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Hinged Joint Revision Complete, recovery continues

Pumpkin, I had a similar story about the hospital with my first tkr, I wrote a letter to the chairman of the board which got lots of results. I was given VIP treatment with the second knee---
 
Finally Success!!!:loveshwr:

Thanks skigirl, I complained to the patient relations person when they called. I wrote an e mail to my surgeon, I can use that as the base for a letter to the chairman. Hopefully I will not be in any hosp for a long time.
 
Re: bowel action. When I worked in a nursing home, the protocol was Milk of Magnesia at bedtime if someone had gone 3 days without a good BM. I think it's hard for the bowel to take advantage of the things you're doing right if it's so backed up. A good cleaning out might be in order.

Pumpkln said:
meds brought in late, call button not being answered, walker and commode being moved to the bathroom, and the phone being taken from my bedside (I had my cell phone).
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My hospital stay prompted a letter and a meeting. Ditto my mom's hospital stay for lung surgery. Those who are really sick don't notice the problems; you'd have to be in a coma to not notice. I'm afraid this is the story everywhere in the US. My philosophy is that when something is instituted in the name of "progress" or "quality improvement," the opposite occurs. Certainly the documentation requirements of any medical job is mind-numbing (and also time consuming).

I encourage people on Bonesmart with good experiences to say where they were so we can know and steer people there.
 
maryo52 said:
Milk of Magnesia
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I used 1/2 of a dolcolax suppository, it has done it's job clearing me out. Just glad I did not use a whole one.
I plan on writing the hospital about my concerns also.
 
@Pumpkln - have you tried prune juice mixed with milk of magnesia? I know there's a recipe in that thread with those 2 ingredients plus 7-up (I think). A nurse I spoke to told me to try just the first 2 ingredients and to heat it. She swore that it would taste like a milk shake. I won't go that far, but it was very drinkable - better than prune juice alone. I used a half cup of juice with 1 T of m of m. The first time I didn't know how long it would take to get results and I was a little anxious so I must have had 4-5 servings in a 24 hour period. Note: it may take 12-24 hours for results but 2 servings (maybe 3 max) should be more than enough. Believe me!!
 
Thanks @susie09 , things seem to finally be clearing out for now. I can see where over doing it could lead to a bit more response than you might like.
I have spent so much time sitting that my knee is now unhappy and I am playing catch up with the pain meds, which caused this whole mess in the first place.:tiredwheel:
Barometer is supposed to go up tomorrow, and hoping that will help the poor knee.
 
Oops @Pumpkln - I hope I read it right as my eyes are slipping too! I honestly couldn't see the difference until you pointed it out.

I am sorry that you almost had to change your name to poopzilla. But very funny. I am glad that you have found relief.

I am sorry your recovery is more difficult. Hopefully your doctor can switch you when you see him!

You are inspiring to me as you offer so much great advice to other members! Take care!


RTKR - 9th December, 2013
 
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Jozilla, I did edit your tag since it needs to be Pumpkln. When you type it in right, a visual of the name pops up.
 
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Home Health nurse was over today to check on me. She said I am doing great, and look more like I am at three weeks (I am at 2 weeks). Kudos to the Bonesmart way Rest, Ice, Elevation, Medicate on schedule, gentle exercises, a little walking just to do what you need to do around the house, toileting, dining room, and little walks around the house. Also one of my PT friends was over and amazed at how well I am doing. Working smarter not harder, discpline to tell people NO, stopping when anything hurts, eating right, and of course posting and reading on Bonesmart. Gosh, I think it is time for a nap.:sleep:
 
Awesome news! It must feel good to get some positive reinforcement that you are on a good path! Keep following the drill and you will see the improvement. I'm very happy for you, you truly deserve an uneventful recovery!

Be well,

Dawn
 
Hi Chris, things seem to moving (excuse the pun!) in the right direction now. I'm keeping fingers crossed for you to have an uneventful recovery from hereon.
 
Not ready for any prizes, too much company yesterday, one a drop in. Seems I over did it, and my knee is letting me know. Will have to let it settle down tomorrow, have a 45 min ride to OS office this morning. Can't wait to get home and back to bed, and I have not even got out of bed yet.
 
Pumpkln said:
I was outta the hosp at 10 30 AM, not a moment too soon. Better to complain now that I am safely home.
And yes I will have someone with me in hosp 24/7 in the future.
I have complained, and now it is time to move forward to healing and recovery.
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Pumpkin, I am sorry you had to be on the receiving end of poor patient care. I, too, feel like I need to write a letter to the hospital administrator. There were so many things that made this recent hospital stay feel like it was in the Twilight Zone. I half-joked to my husband that next time I'm bringing my own medical team. What ever happened to patient advocacy??

Are you feeling better? Is traffic moving ok? Have you tried MiraLax for your severe constipation? I'm struggling with it too and am using all kinds of lotions and potions to get the traffic jam unclogged.
 
Survived the ride to the OS's office. Got a good report, he took steri strips off:yay:.
I said "they wanted me to let them fall off", he said, "Well they are coming off now". I agree, did not think I needed those decorative stickers any longer.
X ray looks good, walking good (for two weeks), said to keep up what ever you are doing. Told him I was doing it the Bonesmart way, he agreed, no rush, pushing will only set you back.
He also brought up the e mail I sent his nurse regarding how I was treated at the hospital, and said he had brought it up with adm. He said they really do want to fix this for their patients, and he had a better response than other hospitals he has been at with similar problems. Hopefully my reporting the poor care will help someone else down the road. This is what I look like right now after my long ride. :elevate:
Thanks everyone for stopping by with your good wishes.
 
Good for you Pumpkln. Sounds like a great follow up visit. Hope you had a nice ride in your sidecar! It is good to hear your doctors response to your care in the hospital. Hopefully you have made it better for future patients. Take care!


RTKR - 9th December, 2013
 
Hi..I just caught up with your thread now. What a roller Coaster ride! I'm so glad you're out of the woods and finally on your way with no further surprises.
The only thing for me that I envied was being told to go on the junk food diet. Why had nobody suggested that to me? :)
So I was captivated by your whole drama like a great novel. I'm so glad it looks like you're finally get your happy ending. I'll be following your thread now so I won't be to far Away.

I like the idea of a thread with Good hospital, OS, and rehab references. How can we make that a reality?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 
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