i wish

[blackribbon]

congratulations on passing your test. only 8 more weeks..you got it. one of the skiiers in downhill ski cross I watched last night had been almost last place coming into the last run. unlike some of the guys on the leader boards he had zero cushion for the final race. he had to be perfect. and he did it. best race ive sen in a very long time. sometimes its better being behind or being the underdog. it forces you to work harder while the others might be complacent. good luck on the rest of your school.
the doctor didn't want to put me on motnrin because its bad for my liver and kidneys. only thing ive used over the coutner that really works is Tylenol but I haerd that's not good for you either. mostly what I do is just convince myself in my head that it doesn't hurt. im glad im no t the only one that doesn't like those kind of drugs. ive had people offer to buy it from me they like it so much.
I haven't another back surgery in 2 weeks which I am not happy about. I think everytime it just makes it worse.
I do pray for my boys. its the only thing I can pray for. I don't know why I cant just see them once a month. im not going to hurt anyone.

Be sure to talk to you doc about pain meds. There are milder narcotics if he doesn't like the over the counter ones. Tylenol can be hard on your liver if taken in high doses. If you don't have liver damage or bleeding issues, aspirin might be a option but eat a bit of applesauce or a saltine cracker with it.

Also talk to this doc about helping you get some psychiatric help. Tell him that you are now ready to give it a try because you would like to some day get visitation back with your boys.

What are they doing with this surgery? I spent 8 weeks working on an ortho floor. Be sure listen to the physical therapists when you are there. As much as it hurts, they are your key back to mobility. Ask them to write down a personal "training " program for you to continue at home to build your complete strength back. And yes, back and neuro surgeries can be frustrating. A positive attitude helps including being will to to work when it hurts. Be honest about your problems with the narcotics. There are other meds and maybe you just do better without them. I had one patient do so much better after we stopped the narcotics even though most do better when we stay ahead of the pain. Be the patient your nurses like so she/he will go the extra mile for you (even when we don't have any time). We only have limited power but we can make medication and activity recommendations and we do talk to the doctors. And it is okay to ask lots of questions.

 

[Dan the Man]

Be sure to talk to you doc about pain meds. There are milder narcotics if he doesn't like the over the counter ones. Tylenol can be hard on your liver if taken in high doses. If you don't have liver damage or bleeding issues, aspirin might be a option but eat a bit of applesauce or a saltine cracker with it.

Also talk to this doc about helping you get some psychiatric help. Tell him that you are now ready to give it a try because you would like to some day get visitation back with your boys.

What are they doing with this surgery? I spent 8 weeks working on an ortho floor. Be sure listen to the physical therapists when you are there. As much as it hurts, they are your key back to mobility. Ask them to write down a personal "training " program for you to continue at home to build your complete strength back. And yes, back and neuro surgeries can be frustrating. A positive attitude helps including being will to to work when it hurts. Be honest about your problems with the narcotics. There are other meds and maybe you just do better without them. I had one patient do so much better after we stopped the narcotics even though most do better when we stay ahead of the pain. Be the patient your nurses like so she/he will go the extra mile for you (even when we don't have any time). We only have limited power but we can make medication and activity recommendations and we do talk to the doctors. And it is okay to ask lots of questions.

the surgery they are fusing a few vertebrae because it is healing improperly. they are coming in from the front and the back and using a pelvic bone to fuse. which I already did once before. and also removing a few fragments that he sees in there. this will be the 9th time with back surgery and I am done with it. after this one no more. I will try to be nice to the nurses. but ive been in a bad mood so we'll see what happends. id rather just have a couple shots of jack than any of that mind controlling medicine they give you.
and I will try to ask about the psych and the physical therapy if I can. thanks

 

[Dan the Man]

and im just kidding ill be nice to the nurses. im not always a completely bad guy.

 

[blackribbon]

the surgery they are fusing a few vertebrae because it is healing improperly. they are coming in from the front and the back and using a pelvic bone to fuse. which I already did once before. and also removing a few fragments that he sees in there. this will be the 9th time with back surgery and I am done with it. after this one no more. I will try to be nice to the nurses. but ive been in a bad mood so we'll see what happends. id rather just have a couple shots of jack than any of that mind controlling medicine they give you.
and I will try to ask about the psych and the physical therapy if I can. thanks

Your bad mood should not be dumped on the people caring for you...they are the good guys...and by doing so, you are just shooting yourself in the foot again. It is okay to express that you are in a bad mood but it is not okay to take it out on people.

