A New Type of Problem

[Guest guest]

I am not really sure where to go with my current problem, but I am pretty

sure that someone in one of my favorite groups might have run into the situation

that has me really " worked up " .

While in the hospital recovering from pneumonia, I was introduced to a new

kind of " Administrative Position " called a " Hospitalist " . In my case this

person was very opinionated, young and lovely lady doctor. We did not " hit it

off " and I find myself obsessing over the various things that happened which

involved her. She was extremely abrasive and spoke rather loudly when she

gave an opinion. And, she gave many.

First, she looked down and saw the tube that went from my urostomy to a

Foley bag. Her response to that was, " Well, that's coming out right away! Who

in the world put that in? It is to come right out! " Of course, I told her

that it was staying and explained about the loss of my bladder and my

consequent urostomy.

Then, in her booming voice, she announced that I was " on entirely too much

pain medication, and MUST go to rehab to get weaned off " ! I explained that I

had been through Pain Clinic(s) and that it had taken a long time to get me on

a program that worked and that, frankly, put me on my feet.

My oxygen saturation was quite low. Wouldn't it be with pneumonia? She

next zeroed in on that. My own doctor had said that perhaps I should spend a

few days in Rehab to learn to deal with such low oxygen SATs. SHE said that I

would be walking the halls with a Physical Therapist who would be monitoring

my SATs, and that I was " not to pull any tricks " ! We (the therapist and I)

walked and talked and, although said SATs didn't come up as high as he would

have liked, we did agree that I would be able to manage at home. He left.

She came barreling into the room and announced to me that I should get

dressed and prepare to leave for Rehab, where both problems would be addressed

--

breathing and pain treatment. I explained that the P. T. and I had already

agreed that I would be going home. She ran out of the room and returned

shortly saying, " I guess I misread the record " . Get ready to go home. She

said

that someone would be coming to my house to check my levels. She further said

that, at the hospital, I would be given an instrument to help with my deep

breathing - a spiro something, which I have used before. Also, I was told

that I would be using some oxygen at home. (I had part of the setup in my

BI-PAP machine, but that only.)

I went home. No one visited. Nothing happened. Finally, I called my

doctor. We got me through the weekend and I called again saying I was confused

about what was supposed to be happening. He had me come to the office. My

SATs were definitely down. He also informed me that instead of Percocet for

breakthrough pain I was to take a med whose name I cannot think of! It is

Ultram with Tylenol.

Here's where I felt crushed. I actually asked him if the " Hospitalist " had

gotten to him. He, after all, had always been working with me and the Pain

Clinic to find the combination of things that would keep me going. He

responded that he was concerned about constipation! I am aware that that is a

side

effect of pain meds, and I handle it pretty well. He also tried to tell me

what a good person that woman was, etc. I told him that I was very upset. I

asked if she was the reason he didn't see me in the hospital, and was he

intimidated by her. Of course, he said absolutely not. Anyway, he was to give

me a spiro thing, some prescriptions, and arrange for a home visit by the VNA.

When I got into the car I realized I had none of those things. Went back,

and was given some med samples. He insisted that I stay in touch by

either/or email and phone, and that he would definitely be available to me.

I've been so angry that I haven't contacted him at all. I've chatted at

length with my nurse practitioner daughter who is far away. We both are very

upset with my " Concierge Medical Plan " and are REALLY wondering at this point

what it bought me. Our payments of $1500/year/person to VIP/MD were going to

put my husband and me in a special group. It was going to allow our

primary care physician to condense his caseload. I would stay with someone who

understood my awfully confusing medical problems.

Any ideas out there? I'm sure I need a new appointment with him. I am

perfectly willing to work on my pain care, but I do not think the whole world

needed to know about it or " my problem " . I'm almost 70 years old; my scoliosis

is very severe; I doubt I'll live to be 100, and what life I have left I

would like to be as painfree as possible.

You guys are so great. I'm sure you'll have some wise advice for me. If

you only read this and tell me I'm wrong, that's OK too! Also, if I am at the

wrong place, tell me that, too! Just re-read that " wrong place " thing; it is

a bit fuzzy. Maybe wrong group? Maybe wrong doctor?

My best to everyone, and especially to those in pain of any kind.

Sincerely,

Carole M. (the elder)