.....................................

[Aimeedyan]

NO WAY!

What freakin' idiots.

 

[piglet too]

Now that is a twist I never thought of! Sending you lots of PD to keep your wits with the crazy people when you get your DH.

 

[shortbun]

Geesh! Sorry things are so weird. You guys certainly don't need this added stress!

 

[always quiet]

Funny how can be so different... as SSB was SHOCKED that they had me go home literally HOURS after major surgery. Tricky systems, for certain.

Good luck!

Hospitals are so odd anymore........I really think how long they let you stay depends on how well your insurance pays!! Dennis had the remains of the tumor removed last week. He was scheduled for OUTPATIENT surgery at 12:45. More than once, we were asked if we wanted him to stay! In fact, they even held a room for him and it was one of the first questions we were asked. We wanted Dennis to come home same day and after the 2nd "Are you sure.............", I figured the insurance must pay good and they wanted the money!!

 

[Ratpack]

I have been reading your posts, in tears usually. My father is a vet and has been going to the VA hospital recently. My prayer last night was for your husband to get home safely ASAP. I shudder to think that people are treating others like that when you don't feel your best as it is. I am sure that he feels helpless and "a bit low" from being tossed around like a rag doll. I am sure that he has heard and seen their feelings loud and clear. Everyone deserves respect when feeling bad.
I agree with another "poster"- Please document everything that is happening including who and when you are talking with these people. Cover yourself well. I hope that you will never need it, but will have this information if you ever do. I will be looking forward to your next post that he is home and well.

 

[minniecarousel]

This situation just gets worse! I hope you get him home this evening. I KNOW you can take better care of him than they have!

Hang in there!

 

[MB MinnieGirl]

Everyday lately I am amazed at what you are faced with.

Personally, I believe that you, DH, and DD deserve metals and pretty crowns for all you have had to deal with!! I would have started kicking *** and taking names by this point I'm sure.

My prayers are with you all for things to start smoothing out soon. You certainly deserve brighter days ahead.

 

[C.Ann]

 

[kar313]

I am so glad to hear he is out of that horrible place. And I sure hope he never has to go back there. I am embarrassed to live in a country that would treat it's veterans this way. Maybe if all of the Disers started a letter writing campaign to our officials something can be done about this tragic situation. No one should have to be treated like that, ever.

 

[TeresaNJ]

The bruises on your DH's stomach are most likely from subcutaneous heparin injections that are given to prevent blood clots from forming from inactivity. The bruises are quite common and should fade over a few days. I haven't read your previous post on the most recent problems you encountered at the hospital, but I do have to say that your comments and those of others on this thread are why I stopped doing hands-on nursing. Talk about lynch-mob mentality. I'm sorry for the problems you encountered, but believe it or not, the vast majority of health-care workers are kind, caring people, and this is the abuse they hear and have to take every day from overwhelmed, overburdened, worried, frustrated, scared family members. I'm sorry C.Ann for venting here on your thread, but it's hard for me to hear people constantly bash health-care workers. I hope your husband find comfort and peace at home, as I do you and your family.

 

[CamColt]

Holy Cow! I cant believe the disorganization at that hospital! Im so sorry you guys have to go through all this. Hang in there!

 

[Beauty]

OH C.Ann I have no words just tons of prayers and tons of

 

[DMickey28]

The bruises on your DH's stomach are most likely from subcutaneous heparin injections that are given to prevent blood clots from forming from inactivity. The bruises are quite common and should fade over a few days. I haven't read your previous post on the most recent problems you encountered at the hospital, but I do have to say that your comments and those of others on this thread are why I stopped doing hands-on nursing. Talk about lynch-mob mentality. I'm sorry for the problems you encountered, but believe it or not, the vast majority of health-care workers are kind, caring people, and this is the abuse they hear and have to take every day from overwhelmed, overburdened, worried, frustrated, scared family members. I'm sorry C.Ann for venting here on your thread, but it's hard for me to hear people constantly bash health-care workers. I hope your husband find comfort and peace at home, as I do you and your family.

Please read the rest of the posts. This situations with her DH has been beyond acceptable and while I don't believe that she was bashing health care workers in general, the frustration and anger at this particular hospital and incident is well warrented in my opinion.

I am glad that your DH is home and happy now. Enjoy the weekend together!!!

 

[C.Ann]

The bruises on your DH's stomach are most likely from subcutaneous heparin injections that are given to prevent blood clots from forming from inactivity. The bruises are quite common and should fade over a few days. I haven't read your previous post on the most recent problems you encountered at the hospital, but I do have to say that your comments and those of others on this thread are why I stopped doing hands-on nursing. Talk about lynch-mob mentality. I'm sorry for the problems you encountered, but believe it or not, the vast majority of health-care workers are kind, caring people, and this is the abuse they hear and have to take every day from overwhelmed, overburdened, worried, frustrated, scared family members. I'm sorry C.Ann for venting here on your thread, but it's hard for me to hear people constantly bash health-care workers. I hope your husband find comfort and peace at home, as I do you and your family.

