I've been reluctant to post this but.. (Obesity related) The tragic ending.. Pg8...

[poohandwendy]

Holy Moley C Ann, I didn't open this thread because I thought it was another obesity debate...sorry about that

WOW, what a horrible mess! I absolutely will keep her and your DD in my thoughts and prayers!!! And I pray her family pulls it together....sounds like she has some really caring nurses working with her. I especially will be thinking about your DD and how this is effecting her right now. She sure has had alot on her plate recently.

I hope your DDs friend pulls through and has a complete recovery, she is so young!



take care,
wendy

 

[Princess Dot]

First let me say that your DD and her friend have been in my prayers since I first started following this thread.

But, as a nurse and an attorney, I am so upset about the way the staff at the hospital has been treating your DD! If the patient has her legally as her Health Care Proxy then she should have access to all of the info about the care her friend is receiving. I hope that she makes some progress with the patient advocate but if not, please tell her to take it to the next level. By that I mean speak with the head nurse if you have trouble with the staff nurses, if she is not on the ask for the nursing supervisor covering at the time. A health care proxy is just for these kinds of circumstances, when the patient is incapable of making her own health care decisions. The family has no legal basis for excluding your DD from the hospital. Let them go and try to pursue their own legal recourse.

Please keep us updated and tell your DD to stay strong.

 

[C.Ann]

The "father" has been awarded legal guardianship over his adult daughter.. No one visits unless he okays it and he's not budging an inch..

They also went to her apartment with the police, removed all of her belongings and took her beautiful, beloved cat to the POUND!!

No improvement with her physical condition and she's running a high fever again now.. Please keep the prayers coming..

Frankly I'm too angry to post anymore right now..

 

[4nana]

They also went to her apartment with the police, removed all of her belongings and took her beautiful, beloved cat to the POUND!!

This is sad indeed! What kind of people are they???
Some love they must have for their daughter!
Continued prayers for this critically ill young lady.
Your daughter does not need this added stress after all she's been thru.


Godspeed ^i^
~ Sandie

 

[treesinger]

I'm speechless. More prayers said.

 

[Regina]

I am speechless. What a horrible situation. Shame on that "family", and I use the term loosely. It's an absolute disgrace what they've been able to do.

I'll pray that this young woman recovers.

 

[jfulcer]

It shouldn't matter what the family was threatening to do, unless they had a legal order that superceded the Health Advocacy that your DD has, the hospital has no legal basis for denying her what was given to her by her friend.

My wife trains hosipitals on the laws behind HIPAA, and based on what I have heard, I would think this is a serious breach of those laws by the hospital. Her family should be allowed to see her, but so should your DD. I think the issue behind 'direction of care' might get cloudy, but at the minimum she should be able to visit and get updates for her condition.

If she's got the documents to back up her claims, the hospital is in clear violation of those laws. She might have a legal recourse here, at least to get the hospital fined for the mistakes they are making - and they are STEEP fines. I'd recommend that she get a copy of the HIPAA regulations from the hospital and review them to show the hospital the sections they are breaking. That might help her a bit.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I'm afraid the family has probably not been given good news from the doctors. It sound like they are getting her affairs in order.

It seems like the sensible thing for them to do would have been to use her apartment instead of paying for hotel rooms. What are they going to say if she pulls through? Hopefully, the cat will go to a loving home instead of dealing with these people.

Sorry for what your daughter is going through.

Lori

 

[Princess Dot]

Originally posted by jfulcer
It shouldn't matter what the family was threatening to do, unless they had a legal order that superceded the Health Advocacy that your DD has, the hospital has no legal basis for denying her what was given to her by her friend.

From what I know,I believe this is correct. I am surprised at the hospital, as health care proxys are always taken very seriously. As I said earlier, the situation her friend is in is the very reason for having a proxy in place. I feel so badly about the whole situation and my prayers are still with you.

 

[ScarlettO]

C.Ann....I just hope this stress doesn't waylay your DD. It really sounds as if the family is putting her affairs in order and the prognosis might not be good. Hopefully your DD can accept this so she is prepared for the worst. Hugs to you all.

