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Post by sandra on Jan 28, 2009 6:16:28 GMT
Yesterday, Jan 26, I had a very bad coughing spell at my daughters school. I was picking her up because the school had no heat. Before I got to the front door when we were leaving, I was really dizzy and coughing hard. The principal ask if I was alright and I shook my head no. He suggested I sit down for a bit to feel better before I left. Because I was still coughing he was concerned and so were a couple other staff members.
He eventually called 911 for paramedics to come and check me out. The school also called my ex to pick up my daughter. That was fine with me. I gave a paper to one of the staff members and she copied to give to the paramedics. On the paper is my name, address, health care number, contact numbers, doctors, medications, allergies and diagnosis. I thought this was beneficial in case of an emergency to have and I still do.
What made me feel judged is the fact that the very first question the paramedic said to me was "How did you get the scars on your face". He also asked what my relationship was like with my children. I was stunned. Not breathing well and stunned.
It just occurred to me that maybe my ex had said something to them before they came into the room, but I don't know if he was there yet or not.
I think the issue should have been dealt with differently by asking how long I felt sick, what I have been doing for it, if I've seen a doctor, check me over, and perhaps make some suggestions on what to do to help me in the short term until I could see a doctor.
The paramedic did say because I have pneumonia, I walked out in the cold, walked up some stairs and over exerted myself.
I have a diagnosis of PTSD, depression with anxiety, and chronic pain. I also was diagnosed with pneumonia last Thursday. I take four different medications. Two antidepressants, one to help me sleep and one for the anxiety. At the moment I'm on two inhalers and an antibiotic.
I told the paramedic my scars are from being attacked by a serial killer by the name of Coral Eugene Watts. I told the paramedic I get along great with my kids and have contact with the two living on their own on a daily basis if not more. I told them I was worried about how my youngest was doing seeing me ill. I told them that she is a sweetheart.
I ended up not going with them to the hospital and I went back to the building where the walk in clinic is. Instead of going into the clinic I went up to my doctors office and she could see me. I have to see her again in a couple days if I'm not feeling better. One of the staff members walked me out to my car when I felt better. I sat in my car for a few minutes before I made the short drive to my family doctor.
I just felt I was being judged because I have the scars on my face, the medications I take, and my diagnosis. I just got negative vibes from the paramedic.
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Post by xxxxpremierexxxx on Jan 28, 2009 6:42:30 GMT
The phrase 'So what?' springs to mind??? ;D
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Post by trubble on Jan 28, 2009 10:43:56 GMT
Thanks for your great input, guest.
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Post by cammie on Jan 28, 2009 13:23:30 GMT
Sandra, I guess the paramedics first screen to rule out domestic violence. When I went to the ER on 2 sepaate occasions, one of the first questions I was asked was if I was a victim of domestic violence. This must be SOP (standad opeating procedure) nowdays. But the technician should have first made you feel safe and check your vitals, NOT ask your scar hisory, imo. _____________ If you feel he scar quesion was nosy, you could always have a standby line ready, like... car accident, or shark attack just to shut them up. Or... NOYB.
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Post by iamjumbo on Jan 28, 2009 13:36:57 GMT
while it shouldn't be the first question asked, all medical personnel anymore feel it necessary to ask a woman if she's been abused, regardless of whether anything shows or not. there's no rational reason for it, but, it's pretty much sop in every hospital
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2009 14:05:53 GMT
while it shouldn't be the first question asked, all medical personnel anymore feel it necessary to ask a woman if she's been abused, regardless of whether anything shows or not. there's no rational reason for it, but, it's pretty much sop in every hospital Something similar occurred to me. But I imagine that the attack on Sandra was some years ago, and if so I wouldn't have much faith in a medic who couldn't tell the difference between recent injury and a healed wound!
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 28, 2009 15:33:49 GMT
XXPrem, don't even bother trying to sign up here.
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 28, 2009 15:34:48 GMT
Sandra, this type of attitude is so common. Sadly, many women (and some men) ARE victims of violence and you can't blame them for worrying about it.
An exalt for being the lovely person you are!
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Post by cammie on Jan 28, 2009 16:15:34 GMT
An older scar would be a sign of the patient's past history of perhaps domestic abuse. I'm sure the paramedic could see the scar was old, don't you think?
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Post by cammie on Jan 28, 2009 16:16:43 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2009 16:20:28 GMT
Sorry, but I cannot the relevance of an old scar to someone with pneumonia being treated in an emergency. A general question such as "are you under any stress" perhaps.
An adult woman is perfectly capable of volunteering any information about abuse, given the right conditions. If she chooses not to, that is also her affair.
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Post by sandra on Jan 28, 2009 16:24:05 GMT
I called an after hours line last night to talk to someone about it. She said when I feel better I should contact their supervisor and make a complaint. She said she is sure if I was feeling better I would have given them the what for. She is right.
The paramedics are just another example in my life how MVS are treated. He made me feel like I need legal documentation to show him what happened to me.
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Post by sadie1263 on Jan 28, 2009 17:22:55 GMT
I think it is a shame that those types of questions are SOP. But you have to look at it from their perspective....hospitals and health care people get sued non-stop. They didn't ask the "right" questions, they didn't perform the "right" care, they didn't treat someone "right", they should have "guessed" that some other circumstance that they weren't told about was the cause and treated accordingly.....it goes on and on.
You are a survivor of more than any person should ever have to experience......idiots shouldn't even phase you!!!!
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 28, 2009 20:04:02 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh! Cammie, he and I have crossed swords on a couple of other boards before. If he thinks back to the various times when he dished out racist abuse towards my people he'll understand perfectly well WHY he isn't welcome here.
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 28, 2009 20:05:43 GMT
Sandra, you are a very brave lady and you've had a lot of hurt and pain in your life.
In spite of it all you're a lovely human being and that's all that matters.
Yes, I can understand the point of view of the authorities but they ought to be sensitive as well.
What matters most of all is YOUR situation.
You give us all hope with your cheerfulness, your courage and your sense of humour.
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Post by pumpkinette on Jan 28, 2009 20:44:20 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh! Maybe whoever this is has been banned from a lot of boards...
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 28, 2009 20:47:16 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh! Maybe whoever this is has been banned from a lot of boards... Not enough, unfortunately.
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Post by cammie on Jan 29, 2009 16:45:38 GMT
Sandra, we all love you here so don't allow someone who doesn't know you pizz on your leg and tell you it's raining.
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Post by mouse on Jan 29, 2009 17:00:35 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh! a windup merchant
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Post by Big Lin on Jan 29, 2009 18:23:39 GMT
Who is "XXXPremiereXXX"? Geesh! a windup merchant I think he's a bit worse than that, Mouse. On the whole, Gus is a windup merchant. Prem is a sick so-and-so who enjoys hurting people.
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