laughing stock of the hospital

Oh good grief! I just wrote a lengthy response and lost it. Vicodin has its effects.
Since this is a CPAP discussion, I really didn't mention much about the diabetes issue, but will now tell you more about it. I believe there are many diabetics on this board. The gyn is the one who ordered no meds for blood glucose (BG) control. Don't blame the nurses. He even had glucose in my first IV that was used during surgery. One nurse said that he didn't want my BG to bottom out dangerously. I explained so simply that my BG cannot bottom out without meds because of diabetes. It was so strange because for me carbs or sugar means higher BG unless there is something to control it. Can't just about anyone understand that? There was no contrast dye, so reason to avoid metformin. There was a total hysterectomy with diagnosis of endometrial cancer. BG spiked at 320 due to glucose IV and eventually there was given a dose of insulin. After that, the orders were that as long as BG was under 200, no insulin would be needed. I've been diabetic for 19 years and my goal was never as high as 200. It's been a battle, but so far, there has been no eye or foot damage. Kidney problems have never escalated in spite of damage from last pregnancy. If you know anything about this disease, you know that the idea of treatment is to keep BG at a normal level to avoid damage, and it seems to me that recovery from major surgery calls for the tightest of control. It was so strange that even though the name of my endo had been given to 2 doctors and 1 nurse, he was never called in. Anyway, the gyn is someone I trusted, but I'm having doubts just because of the BG issue. Fortunately, I'm being turned over to an oncologist and we'll early have to come to "my" agreement about what BG level is good and about the issue of CPAP use.

When the gyn balked at the report of my lack of sleep the first night, I told him without complaining that he should know that a hospital is not a place for sleep. I believe many of you have experienced that. It's not anyone's fault, it's just a fact of life in a hospital. I didn't mention to him that people were coming in two by two for each little blood sample or vitals check. The nurse who told me that they were all having a laugh over the woman with her mouth taped shut didn't say it with a mean attitude. (Gee, she was the only person that understood my concern over lack of BG control.) But I am amazed that the hospital staff is so undereducated regarding diabetes care and CPAP therapy. These issues are huge in today's world. During the pre-admission process,the nurse mentioned that my record indicated sleep apnea. When told that there was no help in setting it up and using it during a summer stay, she seemed totally uninterested. To test her, I mentioned that I wouldn't be bringing it this time because of that very thing and she just responded with a glib, "ok". The anesthesiologist at least had some sense and wanted her name because it is hospital policy that patients bring their machines.

I really get mad when friends just glibly go through life without taking as much responsibility as possible for their own care. And regards the taping, my point isn't about whether anyone approves or disapproves, but about the freedom to take care of ourselves. BTW, as mentioned in another thread, my sleep doc was quite happy with my data after starting taping. No issues there!

Gasparama, I just want to wish you luck in you oncological treatment.
O.

ozij wrote:Gasparama, I just want to wish you luck in you oncological treatment.
O.

Thank you very much!

Ditto on the good luck, and if you don't mind, I'll toss some prayer in also....

Sometimes the staff at hospitals spin me up also...and you have to wonder about common sense. I was admitted for chest pain a couple of years ago, and at the time all my docs were "arguing" over whether I had diabetes or not....PCP said, no, it was "pre", but that really, "pre" was like being a "little bit pregnant"....his advice, watch it close, "lose the d*** weight and for cryin' out loud will you PLEASE lay off the fried foods"....(his words, we've got a great relationship, let's not mince words and we'll be partners in treatment, he explains EVERYTHING!)...my cardio said "yes, you are diabetic", the endo says insulin resistant. So, when admitted, apparently the cardio won and I was listed as diabetic...ok, no problem as far as I'm concerned, they'll check my sugar 4 times a day, no biggie.

Then the nurse checks my sugar WHILE I AM STILL EATING LUNCH. A few minutes later, she shows up and give me a shot in the arm before I can even react (was talking to hubby and a couple of friends)...I ask her "what was that?" She says my sugar was elevated to about 190 so per the sliding scale, she gave me an insulin shot. I just looked at her and said "Do you SEE the lunch tray here? Shouldn't you have waited an hour or so and checked again?" so, now I , who 2 out of 3 docs say is only insulin resistant, not diabetic, have had an insulin shot for the first time in my life (I'm not even on meds to control it, haven't needed them since I rarely go above the "resistant" levels)....Told her to bring me some OJ asap, stuffed a roll in my mouth and chewed quickly, had hubby pull his meter out and watched my sugar drop like a rock....2 OJ's later, I was ok...still shaky, but ok....

That was ridiculous treatment. From what I've read, even a non diabetic can spike up to 180 after a meal, but returns to below 120 within 2 hours. That was more dangerous that a temporary high. Too low can cause seizures and loss of consciousness. I'm glad they had the OJ around. There is not a lot of good education out there about diabetes and even what it is.

And I will be glad for you to pray for me. Thank you!

I heard from my doctor's nurse a few minutes ago and the cancer is low grade, stage 1. What good fortune is that! Sleep is about to come over me right now, but upon awaking, I'll continue reading Taubes' " Good Calories, Bad Calories" and Carlson's "Genocide". These books are primarily about the low carb issue and I don't want to start a flame war about there. But these authors as well as others discuss keeping blood sugar down in order to starve the cancer cells. It's kind of like our CPAP therapy: We are responsible and have to take charge and make sure that things are going as well as possible.

