Re: Irene Update

[Guest guest]

Oh, good thing I'm not closer to Canada because I'd be in jail right

now for strangling a nurse or someone.

Irene's pain has worsened despite pain meds so she called her GI who

told her to go back to the ER where she was yesterday and where they

got her small intestine with the needle to cause the hematoma and to

get an ultrasound of her small intestine. She calls the hospital and

they tell her she can't come today and has to wait until her

appointment tomorrow, despite her telling them she's in worsening

pain. They tell her another hospital to go to if she needs to today.

So she heads to the train and bus and off to another hospital. She

just walked in there and hopefully they'll either do the test now or

at the worst admit her and do it first thing tomorrow morning. Seems

in hospitals there departments close and you just have to wait.

So, right now, after getting injected with blood thinner, she has a

hematoma caused by the needle (dangerous combination at best) and

trying to just get it looked at. I heard so much pain and frustration

in what is normally the bubbliest voice in the world in spite of

anything.

She has an appointment now with her GI on Thursday but still none

with a lung doctor.

I'll update when I find out anything more.

>

> She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including

> picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time and

> making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was

problematic

> because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the referral,

> but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of

this.

> They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked

back

> at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although

blood

> clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give

> injections of thinner last week.

>

> Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her

> abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back to

> ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma

in

> her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out

part

> about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last night,

> getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the

> hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due to

> the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain.

>

> She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be

> determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently her

> primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing

> problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in

Canada

> the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send

you

> for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their minds

> when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why.

>

> So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think

> sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health Care

> system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you

> struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease, get

> promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless injections

> giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he can't

> figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital

and

> the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't

show

> and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats

for

> sure.

>

> She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you

> talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a normal

> scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at 8

> AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she was

> completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance

> people described her pain but then tried to talk them into waiting

6

> hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give in

> and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks

have

> been absurd beyond imagination.

>

> Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating

> right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not

losing)

> as can well be understood.

>

> If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone

> know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes

its

> hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why

they're

> doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength,

> perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night I

> thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you

> weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to

manage

> your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the

> answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true.

>

> Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue to

> expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh and

> this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the

> prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.

>

[Guest guest]

At ER now and been told approximate wait is 8 hours to be seen.

> >

> > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including

> > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time

and

> > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was

> problematic

> > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the

referral,

> > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of

> this.

> > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked

> back

> > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although

> blood

> > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give

> > injections of thinner last week.

> >

> > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her

> > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back

to

> > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma

> in

> > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out

> part

> > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last

night,

> > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the

> > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due

to

> > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain.

> >

> > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be

> > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently

her

> > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing

> > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in

> Canada

> > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send

> you

> > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their

minds

> > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why.

> >

> > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think

> > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health

Care

> > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you

> > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease,

get

> > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless

injections

> > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he

can't

> > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital

> and

> > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't

> show

> > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats

> for

> > sure.

> >

> > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you

> > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a

normal

> > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at

8

> > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she

was

> > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance

> > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into

waiting

> 6

> > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give

in

> > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks

> have

> > been absurd beyond imagination.

> >

> > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating

> > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not

> losing)

> > as can well be understood.

> >

> > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone

> > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes

> its

> > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why

> they're

> > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength,

> > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night

I

> > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you

> > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to

> manage

> > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the

> > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true.

> >

> > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue

to

> > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh

and

> > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the

> > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You are in my thoughts and prayers. CaroBruce Moreland wrote: At ER now and been told approximate wait is 8 hours to be seen. > >> > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including > > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time and > > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was > problematic > > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the referral, > > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of > this.

> > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked > back > > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although > blood > > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give > > injections of thinner last week. > > > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her > > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back to > > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma > in > > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out > part > > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last night, > > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the > > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due to > > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of

pain. > > > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be > > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently her > > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing > > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in > Canada > > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send > you > > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their minds > > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why. > > > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think > > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health Care > > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you > > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease, get > > promised referrals

and they don't get made, get careless injections > > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he can't > > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital > and > > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't > show > > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats > for > > sure. > > > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you > > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a normal > > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at 8 > > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she was > > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance > > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into waiting > 6 > > hours for

her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give in > > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks > have > > been absurd beyond imagination.> > > > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating > > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not > losing) > > as can well be understood. > > > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone > > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes > its > > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why > they're > > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength, > > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night I > > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you > > weren't so persistent with your

doctors and working so hard to > manage > > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the > > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true. > > > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue to > > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh and > > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the > > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.> >>CaroAsthma 1976,Osteoarthritis 2002, COPD 02/06, IPF 08/06Mississippi

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

[Guest guest]

Irene... I send to you one of my "Damnits!" It's all I have left to say. I've run out of words of encouragement, the same old words. I feel so frustrated for so many of you.

Damnit!

Mama-Sher, 69; IPF, 3-06, OR.Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

Re: Irene Update

Oh, good thing I'm not closer to Canada because I'd be in jail right now for strangling a nurse or someone.Irene's pain has worsened despite pain meds so she called her GI who told her to go back to the ER where she was yesterday and where they got her small intestine with the needle to cause the hematoma and to get an ultrasound of her small intestine. She calls the hospital and they tell her she can't come today and has to wait until her appointment tomorrow, despite her telling them she's in worsening pain. They tell her another hospital to go to if she needs to today. So she heads to the train and bus and off to another hospital. She just walked in there and hopefully they'll either do the test now or at the worst admit her and do it first thing tomorrow morning. Seems in hospitals there departments close and you just have to wait. So, right now, after getting injected with blood thinner, she has a hematoma caused by the needle (dangerous combination at best) and trying to just get it looked at. I heard so much pain and frustration in what is normally the bubbliest voice in the world in spite of anything. She has an appointment now with her GI on Thursday but still none with a lung doctor. I'll update when I find out anything more. >> She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time and > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was problematic > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the referral, > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of this. > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked back > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although blood > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give > injections of thinner last week. > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back to > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma in > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out part > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last night, > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due to > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain. > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently her > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in Canada > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send you > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their minds > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why. > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health Care > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease, get > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless injections > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he can't > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital and > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't show > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats for > sure. > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a normal > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at 8 > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she was > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into waiting 6 > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give in > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks have > been absurd beyond imagination.> > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not losing) > as can well be understood. > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes its > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why they're > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength, > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night I > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to manage > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true. > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue to > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh and > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.>

[Guest guest]

I can't believe what my eyes read! Surely I will wake up in a moment.........

Mama-Sher, 69; IPF, 3-06, OR.Don't fret about tomorrow, God is already there!

Re: Re: Irene Update

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

CaroBruce Moreland <brucemorelandgmail> wrote:

At ER now and been told approximate wait is 8 hours to be seen. > >> > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including > > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time and > > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was > problematic > > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the referral, > > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of > this. > > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked > back > > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although > blood > > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give > > injections of thinner last week. > > > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her > > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back to > > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma > in > > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out > part > > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last night, > > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the > > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due to > > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain. > > > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be > > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently her > > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing > > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in > Canada > > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send > you > > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their minds > > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why. > > > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think > > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health Care > > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you > > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease, get > > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless injections > > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he can't > > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital > and > > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't > show > > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats > for > > sure. > > > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you > > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a normal > > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at 8 > > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she was > > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance > > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into waiting > 6 > > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give in > > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks > have > > been absurd beyond imagination.> > > > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating > > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not > losing) > > as can well be understood. > > > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone > > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes > its > > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why > they're > > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength, > > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night I > > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you > > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to > manage > > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the > > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true. > > > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue to > > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh and > > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the > > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.> >>CaroAsthma 1976,Osteoarthritis 2002, COPD 02/06, IPF 08/06Mississippi

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

[Guest guest]

She's in floor of waiting room waiting right now.....!%!%$^%#%^#%@^$@

> > >

> > > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things

including

> > > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first

time

> and

> > > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was

> > problematic

> > > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the

> referral,

> > > but she got that straight. Various other things all came

out of

> > this.

> > > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she

looked

> > back

> > > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that.

Although

> > blood

> > > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give

> > > injections of thinner last week.

> > >

> > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in

her

> > > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went

back

> to

> > > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a

hematoma

> > in

> > > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave

out

> > part

> > > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last

> night,

> > > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return

to the

> > > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her

GI due

> to

> > > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain.

> > >

> > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is

to be

> > > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and

apparently

> her

> > > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her

breathing

> > > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like

in

> > Canada

> > > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and

then send

> > you

> > > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in

their

> minds

> > > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know

why.

> > >

> > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I

think

> > > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province

Health

> Care

> > > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but

when you

> > > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong

disease,

> get

> > > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless

> injections

> > > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because

he

> can't

> > > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to

hospital

> > and

> > > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests

don't

> > show

> > > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN,

thats

> > for

> > > sure.

> > >

> > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and

when you

> > > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on

a

> normal

> > > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the

hospital at

> 8

> > > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when

she

> was

> > > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the

ambulance

> > > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into

> waiting

> > 6

> > > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does

give

> in

> > > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3

weeks

> > have

> > > been absurd beyond imagination.

> > >

> > > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not

eating

> > > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm

not

> > losing)

> > > as can well be understood.

> > >

> > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let

everyone

> > > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there

sometimes

> > its

> > > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight

why

> > they're

> > > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength,

> > > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last

night

> I

> > > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if

you

> > > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard

to

> > manage

> > > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine

the

> > > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true.

> > >

> > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to

continue

> to

> > > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper

care? Oh

> and

> > > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before

the

> > > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> Caro

> Asthma 1976,Osteoarthritis 2002, COPD 02/06, IPF 08/06

> Mississippi

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Yahoo! Search.

>

[Guest guest]

Oh No, Are you in contact by phone? That scares me silly to think how many germs are on the floor. There is just so much WRONG with her situation. Please keep us posted on what you hear. Love and Prayers, Peggyipf 6/04Worry looks around.Sorry looks back,Faith looks up.

[Guest guest]

I will keep everyone updated. Its just so inexcusable. I talked to her

on the way there and have texted back and forth since she's been there.

I'm suspecting that once she does get back she'll get kept overnight

and the ultrasound done tomorrow morning. But that being the case, why

have to sit in the waiting room for 8 hours.

You take the worst of the US healthcare and its not close to as bad as

Canada. Doctor sends you to ER and ER says don't come. I suspect she'll

have to get to the US yet to get it all sorted out. I don't know. Just

been a very long hard couple of weeks and so much added to it by total

incompetence and then, on top of that, complete lack of any compassion.

Now of course the local politicians come across to the US for medical

care then talk about how their system is just fine. Oh, and there are

the rather secret private hospitals for the wealthy.

I've asked her to update me whenever she knows something even if middle

of the night. Of course, she tells me to sleep. I tell her to wake me.

So, who knows if she will.

Even worse they could have just kept her at the hospital where this was

all caused last night and done the ultrasound this morning. They didn't

send her home until 1 AM as it was.

I sure can't complain over anything with my care after seeing this. It

hurt so bad to just feel the pain in her voice on her way tonight.

>

> Oh No, Are you in contact by phone? That scares me silly to think

how

> many germs are on the floor. There is just

> so much WRONG with her situation. Please keep us posted on what you

> hear.

>

>

> Love and Prayers, Peggy

> ipf 6/04

>

> Worry looks around.

> Sorry looks back,

> Faith looks up.

>

[Guest guest]

Oh poor thing. Please send on my good wishes, sending her much love and strength

Love Ze xx> >> > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including > > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time and > > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was > problematic > > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the referral, > > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of > this. > > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked > back > > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although > blood > > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give > > injections of thinner last week. > > > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her > > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went back to > > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a hematoma > in > > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out > part > > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last night, > > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to the > > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI due to > > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain. > > > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be > > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently her > > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing > > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in > Canada > > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then send > you > > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their minds > > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why. > > > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think > > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health Care > > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when you > > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease, get > > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless injections > > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he can't > > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital > and > > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't > show > > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats > for > > sure. > > > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when you > > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a normal > > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital at 8 > > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she was > > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the ambulance > > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into waiting > 6 > > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does give in > > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks > have > > been absurd beyond imagination.> > > > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not eating > > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not > losing) > > as can well be understood. > > > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let everyone > > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there sometimes > its > > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why > they're > > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength, > > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last night I > > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you > > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to > manage > > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the > > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true. > > > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue to > > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh and > > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the > > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.> >>

[Guest guest]

And add a big hug from me! It's loaded with good healing vibes....

