MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

MinusTwo

Manual cuffs - sad to report that even at the specialty lymphadema/wound care center - they couldn't find even one manual cuff. At most clinics, they won't do manual readings - you have to go to the hospital. Since I had a BMX, if some offices had to use auto cuff I made them use my non-dominant arm - left. With the recurrence, I have a port in the left so they used the right for awhile. Now I've had auxillary lymph node dissection in the right side - so I let them use the side w/the port last week. I really need to get mean and insist on the thigh or calf.

But you'll be proud that I insisted on my flu shot in my thigh or butt so I couldn't use drug or grocery stores or most stand alone facilities. No one makes it easy.

Momine

I have never tried an auto cuff, except in surgery, but they put it on my leg, which was fine. I freak when they take blood pressure. It feels to me as if my veins will explode and the pain scares the living beejeepers outta me. The nurses obviously think I am some sort of hysterical freak, which I probably am

MinusTwo

And Eli - so glad things went well. As usual, I don't post much but have found your hospital stories edifying.

luvmygoats

My PCP uses a manual cuff but MO uses automatic. I did insist on leg cuff for colonoscopy. I know they at least put it on; who knows what happened after that. I put a pink lymphedema band that I went out of my way to get on my L wrist just to keep them from using it (no LE). They should all have a manual cuff. I've done many readings I did not trust and then drug out my trusty manual one.

ndgrrl

Oh my clinic definetly thinks I am some kind of hysterical freak. I went to have a pap had not had one in 5 yrs because my GP passed away and I just never wanted to have the new GP give me one( I am extremely conservative)- So after I was DX with BC I thought I best have one- so it took all I could to go to the clinic and I waited half hour in waiting room,

I get caled and they get me into a room- gown on- boobs poking out the front- have to hunt down nurse for adult size gown which they gave me that Shamoo himself could have fit in- OK- set.. I wait and wait and wait- 45 more min go by- no magazines- only thing to look at is the tray of contraptions that will soon be used in my HOO HAA and I was not to thrilled to be looking at them in such great deal! Some of them I would look at and think WTH is that for??

Finally after all this time I can not stand it anymore and I remember a bathroom next door and after all this time feel I need to go- so Shamoo Gown wrapped around me 3 times I head next door to the bathroom. A lil while later I open the bathroom door only to hear the nurses say-" lets go clean up room 7 you go get the stuff.". I hurry back next door and LOW AND BEHOLD I am room 7!!

The nurse finds in room 7 a few min later and says- "whaaa- you are still here?" I said yes and my panic and anxiety are in over drive- My appt was at 3:44 and it is now 5:00 and I still need to go to the lab for my thyroid blood work and I figure they are closing at 5. SO I proceed to tell the nurse she can clean up the room as I am leaving anyway as soon as she leaves me alone so I can dress- she grabs me by the arm will not let me dress or leave and says real close to my ear like I am a 90 yr old crazy deaf lady-- " You have cancer. You need this pap. I promise you he will be quick,I won't leave you, you can not leave, you have to get this done....ETC.." She is acting like I am scared of the doctor. I am not scared of the doctor I just am not wanting to be naked anymore at this point and I dont want my HOO HAAA subjected to any of those torture devices that are lieing on that table I been stareing at- I did not tell her this though. SHe was too busy trying to keep me from running out the door Shamoo Gown and all. I was at that point!!..

Meantime the doctor walks in wondering I am sure what all the commotion is about and she slams the door practially in his face and says- We are having a lil anxiety problem here, it will be ok soon, come back later.. All I wanted to do was leave and I told that nures over and over but she insisted lab would wait for me.

Finally she talks me into sitting on the torture( in my mind it is) table- puts my butt on the edge- feet in the stirrups puts the table up to highest position( I guess she felt I would not jump off it when it was far in the air) and covers my legs with a blanket- but I am certain my HOO HAA is feeling a breeze.. Nurse says" let me grab the Doctor-I will be right back."

I wait and wait and wait - thinking OMG the janitor is gonna walk in at any moment and get the full view of my hoo haaa-- 15 minutes goes by my back can not handle those stirrups anymore and I pull my tush slowly up to the top of the table so I can get my legs out of those stirrups!! I thought what happens if I fall off this table with my hoo haa in the air,, will this Shamoo gown cover it all?

