Your Guardian Angel's Guide To Hospitals
Funny And Not-So-Funny Tales From Bed #1111
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I was once in the hospital receiving an IV block to alleviate nerve pain in my foot. As I was resting peacefully, two nurses came into my room with a gurney. Had my doctor ordered another MRI or CAT scan? As they were sliding me onto the gurney I asked: “Where are you taking me?” “The surgical team is ready to remove your gallbladder” Believe it or not, these “mix-ups” occur all the time. Would I have gotten all the way to surgery before the mistake was discovered? I doubt it, but I’d rather not find out—nor even be wheeled around hallways for no good reason. Always ask questions. If you are having surgery mark the spot with a black marker --don’t laugh, many wrong feet or knees or shoulders have gone under the knife mistakenly. Now, you can’t be expected to practice absolute non-stop vigilance, you need help. While you are recovering from surgery and are still a bit out of it from the anesthesia or pain medications, it is imperative that someone be in your room with you at all times.Their job is to check your IV and alert the nurse if it runs out. It helps if that advocate isn’t squeamish around blood, needles or urine…and I speak from experience here! Your hospital advocate can’t be shy, about your body or your needs. The advocate should check all medications that are administered. Just by having the nursing staff know that someone has that responsibility, the chances of you inadvertently getting the wrong pill already drop immediately. Once you have recovered enough to be your own advocate, always check the pills and charts. If you are unsure of anything you have the right to refuse medication until you discuss it with your doctor. Don’t be intimidated by a “bully nurse”.
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About the Book
My sister, Stacey Lynn Friedlander, the author of this humorous yet informative book, died on April 26, 2004 at the young age of 41. Four years before her death, Stacey was in a terrible car accident which led to many hospital stays, numerous surgeries, and too many medications.
THOUGH STACEY LEFT US MUCH TOO SOON, HER WORDS OF WISDOM CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US THROUGH THIS CLEVER AND WITTY HOSPITAL SURVIVAL GUIDE.
Stacey would be happy to know that since 2004, there have been many changes in healthcare focusing on patient satisfaction. She is right on when she says in her introduction that “efficiencies … are created by people divorced from patient care who obsess about ways to deliver that care in the least costly way”. This is one of the greatest challenges for a healthcare staff member.
Her “Think in Shifts” Chapter is definitely on target. Your healthcare team should check on you before going off shift, to make sure your needs are met for the next half hour.
Stacey’s insight has helped me to see the hospital experience from the patient’s point of view, and will help me be a better caregiver.
—Aimee Hueber, RN
Aimee is a registered nurse in the largest hospital system in Indiana. She works on one of the busiest medical units in Indianapolis, and would like to give a copy of this book to patients upon their admission to the hospital.
About the Author
Stacey Lynn Friedlander, the author of this humorous yet informative book, died on April 26, 2004. Stacey's sister, Jillian Copeland, found Stacey's memoirs tucked away in her apartment. Even through her darkest hours, Stacey was always there to lend a hand, to lend her heart. She had told us about her desire to write a hospital book with first-hand information about how to survive a hospital stay. She wanted to help others through this treacherous and painful process. No matter what life brought her, she always found a way to smile and help others.
When Jill found Stacey's book she sent it to her Aunt Ilene, who was very excited to edit Stacey's work and get it oublished. Stacey was able to hide her internal struggles and pain.She was in a terrible car accident which led to many hospitall stays, many surgeries and too many medications.
Ilene Leventhal, Stacey's Aunt and friend, edited her manuscript.
Stacey, Jill and Ilene's bios are all in the back of the book (manuscript that is uploaded to you).