I Don't Want To Go To Er. I'm A Baby.

[maddog]

Thinking of you Monster, I know how distressing and humiliating this all is, and how hard it is to tend to self care when unnecessary roadblocks are thrown so mercilessly in your way. Please let your Therapist (T) smash down those roadblocks for you in any way that he can, now is the time to be reaching out for both medical and psychological support and taking all of it that's available, and that means using the people in your corner to help you navigate this really difficult time.

Please let us know how it goes, and remember always that you have a right to treatment, and to respectand to decent care, and shame shame shame on those who fail to respect those rights. You are worth more than their petty prejudices, and we'll all tell you that a thousand times if we need to, as will your T I'm sure.

Maddog

 

[Sailorgal]

Monster,

Even in hospitals there are management. Ask to speak with the administrator or someone ABOVE them. It's not difficult for them to see in your file that you have an issue involving your spinal cord. DUH! Anything with the spinal cord is tricky. There are good and bad folks in every type of job and so sorry you got a bad one who has no right to speak.

I was ridiculed as well after my neck injury. I had nerve damage that nearly sent me into shock even with the flickering of the light switch. Idiot nurses made fun of me when I told them "ask the doctor if I'm lying." I was upset. One of the nurses assigned to me talked to me and I told her the issue. She became my advocate even with the doctors.

There are people who will help. I'm glad your therapist is going to assist you but don't feel scared to speak up and DEMAND to be listened to. After all, you're paying their bills. They work for YOU.

Hugs to you!!!!

 

[Lady Vet]

Monster...What a scary place where you must be. I felt scared reading it because I want there to be a good outcome for you, but I understand why you are concerned about going. It sucks that this neurosurgeon is the only one available...I would feel scared, too.

My observation as I read your post is about two issues: surgical competency -vs- emotional competency. Clearly this surgeon has very little emotional competency, as he/she is an insensitive ass. And your avoidance of this dotor is about his/her lack of emotional compentency, and not his/her surgical competency. So I see two separate issues. The physical symptoms require a competent neurosurgeon, which this doctor seems to be. And your need to be responded to as a human being (and not a "psych case") requires emotional competency, which this doctor lacks.

So...in my opinion, if this doctor really is the only neurosurgeon on your insurance, then it seems to me that you will need to decide which need is more important right now....although I know that's easier said than done. And I don't envy you in your choice making. :)

 

[BloomInWinter]

(((((Monster)))))

Please go to the ER. If you cannot take anyone, please consider asking to be assigned a volunteer to sit with you, or ask for the patient advocate.

Think of us beside you. They are just people. Having been to many emergency rooms for patient transfers, I can say with confidence that most of the people working are the kind, quiet, non-judgmental types.

The others are the insensitive jerks with big mouths but small souls.

If anyone is rude, just imagine the nurses thinking this about that person; "what a jack@$$!!! I can't wait until he needs an enema from me! Triple H all the way, baby! High, hot, and hell of a lot!"

Then, imagine him in a gown with his butt in the air. :)

Some nurses gave me that tip about some of the worst ones to work with.

;)

 

[therapybankrupt]

Monster :hug: I hope you get things straitened out!

 

[Sailorgal]

Oh Bloom,

TMI! TMI! (Too Much Information). Trying to erase the visual.....

 

[DharmaGirl]

Thank you all so much, I'm crying now because you all are so kind. The problem is that I used to work there so lots of people know, but I will go if I need to. Thanks again.

 

[mamachick]

Please go to the ER and have this checked out. I understand your situation too well. Last week I had severe abdominal pain and did not want to go, (similiar to your reasons-not much faith-they blow you off where I have to go unless your on your last breathe). Anyway, serious pain radiating to back for 2 days and worsening, gallbladder enzymes elevated. They did ultrasound and sent me home with script for spasms. Was freezing and other nurses were passing blankets to their patients-not mine. Dr kind of rude. Did not know what was wrong.

Friday morning at 5 am couldnt sleep due to pain. (36 hrs later) This time my daugahter took me. Different doctor. They offered me a blanket and were much nicer. I swear they are mean when you are alone. They did more labs and CT. No stones seen but said I need gastroenterologist. Gave me strong pain shot and 2 non pain scripts. I did not go for pain shot but it did help.

Where I live, staff is generally so rude. Even so, we cannot jeopardize our health because some obviously dont like their job. I hope you go and keep pushing until you get answers.

 

[RecoveringGirl]

If you have incontinence it's a dangerous sign. If you peed your pants once, it's less worrying, maybe that was an accident. Otherwise, it needs to be addressed. If it's out of nowhere and progressing well you probably know that's a serious sign if you used to work at the hospital and hours may count. It may not be serious. If it is, better to risk embarrassment and still have function of your legs. Obviously I'm a random person on the internet though, please do see someone.

Also, pain is complex and it is partly psychological. People in medicine kind of suck at mixing the two. Just want to apologize for your bad experience and give you some encouragement to still take care of yourself. Your therapist will be a good barometer of if it's more mental pain, but what you described is a clear physical symptom so there's really no argument there... Be patient.

 

[Lady Vet]

but I will go if I need to

Monster...I know you're scared, and there is a human humility factor involved because of the people you know and that ass of a personal assistant (thought it was the neurosurgeon...grrrr). BUT, you need to move beyond the denial that fear is creating, because with what's already going on, you already need to go to the ER. That's what you were told, Monster. You were told by the doctor that if you peed your pants, you need to go to the ER. Not make an appointment when it's convenient and after you've worked out your avoidance of going to the doctor because you are afraid of being minimized and humiliated again.

You were told to go to the EMERGENCY ROOM if you peed your pants again, which you have. So you can't stay in denial about how serious this is, because you are already there. I don't like to tell people what to do, so I try to gingerly dance around things out of respect for another person's right to live their life as they choose, but you can't stay in denial about how serious this is, Monster. You already NEED to go to the ER, so now it's down to your choice (or not) to do so!

I'm so sorry that you're going through this, but you aren't going through this alone! If you have to pocket stone all of us in order for you to get your but to the ER today, then by God you're going to need an extra satchel to carry all of the stones that are here to support you through whatever this journey is going to be! But get your butt into the ER today, because you aleady need to go!

Hugs, and I'm sorry to get so stern...lol...but we need you, too :)

 

[DharmaGirl]

pain is complex and it is partly psychological

My therapist is a pain psychologist as well as a trauma specialist. He is the one pushing me to get this taken care of.

I only peed my pants once. Its the leg buckling that has me worried. I called the nurse practioner yesterday and she hasn't gotten back to me. I see my therapist in 2 hours. I will follow his advice. He works with people with brain and spinal cord injuries, so I trust him. I will take all of you and maybe a friend or 2!

I know I am in denial but they have made fun of me and sent me home. I think I will go to a different hospital.

 

[ms spock]

I think what everyone has said in this thread is good and to the point. I agree with Lady Vet's post above.

Also monster remember that most people are so caught up in their own lives that they really don't notice or hold on to stuff about other people.

Don't let someone else's crappiness stop you from getting your needs met.