I wrote this 6 hours ago:
Here's a funny little truth about hospitals. You can tell them anything, and they won't believe you. Tell them you're in excrutiating pain, or that your legs are swollen to 4 times their normal size, or that you're dying. They'll take your vitals, some blood, and shuffle you out the door as fast as they can. Then you'll get billed for it. But you show up covered in blood, and they are all kinds of accomidating.
I guess people require demonstations. Words are easy - almost anybody can make them. But how many people can spray blood across a room? Not many. That kind of specialized skill sometimes is worth an extra hour or two in the ER, and a nicer nurse that will talk to you and smile instead of trying to get you out of her hair ASAP. The condition doesn't change, but the special effects do, and that makes all the difference.
So here I am at St. Vincent's again. I started coughing up blood at dialysis, and they called an ambulance. The bleeding thing has been going on for about 2 weeks now, but over the last 4 years, and the last 5 trips to the hospital for the exact same problem, I've learned that going to the ER over this results in nothing. They run tests, they tell me there's nothing they can do, and they send me home. It's been two years since the last time I coughed like this, and I only went to the hospital then because Darren called an ambulance. This time it was a dialysis nurse. Other people have yet to learn what I have about hospitals. But who knows, maybe this time will be different. Maybe there have been huge advances in diagnostic technology in the last two years, and I will reap their benefits. Yup, that's totally what's going to happen.
Update: Well you know what? They actually did diagnose it. After all the years, and all the blood, and all the tests, I finally found out what the cause is. You ready? It's pretty funny.
The tube in my throat, it's temporary. Yeah, the ones they've been giving to me, and not replacing except in emergencies, they're only supposed to be in for a month at a time. What happens when they're in longer? Well the tissue around the edge of the tube gets irritated and it bleeds.
It sure would have been nice to know that 4 years ago. But I know it now, and simply by replacing the stupid tube the bleeding has stopped. I'm meeting with an ENT soon to make sure this never happens again.
Here's a funny little truth about hospitals. You can tell them anything, and they won't believe you. Tell them you're in excrutiating pain, or that your legs are swollen to 4 times their normal size, or that you're dying. They'll take your vitals, some blood, and shuffle you out the door as fast as they can. Then you'll get billed for it. But you show up covered in blood, and they are all kinds of accomidating.
I guess people require demonstations. Words are easy - almost anybody can make them. But how many people can spray blood across a room? Not many. That kind of specialized skill sometimes is worth an extra hour or two in the ER, and a nicer nurse that will talk to you and smile instead of trying to get you out of her hair ASAP. The condition doesn't change, but the special effects do, and that makes all the difference.
So here I am at St. Vincent's again. I started coughing up blood at dialysis, and they called an ambulance. The bleeding thing has been going on for about 2 weeks now, but over the last 4 years, and the last 5 trips to the hospital for the exact same problem, I've learned that going to the ER over this results in nothing. They run tests, they tell me there's nothing they can do, and they send me home. It's been two years since the last time I coughed like this, and I only went to the hospital then because Darren called an ambulance. This time it was a dialysis nurse. Other people have yet to learn what I have about hospitals. But who knows, maybe this time will be different. Maybe there have been huge advances in diagnostic technology in the last two years, and I will reap their benefits. Yup, that's totally what's going to happen.
Update: Well you know what? They actually did diagnose it. After all the years, and all the blood, and all the tests, I finally found out what the cause is. You ready? It's pretty funny.
The tube in my throat, it's temporary. Yeah, the ones they've been giving to me, and not replacing except in emergencies, they're only supposed to be in for a month at a time. What happens when they're in longer? Well the tissue around the edge of the tube gets irritated and it bleeds.
It sure would have been nice to know that 4 years ago. But I know it now, and simply by replacing the stupid tube the bleeding has stopped. I'm meeting with an ENT soon to make sure this never happens again.
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
zarth:
This alliance of judgment is working a little too well.
charlielove:
