrown out all of the sweets in the house which has made my sister very upset.

Five days after returning home, I woke up with a 100 degree fever. Not really a big deal with most of you, but they told me if I got so much of a 99 degree fever, I was to report to the emergency room. So dad wakes up at 4 in the morning to drive me to the emergency room. So to make a long story short, I have a bladder infection, an IV line infection, and a virus. They stopped the feeds on discovering the virus. It's making my ostomy output way too high, so they're trying to figure out how to decrease the output and put me back on the feeds. I was supposed to go home today, but last night the output was at its highest yet and they didn't feel comfortable sending me home yet. So, I'm here for one more night. Oh, and I'm back on TPN. That's the update for now.

[persephone]

We've been thinking about you and we'll keep you in our thoughts. I'm sorry you're sick but glad you're taking care of yourself.

Keep doing what the doctors tell you and keep us posted on how you're doing.

*sends cookies that magically conform to all your dietary needs* Trust me, when you can eat them again, I'm sure we'll all happily send you boxes of good homemade cookies.

Keep getting better!

[monolayth]

I am so glad to hear from you again!

I am also sorry to hear that you are back in the hospital.

Also, I second sending you yummy treats, When you can have them.