I am sitting there when the nurse comes in again- she says " Oh you were not comfortable?" I wanted to say YA THINK?? Hoo haaa in the breeze with my legs apart- how comfy is this - U have to ask? She said." well I can not find the doctor but when I do we will be right in"( I figured he ran for the hills after the convo he had came across earlier) .

I then sat there serioiusly debating how to dive off the table without tripping over the Shamo Gown when the Doctor does finally come in. I will say he was quick!!- I heard him say something to the effect that " he only had one chance at this so he best do it right" Then he was ready to run out the door and he decided last min to check my overies and the nurse - said-- Arent U going to do her breast exam?

I had prviously told that nurse I had just recently been dx with bc and had been examined by every doctor and intern out there and that I didnt need another breast exam and so told her again and the doctor just that. He practially ran out the door. My girlfriend said she usually talks to him while wearing the gown but he came back after I was fully dressed and we had a chat where he gave me some Ativan for anxiety- I never did tell him I had been forgotten in a room and then left in the stirrups. I probably should have - but by that time it was near 5:30 and I still needed lab.

My appt that day was 3:45 and I got out of the clinic at nearly 6 pm. I do not know if I can ever muster up enough courage to go through all that again!!

So I can imagine what that clinic must think of me- They must think " how did she ever birth two children when she acts like a 16 yr old virgin getting her first pap!!

So yup- when it comes to clinics thinking I am nuts- I think I rank right up there!!!

Momine

Ndgrrl, ROFL, yeah, I freak at paps too. The first time someone did it to me I had no idea what it was and the pain was so sharp and unexpected.

I have to say though that after my BMX, when I spent 5 days in the hospital (no drive-thru surgery in Greece), the nurses were excellent - kind, attentive, unobtrusive and totally non-bitchy. Ok, except for the one called "bitch." Her last name means "twisted" and also, metaphorically, is used to mean "bitch," something I milked to the hilt during chemo. The Greeks have an expression "onoma kai pragma" [name and thing] to mean that someone exemplifies her name. It is usually meant as a compliment, like if someone is named Dawn. So, I would of course exclaim "Oh, there is Bitch to stick me, "onoma kai pragma.""

Anyway, I digress severely. The docs were convinced I was a VIP, so they would call ahead to everyone treating me to warn them of my [imagined] VIP status. This warning must also have been given to the nurses. I never tried very hard to disabuse them of their misconception. When some new person asked if I wasn't "in the media," I would just mumble "yes, something like that."

Eph3_12

That coven up top is actually quite spooky

elimar86861

Although you told it in a way that made me laugh, ndgrrl, there was nothing fun about that visit. Seriously, please do not give up getting the annual (or every 2-3 yrs. as your history determines) PAP exams. It is not too late to call for the office manager to tell your tale and hopefully it never happens again. The doctor may or may not know that you had that long of a wait. Sometimes the delays are due to them, but sometimes they are not. Kind of sounds like staff just forgot about you in that room. BTW, don't worry about the janitor walking in, most of them can do a quick, painless PAP and you're outta there in less than 30 minutes. (I'm kidding...pretend I am using a winky smiley here.)

Interesting to read the comments about the BP cuffs. (I did get a fashion compliment on my hot pink jelly-style lymphedema bracelet whilst in the OR. I think it was Meece, who hundreds of pages ago gave a place that we could order a set for free. Impossible to find tha, but if she stops in, maybe she can give the info. again.)

elimar86861

Momine, you just get special treatment everywhere, don't you? (Devil-y smiley.)

p.s. Eph, did you pick me out in the picture yet? Front row, left. You can't tell if her head is demurely downcast because of shyness, or if she has just lowered her head into the "defiance" position, readying for flames to come shooting out of her eyes. That, and the long hair.

barsco1963

I must admit that I lead a very boring medical life. No hospital or dr appt tales to tell here. I guess I will consider that a blessing.

I can't see the top pic for some reason, but will take Eph's word that it is spooky.

HAPPY FRIDAY everyone!

barsco1963

Now I can see it - my computer is really acting up lately. I see you Eli - hope those flames are reserved for the evil hospital staff. I think I resemble the one just behind your left shoulder. A bit shy and full of purity (hence the white dress - lol). Must mean that I have finally found my morals.

elimar86861

Or else you are "sacrifice-of-the-week."

barsco1963

Oh oh - never thought of that! I couldn't be sacrificed so close to my 50th b-day could I. Definitely past the point of even being considered a virgin - lol

luvmygoats

Joni - I hadn't even noticed page topper changed. Yikes. Don't think I will claim to be one of them. Funny I usually only see the topper when I log in. Somehow I just put a "b" in the URL box and BCO/this thread comes up 1st so I login on the Middies.

