tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post4549216686313303291..comments2024-01-12T06:12:35.838-05:00Comments on StorytellERdoc: The WitnessStorytellERdochttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14371229500424449124noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-50168304497047951872010-08-13T02:42:40.783-04:002010-08-13T02:42:40.783-04:00It ?is healthy!It ?is healthy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-13180422459658192302010-06-06T09:10:14.425-04:002010-06-06T09:10:14.425-04:00It is so wonderful to see a compassionate ER doc. ...It is so wonderful to see a compassionate ER doc. I'm sad to say, so many seem so jaded. Please stay just like you are.<br /><br />My friend, an older lady like a mother to me died not too long ago (but not in the ER). They called the rapid response team to her regular room initially - and I was so grateful they did not try to get me to leave. When she was conscious, I held her hand. When she wasn't, I stepped back and just let them work.<br /><br />When she really crashed, and they took her up to the unit, we were separated briefly. I told the nurse (in charge of the unit) that I don't care what I see, I want to be with her. And very quickly, when it got bad, they brought me in. <br /><br />I was the one to tell them they could stop the code. I was so grateful, it was the last thing I could do for her - which I had promised I would do, if the time came. <br /><br />Being separated from critically ill loved ones is the worst thing - I am so glad that medical personnel are becoming more aware of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-45741849690991097232010-04-20T17:29:00.639-04:002010-04-20T17:29:00.639-04:00Powerful. These stories can't be easy to write...Powerful. These stories can't be easy to write. Thank you for finding the strength to do so.Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06306854459459257368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-19162131938891587012010-04-13T16:56:21.154-04:002010-04-13T16:56:21.154-04:00Wow, what amazing and respectful writing. What a s...Wow, what amazing and respectful writing. What a story. This really moved me. I've been following your blog for a few months, and admire your ability to be a caring, compassionate physician in the face of some wrenching facts. I would totally want to be with my husband at the end, and I know he'd want to be with me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-47894462292568452252010-04-12T20:39:07.045-04:002010-04-12T20:39:07.045-04:00Poignant post... I was with my Mom when she breath...Poignant post... I was with my Mom when she breathed her last. I was holding her in my arms. My father died alone, I had just left the hospital because I was assured he wouldn't die this night but they were wrong. As another commenter said, it too haunts me. I suffered from tachycardia for years not realizing it could be life threatening. Lucky for me, two years ago I had ablation and so far I'm okay. It never occurred to me that I should go to hospital when my heart was beating 200 bpm. I would want to be with my husband if something happened as I'm certain he'd want to be with me. With luck we won't have to worry about it for a while...ciaoRosittahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722304052321553692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-6671283727812318032010-04-11T03:10:38.728-04:002010-04-11T03:10:38.728-04:00How does organ donation play a role in the ER? Tha...How does organ donation play a role in the ER? Thanks for going well beyond your duty as a physician.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-84957522893557376312010-04-11T00:08:04.997-04:002010-04-11T00:08:04.997-04:00The gift of choice, let them have it, always.The gift of choice, let them have it, always.soulful sepulcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12271584927611299868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-56156210948372551522010-04-10T16:00:09.834-04:002010-04-10T16:00:09.834-04:00I was with my mother as she passed away, and it wa...I was with my mother as she passed away, and it was not frightening at all, rather, a privilege.<br /><br />My daughter had no one with her when she died, and was crawling to the front door for help.<br /><br />That is what gives me nightmares still.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-87251786738015925482010-04-10T12:54:22.816-04:002010-04-10T12:54:22.816-04:00Thank you for all the stories. I found your blog a...Thank you for all the stories. I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and have read from the beginning up to somewhere around mid-March. They're so well-written and really show what a great person you are. If I ever get the chance to become a doctor, I hope I'm half as compassionate as you are (wouldn't mind if I could write half as well, too). Thanks again! :)Hip, hip hop, hip hop Anonymous.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04379397732780065269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-33077978172738335312010-04-10T11:32:39.404-04:002010-04-10T11:32:39.404-04:00I was thankful to be with my dad as he took his la...I was thankful to be with my dad as he took his last breath. My mom died alone and it haunts me still.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-90851551386992163982010-04-10T01:27:42.909-04:002010-04-10T01:27:42.909-04:00Thank you very much for your moving story.