Babs in Texas

> > >

> > > She went to Hospital on Thursday for multiple things including

> > > picking up CT results of CT's which were botched the first time

and

> > > making sure things were sent to her lung doctor which was

> > problematic

> > > because her primary as it turns out still hadn't made the

referral,

> > > but she got that straight. Various other things all came out of

> > this.

> > > They said something about her Carbon Dioxide but then she looked

> > back

> > > at tests which show it fine, so don't know about that. Although

> > blood

> > > clots were never completely confirmed or not, they did give

> > > injections of thinner last week.

> > >

> > > Well, after the injections she developed a severe pain in her

> > > abdomen. As it intensified rather than going away, she went

back to

> > > ER after work last night. They then determined she has a

hematoma

> > in

> > > her small intestine as a result of the needle there. (Leave out

> > part

> > > about me wanting to strangle nurse). She was sent home last

night,

> > > getting home I think around 2 AM or so, and told to return to

the

> > > hospital on Tuesday. Right now she is trying to reach her GI

due to

> > > the location of the hematoma but it in quite a bit of pain.

> > >

> > > She still doesn't have a date for her lung doctor as it is to be

> > > determined if she's urgent or not in their minds and apparently

her

> > > primary, because he can't pinpoint the cause of her breathing

> > > problems doesn't consider it all that urgent. It seems like in

> > Canada

> > > the primary is suppose to make a specific diagnosis and then

send

> > you

> > > for treatment of that. I guess urgent doesn't apply in their

minds

> > > when you're having problems breathing but they don't know why.

> > >

> > > So, the nightmare of going around in circles continues. I think

> > > sometimes Cigna and Apria must run the Ontario Province Health

Care

> > > system too. It's bad enough having all the problems, but when

you

> > > struggle so to get treatment, get CT's done for wrong disease,

get

> > > promised referrals and they don't get made, get careless

injections

> > > giving you hematoma's, get told you're not urgent because he

can't

> > > figure out what is wrong, get put on oxygen one trip to hospital

> > and

> > > the next told you have a carbon dioxide problem but tests don't

> > show

> > > and still waiting for lung doctor. WELL, IT AIN'T PENGUIN, thats

> > for

> > > sure.

> > >

> > > She asked me to post as right now her pain is severe and when

you

> > > talk severe on an Irene scale, then its far beyond that on a

normal

> > > scale. I mean, this is the girl who checks out of the hospital

at 8

> > > AM, goes to catch train, and reports to work at 11 and when she

was

> > > completely out of breath at work and was talking to the

ambulance

> > > people described her pain but then tried to talk them into

waiting

> > 6

> > > hours for her to finish her shift. Now, ultimately she does

give in

> > > and go to the hospital when its needed. Just the last 2-3 weeks

> > have

> > > been absurd beyond imagination.

> > >

> > > Oh, and on top of all that she's lost 15 pounds. She's not

eating

> > > right (of course neither am I, but the difference is I'm not

> > losing)

> > > as can well be understood.

> > >

> > > If I get an update before she's able to post, I will let

everyone

> > > know. Hope I got it all correct as its such a zoo there

sometimes

> > its

> > > hard to keep straight, when they can't even keep straight why

> > they're

> > > doing a CT. She continues to amaze me with her strength,

> > > perseverence, and somehow still incredibly good humor. Last

night I

> > > thought outloud while talking to her, where would you be if you

> > > weren't so persistent with your doctors and working so hard to

> > manage

> > > your medical treatment. Well, I'm terrified to even imagine the

> > > answer but I'm afraid her answer might well have been true.

