CHarris...update!

I doubt that she has ever been medical-savvy enough, or Internet-savvy enough, to communicate effectively about diagnoses and problems. That's why I'm so scared for her. She's had problems from day one and has never had anyone around to help or support. She has given her all to her family, who have in turn (me reading between the lines) sucked the life out of her no matter how sick she's been since her surgery.
 
I have the same questions as Diana. Yes, she needs help badly! She needs to know and understand her diagnosis and what's causing the swelling. Is it CHF? LE? What is her electrolyte picture right now?
 
But to get those answers, SHE--or her legal representative--would have to ask those questions and demand answers.

I know, as an almost nine years post-op patient of Keshishian, that he responds to email and phone calls...very rapidly in most cases. At this point, she HAS a physician and if she isn't asking...or getting answers...or remembering the answers...this is sad and getting sadder. Because the SNF doctor will know nothing about the DS, and--if there is a DS Reason for her problems--that's not good at all.
 
This whole shituation is breaking my heart :(
I've been in advocateless situations and ... you just feel helpless. I hope Charris finds someone to advocate on her behalf. And soon:

Why is her original WLS surgeon not being consulted? Are these health issues a result of her WLS? What is her diagnosis? What are you doing to fix the issues? You're doing all you can? Great. What is her prognosis? What is her future outlook? What can she do to avoid this happening again? Etc... Etc... Etc...?

So sad dammit!
The last person I know who was in a nursing home ... it was not a great outcome.
I'm a bit scared for Charris and hope she finds someone to speak up for her. It sounds like she needs someone to knock some heads together on her behalf!

J.
 
Oh no! Is there any medical advocacy service which we could hire? Is she taking her vitamins while she is in there? Can we get a vitalady mail drop?
 
@Spiky Bugger Do you know what SNF? What room she is in? Maybe we could inquire about the name of the doctor and fax some information about the DS and give him/her some insight or better yet give the SNF to Dr. K and see if he will get in touch with them. There has to be something we can do. I don't have much money but if we all donate even a few dollars maybe someone could get down there and help her! Jesus I am so scared for her and she has been through so much!! You know they are not giving her the vitamins and protein that are needed which will only make things so much more worse.
 
@Spiky Bugger Do you know what SNF? What room she is in? Maybe we could inquire about the name of the doctor and fax some information about the DS and give him/her some insight or better yet give the SNF to Dr. K and see if he will get in touch with them. There has to be something we can do. I don't have much money but if we all donate even a few dollars maybe someone could get down there and help her! Jesus I am so scared for her and she has been through so much!! You know they are not giving her the vitamins and protein that are needed which will only make things so much more worse.

Barb,

I know how to find her...but we have no "standing," as they say in legal situations. No matter how well-meaning, we are just a bunch of strangers and, because of HIPAA, they cannot even acknowledge that she is a patient or what doctor is hers. We are the cyber equivalent of nosey neighbors. And to make it worse, we are nosey neighbors who think we know more than the medical professionals on the scene.

I am frustrated, too. I texted her this evening...no response so far. (And her voice mail mailbox is full. So you have to get lucky and call when she can answer the phone.) I guess I/we COULD send something addressed "to the doctor of ," but my personal experience with family members' SNF doctors has not caused me to believe that they would take the time to read it.

It is tempting--to me, too--to offer to pay for airfare and such for one of our experts, but I'm pretty sure that anyone clever enough and confident enough to handle the task would know that, lacking standing, they might not be well received, by staff or family or the patient herself, given that she is dependent on those people on a day-to-day basis.

I'll call her again in the morning.

It seems that they at least should be made aware that she won't absorb certain forms of medications...
 
well, finding her is the first thing. you can get a message to her through the nurses station.
 
What state is she in? South or north? I can't believe we have no "boots on the ground" that could get to her and help. Even if we had to put out a plea on other boards. Crap!
 
Ok, I know some non-WLS people there and there are some DSers over on FB OHDS Family that are not completely clueless. Should I post a 'help-wanted ad' there? Oh crap! We need to know which SNF and get a message to Charris first. *headdesk*
 

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