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Just home after major surgery + hospitalization (doing ok, but still recovering from #sternotomy & #AVR @umichmedicine @umichCVC for congenital bicuspid).
As a physician, I felt more prepared than most.
Have some reflections (disclosure = can’t claim universal):
Thread
1/10
As a physician, I felt more prepared than most.
Have some reflections (disclosure = can’t claim universal):
Thread
1/10
On my disease:
•tremendously thankful there is treatment & I will recover without disability
•very clear eyed: other illnesses are harder/sadder/stigmatized, others die younger
•life has no guarantee, we each have our burdens
•if need reminder = come to my next ER shift
2/10
•tremendously thankful there is treatment & I will recover without disability
•very clear eyed: other illnesses are harder/sadder/stigmatized, others die younger
•life has no guarantee, we each have our burdens
•if need reminder = come to my next ER shift
2/10
On what patients experience:
•overwhelming helplessness
•uselessness
•vulnerability
•loneliness
•uncertainty
•fear
•shame
•physical pain, yes, but above harder
3/10
•overwhelming helplessness
•uselessness
•vulnerability
•loneliness
•uncertainty
•fear
•shame
•physical pain, yes, but above harder
3/10
On what patients want:
•antidotes to the above: compassion, non-judgement, humanity, understanding that current state of you is not future (or past) state of you, hope, truth
•patients are resilient—they want tools & support to heal = what health care providers possess
4/10
•antidotes to the above: compassion, non-judgement, humanity, understanding that current state of you is not future (or past) state of you, hope, truth
•patients are resilient—they want tools & support to heal = what health care providers possess
4/10
On what makes a great health care provider:
•DON’T BE FAKE (see previous)
•be present with me
•tell me you got me—I don’t always need details
•listen to me—doubly especially if you ask me a question
•push me—I don’t always know how to get better, I need the vision
5/10
•DON’T BE FAKE (see previous)
•be present with me
•tell me you got me—I don’t always need details
•listen to me—doubly especially if you ask me a question
•push me—I don’t always know how to get better, I need the vision
5/10
On what makes a great health care team:
•Communication, role clarity
•I needed nurses, physical therapists, & techs as much as surgeons & anesthesiologists
•All had a domain of knowledge, skill, & experience I drew on to heal
•Ex = it was the tech who gently bathed me
6/10
•Communication, role clarity
•I needed nurses, physical therapists, & techs as much as surgeons & anesthesiologists
•All had a domain of knowledge, skill, & experience I drew on to heal
•Ex = it was the tech who gently bathed me
6/10
On the nadir:
Hospital day #3, now floor status. Felt the most vulnerable/alone (more ok in ICU w constant nursing).
Could not bathe/pee (damn lasix!)/sit up without assistance (= shame).
All pain, still nausea.
No distraction (restful sleep impossible) gave me comfort.
7/10
Hospital day #3, now floor status. Felt the most vulnerable/alone (more ok in ICU w constant nursing).
Could not bathe/pee (damn lasix!)/sit up without assistance (= shame).
All pain, still nausea.
No distraction (restful sleep impossible) gave me comfort.
7/10
On what gave/gives me comfort:
•my wife @S2beri (see especially during nadir)
•my children
•my family, friends, and colleagues rooting for me—which can be expressed in many forms, often simple gestures (texts, emails) have been the most meaningful
8/10
•my wife @S2beri (see especially during nadir)
•my children
•my family, friends, and colleagues rooting for me—which can be expressed in many forms, often simple gestures (texts, emails) have been the most meaningful
8/10
Leftover I:
• #sternotomy is a bitch
•sneezing w #sternotomy even more so
• #nausea sucks—worse than pain, IMO, because it invades everything/anything
•new best hot shower moment of my life = on coming home from hospital
•but still finding adhesive stuck to me 5 days on
9/10
• #sternotomy is a bitch
•sneezing w #sternotomy even more so
• #nausea sucks—worse than pain, IMO, because it invades everything/anything
•new best hot shower moment of my life = on coming home from hospital
•but still finding adhesive stuck to me 5 days on
9/10
Leftover II:
•had diet restriction, felt like was always playing chicken when ordering meals—somehow topped out w milkshake + banana?, & I was really just looking to avoid that damn #nausea
•priority discharge ≠ going home anytime soon (that just pains an ER doc’s soul)
10/10
•had diet restriction, felt like was always playing chicken when ordering meals—somehow topped out w milkshake + banana?, & I was really just looking to avoid that damn #nausea
•priority discharge ≠ going home anytime soon (that just pains an ER doc’s soul)
10/10
