RE: Shines

[Guest guest]

First I researched any tests that were done on my mother, and my last

husband who had atypical tuberculosis. Then, when my liver turned up

compromised I researched all the testing I was getting, and the diseases, to

know what testing to ask for. My mom was borderline for dementia because of

blockage in her carotid arteries. My last husband was an alcoholic and not

much for caring for himself. At that time I was doing all the caring for

both of us.

Now its testing for my dad, who has full blown dementia from lifelong

alcoholism, and myself, and my friends. I'm a compulsive researcher when my

brain is working. During the chemo I just can't think that well.

Abijann, something about this list confuses me. I don't understand all the

seemingly private mail being exchanged on the list. The messages with the

other user's name as the subject line. Is there a reason for keeping private

messages on the list?

Sally

BTW, its pretty well known that doctors are infamously inept at IV and blood

draws. That's why mostly nurses do them. Nurses know what they are doing. Or

better yet a phlebotomist. Doctors can do a pretty good cut down for blood

access, but that's like using a sledge hammer to insert a staple. Overkill

and ineffective. Your doctor in that situation was probably an intern doing

IV insertion until they understand how its done. You should have an option

to ask the nurse to do it, and have the doctor go practice on someone else.

Shines

I was very surprised by all that has to be done and how what a

person does can effect the test. I knew of some of it, but I'm finding out

alot more. I'm into the part where they are describing exercise, smoking,

positions a person is placed in, pregnancy, and age related effect on the

reference range results. My cousin is a phlebotomist, so I think of her

taking this course for two years. She said she got so tired of people

calling her a vampire at the hospital she worked at...she is now in a

doctors office.

It is interesting to know that a person who is lying in bed, should try not

get in an upright position from a lying position or stand

when having the testing done because of the water shifts it causes

inside the body that will make the results of a test wrong. This

includes

tests like Albumin, triglycerides and others.

How did you come to know the procedures? Are you a nurse or have you had to

do blood testing? Any information you can give to enhance my little

knowledge, I have, would be appreciated.

I remember one night my husband was in the hospital during the weekend, when

they have a skeleton crew...and this nurse tried to help an intern learn how

to set up an IV. That was surprising... you think someone, who is about to

be a doctor, would know all that. After he left, she just smiled and said,

He still doesn't understand.