I was a 50 yr old practicing Physician who went in for a prophylactic colectomy after bilateral bouts of diverticulitis of moderate severity. I had a post op anastomotic leak and developed peritonitis, sepsis, septicemia, septic shock and had a near death course. I dreaded even the smell of my room. I dreaded the seeming filth and the to…
I was a 50 yr old practicing Physician who went in for a prophylactic colectomy after bilateral bouts of diverticulitis of moderate severity. I had a post op anastomotic leak and developed peritonitis, sepsis, septicemia, septic shock and had a near death course. I dreaded even the smell of my room. I dreaded the seeming filth and the touching and care of that Ostomy. I was successfully treated but remained in the hospital for almost a month. I was home and then several weeks later returned with bouts of fever, abdominal pain, anorexia , severe weight loss . Finally I was readmitted and found to have a Portal Vein Thrombosis, Superior Mesenteric Thrombosis , and Splenic Vein Thrombosis potentially at risk of death once again. Another 3-4 weeks in the Hospital and discussions of potential therapies including TPN, TPA RX, Transplant, and anticoagulation . Finally after several weeks of anticoagulation I was able to take sweet and sour gummy’s and a gradual ability to slowly increase the diet . I was discharged 25 pounds lighter but alive because of the fabulous physicians that cared for me but I will never fully recover from being that “ Patient on the other side of the Table “ during that time . The Doctor as a Patient is in an entirely scary world for the first time.
Wow! I can't imagine all that you went through,Dr Casey. I've long felt that our health care "system" often overlooks the PTSD-type anxiety and response that being near-death in the hospital can evoke and that patients need support as they recover. I'd encourage you to read Dr Rana Awdish's book "In Shock: My Journey From Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope". Very moving and might be some of the same things you've experienced and felt. Wishing you the best in continued recovery!
I was a 50 yr old practicing Physician who went in for a prophylactic colectomy after bilateral bouts of diverticulitis of moderate severity. I had a post op anastomotic leak and developed peritonitis, sepsis, septicemia, septic shock and had a near death course. I dreaded even the smell of my room. I dreaded the seeming filth and the touching and care of that Ostomy. I was successfully treated but remained in the hospital for almost a month. I was home and then several weeks later returned with bouts of fever, abdominal pain, anorexia , severe weight loss . Finally I was readmitted and found to have a Portal Vein Thrombosis, Superior Mesenteric Thrombosis , and Splenic Vein Thrombosis potentially at risk of death once again. Another 3-4 weeks in the Hospital and discussions of potential therapies including TPN, TPA RX, Transplant, and anticoagulation . Finally after several weeks of anticoagulation I was able to take sweet and sour gummy’s and a gradual ability to slowly increase the diet . I was discharged 25 pounds lighter but alive because of the fabulous physicians that cared for me but I will never fully recover from being that “ Patient on the other side of the Table “ during that time . The Doctor as a Patient is in an entirely scary world for the first time.
Wow! I can't imagine all that you went through,Dr Casey. I've long felt that our health care "system" often overlooks the PTSD-type anxiety and response that being near-death in the hospital can evoke and that patients need support as they recover. I'd encourage you to read Dr Rana Awdish's book "In Shock: My Journey From Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope". Very moving and might be some of the same things you've experienced and felt. Wishing you the best in continued recovery!
A scary story. Thank you Dr. C.