Update for all the lovely DUers who care about my 95 year old Grandma!

[Coventina]

My previous thread was expressing my anger about her lack of pain management.

So many of you expressed care and concern, I thought I'd update you on what is going on.

She went to the surgeon for the follow up on Wed, which is when she was told to "tough it out."

At about midnight, Friday morning she called my dad (her son) to say she was in so much pain she couldn't move to take her pain med or go to the bathroom.

He and his wife came over, saw that her leg was GROSSLY swollen and bright red. They called the paramedics and she was taken to the hospital.

The diagnosis was cellulitis, and she was FINALLY given decent pain relief. I spent all day yesterday with her.

At one point, the doctor came in and said that her leg and pain level were so bad, they were concerned it was necrotizing fasciitus!
That would mean an amputation of the leg above the knee!

Well, my poor Grandmother burst into tears! (Who wouldn't?)
I was the only one there with her at the time, and it was all I could do to get the information from the doc and ask questions without falling apart myself!

After x-rays and a CAT scan, it was determined it was "only" a severe case of cellulitis, and no amputation would be needed.
*whew*

So, she's on heavy duty antibiotics and painkillers.

Sadly, she cannot stay in the hospital, because our healthcare system is dumb. She has to go to a "skilled nursing facility" or, as I know them, a death trap.
The first place they recommended was the place that killed my friend!
I was like, no way is she going there! Not happening!

Ugh.

I still hate this country, at least when it comes to healthcare.

Thanks again to all of you for caring.

[suffragette]

1. I am so sorry your grandmother was subjected to this ordeal. It's unconscionable that she has

been made to endure such pain and stress.

[Historic NY]

2. Lucky here in NY upper state metro county....

we still have the County Nursing Home System in place, more than 185yrs old. The Republicans wanted to killed it and sell the rest off to private concerns. Fortunately Democrats and some Republicans got together and won out in the end. The failing home actually was a cash cow and it is well in the black and able to pay and hire more staff. Went from 12 million in the red its now 47 million in the black. Federal funds have help sort out things.

Granted the county acquires property and uses the patients assets,(Important for people to have legal document such as a trust in place) but its care by the people in this county. The do it good.

[Hortensis]

19. That's good to hear. Good SNFs are places chronically ill

people receive good administration of the care available, but not normally the miracles people nearing the end of their lives would need to somehow get well.

With the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant organisms, most acute care hospitals are not good places for people to remain in longer than necessary and also unnecessarily expensive for people who have no need for acute care treatment.

I once scrutinized the hospital-acquired infection rates of local hospitals and chose one with a very good rating should either of us need admission, but it's been a while and I should check again.

[Ohiogal]

3. Absolutely obscene!

I am so sorry this had to happen! What a nightmare!

I dealt with a similar experience about ten years ago when my mom was on her downhill slide, but it was nowhere near the horror your grandmother experienced.

I do agree with you that healthcare in this country is an abomination, especially for the fragile elderly. We have got to get over this mind set that medicine must be for profit, and we need more and better resources for the elderly. I am so sorry that your grandmother was dismissed like that. I hope she is kept comfortable now and gets into a decent care facility.

There's no reason for this except that stubborn arrogant Republicans who are held hostage by their corporate Masters refuse to enact change. I hope that, if Dems can take over in the next few years, things will change.

Best of luck to your Grandma and to all of you who love her and fight for her to be treated like a human being. We can and should be able to do better. I hope that happens very soon.

[DUgosh]

4. Wow

Love, strength and good healing thoughts for Grammy - thanks for sharing her with us. Lost mine and my own folks long ago.

[nolabear]

5. It's important for someone to be her advocate. Treatment happens on the ground.

I have a son who has a chronic condition that lands him in the hospital, very ill and initially unable to advocate for himself, several times a year. We have to rush him to the ER. The treatment there and in hospital can vary from appalling (he’s a young man and they think all those drug seeking thoughts too even though he’s been there maybe a hundred times since he was a child). We’ve gained some ground by having a specialist who finally impressed them, we think, but I always work hard to talk to the nurses and techs about the person he is, to ask about them and their lives while they work, to thank them for their efforts and to ask how I can help. It makes a difference. So often they defend themselves by making people matter less. And even if they’re just lazy or uncaring it often gets better when you ask advice, advocate for the patient, etc. I’ve even slyly shown them photos of my son reading to and playing with his little nephew, to show them he’s a good man.