--------------------------------

For medical reasons, my DH cannot receive heparin or any of the other drugs in that class, so I'm sure it wasn't that.. And again, I'm not "accusing" anyone of having "done" something to him.. Just stating that they weren't there before and they are now.. Curious at best..

As for the rest of your post, I have experienced many, many wonderful healthcare providers over the years - doctors; nurses; nurses aides - but NEVER at this particular VA hospital.. Patients are not treated equally - it is based on military standing and anyone with eyes can see that.. (Actually you can even READ it simply by reviewing who qualifies for what - and why..) Take a walk through the clinics and the wards and again, you will literally be able to SEE it with your own eyes..

I don't know where you work - a military hospital or elsewhere - but I assume you would never allow a patient to go unbathed for 7 days; demand that a patient be removed from the hospital IMMEDIATELY in a snow/sleet/freezing rain condition when there were still issues to be addressed and a discharge plan had not been put in place; nor many of the other issues we encountered.. If you would, then nursing is definitely not where you should be and perhaps administration would be a better match for you..

Perhaps if you had taken the time to read my previous posts you would have a better understanding of what is being discussed here.. There are good doctors, bad doctors, good nurses, bad nurses, good hospitals, bad hospitals, and then there are those hospitals that are waaaaaaay beyond bad, and THIS is one of them..

I don't see a "lynch-mob mentality" here directed against the ENTIRE healthcare system - just one directed at a hospital who in my opinion is COMPLETELY deserving of it..

I'm sorry you can't make that distinction, but thanks for the good wishes anyhow..

 

[SeaSpray]

C. Ann, I'm so glad you got your DH home now. I hope the swelling subsides, that doesn't sound good at all

My dad is coming home tomorrow from his VA hospital. Apparently he's been getting "excellent care" there, so maybe not all VAs are bad. I'm sorry that your DH had to deal with incompetent care Thanks for posting over on my thread. I'll be keeping you and your DH in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on him.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I will continue to pray for you and your family.

 

[tidoublegger]

C. Ann, I now declare you Saint of the Year! I absolutely don't know you've managed to maintain your composure and not kill anyone! I think that someone in charge should be notified and told about the whole situation. You just might help some other patient in the future if situations like this are brought to light. IMHO, someone (or many) should be held accountable for the total mismanagement of the situation and substandard level of care that your husband was given. It is unacceptable. Let me ask you this: is your husband obligated to use the VA hospital for his care or does his health plan allow him to go to other hospitals? I hope your dh's transition to home goes well. He is in good hands. My thoughts are with you both! Tracy

 

[TeresaNJ]

C.Ann, I went back and read your other posts, and I am appalled and embarrassed at what you have encountered. I have to say that the Social Workers at my hospital are wonderful people whom would have done everything they could have to make sure your DH's discharge went smoothly. Our patient-care advocate is a wonderful woman also, who goes above and beyond what is asked of her. No, I would not condone what your husband was exposed to, such as the not bathing him for a week, that is just totally unacceptable. I would definitely put everything in writing and send it to the CEO of that VA hospital and also send a copy to JHACO. I'm very sorry at what you had to go through. I'm sorry if I offended you. It is a fact though that sometimes when in times of extreme stress, family members blow things out of proportion. That doesn't seem to be the case with your situation though. If that VA hospital is truly as horrid as you say, they should be closed down.

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[KarenC]

and when I changed him into some bed clothes I was shocked to see there are BIG black & blue marks all over his stomach!! A few have turned that yellowish color already and the others look "fresh", if you know what I mean.. I asked him what happened - told him flat out that it looked like someone beat the crap out of him - and he said he doesn't "know" where they came from - maybe from coughing?? I don't know where they came from either (although his one DD did tell me he almost fell one night; and his other DD mentioned that when she went to visit him he couldn't remember if she was the one DD or the other) but I DO know they were not there when he went to the hospital last week.. Not accusing anyone of anything because I have nothing to back it up with, but "just to be safe" I took pictures of those bruises, along with pictures of his feet and the sores on his legs.. You just never know.. I'll keep them some place safe for now..

C. Ann--

I'm sorry your husband's experience with the hospital was so awful. I spent a lot of time in the hospital during October and November and everyone was wonderful and it was still a miserable experience. I can't imagine if I had to deal with what you have had to!

How is your husband's platelet count? I had bruises all over because of my illness. My husband wanted to be sure I always wore clothes that covered them because he was afraid someone thought he beat me! If his platelet count is low, that would explain the bruising.

Your in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen