Hi, I'm a reccuring "frequent flyer" of Pneumonia...

[Wheels]

Please move this post if I have posted in the wrong forum. I am not an RN, I am a patient, a very frequent patient...

I have been in the hospital about 7 times this year for Pneumonia, one was MRSA-type they said, and the nurses had to wear gowns when ever they came into the room.

But, I have.. well, a concern. Because I have been in the hospital so many times, I dread going back, because I hate that they are thinking, "Oh.. it's him again...." kinda thoughts. And it's kind of a psuedo thing as well, because every single time I come into the hospital, they already pretty much have Ativan IV Push ordered, haha. Because I just.. totally can't handle what's going on, and the thought of me getting sick again.. and what I might hear from the chest xray.

My question is.. how can I overcome this fear? This fear of them thinking, "Oh.. it's HIM again.." I have been getting pneumonia frequently because of a tracheostomy operation I had to have, and it has made me very sick, and added to my chronic pain. I have Muscular Dystrophy (type FSH), severe scoliosis due to anatomy (rib cage actually rests on pelvic bone) causing everyday chronic sharp intense pain, and severe anxiety and depression, and bi-polar tendencies...

I'm just afraid to come into the hospital afriad of what they are thinking of me, then nurses. Them thinking, "Oh.. it's him again...here we go..." and thoughts like that. How can I overcome that, maybe from a nurse's perspective? Just... afraid of even calling the ambulance to go, starting that whole thinking process.

[lalie28]

hey wheels,

i'm sorry to hear you've been so sick. i work in a hospital, and we get a lot of "frequent flyers". you are not alone there, and obvoiusly you'd probably rather be out on a beach somewhere. not many people choose to be in the hospital or to be sick, you go there because you need to. you shouldn't worry about what the nurses are thinking. if they are judging you, then that is their problem. maybe the anxiety you feel about the situation at large is contributing to your anxiety about wondering what the nurses are thinking. be kind to the nurses, and they will like you no matter how many times you visit them; i hope the nurses have been kind to you too. it is understandable that you would be anxious, and you aren't the only patient to need ativan (many times it is ordered just in case as a prn). it sounds like you have enough going on that the last thing you need to worry about is the nurses. remember, we are here for you! i hope you feel better soon!

[ellakate]

hey wheels,

i'm sorry to hear you've been so sick. . . . . . . be kind to the nurses, and they will like you no matter how many times you visit them; i hope the nurses have been kind to you too. it is understandable that you would be anxious, and you aren't the only patient to need ativan (many times it is ordered just in case as a prn). it sounds like you have enough going on that the last thing you need to worry about is the nurses. remember, we are here for you! i hope you feel better soon!

thank you smurf28! i agree 110%!

to op, some times people who go to the hospital often, really need to be there. it sounds like you have all kinds of health issues to sort out. enlist your nurses, whether at the er or physician's office, to help you feel better. you can ask them if you are a candidate for any type of home programs to decrease er visits.

[HollyHobby]

Wheels, I'm willing to bet that your nurses are disappointed to see you again... because they want nothing more than to have you healthy, and they feel personally responsible when you are not. The more they get to know you, the more they grieve to see you suffering. And at the same time, I bet they are happy to see you because you sound like a great person, a person they must like very much, and I'm sure you hold a special place in their hearts.

Not all frequent flyers are unwanted. Sure, we cringe when "that guy" is being admitted, the one who kicks and bites and spits. But you don't sound anything like that guy.

Do not hesitate to get the care you need and deserve. Your nurses are there to take care of your needs, and you have no reason to feel hesitant or guilty or anything like that.

Some of my very favorite patients have been frequent flyers. You are someone's favorite patient, too.

[nursel56]

No wheels, I don't think the nurses are thinking to themselves, "oh, it's him again". I work with several MD patients in home care. Not once have I ever heard anything remotely negative about people with your health issues coming in for care. Most people bend over backwards to help.

In fact, what they may say is, "this is the kind of patient the ER is meant for", meaning an acute condition outside normal office hours that is new and rapidly worsening. We've had doctors who make housecalls--- because most of the time it's a lot easier for the doctor to travel than it is for the patient.

