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Spinal stenosis, back, hip & leg issues: A good office chair?
Spine Health | Last Active: May 6, 2019 | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
@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
Replies to "@grandmar -- Hi Ronnie! Well, if I am a cat with 9 lives, thankfully, I should..."
Dee
You are so right!
My hubby is always with me at doctor appts., procedures, surgeries (before and after).
In addition, I always have a list of questions and a pad to write down answers.
I tried it with my phone, but it didn't work as well.
When I had my first spinal surgery, my son (who is a nuclear med tech) came down for the surgery.
He wanted to be there to 'ask the right questions', interpret for my hubby (if necessary) and to make sure I recouped well.
When I had my follow up appointments, we would do it with him on the phone to participate.
Made me feel comfortable!
Ronnie
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Hi Dee @danielad -- I have not seen the two topics you mentioned addressed specifically but there is a discussion here that I believe would be helpful for members to share with each other. I think it's a great start for a discussion and I can offer my observations from a week ago when I had knee replacement surgery at Mayo Clinic Rochester.
> Groups > Just Want to Talk > Social Media Summit Scholarship Essay – Virna Elly
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/social-media-summit-scholarship-essay-virna-elly/
At the time of admission for my surgery the admissions receptionist asked me to verify what I was there for, my name, birthday and clinic number. Then when I got into the pre-op room and given a gown and waiting with my wife and our pastor, the surgeons assistant came in and asked me my name and what I was there for - asking me to point the knee being replaced. When I did, he smiled and used a black sharpie to write the surgeon's initials on the inside of the bad knee being replaced. After which I was moved to the pre-surgery room (?) where I met with the anesthesiologist and he went over the plan and risks for neuropathy with me. My wife was not with me here but I also had the same conversation with the physicians assistant for the surgeon one month prior to the surgery where she explained to me what would happen. Then they rolled me into surgery and I was amazed at all the gazillion LED ceiling lights...then it was night night and I woke up with a new knee. My care team at Mayo was fantastic - nurses, doctors, surgeons and PTs. The first week home I received 2 get well cards from the 2 care teams - nurses who watched over me the first night and following day and the surgery team. All signed the cards. I was touched that they had time to do such a small but meaningful thing for a patient considering the number of surgeries they do in a day.
I know doctors can make mistakes. I think the key to not making mistakes is a great system of checks and follow ups along with patient education and redundancy in the procedural steps to insure mistakes are not made. I also like that Mayo Clinic listens to it's patients and if you have any problems you can call the Office of Patient Experience at Mayo Clinic.
Office of Patient Experience
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday
507-284-4988