And what do you think a couple of shots of jack is doing?...maybe the same thing that the medications are doing since alcohol IS a form of medication? Pick your poison but you are choosing "mind control" either way.

And it is understandable that you are frustrated and it is okay to express that...but do it in a healthy manner instead of hurting those that want to help. That is what got you where you are today. Visualize how you would treat your sons when deciding how to treat the people working with you. Consider it "practice" for the time someday when it is your boys. Self-control is something learned...and can be practiced.

I will be praying that this surgery actually does make a difference that you can notice.

 

[blackribbon]

and im just kidding ill be nice to the nurses. im not always a completely bad guy.

I hoped you were because I don't see a "bad guy" on here at all.

I think people often underestimate how much of a difference the nurses really do make...even when they aren't visible.

 

[Dan the Man]

I hoped you were because I don't see a "bad guy" on here at all.

I think people often underestimate how much of a difference the nurses really do make...even when they aren't visible.

in my opinion the nurses are the one who are most visible of anyone. you hardly ever see a doctor exept for him to pop his head in once per day or sometimes not even that. so I got respect. nurses work their butt off.
ive hoenslty been contemplating refusing this surgery because I told myself I never was going to set foot in a hospital again when I left the last time. and it wont help. so I might not even do it.

 

[Dan the Man]

they tried to get me last time and siay I have a brain injury and cant refuse. seems suspicious to me. they will proebably do the same thing this time too.
I can answer all their question but they want to say im rtarded or something?

 

[blackribbon]

they tried to get me last time and siay I have a brain injury and cant refuse. seems suspicious to me. they will proebably do the same thing this time too.
I can answer all their question but they want to say im rtarded or something?

They are not saying you are rtarded. Brain injured is different. Who signs your consent forms for surgery? Do you have a "guardian"?

 

[Dan the Man]

They are not saying you are rtarded. Brain injured is different. Who signs your consent forms for surgery? Do you have a "guardian"?

I am my own guardian. I don't need anyone to take care of me like im a little kid. I am a grown ass man. even if they think im not.

 

[dayhiker]

I pray what ever happens with this op things come out well for you Dan.

Can you get a second opinion on the op? I don't know if vet hospitals allow for a 2nd opinion.

 

[blackribbon]

I am my own guardian. I don't need anyone to take care of me like im a little kid. I am a grown ass man. even if they think im not.

There are times when we all need someone to care for us. I was just trying to determine if there was a legal issue. I do not see any reason why you are not "competent" in your writings.

If they are allowing you to sign your own consent forms, you are legally allowed to make your own medical decisions...including refusals of medications. However, you will get much further if you stay calm and ask then to help you understand the purpose of each drug and take the time to explain your concerns and fears. That is part of a nurse's job...to educate patients so they can make educated decisions concerning their own bodies. Treat your nurse well so she/he will take the time to do this...and if he or she doesn't, try with the next shift nurse. (Not all nurses are good). If they try to bully you, ask for a copy of your "patient rights" and ask to speak to a "patient advocate". I am not really telling you to refuse all your meds, but they do have the responsibility to help you understand and honor your right to refuse something that makes you feel sicker.

Unless they have a legal document that says otherwise, you are considered a grown man capable of making your own decisions. Even someone with mental impairments has rights. The only exception is on a psych ward and they still needs a judges signature to be able to take that right away from you. That signature requires you to be allowed to see the judge and it is only valid for a limited period of time.

 

[blackribbon]

I know I am supposed to be able to explain what each pill is and does before I give it...and be able to pull it out of a pill cup if the patient refuses (the reasons why we should get consent before opening any pill wrapper).

There are times when I have to talk a patient into taking a medication...like the patient who had a lot of swelling and heart issues but is tired of peeing on herself since she can't get out of bed quickly. As embarrassing it is to need to be cleaned up multiple times in a night, it is more important that we got those fluids out of her so they didn't strain her heart anymore. When I could show her that the diuretics (make you pee) were working and that it wasn't going to be a "forever" affair, she did consent.

