Hemochromatosis Support Group
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by improper processing by the body of dietary iron which causes iron to accumulate in a number of body tissues, eventually causing organ dysfunction. It is the main iron overload disorder. Hemochromatosis is notorious for having symptoms that are often initially misattributed to other diseases.
the dr says, everything is elevated, but nothing is critical. your numbers are a little higher than usual for a woman your age but nothing major and we can certainly get some of that iron off of your blood to make you feel better (insert big cheesy smile)
Me: but what about my veins, the last time i had phlebotomies, i had to have a port installed.
Dr:: hang on just a min and let me get_____to look at you.
Random nurse: (looks at both arms for all of 3 seconds): oh yeah no prob, i believe we can get a vein.
IN THE TREATMENT AREA
Me: what method did the dr order for numbing my arm, like we discussed
smartass random nurse who is just barely out of college:: oh we don't numb the vein
FOR THE NEXT 30 MINS:
little miss smartass looks irritatedly for a vein in both arms and when she finds one digs & digs & digs until i'm reduced to tears and uncontrollable shaking.
2nd attempt, well i guess i could order you some emla cream for your next visit.
3rd attempt she re enters the first site trying to access that first vein again, the whole time saying.....(me in a mocking voice) it won't thread, it won't thread.....well duh dumbass, if you & the dr had communicated you would have known that.
All i wanna know is, when did it become so wrong for a patient to be listened too?......i'm done.
Me: but what about my veins, the last time i had phlebotomies, i had to have a port installed.
Dr:: hang on just a min and let me get_____to look at you.
Random nurse: (looks at both arms for all of 3 seconds): oh yeah no prob, i believe we can get a vein.
IN THE TREATMENT AREA
Me: what method did the dr order for numbing my arm, like we discussed
smartass random nurse who is just barely out of college:: oh we don't numb the vein
FOR THE NEXT 30 MINS:
little miss smartass looks irritatedly for a vein in both arms and when she finds one digs & digs & digs until i'm reduced to tears and uncontrollable shaking.
2nd attempt, well i guess i could order you some emla cream for your next visit.
3rd attempt she re enters the first site trying to access that first vein again, the whole time saying.....(me in a mocking voice) it won't thread, it won't thread.....well duh dumbass, if you & the dr had communicated you would have known that.
All i wanna know is, when did it become so wrong for a patient to be listened too?......i'm done.
and I LOVEEEEEEEEEE my EMLA!
zzzzzz
i was so traumatized when i left the dr's office that i was crying and trembling uncontrollably and not one person stopped me to find out why.....to me, this is emotional abuse.
Taking a friend might also get their attention, maybe be more sympathetic/understanding. PLUS, she would have a witness to her treatment & report them to management or admistration! If there was another place to go, I'd try that, too. Even if it meant driving a little farther.
zzzzz
all of the hype about caring facilities is just that "hype". the one thing that every dr i have seen since my galbladder surgery has had the same reaction. "i'm not going to fix what another dr screwed up", and i am left to suffer that mistake.
med facilities have made it abundantly clear that they have no desire to treat a person who is in my condition. i am mentally and physically and mentally exhausted and i just can't fight the system anymore.
i will take the knowledge i have and try to do the best i can and just pray that the lord shows mercy on me when i am at my worst.
hugs everybody :-)