Funny thing. I had to change OBs b4 DD was born as the one I was using quit delivering. I chose a relative of his, went to appt, had exam, talked with him where he told me his educ. background. On the way home I realized I had gone to college with him (10 years earlier) and I think taught him as a lab assistant. We talk all the way thru my exam now.

Ndgrrl - I think I'd have been out in the hall shouting. I can kinda count rooms and just about know when my turn should be. Serves them right. Maybe next time - if there is a next time there - they will treat you with kid gloves like Momine's media status. With the cruddy Femara I hate Pap's too. Agree with Eli that office manager needs to know. Bet they were clearing off callbacks and did forget about you.

About the lymphedema bracelet. I went to the breast center/prosthesis boutique and they gave me a nice pink bracelet. Now that I think about I think that the endo. center put theirs on my L wrist too. I looked in my bookmarks for Meece's link. I think it's there somewhere. More searching.

Oh the "virgin" sacrifice. Wonder if her coven mates made fun of her non-matchy matchy clothing. That is a hilarious picture. Another for my Word files.

MinusTwo

Eli & everyone: Below is the link for LE bracelets at Peninsula Medical. Note - on the left there is link to click to get one or two for free. I had two for my last surgery in September but they've disappeared so I'll order more. The hospital also had "bracelets" that said 'limb alert'.

http://www.lymphedema.com/alertform2.htm

Anonymous

ndgrrl- OMG! What a horrible experience for you!.....but as Eli said..you told it in a way that I had to laugh!

Beatmon

I always asked the patient what they wanted to be addressed as on my very first visit with them. Few preferred a formal address. Many would give a first name and I would usually add a Ms. Mrs. To it as a sign of respect such as Ms. Vickie, when told to call her Vivke and I never rec'd any complaints. I must admit when people were in severe pain I would find myself slipping and using terms like hon or sweetheart while wiping their faces with cloths and trying to get them more comfy. It was never meant as disrespectful but I tried very hard not to let let my self use those terms, because obviously the patent and I do not have that type of relationship.

Momine

Eli, yes, I am THAT special I think I told the story before, but it was because one of DH's clients had set me up my first appointment with my surgeon. The client's secretary tracked down the doc over the weekend, while he was at a conference abroad, and basically ordered him to see me as soon as he was back. The client built the hospital where I was treated and owns a large TV station as well as a cineplex chain, among other things. So that is how the myth of my being a media personality started. Like I said, I didn't try very hard to disabuse them of the notion, since it had some obvious benefits for me to let them dream on. Besides, I do edit academic articles here and there, so strictly speaking I am "in media"

NativeMainer

Chachamom--I wonder if your MO has some sort of arrangement with the surgeon she referred you to.If she couldn't give you scientific back up for her opinion, than it is just her opinion, and since she isn't a surgeon, I wouldn't give it much weight.She can't be specialist in chemo and surgery, after all.You are doing the right thing going back and getting more info, but I'm betting the choice you've made is the best one for you.Your MO should be gagged!

Elimar--deep certainly doesn't rule out laparoscopic surgery, most gastric bypass surgeries are done laparoscopically now.If that isn't deep I don't know what is! And good for you for sticking up for yourself with the nurses!I hope you add that to your survey when it comes!

As a nurse I can tell you all that the use of "hon" and other such terms can be a sign of laziness, especially when giving meds.Patients should be referred to by the name they prefer.It reminds us busy nurses that we are taking care of PEOPLE, not cases or roomnumber.That being said, I have to admit that I have been guilty of this, and have been set straight by a patient a time or two, to my great embarrassment.In the end I appreciate the patients that keep me on the straight and narrow!