However, if I am giving a medication to soften someone's stool (very common since many of the meds cause constipation) and they are complaining of diarrhea, well, they are right to ask us to hold that medication. LOL. And shame on me for not thinking of it myself.

A nurse does not prescribe, but we can hold (not give) a medication, make recommendations to the doctors, and we often have a long list of medications that are ours to give if we feel the patient needs them (within the parameters set up by the doctors). Sometime a med works but we just need to treat a side effect. Like morphine can make people itch...so we give benedryl at the same time and then the morphine becomes a dream drug for that patient.

 

[Dan the Man]

Here are some interesting perspectives.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/what-about-jobs-kids

good post man. thanks for sharing.

 

[Dan the Man]

Dan~

Your family is absolutely beautiful. Please don't stop fighting to do everything you can in order to be able to see them again. Praying!

thank you.

 

[Dan the Man]

I pray what ever happens with this op things come out well for you Dan.

Can you get a second opinion on the op? I don't know if vet hospitals allow for a 2nd opinion.

thank you. I don't know about a 2nd opinion but I don't have the strength to fight through all that so ill just do whatever it is they are saying I have to do. I guess they win.

 

[Dan the Man]

There are times when we all need someone to care for us. I was just trying to determine if there was a legal issue. I do not see any reason why you are not "competent" in your writings.

If they are allowing you to sign your own consent forms, you are legally allowed to make your own medical decisions...including refusals of medications. However, you will get much further if you stay calm and ask then to help you understand the purpose of each drug and take the time to explain your concerns and fears. That is part of a nurse's job...to educate patients so they can make educated decisions concerning their own bodies. Treat your nurse well so she/he will take the time to do this...and if he or she doesn't, try with the next shift nurse. (Not all nurses are good). If they try to bully you, ask for a copy of your "patient rights" and ask to speak to a "patient advocate". I am not really telling you to refuse all your meds, but they do have the responsibility to help you understand and honor your right to refuse something that makes you feel sicker.

Unless they have a legal document that says otherwise, you are considered a grown man capable of making your own decisions. Even someone with mental impairments has rights. The only exception is on a psych ward and they still needs a judges signature to be able to take that right away from you. That signature requires you to be allowed to see the judge and it is only valid for a limited period of time.

I know I am supposed to be able to explain what each pill is and does before I give it...and be able to pull it out of a pill cup if the patient refuses (the reasons why we should get consent before opening any pill wrapper).

There are times when I have to talk a patient into taking a medication...like the patient who had a lot of swelling and heart issues but is tired of peeing on herself since she can't get out of bed quickly. As embarrassing it is to need to be cleaned up multiple times in a night, it is more important that we got those fluids out of her so they didn't strain her heart anymore. When I could show her that the diuretics (make you pee) were working and that it wasn't going to be a "forever" affair, she did consent.

However, if I am giving a medication to soften someone's stool (very common since many of the meds cause constipation) and they are complaining of diarrhea, well, they are right to ask us to hold that medication. LOL. And shame on me for not thinking of it myself.

A nurse does not prescribe, but we can hold (not give) a medication, make recommendations to the doctors, and we often have a long list of medications that are ours to give if we feel the patient needs them (within the parameters set up by the doctors). Sometime a med works but we just need to treat a side effect. Like morphine can make people itch...so we give benedryl at the same time and then the morphine becomes a dream drug for that patient.

im not going to lie I im just too exhausted and weak to deal with any of this stuff. they can just do what they want to do and give me whatever pills I don't even care anymore. it is pretty obivious im just going to end up a overmedicated vegetable in a nursing home before long anyway. this is the way it is and theres no reason to fight something I cant control.
thanks for all your time and advice.

 

[blackribbon]

I am going through some rougher times. I actually enjoy talking to you.

Do what you want...but it is okay to be tired sometimes. Just don't forget that you do have rights but people hear you better if you keep your cool.

 

[Dan the Man]

I am going through some rougher times. I actually enjoy talking to you.

Do what you want...but it is okay to be tired sometimes. Just don't forget that you do have rights but people hear you better if you keep your cool.

i am sorry you are going through rough times.

 

[chairforcetsgt]

Hang in there Bro. Praying.

 

[Dan the Man]

i don't think i can live like this anymore.