One qu...Thank you very much for your moving story.<br /><br />One question, please: Forgive my ignorance, but why a pharmacist handing drugs from the crash cart as opposed to say, a pharm tech or a CC nurse?<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Hopalong GinsbergAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-66533837603824770062010-04-09T22:33:48.158-04:002010-04-09T22:33:48.158-04:00no matter what she did thank you for allowing her ...no matter what she did thank you for allowing her to choose. that's what i would want for sure.<br /><br />smiles, bee<br />xoxoxoxoxoxoEmpress Bee (of the high sea)https://www.blogger.com/profile/08300140506585000934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-72347396947345518672010-04-09T22:32:20.816-04:002010-04-09T22:32:20.816-04:00When my father had a sudden, massive MI, I had the...When my father had a sudden, massive MI, I had the option of being there when they stopped compressions. I chose to be there because I couldn't stand the thought of him being alone at that moment. I can't say how glad I am that this is becoming more common in medicine, because knowing that he wasn't alone was one of the few comforting things I was left with, at that time.<br /><br />Also, nearly 8 years later, I've gone to nursing school and am now a cardiac nurse. That is, in no small part, thanks to the compassion and generosity of spirit of the nurses, MDs, RTs and techs that were around when my father died. I still hate seeing asystole on the monitor, though. Awful, awful feeling even if it's someone's time.<br /><br />Bravo to the entire staff in your ED. Codes can be so chaotic that it's easy to forget the human factor in our hurry to preserve physiology. All of you managed to preserve both dignity and compassion.Mrs. Handyvergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14577822590707122643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-82640427378539573242010-04-09T21:26:52.199-04:002010-04-09T21:26:52.199-04:00Dr. Jim --
beautifully written and told. Words t...Dr. Jim -- <br /><br />beautifully written and told. Words truly can not express what the patient's wife had/is going to experience. I applaud you in your innovative method of allowing the patient's wife back. <br /><br />I working on a PhD in biomedical ethics with my focus on end-of-life ethics, palliative medicine and death with dignity. I state this because what you did for this family was just that. You allowed this man to pass with dignity (In my opinion). You allowed his wife to be present to see what the situation was. To make the best, most informed decisions she could. Both you and she should be applauded for that. <br /><br />While the outcome was not what your team, and the patients wife was hoping for, I truly am impressed with the sensitive way you addressed this very difficult situation.Ms2Mrs..back to Mshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14387785805251636427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-55670360272902455872010-04-09T20:54:29.707-04:002010-04-09T20:54:29.707-04:00This was a fantastic post. Well written, brisk, an...This was a fantastic post. Well written, brisk, and as stark as the situation it describes was. <br /><br />I believe it's important to give the surviving family member or spouse the option of being with their loved one at the end. As harrowing as such a thing would be, I can see how this might help some people move on, as they need to be able to.<br /><br />I was in the hospital room when my father died. I'm grateful that I was able to be there.<br /><br />You're very kind, Dr. Jim. If I ever need emergency medical care, I hope it's from a doctor as expert and compassionate as you. Have a lovely weekend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-26216573586000704952010-04-09T17:28:56.320-04:002010-04-09T17:28:56.320-04:00Great story! (Though sad.) I think if I had been t...Great story! (Though sad.) I think if I had been the wife, I would want to be there.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12714078352001622357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-1989302631549588632010-04-09T16:58:39.780-04:002010-04-09T16:58:39.780-04:00While of course each person's needs are differ...While of course each person's needs are different I think many would choose to be present if invited. When I work hospital shifts as chaplain and get called to the ED, I aways feel the pressure to get the family away; I keep them "out of the way," but not an inch farther away from their family member than they want to be. My fave ED docs are the ones who do what you did, allow the family to be present and involved. One doc had to secure consent from the family to stop the resuscitation and then invited all of them in, encouraged them to take places touching the patient, and then directed the team to cease. If there was any sensation even on an unseen level, that patient died with loving hands all over and around him, and the family gave him