> > >

> > > Why do all of us with so many medical problems have to continue

to

> > > expend our energy and time and lives on getting proper care? Oh

and

> > > this anger I have at what she's being put through is before the

> > > prednisone I'm taking for the next six days.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Bruce:

I think your statement about Canadian health care is a bit harsh based on one person's experiences. I, for one, receive excellent health care. If I go to the ER, I am taken immediately to a comfortable room away from the general population. The last time I was there, the nurses brought me juice, ice water and heated blankets in order to make my wait more comfortable. My doctor has flagged my chart stating that I should not be exposed to other patients with coughs or colds. I am immediately sent to the best specialists if he suspects any kind of problem. I should also add that all of this is free. We don't have to worry if I can afford to have a test done or if I need to stay in the hospital. This treatment is the same for all people. My doctor has actually made a house call when I was too ill to go see him. Not many can say that. Last week, I received my first liquid

oxygen tanks. The delivery guy was awesome. As a matter of fact, he just stopped in a few minutes ago to check even though I did not call for a delivery. He said as it was new for me, he just wanted to check and make sure that I wouldn't run out and that I was comfortable. Last week, they brought a high flow concentrator just to be on the safe side. This again is free of charge. Waiting times in the hospitals can be lengthy but I believe this is the case in most countries. Every country can also relate some horror story or instance of poor care along with their share of poor doctors.

Diane IPF June 07New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Irene Update

I will keep everyone updated. Its just so inexcusable. I talked to her on the way there and have texted back and forth since she's been there. I'm suspecting that once she does get back she'll get kept overnight and the ultrasound done tomorrow morning. But that being the case, why have to sit in the waiting room for 8 hours. You take the worst of the US healthcare and its not close to as bad as Canada. Doctor sends you to ER and ER says don't come. I suspect she'll have to get to the US yet to get it all sorted out. I don't know. Just been a very long hard couple of weeks and so much added to it by total incompetence and then, on top of that, complete lack of any compassion. Now of course the local politicians come across to the US for medical care then talk about how their system is just fine. Oh, and there are the rather secret private hospitals for the wealthy.I've asked her to update me

whenever she knows something even if middle of the night. Of course, she tells me to sleep. I tell her to wake me. So, who knows if she will.Even worse they could have just kept her at the hospital where this was all caused last night and done the ultrasound this morning. They didn't send her home until 1 AM as it was. I sure can't complain over anything with my care after seeing this. It hurt so bad to just feel the pain in her voice on her way tonight.>> Oh No, Are you in contact by phone? That scares me silly to think how > many germs are on the floor. There is just> so much WRONG with her situation. Please keep us posted on what you > hear.>

> > Love and Prayers, Peggy> ipf 6/04> > Worry looks around.> Sorry looks back,> Faith looks up.>

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

[Guest guest]

First, I have only had experience with one Province and know its much

different in each province. Mine is in Ontario and you're in New

Brunswick so mine may well not apply to your province at all.

Yes, it may not be the experience of many any more than Joyce and

's horrific experiences represent all in the US. Admittedly mine

was done in a lot of anger and frustration over what I've witnessed

in one patient.

So, I'll restate somewhat, Irene's experiences with the Ontario

health care and those experiences the past few weeks in particular

that I've followed directly have been horrific beyond words. During

that time I have seen many examples of total incompetency and lack of

caring. Last night topped it when the hospital that had first caused

her to need the CT repeated, her physician's earlier failure to fax

her referral to a lung doctor, the refusal of that same hospital to

allow her to come yesterday afternoon, telling her to wait until

today, in spite of her GI directing her immediately to their ER, and

then them referring her to another hospital where with her pain

increasing hour by hour she was told she would have to wait for eight

hours, the non-urgent section wouldn't see her even though they only

had three patients ahead because it was considered urgent, she was

told she might as well make herself comfortable in the floor, and

then later when there were no remaining patients she was still

waiting to go back just to get to a bed and lay down.

