# Where's davidm? In the hospital recovering from a medical screwup. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/1 "2017-11-29T12:24:05Z")
I don’t know how prominent I am on here or if anyone has even noticed my absence, but I wanted to post an explanation for anyone who cares. Near the beginning of October I had an endoscopy looking for Crohn’s. They tore a hole in my bowel and poisoned my whole system. I had to have dialysis for several weeks until my kidneys recovered. They kept me intentionally unconscious for several weeks. They were discussing end of life decisions with my family. Obviously I’m still alive, and I’m getting stronger every day. I’ve been laying in bed for so long that I’ll need physical therapy just to be able to walk again. Anyway that’s my story for anyone who’s interested. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/2 "2017-11-29T12:28:59Z")
Wow, that’s quite a nightmare. Hoping you have a full recovery. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/3 "2017-11-29T12:29:10Z")
That sounds horrendous. Get well. Your surgeon wasn’t Dr Nicholas “Nick” Bowel, by any chance? ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/4 "2017-11-29T12:33:28Z")
I’m so sorry to hear about your troubles. What an ordeal. I hope you gain full recovery. Very glad you’re still with us. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/5 "2017-11-29T12:34:13Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Wow, that’s quite a nightmare. Hoping you have a full recovery. Thank you. I keep climbing the next hill and hitting the next goal, so things are moving in a positive direction. Many of the my caregivers seem to consider my recovery to be close to miraculous. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/6 "2017-11-29T12:39:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > That sounds horrendous. Get well. > > Your surgeon wasn’t Dr Nicholas “Nick” Bowel, by any chance? Dr. Nick Riviera (Simpsons reference). ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/7 "2017-11-29T13:00:28Z")
Omigod! I have no words for such an ordeal! Get better and better, please! You are a favored poster of mine. I always enjoyed your offerings here. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/8 "2017-11-29T13:12:33Z")
Wow, so sorry to hear this, but so glad that you’re on the mend. Best wishes on your recovery! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/9 "2017-11-29T13:27:47Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Omigod! I have no words for such an ordeal! > > Get better and better, please! > > You are a favored poster of mine. I always enjoyed your offerings here. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![brachyrhynchos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brachyrhynchos/32/376_2.png) [@brachyrhynchos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brachyrhynchos)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/10 "2017-11-29T13:33:39Z")
Sounds like sepsis/septic shock? :eek: I’m recovering from that after a kidney infection gone rogue last month. My kidneys are actually okay, but my heart took a beating (ha!) and I ended up having an angioplasty. I’m in rehab now, so I’ll do a few cheers (no arms overhead as per my cardiologist) for you as you get better! Who knew a little _E. coli_ could do such damage? Get better davidm! ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/11 "2017-11-29T13:34:47Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Near the beginning of October I had an endoscopy looking for Crohn’s. They tore a hole in my bowel and poisoned my whole system. Sounds like a pain in the ass. 😃 Now that I’ve got that out of my system, I hope your recovery continues, and you get back on your feet soon. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/12 "2017-11-29T13:35:06Z")
Oh my goodness–what an ordeal! Glad you checked in. Hope your recovery continues to advance. Best wishes and keep us posted. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/13 "2017-11-29T13:46:30Z")
> [@brachyrhynchos](#): > > Sounds like sepsis/septic shock? :eek: > > I’m recovering from that after a kidney infection gone rogue last month. My kidneys are actually okay, but my heart took a beating (ha!) and I ended up having an angioplasty. I’m in rehab now, so I’ll do a few cheers (no arms overhead as per my cardiologist) for you as you get better! > > Who knew a little _E. coli_ could do such damage? Get better davidm! Through all of this, other than a little pericarditis, my heart has remained whole, healthy, and strong. I’ve always spent time on an exercise bike. People tell me that my exercising and being in good shape before all of this is probably what saved me. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/14 "2017-11-29T13:49:07Z")
I _thought_ you’d been quiet lately. That’s modern medicine for you, pulling off miracles to save you, after it nearly killed you. I’m glad you’re getting better. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/15 "2017-11-29T13:53:24Z")
Scary! Glad you’re on the mend! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/16 "2017-11-29T13:56:25Z")
Holey crap! ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/17 "2017-11-29T14:00:00Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I _thought_ you’d been quiet lately. > > That’s modern medicine for you, pulling off miracles to save you, after it nearly killed you. > > I’m glad you’re getting better. Isn’t that the truth. I still have some medical issues. I have a trache, I’m catheterized, and I may end up having to supplement my adrenals the rest of my life. They’re slowly weaning me off the steroids to see if the adrenals bounce back. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/18 "2017-11-29T14:01:14Z")
Glad you pulled through! ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/19 "2017-11-29T14:03:43Z")
Wow, that’s scary - I’m so glad you’re getting better. My best wishes for a complete recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/20 "2017-11-29T14:07:54Z")
So the take-away here is do not taunt _Varicella zoster_\*\*?\*\* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=2)