Your poor grandmother. I’m sorry it’s gotten so rough.

[Loryn]

6. I am glad you were with her.

What a horrible experience, I'm glad her pain is being managed now.

[Ms. Toad]

7. She actually went to the Surgeon, who looked at his handiwork

and told her to tough it out?

If that's the case (and it wasn't just a phone call), Ca-Ching!! Find a malpractice attorney. No competent surgeon (heck, no competent LPN) could look at cellulitis and not recognize it for the life-threatening condition that it is.

(That doesn't help your grandmother - but it might at least make enough of an impression of hte surgeon that he is more responsive the next time.)

Sorry for your grandmother - I know how painful cellulitis is.

[Coventina]

8. Yes, she actually went in the office and was examined by the surgeon.

I agree that legal advice should be sought, but my dad won't do it.

He's a fundie, and has been thoroughly programmed to obey authority and not question it.

It drives me mad.

[Ms. Toad]

9. At least he got her to the hospital in time to save her leg & life. n/t

[Coventina]

10. Yes, I will definitely give him that.

I am very grateful that he could see that something was very wrong.

And, maybe it is possible that the cellulitus developed after the surgical follow-up.

[Ms. Toad]

11. Unlikely, given the pain she was in at the time.

My daughter came home from school limping, out of the blue. We noticed a red spot - about the size of a quarter on her foot. Called the ask-a-nurse line. She asked if it was red, and if it was hot. When we answered "yes," she told us to immediately get her to the ER. Once we got her there - they took her back immediately (ahead of a full waiting room of very ill people).

That was out of the blue. Cellulitis is a known risk of surgery. I'm pretty sure I could grab any of my surgical "going home" instructions and find the advice to go to the ER immediately if the surgical site is painful, inflamed, or hot.

[Coventina]

13. Good to know! Thanks!

It sounds like the surgeon was pretty crappy!

[Just a Weirdo]

14. Tell your father that he's an idiot for not following legal means

It does sound like the surgeon committed malpractice by not following up on your grandmother's care.

Then find a malpractice attorney that can handle idiots like your father.

[people]

24. Seeking legal advice . . .

If your grandmother is competent and your dad does not hold her power of attorney, you would not need him to call a lawyer. I do not know what state your grandmother is in, but, for example, in California lawsuits can be brought for medical negligence (malpractice) and also there's a separate claim for elder abuse. Lawyers who handle these kinds of cases almost always work on a contingent fee basis so there's no money to put up front. There's an organization in San Francisco called Californians for Nursing Home Reform, www.CANHR.org. You may want to email them or call them (phone number is on their website) and ask for a lawyer in your state that you can call. Just saying that your dad does not necessarily have the final say on whether or not a lawyer is consulted or a lawsuit pursued. Good luck to your grandma. Sounds like a very strong person and she's so very, very lucky to have you there.

[renate]

12. I'm so sorry she had to suffer like that

[LoisB]

15. I am glad your Grandmother won't lose her leg and is finally getting the pain meds she needs.

Next time I hear someone talk about our first-rate healthcare system, I will tell them about your Grandmother's experience. At 95, she has earned the right to nothing less than the best care available. All the best to her and to you for being so caring.

[Niagara]

16. Sending your grandma healing vibes!! n/t

[vlyons]

17. Check out knee-high compression socks

Ask the Dr. if he recommends compression sock on that leg.

[leftyladyfrommo]

18. I don't understand the system.

My friend had to go to a rehab facility and she ended up in this really swanky place. She has her own room and says they treat her like a princess .

She is on Medicare. She also has a long term stay policy that she has been paying on for years. I don't know if that made the dufference.

[pansypoo53219]

20. my 96 yr old great-aunt got into a good nursing home after she broke her hip at 96.

even if she called it a chicken coop. she had severe swelling + her legs leaked(water), but she go rehab & she got back home & almost made 99.

[Hamlette]

21. They did a study giving men and women the same symptoms which were difficult to diagnose.

the doctors ran expensive tests on 85% of the men and 15% of the women. They told 85% of the women it was all in their head (nicely, like "tough it out&quot

[hostalover]

22. So sorry she has had to undergo so much!

[CaptainTruth]

23. I wish her (& you) the best.