She still has no appointment with a lung doctor, in spite of working

on that for some time. And, this is a long history as she has

previously had to for many of her other diseases travel to the US for

treatment. Now, that is a feature at least of some provinces to pay

for US treatment when it is required due to it being specialized

beyond Canada (Mayo Clinic for instance).

As to waiting times for surgeries, I have to say of the US, Canada,

UK, and Australia, the US has the shortest waiting times. Specialists

referrals differ by country and by province or, in the US, by state.

ER waits in the US can be very lengthy but by that I mean 1 to 2 1/2

hours (maximum I or family has experienced) to go back to a room/bed.

Hers have primarily been longer than that and last night was the most

extreme at the time she may have been in the most pain (again only

can speak to Ontario). She has a long list of diseases and immune

issues and not clearly defined yet lung issues but has not once

during this time experienced being take quickly to a comfortable room

away from the general population.

As to free of charge, your point is valid although nothing is free,

just paid through a different system of taxation. But, to see those

in the US struggling to get care because of money is hard to swallow.

I might say though its often those who make too little to afford and

too much to qualify for assistance here. Unlike some images

elsewhere, no one is turned aways from hospitals or denied treatment.

But there is a very distinct difference in availability based on

insurance or finances.

That does bring us to a point that surprised me too, that the

Provinces in Canada do have individual programs. In the US, most

insurers do cover you throughout most of the country and medicare

does as well. Unfortunately, medicaid is administered by state which

is a big problem for anyone moving and on it.

I'll say that every country I know has health care problems and every

one has some good treatment. I would now be very interested in

knowing if New Brunswick, for instance, consistently is easier that

Ontario or Quebec even.

All I can say is that what I've witnessed in the past two weeks in

Ontario on one patient in multiple circumstances has been more

appalling than anything I've ever experienced or witnessed here. I am

frustrated at her primary physician, but no more than many of the

doctors here, although I did find not even having an oximeter

shocking. The hospitals in ultimately treating and even admitting may

not have been that much worse, but her just a continued recipient of

bad luck at multiple ones. However, the wait in ER (and this is many

visits in ER) and the wait to see a lung doctor have been extreme.

Maybe when you're talking to a friend in severe pain who is sitting

on the floor in the waiting area and told it will be eight hours

isn't the best time to write, but maybe it is, just like Joyce's and

's problem were a good time to address Apria in particular and

Cigna (an insurer I mentioned to two doctors yesterday and they both

made horrible faces).

Diane:

For my own interest, what would the waits in New Brunswick be for

referrals to a Lung Doctor (Ontario if urgent suppose to be three

weeks and three to six months if deemed not), and what are the waits

for surgeries such as cataracts, gall bladder, cancer, and some other

common ones based on your knowledge of the area. I have researched to

know that many " routine " surgical waits are long in Ontario as they

are also in the UK. I ask curiously as the wait for a surgery once

decided is generally very short here (excepting such as transplants).

As to oxygen, the horror stories are US with one supplier who

unfortunately is the largest and has many exclusive contracts. My

supplier is incredible like yours.

> >

> > Oh No, Are you in contact by phone? That scares me silly to think

> how

> > many germs are on the floor. There is just

> > so much WRONG with her situation. Please keep us posted on what

you

> > hear.

> >

> >

> > Love and Prayers, Peggy

> > ipf 6/04

> >

> > Worry looks around.

> > Sorry looks back,

> > Faith looks up.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

> Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

>

> http://www.flickr.com/gift/

>

[Guest guest]

I suspect that if I had made the same remarks about the US as you did about Canada, I would have had a lot of replies . I have the greatest empathy for Irene and what she is going through just as I do for Joyce, Sandie, and and everyone else on this board. I think of you all everyday and wish I could wave the magic wand and make your troubles disappear. However, I do not feel the need to make disparaging remarks about the United States in general. This is the last that I will ever mention this and will keep my opinions to myself in the future. I wish everyone the best. Diane IPF June 07New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Irene Update

