Bad hospital stories

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone! I'm not sure whether I have told you my

bad hospital story. If I have bear with me!! This

happened in 1988, and was the first time I was really

ill. I had a cold, which progressed to a chest

infection, we had just arrived in LA for the summer.

I went to a GP who sent me to a pulmonary specialist.

I explained that I had bronchitis and needed some

antibiotics. He asked if I had ever taken any anti

asthma meds, I said no. He looked a bit dubious (I

understand now, as my breathing was noisy) I went home

and got worse. I called him next day, and went in,

and he said I think you have to be admitted to

hospital. I agreed as by then I felt pretty awful. I

went home to organise some money, he organised a room

at Cedars Sinai, in LA. In due course someone drove

me to the hospital. BY this time my lips and

fingernails were blue, and my breathing was like an

out of tune organ. So Im sitting (or rather slumping)

in a waiting room in admissions. A couple of other

waiting patients gave me worried looks as they were

called before me. A briefcase full of money arrived,

the admitting clerk did the paperwork, and told me I

should go to accounts department to pay it in. (We

are talking thousands, here!!!) I gasped " is it far?)

I still can't believe that she said, " yes, quite far,

but you can't have a wheelchair until after the money

is paid in " !!!!!!! The thought flashed through my

mind that I was going to die holding a briefcase full

of money! Fortunately, the man who had brought it

from my employers, grabbed me, almost threw me in a

wheel chair, and marched me off the accounts,

muttering!!

However, the nursing and general medical treatment was

excellent, I was there for 10 days. They did not

really know what the problem was, may be an unusual

form of asthma,they thought. However after vast doses

of IV pred and antibiotics, I did improve, although my

breathing has never really recovered (when I am not

taking meds, I mean!) I laugh about it now, but at

the time, it was scary. I am sure it was my first

battle with rp, although it wasnt dx until about 5 yrs

ago.

Sorry to ramble on (I do this verbally as well!) Lots

of Love, Liz

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 06/04/2001 2:29:36 AM Central Daylight Time,

lizwizz2000@... writes:

<< Sorry to ramble on (I do this verbally as well!) Lots

of Love, Liz >>

Liz, had my daughter (who worked for United Health Care) been there, she

would have grabbed the nurse/clerk by the throat and said " Do you really

think so? She will be a bed NOW or we will see you in court! " I'd have been

in a bed in seconds! The only good thing I can think of about knowing your

way the the insurance maze is that things get done pronto when you know who

to involve and fast! I think I personally would have gotten on my broomstick

and told the witch to surrender! What is so scary is all these bean counters

deciding what you will have done, not what the doctor feels should be done!

I hope the backlash against HMO's succeeds and the go under! So glad you are

OK, must have been horrible. Love, Judy O