 

[DMRick]

Is this a signed and witcnessed health care proxy? If so, then your dd should have decisions to make on the health care, as long as her friend didn't wake up at any time, and give permission for another person, or sign a dnr. The Health Care proxy would be just for that (health decisions, if needed, and then, only if she has specified for all health decisions (th eperson I have it for, has some specific cases on hers, so we wouldn't be used to make decisions in all instances), not for anything else..and I believe it does not give her permission to visit if the immediate family has said no (which means it makes it harder for her to make decisions, I agree). These are often written up at the same time as DNR's and if the gal has one, and the doc feels that would supercede, the HCP may not end up being used at all. Ours was written up with specifics at a lawyer. Although it is in the medical records that I am her HCP, I've not been asked for my opinion in the gal we take care of's latest battle, and the doctor says because of the new rules, he can't give me her particulars..so it's really useless.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by DMRick
Is this a signed and witcnessed health care proxy? If so, then your dd should have decisions to make on the health care, as long as her friend didn't wake up at any time, and give permission for another person, or sign a dnr. The Health Care proxy would be just for that (health decisions, if needed, and then, only if she has specified for all health decisions (th eperson I have it for, has some specific cases on hers, so we wouldn't be used to make decisions in all instances), not for anything else..and I believe it does not give her permission to visit if the immediate family has said no (which means it makes it harder for her to make decisions, I agree). These are often written up at the same time as DNR's and if the gal has one, and the doc feels that would supercede, the HCP may not end up being used at all. Ours was written up with specifics at a lawyer. Although it is in the medical records that I am her HCP, I've not been asked for my opinion in the gal we take care of's latest battle, and the doctor says because of the new rules, he can't give me her particulars..so it's really useless.

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All of this was done on the same evening that she was admitted to the hospital.. At that point in time she was awake and walking, of sound mind, and also stated (among other things) that the doctors were to give all reports to my DD and allow her to make the necessary decisions regarding care, treatments, who should be informed of her hospitalization, etc.. It was in writing - with witnesses - and also documented within their computer system..

Of course all of that is moot now as the "father" was able to obtain legal guardianship of his adult daughter and he is fully enforcing his ability to call the shots.. I suppose my DD could get a lawyer and take both the hospital and the father to court, but I don't think such a battle would be good for her own health and neither does her DH..

So - even though it is driving her out of her mind - she is trying to take the "high road" and remain neutral by not causing a fuss in hopes that they'll come around sooner or later and see the error of their ways.. Meanwhile there is one nurse who sneaks a call to my DD every now and then, but unfortunately DD has heard nothing at all day today.. She did call the general information line but was told only that she was still in ICU and still in very critical condition..
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For those so inclined, please keep those prayers coming!!

 

[figment95]

I am so sad for you and your DD. You all remain in my prayers.

 

[newholiday]

Im sorry CAnn

 

[C.Ann]

Just got off the phone with my DD.. She received a call from the nurse and the news is not good..

They attempted to turn down the respirator today and her body totally revolted against the idea and it had to be returned to 100% dependency..

Also, she has been running a fever (undertermined in nature) for a few days now and tonight it has spiked to 104.3.. Traditional meds and methods are not bringing it down - it continues to rise - so they are currently running her IV's through ice in hopes that the chilled liquids will bring it down to at least a less dangerous level..

They have also determined that there is a problem with the right side of her heart, but DD was unclear as to exactly what the condition was called and what may have caused it..

DD is very upset.. She doesn't see any signs of progress and she's fearing the worst.. I'm trying my best to keep her in a positive, optimistic mode (I suggested to pass the time she might want to start a scrapbook that covers all of the vacations they have taken together each year) but just between you guys and me, I'm fearing the worst as well..

Such a horribly sad situation...

 

[Otto's Doll]

So sorry to hear this. God bless her and you, and comfort you.

 

[poohandwendy]

Very, very sad news. I hate to say it, but that really doesn't sound good. I continue to pray for all involved, especially your DD and her friend.

 

[DMRick]

She did call the general information line but was told only that she was still in ICU and still in very critical condition..

I think even that info is against the HIPAA new rules and regs. Sounds like this hospital only follows what it wants.

Byt the way, by witnessed, I meant by a notary. However, if the hospital accepted it, I don't understand how the heck the dad got the permission. Just when you think things are all figured out....

Praying for the best. Your daughter sure doesn't need the stress, and of course it's a shame for her friend : (.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by DMRick
Sounds like this hospital only follows what it wants.

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

I agree - 100%.. For some reason they all seem to be very fearful of this "father" and his threats.. I can't quite figure out why - he's certainly not any kind of big-wig or celebrity - but they are CLEARLY frightened by his rantings and are pretty much bending themselves into knots in order to keep him quiet.. Almost makes me wonder if they (the hospital) made some sort of critical error in this young woman's care during that first 24-hour period before the "father" arrived and they're now trying to head off some sort of lawsuit or something..

I'm just praying my heart out here that there will be a miracle and not only will this young woman come out of the coma, but she will also come out fully intact.. She is WAY too young to be in such a dire life-and-death situation..

 

[LauraR]

What a poor excuse for a parent that father is. To get rid of his daughter's cat before she is even gone....if he has no hope for her he should just LEAVE and let your daughter be with her friend. He sounds destructive beyond words to push aside everyone and everything his daughter loved. It makes me sad to think of what her childhood must have been like. What a painful thing for your daughter to be going through. I really, really hope her friend can fight her way back from the condition she is in now. Still praying for the best for you all.