James 1967

Thank you, put in that perspective it makes total sense. I would never do something like that, but how could the nurse know. Thank you for explaining that in a clear way.

Thank you Mizfradd. I am attempting to do that very thing yet it takes much time. If need be I will pay for it myself, yet money is limited (though I'm trying). I wish I would have stayed in school rather than be an artist... Well, I like being an artist, but still wish I had received more schooling. I appreciate the luck and the well wishes.

One further thing, after being here I will be seeing a urologist and a neurologist if need be.

There should have been a comma between field and yet. Like this. I am not in the medical field, yet I would respectfully like to ask a quick... It should have been written like that. I was in the ER for the kidney stones and went through the process of seeing if the stones would pass naturally. When they didn't I had further, more in depth tests run and was referred to a urologist. Up to this time I had medical coverage through the state, the coverage ran out. I paid the visit to the off site urologist in cash but had to make a choice between further visits and rent. I chose rent. I was never seen by a urologist in the ER.

Do you believe that I went in and told them that I thought I was having a heart attack, and had series of tests, xrays, and spent all night in and out of the waiting room for a kick as well? Allow me to ask this, If a middle age woman came in with chest pains, was hooked up to the equipment in bed after waiting many hours (once again I know all of you get very busy) and was in the same situation and need, would you feel very uncomfortable and suspicious of the motivation of the woman who made this request of you?

I fully agree Angie.

I have been reading the "nursing pet peeves" section and I must say, that should be required reading for all patients and their families before admittance. LOL. My respect for all of you has gone to an all new level. I could never have imagined all the things you are put through.

I appreciate that. Thank you.

Dishes, What could I do to get a neurological test? And do you or anyone else have a suggestion on financial assistance for the test? I am sorry to ask so many questions but it can be a maze sometimes out there. Cherex, I was scared, very scared. I thought that I was going to die. Otherwise I would have never went to the emergency room. (Needles, and the loss of a lot of money, and all that goes with the er Including the waste of others time while patients are in need isn't my idea of a good time. The reference of possibly being manipulative and/or creepy was sad for me to hear from an above poster, because I used the wrong word for briefs. I won't make that error again if it arises. But, that was the start of my questioning, I wanted to know the proper etiquette in requesting something so I respect the posters view.) Wow, that was a long side track... I had an ekg run on my arrival which came back good I assumed at the time (and know now to be the truth) that that is why I was able to wait, which was fine for me. I brought a book, an Ipod, they had television and the waiting area was better than most I had ever seen. I just didn't bring enough briefs for the wait. Do you guys know what it's like to be eating a Mcdonalds sandwich and think you might die at the same time? (insert joke here) I had another ekg and a second blood test about 6 hours later (I think, the timing is a bit of a blur). I was asked about my level of pain on a number scale, (have any of you ever asked that? That was an attempt at humor.) which has recently been redefined for me as I had 4 kidney stones last year, talk about thinking you are dying. The pain gave me a white out in my memory as I tried to drive to any hospital. I didn't make it on my own and had my first and as of now last ride in an Ambulance. I told them the number was low, a 1 or a 2 in comparison to the pain I have been through in the past. I wasn't there for painkillers or stuff like that, I just hoped I was going to be ok. It was hard to ask for further help, it really was. I have always had slight body issues and really didn't even want to pull up my shirt (yet I didn't complain) to get those little sensors put on me, Let alone a changing. I am rambling... I write this for an understanding. An understanding for myself and other regular people who may someday be in a similar situation and for you to understand as well. I don't want people to wait on me hand and foot, I don't want to be a problem to others, I don't think I am a creepy or bad guy, and I don't want to be sick or less of a person for having issues in this life. That's all for now. I thank you all for your help, your service and all you go through on a daily basis helping others who are at their very worst. James P.S. Cherex, I am also in the Haunt industry as an owner and designer of many attractions, It's really cool to me that you are as well.

Sorry I was unclear in my posts. I was very quiet and kinda wishy washy when I asked her. I was very unsure of myself. As for the word diaper, I guess I thought it would be mo big deal to call it that as I felt they must have heard it before. It seemed like the right word to use, I didn't know it was the wrong one. Thanks for the well wishes. James

Thanks for the info, that makes sense. I have to ask, you said " its not like they are purposely doing it. (usually)". Are there really people who wet on purpose? Why would they put themselves and others through that? Or were you kidding. Have a great day.

I understand now that I should have told them everything the moment I was first seen yet I only spoke as to why I was there at that moment. I did go to a urologist and other than being given a surprising prostate exam I discovered nothing new. I haven't continued as money has been a real factor for me, and I moved to Florida shortly after. I have had that test where iodine is injected and you are x rayed, that was a great challenge to say the least yet once again nothing was found. Chicookie, I understand how it may be strange for you (you do mean changing someone right) and I would expect the look to be honest. That's why it is hard to talk about. What do the techs do? It's ok that I wasn't helped, everyone there was really nice to me and I did find the hospital to be a great one. I hope to get insurance assistance. I am working as well by the way, I just don't have medical coverage. In the end, I wasn't having a heart attack as I had feared. (so nice to be wrong) :) They did so many tests but have no idea other than "stress" as the cause. I don't feel stressed though... Still have the pain though. Maybe I'm just getting older. I really want to thank you all for reading and taking the time to reply. You are all amazing for doing so and I promise to be an even better patient in the future if I can.

That is how I was feeling that the situation may have interpreted as, and why I didn't press for help. I knew that they did have a long night and I was embarrassed as is.

Thank you for the reply, I actually asked something similar to "could you give me a hand? I don't want to mess up all these wires," yet she just told me that if it's too much trouble I could disconnect the wires and left. I didn't as I wouldn't know what to do with the IV. So I was just really really careful. It took quite some time.

Thank you in advance as I feel like a bit of an intruder here. I am incontinent (urinary) and was recently in the E.R. for chest pains. While I was there I informed the nurse of my condition and asked for diapers (as I had waited much longer to get a bed than I had anticipated and foolishly didn't bring enough supplies. It was a crowded evening.) The nurse seemed shocked that "at 41 I was much too young to have incontinence issues!" I have nearly always wet the bed and have had trouble during the day for the last year. She sighed and agreed to get me the needed briefs (by the way, I read the thread on what to call them and the word diapers doesn't phase me in the least) Yet I had to explain myself to the next 3 nurses as I was there for 21 hours, all but one looked at me as if I was from Mars. My question is this, I was very tired, in pain and having a difficult time with the diapers as the wires and tubes were somewhat in the way and I really wanted to ask for help changing. Would this have been out of line for me to ask? I know you all work very hard and have much to do, yet I have thought about this a bit as I may be in the same situation in the future. Lastly, would there be a proper etiquette in how I ask this of my nurse to show that I do truly respect them and am not just attempting to be catered to? Thank you for your time and allowing me to step in here for a moment. Sincerely, James