Free Michelle!
"Oh, I just love bleeding stories!! Do you have another?" --Ryding
I do now.
Michelle is currently being held prisoner at Methodist Hospital. We went in this (Sunday) morning because she had started bleeding again. The first episode (see link above) was about eight weeks ago, and this one seems very similar. Baby and Mom are both fine; there's no contracting or dilating going on; the doctors simply want to keep her for observation until they are absolutely sure they cannot be sued for not doing so.
Modern medicine can be quite exasperating. When we got to the hospital this morning they put Michelle in a laboring room, which meant we had to explain to every nurse, intern or otherwise uniform-clad person who walked by that no, she wasn't in labor. Then it took hours before a doctor could actually look at her, since so many other women in the vicinity actually were in labor. Michelle repeatedly asked the nurses if she could eat something, since it had been hours since breakfast and, hello, she's pregnant. As the adverb 'repeatedly' in the previous sentence probably intimated to you, the answer was, again repeatedly, no. Not until the doctor has a look.
The doctor looked, and then said even she had to go talk to somebody else before she could give the A-OK for lunch, which was agonizingly becoming supper. She took over an hour to report back. Michelle went ahead and ate the leftovers we'd brought from home, finishing just before the doctor came back and said no, you still can't eat. Michelle tried to continue looking exasperated, which isn't difficult to do in a backless gown, even if your stomach is temporarily sated.
They finally did bring her a sandwich and an apple, which she was still more than capable of consuming, and told her to get comfy; she wasn't going home tonight. Which, more or less, is where the tale ends. This will be only the second time I've slept alone in this house. It's weird. I don't enjoy it.
Michelle's number in the hospital is 952-993-5542. Give her a call if you'd like to cheer her up. And make sure they're feeding her.
posted by Josh Fuller @ 7:04 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
I just got through talking to Michelle on the phone, and it sounds like you definitely have the right of it...this is a lawsuit-avoidance deal. Yuck.
Just remind her (and yourself) that *you* are the ones paying for care, *you* are the ones absorbing most of the risks (even if the doctors are treating this like you're likely to file suit at the drop of a hat)...you have the *right* to have the potential risks and benefits of all procedures and medications explained to your satisfaction, the *right* to a second- and third, and fourth- opinion, and the *right* to refuse anything, at any time.
It's hard, because the hospital is their turf, and they're used to unquestioning obedience...but most doctors are willing to explain, just unaccustomed to it.
I hope the neonatologist has some answers for you, or better yet, discharge papers for Michelle. And we're here if you need an errand run, or someone to watch Toby. Or just a friendly voice on the phone.
I was going to call, but I realized that it was much too late to hear from a stranger and that, just actually, she may no longer be in the hospital. All that traveling has help erase all normal information from my mind. I hope you're feeling better Michelle! (if she actually gets to look over your shoulder and read).
It's Monday AM and I just spoke with Michelle on the phone. She seems in good spirits and was just going in to see a doctor. She said that she did not bleed today (so far) and that's a really good sign.
You and the fam will definitely be in my prayers. If you need a sitter for Tmobile for a few hours in the evenings, let me know.
Victor
Prayers from downunder too. If there is anything else you need, please let us know.
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