@grandmar -- Hi Ronnie! Well, if I am a cat with 9 lives, thankfully, I should have a few more lives left!!! 🙂 But you are right -- We don't know what is going on with our surgeons, techs, or nurses -- I must admit I do wonder each time and cringe at the thought! And each time I try to convince myself that's probably my need to "control" a situation which I cannot control ... Until it is not.

Following the latest incident (when the anesthesiologist mistakenly injected the right phrenic nerve, causing the paralysis of the right diaphragm), I realized that you SHOULD have someone with you at all times, for as long as possible -- Insist if you must! However, this person needs to be one who is going to feel comfortable with the situation. My darling husband was in the room … reading -- His way to isolate himself to address his own discomfort.

I believe there is a lesson to be learned. We all know that it is important to have someone present at medical encounters, even when you see your doctor for a minor illness. But few of us realize the importance of having someone with you when being prepared for, or following a surgery, however minor.

The next lesson I learned is that simply "being there" is not sufficient. As patients, we usually prepare ourselves for any surgical procedure; however, few of us "prepare" an Advocate who will be with us and will be able to intervene, if needed. During such times, the expression "See Something, Say Something" is thoroughly applicable. The person with us should pay full attention to what is happening to us and immediately speak up, if something does not look right.

I believe the 2 topics above are important and should be discussed, but have not seen them addressed in the various “groups” I participate in. Can @contentandwell, @johnbishop, @lioness, @hopeful33250, @colleenyoung, let me know if you have seen these topics, and where?

Stay healthy!!
--Dee