Lessons from an Autopsy (Warning: Graphic) - page 2

1. 
   Apr 4, '08

   Thanks for the interesting and touching story.
   
   I'm not familiar with my "nurse speak" yet...I think I've gathered that "P.E." is a pulmonary embolism...I wonder what is "DVT" ??
2. 
   Apr 4, '08

   dvt: [color=#0000cc]medlineplus medical encyclopedia: deep venous thrombosis
3. 
   Apr 4, '08

   What an incredible story. I am to graduate this June and I will not forget this story. This is a great site and I am thankful for nurses like you and others.
4. 
   Apr 8, '08

   Great story thanks for sharing. You have an incredible talent !! I look forward to reading more of your stories or articals that you write or post. :wink2:

   Last edit by libby231 on Apr 8, '08
5. 
   Apr 20, '08

   thank you lovingnuse for sharing your expirience, My husband was diagnosed with PE after having ankle surgery in 2007 My God, we were lucky! I will not forget this article ever!
6. 
   Apr 20, '08

   Reike25, that must have been very frigthening for both of you. I'm so glad your husband is okay. Whew!
   
7. 
   Apr 22, '08

   That was a great story. I am going to share it with my classmates. Thank you!!!
8. 
   Apr 23, '08

   My scan showed "mulitple rat bite like" spots: they didn't even bother to count the PEs, after an outpatient laparoscopy. Looking back, I don't know how I survived other than the grace of God. I kept insisting I had to go home after only one day in the hospital (wasn't dx'ed until 2 weeks postop), because I had promised my kids that my abd. surgery was nothing like their dad's (who turned out to have CA, and died 4 nomths after his exploratory surgery). Moms just don't want to admit there is something wrong.
   
   I think your experience (and mine) shows just how important it is to teach what to look for and report after any kind of surgery. Thanks for sharing. :redpinkhe
9. 
   Apr 30, '08

   I'm so sorry about your husband, JBudd. Bless your heart. :heartbeat
   

   shows just how important it is to teach what to look for and report after any kind of surgery."

   Prayers of thankfulness that you are still here. redpinkhe:redpinkhe

   Last edit by LovingNurse on Apr 30, '08
10. 
    May 7, '08

    Good job. I'm glad to see more people now have the opportunity to read your account of that day. It's still saved in my clinical file.
11. 
    May 12, '08

    During nursing school I had a Professor who forbid us to test for Homan's sign, she had lost a fiance who threw a clot when the nurse tested for Homan's. He was in his early 20's and was a motorcycle accident victim.
12. 
    May 14, '08

    How did you get to watch an autopsy? I'm very interested in watching one, but don't know how to go about it. (I'm sorry if this question seems callous...)
13. 
    May 17, '08

    Hi HM74380,
    
    You might check with the education department at a teaching hospital. Not all hospitals do them. The hospital were I was has an open 'shadow program' where students and practicing nurses alike, can visit (almost) any area of interest in the hospital... whether it be areas of potential job interest that they'd like to check out, or areas to enhance their education.
    
    I had not requested to watch an autopsy that day. I was actually shadowing the IV/ PICC team - but they got caught up and I had time left to spare, and the opportunity arose so I took it.
    
    3 years ago, a dear friend of mine lost her husband suddenly, and he was autopsied at the same hospital where I saw this one. I kept thinking of him, my friend, and their child...and how I was waiting with her for the reason why he died too soon, and remembered during that wait how I fought to avoid the images of autopsy that were in my mind, and how I hoped she wasn't having them too.
    
    No, I hadn't planned on seeing an autopsy that day... but I did, and I think it made me a better nurse, so it happened for a reason.

    Last edit by LovingNurse on May 17, '08

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