I had a lot of time through the night to think things through. I needed to fight to be treated. The night before I had talked Dr. Phillips into stopping the fluids because of the swelling. She just did it!?!? It really bothers me when my doctor allows me to be the doctor. The ENT didn't even show up to check on me like he'd promised. I also still hadn't heard a thing from Dr. Olson which made no sense if Dr. Raghavan had truly called her. So that was it, I had to fight for myself.
I called National Jewish and talked with a nurse as soon as they opened. She was very concerned about my situation. She said she'd expedite the message and try to get Dr. Olson or Dr. Fenster to call me as soon as possible.
About an hour later, Dr. Phillips' PA entered the room. She mentioned that my BP had dropped significantly since yesterday. She asked me if they sent me home, did I think I could be careful and not pass out or get back to the hospital if I did. I just stared at her. She asked if I wanted to go home. I said yes and she bounced away. Seriously....
I wasn't feeling so good, so I rested and distracted myself with texts from friends until Dr. Phillips entered the room. She said, "I heard you're a 2nd grade teacher! How awesome! I have three third graders. You're such a good patient, sooooo, I'm just gonna send ya on home. I just need to find out what the ENT is going to do. Okay!" I just stared at her. I couldn't form the words to fight for myself. She's a total dingbat. Just then the PA popped in the door and said the ENT would see me in his office in the morning to remove the packing. Dr. Phillips looked at me and said, "Super! Bye then." and bopped out of the room. Are you kidding me? I just sat for minutes in shock and then crawled back under the covers.
I decided tomorrow wasn't acceptable for an ENT visit. He had said Wednesday and I was determined to hold at least one doctor accountable. I called the office and after much perseverence I finally won a battle. The triage nurse said he would come to my room to see me before I left the hospital.
In the midst of fighting for the ENT to visit, National Jewish called back. I was hoping to answer to the sound of Dr. Olson's voice, but it was Marsha, the nurse. She said Dr. Olson was very concerned and wanted my doctor's phone number so she could talk to her as soon as possible to help me. (insert near meltdown here) I tried to explain to her that my doctor is a hospitalist and was gone. She had just left an hour before to start the discharge paperwork. There was no phone number or way to contact her (I learned that 1st hand trying to contact Dr. Woody earlier this year). I asked Marsha what advice Dr. Olson had for me and she had no clue. I was so close to help yet it was completely out of reach. I reluctantly hung up the phone.
The ENT removed the packing which did cause some slow bleeding again. He didn't seem to notice (because he didn't even check). I signed my paperwork and left. Back home, still dizzy with blood trickling from my nose, I sat on the couch trying to figure out what had happened. My phone rang and it was Dr. Olson. In a nutshell, no doctor had contacted her. She was extremely concerned. She gave me her pager number and insisted I give it to doctors for now on so they have no excuse for contacting her. She wanted me back at the hospital if the bleeding didn't stop within the hour (but it has). She's going to call Dr. Raghavan herself tomorrow to help her with the detailed plan for me.
Stacey is staying over tonight just in case something happens. All I want to do now is crawl into my bed and believe that change is around the corner.