the sendoff they wanted.terri chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09398808840234914275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-33503576622479580842010-04-09T12:56:28.617-04:002010-04-09T12:56:28.617-04:00I would have wanted to be present while a loved on...I would have wanted to be present while a loved one was resuscitated. Just being there when they pass is comforting. I was present when my own mother passed on, but she was at home (hospice).AtYourCervixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238926588944507794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-13152377309661879762010-04-09T12:33:44.132-04:002010-04-09T12:33:44.132-04:00I definately would have wanted to be there. I'...I definately would have wanted to be there. I'm glad you gave her the opportunity. ---Gotta run, if the kids see me crying at the computer they are going to worry...Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15897067084988651970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-73899792914173168702010-04-09T10:58:04.662-04:002010-04-09T10:58:04.662-04:00Knowing that Doctors have to do their best job to ...Knowing that Doctors have to do their best job to save lives, if I was in her shoes, I would also want to see it for myself, to feel like I was there helping as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-75206761582411020362010-04-09T10:33:23.768-04:002010-04-09T10:33:23.768-04:00Awhile back (some undetermined amount of time but ...Awhile back (some undetermined amount of time but since I've been in college) my dad found himself in the ER in the middle of the night with chest pain. Eventually not ruled to be a heart attack, he was released and the family went home. Months (years?) later it came up at dinner. Kind of a "remember that time?" note. No, I didn't remember that time. I was away at school and on one bothered to tell me about their mid-night adventure. Naturally, I was irked. They tried to justify themselves saying he was fine there was no reason to worry me. The fact that they felt the need to hide it actually worried me more. I fear the "come home NOW" phone call that seemed feasible with my four living grandparents, but recently it's dawned on me that my frantic 15-hour drive home might not be because of my grandparents. Please keep fighting for lives! But thank you for letting the family be there to witness the organized chaos.<br /><br />I hope things are well with you and your family,<br /><>< KatieKatie Axelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09361471654719262744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-23401696417615080202010-04-09T10:05:01.691-04:002010-04-09T10:05:01.691-04:00I would want to be there in the room with my husba...I would want to be there in the room with my husband. It would be hard and scary, but I would want to be there, to have one last chance to hold his hand. I'm glad that you allowed this unfortunate woman that last moment with her husband.Tanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18251939474636133817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-83722823399208512542010-04-09T09:39:51.774-04:002010-04-09T09:39:51.774-04:00I am impressed.
The patient's wife's cour...I am impressed.<br /><br />The patient's wife's courage and love.<br /><br />The large team of specialists giving their best to the ER patient. I don't think we get that number of specialists attending to 1 patient for 40 minutes in Singapore. In fact, once brain-death is pronounced in "government" hospitals and the patient is eligible for organ harvesting by law, a team of organ harvesters would swoop in. Sadly, that's how things work by law in Singapore... I suspect it is traumatising even to the staff.<br /><br />http://matrixisland.blogspot.com/search/label/Organ%20RobberyWinking Dollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045187430930181570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-87085873236904707572010-04-09T09:39:43.788-04:002010-04-09T09:39:43.788-04:00Please, hire me. ;)
I have often been the one in...Please, hire me. ;) <br /><br />I have often been the one in the room alone with a patient who's been DNR while they take their last breath. Alone. Because the family can't take it. And that breaks my heart. Death is not ugly. It's not scary. It's actually quite peaceful. <br /><br />I am so sorry for the woman who lost her husband so tragically. But I am thankful that she got to make the decision and rest in that peace. <br /><br />Happy weekend, friend!The Hopeful Elephanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00004038685351656184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7558528804236989500.post-45018824866808596392010-04-09T09:36:08.597-04:002010-04-09T09:36:08.597-04:00So sorry for her loss, but glad she could hold his...So sorry for her loss, but glad she could hold his hand one last time.rlbateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15236331355857884458noreply@blogger.com