Scary call from the doctor

mrsptsu2012
mrsptsu2012 Member Posts: 63
in Lung Cancer #1
I really don't know what is going on. The doctor called today asking me for a decision or if my husband has a living will. I informed him my husband has an Advance Medical Directive and he wants everything medically possible to keep him alive. He then started asking if I knew how ill he was and what is my decision as next of kin. He stated I may want to think about it that some prefer not to put their loved ones through the trauma. I reiterated my husband's wishes. I was granted another emergency visit and when I arrived, once again several things disturbed me. One, they made me wait while they got him ready for the visit. I saw the nurses taking clean linen to his room; it was obvious they were preparing his bed for the visit. When arriving in his room, it smelled of bowel. I wondered how long he may have been lying in his own feces or how much longer he would have if I hadn't been coming. Two, he was more alert today than he has been since he got really sick and expressed to me how he doesn't like the way they manhandle him. He said they tug and pull on him when they clean him up and it hurts. Three, he asked for a new oxygen tubing because he has been coughing a lot and feels like it is dirty. When I went to push the nurses button for assistance, the button was still turned off from the day before when I was there. Four, the nurse said he didn't need a new tube and refused to give him one. Five, the empty bag of antibiotic for the fungus infection on his brain, was still hanging on the IV pole from the day before with the date 9/9. I was told he would be receiving these antibiotics daily. Why would a bag from 9/9 still be hanging on the pole? Six, I informed the nurse I had his Advanced Medial Directive with me if she wanted to make a copy. she replied by saying she couldn't touch that paperwork; I would have to give it to the doctor. Additionally, she stated it was inaccurate. When I asked why it was inaccurate. I was told because he marked he wanted everything. I replied by saying "he does". As I was leaving, I asked the nurse to clarify why she thought it was inaccurate. She answered by telling me they were under the impression he was a DNR. I then asked what gave them that impression and she told me because he was terminal. This disturbed me because they have his Advance Medical Directive therefore; because he's terminal they thought it was a mistake. Are they purpousley trying to speed his death up? I can't help but to wonder if that's what's going on because he is an inmate as if his life doesn't matter. He is only two years away from coming home. He has served most of his time.

Comments

  • sleepless in jersey
    sleepless in jersey Member Posts: 185
    #2
    OMG
    Im sorry I have been following your story this is so awful you really need to keep fighting everyday. Show up at the doors of the important people maybe speak to an attorney.
    You cant let them get away with this for your husband for the rest of the inmates.
    Im so sorry your going through this.
    Continue the fight and God Bless
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #3
    ugh
    So sorry to hear that. It sounds like a tragic situation all the way around. To begin with, the state/feds cannot afford to give the treatment they once could (my wife is a nurse in a regular hospital and tells me that the police will typically not arrest a wounded suspect until the hospital releases him....staying outside of his room the whole time so that he can't go anywhere, but there to arrest when he is released by med folk...to avoid hospital costs to the city/state).

    Second, I would not be surprised if medical care at correctional facilities are inferior to those elsewhere, just on a hunch, so you get what you are paying for, not to sound harsh. The point is, it is not surprising that his care is inferior.

    I am not sure what you can do about it. Perhaps you can report this to a state or federal health agency? Perhaps you can get an attorney to step into the picture (they tend to improve things quickly)?

    I wish you the best, both of you.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • mrsptsu2012
    mrsptsu2012 Member Posts: 63
    #4
    soccerfreaks said:

    ugh
    So sorry to hear that. It sounds like a tragic situation all the way around. To begin with, the state/feds cannot afford to give the treatment they once could (my wife is a nurse in a regular hospital and tells me that the police will typically not arrest a wounded suspect until the hospital releases him....staying outside of his room the whole time so that he can't go anywhere, but there to arrest when he is released by med folk...to avoid hospital costs to the city/state).

    Second, I would not be surprised if medical care at correctional facilities are inferior to those elsewhere, just on a hunch, so you get what you are paying for, not to sound harsh. The point is, it is not surprising that his care is inferior.

    I am not sure what you can do about it. Perhaps you can report this to a state or federal health agency? Perhaps you can get an attorney to step into the picture (they tend to improve things quickly)?

    I wish you the best, both of you.

    Take care,

    Joe

    Thanks
    Thank you so much for the encouragement and supppost. It makes be feel better to know there are some humaine people out there. At least I know I, as his wife, am not the only one who feels he deserves better health care.
  • mrsptsu2012
    mrsptsu2012 Member Posts: 63
    #5
    sleepless in jersey said:

    OMG
    Im sorry I have been following your story this is so awful you really need to keep fighting everyday. Show up at the doors of the important people maybe speak to an attorney.
    You cant let them get away with this for your husband for the rest of the inmates.
    Im so sorry your going through this.
    Continue the fight and God Bless

    Appreciation
    Thank you so much for your support. Regardless of what happens, I will fight for better health care for inmates. This is my husband's dying wishes; no other families go through what we have been through. My husband will not die in vain. I will honor his wishes and try to make it better for the next bad situation. It means a lot to me to have people like yourself out there with compassion. Thank you so much. I know I'm not alone.

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