One of the businesses I call frequently is based in the South.I like the way they call me "Miss NM".Not stuffily formal and still polite.

luvmygoats

NM - you will appreciate this. The LVN I worked with at my last job very southern always called me Miss _____ if she was calling me. I really don't what she called me in talking with others. It never bothered me. I did have someone recently call me "dear" and not in a good way. If I had not been in such a position and state at the time I prob. would have taken his head off. I may be white headed but don't think I'm a "dear" unless of course it gets me a discount.

barsco1963

Well ladies, today is the day! I am the big 5-0, at the top of the hill (what a great view) joining the red hat club! On top of the big party I held in Aug., my sisters and some friends treated me to a little b-day celebration at our coffee club this morning. So I had sticky toffee cake with coffee, chocolate caramel cake (and an apple) for lunch and I have a frozen DQ Rolo cake in the freezer for supper. I must say - being 50 is proving to be very SWEET!

Hoping everyone's weekend is enjoyable!

elimar86861

Slow day? Well, I wrap it up with my final hospital tale. After switching rooms twice (once per hospital request to use my room with a lift in it for a bariatric patient, once per my request to get away from a "howler monkey" patient, because I needed to sleep) I wound up in a room with a burst appendix woman. She was from out of town and her husband was there in the evening. My husband left when visiting hours ended, hers stayed and he was still there when I fell asleep around 10:30. Around 12:30 I got up to use the bathroom and noticed the t.v. was still on and he was sleeping in a chair. Well, that was weird, I thought, so I pulled my curtain to shut out the t.v. light a little, and for privacy. When they came later do my vitals, they were bringing in a recliner for the man. Not a single person bothered to ask if I was o.k. with a guy in the room all night. I guess if I could not stand it, they figured I would start squawking. The truth is I would have preferred that he was not there, but since I had already moved two times and since they were a nice couple, I decided to just roll with it. Luckily, I had a robe over my gown, so never had to think he was glimpsing my butt on the way to the bathroom (not that my butt isn't used to the exposure by now.)

After my stay, I saw that the hospital does have a practice of letting a family member stay in the room, but it said something like a same gender family member, not like the co-ed cohabitation I went through. I'm going to have to mention the weirdness of this on my questionnaire. What I mean is, I am there, vulnerable in my sleep and it would have been weird to have any non-patient stay overnight in the room, really. Did I mention he snored? Or maybe it was the wife.

I guess, if I was from out of town, I would like if they let my husband stay in the room BUT, I swear, I would ask the staff to check it with the other patient and if it was not cool, then my husband could go down the hall to the "families room" or the "consult room" of whatever it is called and doze on those chairs. If my husband did stay in the room, I think he should be enclosed in my curtain area, that the other patient would not have to have his presence in her face.

What thoughts do you have on this? Did any of you have a similar experience?

elimar86861

I was busy typing, but now see your post Barsco. Many Happy Returns of this happy occasion.

(Yes, you can turn 50 more than once or twice.) And now I know who to ask as far as what food group caramel is in? (The yummy food group, right?)

Momine

Happy 5-0,Barsco!

Eph3_12

HAAAAAAAPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY BARSCO! I hope that your 50's are the best yet!

E-I'm not certain what I would do in that particular co-ed situation, but I do know that if the nurses didn't at least run it by me, I would be upset! Most likely I would be ok with it (if asked) I think. fortunately for me, the hospital I go to is a 1 patient per room hospital & the one across town pretty much is too, so I haven't had to share a room in a hospital since I was 18 & broke my leg. The place was full & since I was 18, they put me on the pediatric ward. Now that's a tough detail; It's been 41 yrs but I still remember, 1st room-mate was a 4 or 5 yr old girl who had something internally wrong with her & she was a handful for everyone! They moved her out & replaced her with a kid who was about 10 & she was in a car wreck & had multiple broken bones-she was in so much pain. I'm happy that my several hospitalizations since then have been solo!

luvmygoats

Happy 5-0 Barsco. And many more (in my very wavery voice).

Eli - I certainly think I would want to be asked about it b4 they brought in the recliner. Most of the hospitals around here are private rooms. I negotiated around several of the rooms that years ago were semi and don't know how we did it. When DD was born 26 years ago I had a roomie with TV and phone going all night. I'd had a section after very hard labor and a big scare and wanted to sleep. Got my a$$ out of that room double quick and into a private room. Worth every penny we had to pay.

cakes

Happy Birthday Barsco. I like the idea of celebrating multiple times!

Cheers!

Loral

Barsco...

Loral

Elimar...I would have asked to be moved to a private room.

ndgrrl

Happy Happy Birthday Barsco!!