First, I have only had experience with one Province and know its much different in each province. Mine is in Ontario and you're in New Brunswick so mine may well not apply to your province at all. Yes, it may not be the experience of many any more than Joyce and 's horrific experiences represent all in the US. Admittedly mine was done in a lot of anger and frustration over what I've witnessed in one patient. So, I'll restate somewhat, Irene's experiences with the Ontario health care and those experiences the past few weeks in particular that I've followed directly have been horrific beyond words. During that time I have seen many examples of total incompetency and lack of caring. Last night topped it when the hospital that had first caused her to need the CT repeated, her physician's earlier failure to fax her referral to a lung doctor, the refusal of that same hospital to allow her

to come yesterday afternoon, telling her to wait until today, in spite of her GI directing her immediately to their ER, and then them referring her to another hospital where with her pain increasing hour by hour she was told she would have to wait for eight hours, the non-urgent section wouldn't see her even though they only had three patients ahead because it was considered urgent, she was told she might as well make herself comfortable in the floor, and then later when there were no remaining patients she was still waiting to go back just to get to a bed and lay down.She still has no appointment with a lung doctor, in spite of working on that for some time. And, this is a long history as she has previously had to for many of her other diseases travel to the US for treatment. Now, that is a feature at least of some provinces to pay for US treatment when it is required due to it being specialized

beyond Canada (Mayo Clinic for instance). As to waiting times for surgeries, I have to say of the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, the US has the shortest waiting times. Specialists referrals differ by country and by province or, in the US, by state. ER waits in the US can be very lengthy but by that I mean 1 to 2 1/2 hours (maximum I or family has experienced) to go back to a room/bed. Hers have primarily been longer than that and last night was the most extreme at the time she may have been in the most pain (again only can speak to Ontario). She has a long list of diseases and immune issues and not clearly defined yet lung issues but has not once during this time experienced being take quickly to a comfortable room away from the general population. As to free of charge, your point is valid although nothing is free, just paid through a different system of taxation. But, to see those in

the US struggling to get care because of money is hard to swallow. I might say though its often those who make too little to afford and too much to qualify for assistance here. Unlike some images elsewhere, no one is turned aways from hospitals or denied treatment. But there is a very distinct difference in availability based on insurance or finances.That does bring us to a point that surprised me too, that the Provinces in Canada do have individual programs. In the US, most insurers do cover you throughout most of the country and medicare does as well. Unfortunately, medicaid is administered by state which is a big problem for anyone moving and on it. I'll say that every country I know has health care problems and every one has some good treatment. I would now be very interested in knowing if New Brunswick, for instance, consistently is easier that Ontario or Quebec even. All I can

say is that what I've witnessed in the past two weeks in Ontario on one patient in multiple circumstances has been more appalling than anything I've ever experienced or witnessed here. I am frustrated at her primary physician, but no more than many of the doctors here, although I did find not even having an oximeter shocking. The hospitals in ultimately treating and even admitting may not have been that much worse, but her just a continued recipient of bad luck at multiple ones. However, the wait in ER (and this is many visits in ER) and the wait to see a lung doctor have been extreme. Maybe when you're talking to a friend in severe pain who is sitting on the floor in the waiting area and told it will be eight hours isn't the best time to write, but maybe it is, just like Joyce's and 's problem were a good time to address Apria in particular and Cigna (an insurer I mentioned to two doctors

yesterday and they both made horrible faces). Diane:For my own interest, what would the waits in New Brunswick be for referrals to a Lung Doctor (Ontario if urgent suppose to be three weeks and three to six months if deemed not), and what are the waits for surgeries such as cataracts, gall bladder, cancer, and some other common ones based on your knowledge of the area. I have researched to know that many "routine" surgical waits are long in Ontario as they are also in the UK. I ask curiously as the wait for a surgery once decided is generally very short here (excepting such as transplants) . As to oxygen, the horror stories are US with one supplier who unfortunately is the largest and has many exclusive contracts. My supplier is incredible like yours.> >> > Oh No, Are you in contact by phone? That scares me silly to think > how > > many germs are on the floor. There is just> > so much WRONG with her situation. Please keep us posted on what you > > hear.> > > > > > Love and Prayers, Peggy> > ipf 6/04> > > > Worry looks around.> > Sorry looks back,> > Faith looks up.> >> > > > > > Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr! > > http://www.flickr. com/gift/>

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!