Sikcell: People living with Sickle Cell

We still Hope

Venting session

Hi everybody. I am having a rough week and just need to vent, especially to those who "feel my pain." My pain crises began on Tuesday morning. Both my arms are in a lot of pain. From my shoulders down to my wrists. Not sure why my body decided to have symmetrical pain, but that's the way it is this time. I couldn't tolerate it any longer so I went to the ER. After one very good, kind nurse got off duty a mean, young, rude man came and took her place. He said he need to draw more blood for a type and cross in case I needed a transfusion. My primary reason for being there was arm pain. He proceeded to tie the tightest bands around my arms. Then told me to relax. Not in a "are you okay, just try to relax" sort of way, but a "you are on my nerves, so relax" kind of way. If someone is poking, prodding, and sticking you in the very place where you have excruciating pain, you are only going to be but so relaxed. -Anyway, after NOT being able to get the blood he proceeded to give me a list of reasons why: My veins are small, I'm probably dehydrated, I have "rolly" veins, the hemoglobin is low, etc. And I am the exception to his long record of doing hard sticks. I wanted to scream at him, but I did not have the energy to do. Plus I felt like I was in one of those situations where you don't want to tell off the waiter for fear of what they might do to your food.

I am home now, still in pain, but not as much as on Tuesday. I know prayer, fluids, and medicine will get me through. Like I said, I just had to vent.

Karen

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Comment by Veon A. McGlory on February 9, 2011 at 12:47am: I feel you the nurses saying your a hard stick and i always tell the nures in the e.r. that man dont poke me with a 20 gage because it'll make my veins caplase on you will infiltrate my vein and i hate when they dont listen and try to put a 20 gage needle in, and when they infiltrate my vein im hot then they say oh im so sorry,let me go get another nurse to come in and take a look. Who i know about your arms hurting to and they still have to take blood from you. But I am so glad that your feeling better... : )

Comment by karen graziano on January 27, 2011 at 7:48pm: It is absolutely wrong that you should have been subjected to treatment without compassion and I am sorry that you had to be subjected to inadequate care...just makes your situation worse. I know what you mean about not coming on strong...a frail friend found herself in the hospital being treating by a disrespectful staff member. I commented, "Report her to the supervisors," but I thought she was wise because she said, "If I report her, I will be at her mercy, so I made friends with her and it did have a happy ending." Since you were not dependent upon this technician, I think next time you should speak to the RN in charge. Hospitals, to say the least, do not tolerate incompetency as they are wary of lawsuits. We must be our own advocates in the healthcare system.

Comment by Eton London on January 8, 2011 at 2:26am: I really do hope you are feeling much better by now. I can fully empathize with your ER experience. However I would hasten to add that we patients have 'rights; and they should not be treaded upon. I make it quite known when i am seeking attention that I am the one in-charge. Your job is to provide with treatment options and I decide what is best in my interest.

I may sound a little shrewd but here in the C'bbean where law suits are uncommon I believe that extra precaution must be taken to ensure I am treated as effectively as possible and for that to happen I must always be a step ahead of the doctors and remain totally in charge.

Perhaps we all can ensure that we are very knowledge of our condition and versed in crisis management so we can call the shots.

I trust you are feeling well today.