Gasp and others: I am so sorry to hear about your experiences in the hospitals. It sounds like all doctors regardless of their specialties should be mandated to seriously study diabetes. I am glad to hear that all of you are serious about taking charge of your health. I will pray for each of you and hope that our health care system gets better. I liked the idea that one poster said of creating a private, confidential phone number that people can call and report incidents. It helps improve services. I work in long term care and at our agency we have a consumer advisory council that is a group of current and past consumers who give us consistent feedback on what we are doing well and where we need to improve because we have a desire to be as consumer driven as we can. I know I certainly appreciate their feedback because it helps me to do the best job that I can. When I say long term care, I do not work in a nursing home. If others are interested, I can describe in more detail what I do. Be blessed and good health wished to everyone.

Maria

gasparama wrote:I heard from my doctor's nurse a few minutes ago and the cancer is low grade, stage 1. What good fortune is that!

What good news, gasparama! If it had to happen at all, that's good to hear. Wishing the very best for you.

Hey Gasparama,

I posted earlier about your diabetic treatment before all the miserable details were posted. I'm so sorry that you are having such a frightening problem. I've read your posts and realize what a caring person you are. I believe there is great power in many people praying for the same solution. I will join all the friends on this forum, in asking for healing blessings for you.
Your kind post to me, left me with good feelings radiating in and about me. I pray for you to have those wonderful, postitive feelings surrounding you, and bringing you back to full health. Let us hear from you soon.

Your friend, Jan

Slinky wrote:. One can understand the "there but for the grace of God" mentality in the medical profession - BUT - the patients' health care still need to come FIRST regardless.

Hi Slinky

You are absolutely right about this, and we are hoping that encouraging health care workers to admit when things go wrong or even almost wrong, is perhaps the first step in getting staff to think more about there actions. I have experienced these same kind of problems when i have been an inpatient- I have spent over 6 months in hospital in the past year alone in 22 seperate admissions. I have a variety of chronic health issues, MS, Diabetes and complex regional pain syndrome, knee level amputation, just to name a few. I had an implanted pain control paump that delivered pain meds directly to the fluid around the brain and spinal cord- i used to get no end of curious and insensitive nursing staff trying to use me as a lab rat, add to it the fact that the pump delivers morphine and i had the pump for 8 years, and instead of accepting the pain syndrome, i was treated by some as being no better than a street junkie! my pumps battery died and i had to have it replaced and the second one got infected by MRSA and caused bacterial menigitis and had to be removed and although it was only giving 15 mg a day, to give me the equivalent dose orally would have meant giving around 6 grams so it could not be done- i had to go through withdrawal and i must admit to being thoroughly ashamed of the actions of members of my profession. they are not meant to be judgemental and they should makes sure that if they jave a patient with a condition they do not understand very well, Best practice demands that they bring themsleves up to date.

My advice to any patient going through the kind of issues Gaspara described, they need to challenge the staff- here hospital have a complaints officer or patients advocate and patients need to make use of this, if they are not available go to nursing admin but do not suffer in silence. I hate to hear these stories, there is no excuse for ignorance.

As for the report system i am involved with, it covers all the government health care agencies and hospitals throughout South Australia, only employees can ring to lodge concerns and incidents but i actually think it should be extended to allow patients or there families can ring us too. I am so sorry you had such a hard time Gaspara, and i apologise on behalf on my profession. I was trained to act as a patient advocate but that does not seem to be taught in nurses college these days!

rested gal wrote:

gasparama wrote:I heard from my doctor's nurse a few minutes ago and the cancer is low grade, stage 1. What good fortune is that!

What good news, gasparama! If it had to happen at all, that's good to hear. Wishing the very best for you.

It is good news! At this point, it's looking more like an inconvenience than anything. I'm already studying diet, etc. I'm a drama queen, but am not going to be too dramatic this time!!

Thanks Jan and Kebsa.
Tomorrow, the gyn is going to get an ear full about failure to contact the endo who would never have let BG be out of control.Oh good grief, I don't want to get wound up again, but it still floors me that after 19 years of trying to keep normal Blood Sugars, a surgeon would raise it on purpose.

Oh Gasparama,

Your post said GOOD NEWS! Get your diet books lined up - you'll be well before you know it. Thanks for posting.

When you talk to your surgeon tomorrow, let your Drama Queen loose - let her roll! Give him the full performace.
(Question to Cpaper's will the doc apologize?)
Anyway, after he creeps from your presence, if you listen carefully, you'll hear loud clapping, applause, and calls from cpap.talk.com for a repeat performance.

Cheers
Jan

In my hospital, the staff are gradually being taught that the endicrinologists want to be consulted regarding every diabetic inpatient. It takes time to educate all the staff though.

Di

Dear Gaspar . . .

Dear Gaspar . . .

Thinking good thoughts bout you, & sending powerful "get well soon" vibes to get over your mile high mountains.
hope you can post soon. Know that you have many people praying for your fast & complete recovery.

Jan