So put that idea out of your mind, and do not delay treatment for an emerging respiratory distress! :)

[LouisVRN, RN]

Wheels,

I'm sorry as well to hear about your recent health trials. From my experience we have a lot of frequent fliers. Some of them, the ones that are mean, kicking, biting, unappreciative, we do not welcome with open arms, but understand their continuing need to see us and are able to see that their response may well be due to the frustration/pain that has brought them yet again into our care. The majority of the time I am happy to see frequent fliers, you do get to know and care about your patients the more you see them, and there have been several times I've stopped by to see frequent fliers that were not my patients just to say hi and see if they were any better. The best advice I can give you is to tell the nurses you appreciate them (provided they are doing a good job) there truly is no better compliment in the world. Please never hesitate to seek care because you are afraid of what anyone will think of you. Best of luck!

[diane227, LPN, RN]

Dear Wheels: Any nurse worth her salt is going to understand that with your underlying condition you are prone to recurrent pneumonia and unfortunately as your disease progresses, it may occur more often. It is an anxiety producing condition and when a person can't breath properly, it is scary as hell. Tell the nurses that. Be up front with them. Let them know how you feel and tell them that you hope they don't consider you a burden. Have that dialogue. We have a number of patients on our floor who are there a lot. Many of these patients we love dearly and we WANT them on our floor because they feel like family. You may be surprised but the nurses may feel that way about you too. Most nurses want to have a happy, friendly relationship with their patients and want very much for them to get better. They want to see them participate in their care and try to get better. Now we do get frustrated when people refuse the medications they need to make them better. When they don't try to help themselves by taking the breathing treatments they need or getting up with physical therapy. It makes our efforts seem useless. We want to work as a team with you. So let your nurses know how you feel. I'll bet they like you better than you know. Keep us posted. We are here to offer you support.

[HollyHobby]

Dear Wheels,

at least where I work, being a "frequent flyer" does not necessarily mean the nurses don't want to see you. Speaking for myself, I am happy to see a patient again and again... I get to know that patient as a person, and I will be able to do my utmost to help him/her,

The main issue here is noncompliance. I have so many patients who refuse to follow the doctor's orders and nurses' suggestions. I recently had CHF patient who almost died because he ate a jar full of pickles.

If you're doing your best to follow the treatment plan, and following the advice your nurses offer, then you are a good patient. If you are not a beast to the nurses, they will do their best to help you recover.

Be kind to your nurses (although if you are in pain/distress you may not be able to do this, and they should understand this) and it will all be okay. We are here to Help You.

[oramar]

I am reading your responses to the OP here and you guys are great. You bring tears to my eyes. Best wish to Wheels.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

Hi Wheels,

Isn't it the truth that when we have chronic diseases and recurrent problems that the last thing we want to do is "burden" someone else.

The concept of burden here is a mute point. You are an individual who needs help, when you do by Dr.'s and nurses.

Your chronic pain has to be so tiring for you and maybe makes you feel like you would be a burden, I don't know. But what I can tell you is that nurses do care. They can't read your mind and would welcome the types of conversations others have posted here. Are you totally independent? Do you have help or support in your daily life?

I wish you well Wheels, you sound very sincere and honest. We are here as nurses to take care of you that is our job. We are nurses because we want to give care to those who need us.

Hang in there. I hope this has made you feel a bit better about seeing us in the hospital!

Sharona

[Annisme]

Wheels, I agree with the above posts. I work in the ER and see a lot of folks over and over. Some really need to be here and I am happy these people know they can rely on us to help them. As for having and "Ativan push already ordered"...it sound like these nurses know and understand your anxiety at having to come in and are anticipating your needs. The nurses I know (even the ER nurses...LOL) have soft and caring hearts for their patients.

[steplightly22]

Dear Wheels: I understand your concern, but fear not!!! You are not a burden.... We have many frequent flyers...and you cannot help but establish a relationship!!! Like some others have said, we often feel, when you must return, that we have failed! Our training is aimed at wellness, and healing! When someone has a chronic condition, it is hard... you become attached, and that can be dangerous...! You cannot be objective in care, and sometimes leads to not doing the right thing...you can care to much...! It also endangers our hearts, which, believe it or not, do get broken.... so do not fear...it is love, that you are seeing... because lets face it... if you had your choice, you would not be at the hospital!!! Talk with someone, social services, or a teaching nurse, or someone on staff you trust.... get your feelings out in the open...so you all can deal with them, and give you the most quality you can have!!! Be well!!!