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Medical Care

Late last December, Don started experiencing severe pain in his leg (thigh) and in his lower back. When it happened that he tried to stand and ended up falling to the floor, barely missing hitting his head on the corner of a marble table top we made a trip to the Sarasota hospital emergency room. He was there for six hours, had an Xray on his back, never actually saw a doctor but was give five days worth of pain medications -- no explanation of what might be causing the pain. A few days later he went to the ER again but was told to go see his doctor and sent home. A doctor visit resulted in five more days of pain medication, no other follow-up. The leg pain is most likely nerve damage from his years of working construction. The lower back and side pain -- related to work history? Shameless bid for pain meds?

When we returned to Vermont, Don went back to his regular doctor. I told him to ask about a kidney stone but he was told, "unlikely since the pain was intermittent." A second time -- he was finally sent for a kidney scan. Back to his PCP, who prescribed Flomax and said she would see him again in a month. Maybe then they would discuss a referral to a urologist if he didn't pass the stone.

The stone is 1.9 cm. CENTIMETERS not millimeters.


Doctor Google lists the symptoms of a kidney stone and Don has been having at least six of them:

Pain around the side, lower back, and or groin.                             Check

Nausea and vomiting                                                                      Check

Fever                                                                                                ?

Frequent urge to urinate                                                                 Check

Blood in urine                                                                                Check

Painful urination                                                                            Check

Inbility to find a comfortable position                                          Check


Yesterday Don was in so much pain while he was out working in his storage unit that he once again ended up in the ER at The University Health Center in Burlington (via ambulance). Yes, he was prescribed some pain meds but he also will get an emergency appointment with a urologist. There is no likelihood that a kidney boulder is going to pass naturally.


This doesn't seem like normal medical care.



Comments

  1. Jenn JilksAugust 24, 2023 at 11:55 AM

    That is just awful. I am so sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda ReederAugust 24, 2023 at 12:48 PM

    "normal medical care" is hard to come by these days. The wait time for an appointment is long and the attention is short. I have been fortunate but it could still be a lot better. The problem is that since covid so many medical providers left that now everywhere they are short staffed. It doesn't look good for our future.
    I hope Dons gets care ad relief soon.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Miss MerryAugust 24, 2023 at 1:07 PM

    I'm sorry. I have my own stories, too. I am really sorry your husband has to suffer when no one seems to take an interest in solving the problem.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MaebemeAugust 24, 2023 at 1:32 PM

    Health care has really become much less considered of possibilities and more of an assembly line process. Sometimes hoofbeats are zebras. I do hope Don's surgery goes well, and his pain is resolved quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. TerraAugust 24, 2023 at 11:46 PM

    I hope Don gets successful treatment soon so he can heal and the pain stop.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Margaret (Peggy or Peg too)August 25, 2023 at 4:50 AM

    As you know we've been through medical hell. We have seen great medical care and then care as you described. I hope Don (and you) get relief quickly!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. gigi-hawaiiAugust 28, 2023 at 2:17 PM

    Horrible!!! I hope they can find the true cause of his pain and cure him. It's awful to be in so much pain.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Linda MyersAugust 29, 2023 at 9:27 PM

    We've had similar experiences. So sorry it's happening to you and Don as well.

    ReplyDelete

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