# 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:** 12
**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:** [December 30, 2017, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/221 "2017-12-30T20:34:40Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > Dear David: > > My wish for 2018 is that it finds you happy and healthy and back to living your life without all this awful in it. > > Is there anything we can do for you while you’re in the hospital? Anything we can send you? Are you going back to rehab after this? > > I pray for better outcomes and your swift recovery. > > your humble TubaDiva I really don’t know of anything you can do. People continuing to post in response to my posts is a real morale booster, so that’s something. I assume that I’m going back to rehab at some point. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/222 "2017-12-30T23:12:30Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I really don’t know of anything you can do. People continuing to post in response to my posts is a real morale booster, so that’s something. > > I assume that I’m going back to rehab at some point. Unless you say No, No, No! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/223 "2017-12-30T23:24:28Z")
Oh wow, I just saw this. That’s horrible! Best wishes for a better 2018. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/224 "2017-12-30T23:53:37Z")
I can only hope they’re paying you not only for the medical costs but your lost time away from work and the rest of life. Get well soon. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/225 "2017-12-31T12:39:52Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I can only hope they’re paying you not only for the medical costs but your lost time away from work and the rest of life. Get well soon. Only my medical costs. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2017, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/226 "2017-12-31T12:48:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Unless you say No, No, No! 🙂 Why would I do that? I want to be rehabilitated back to normal! ---
**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:** [December 31, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/227 "2017-12-31T16:26:44Z")
Hang in there, **davidm**. I’ve seen worse fusterclucks of medical care where everything eventually worked out ok, so I have high hopes for your recovery from your present situation. Keep on posting, we’re all rooting for you (well, most of us. There’s always those one or two real dipsticks . . . ). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/228 "2017-12-31T16:39:21Z")
Yeah, but if we find 'em, they’re gonna be in the hospital in far worse shape than **davidm** ever thought about being. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/229 "2017-12-31T19:34:55Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Only my medical costs. I’d be consulting a lawyer. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/230 "2017-12-31T21:58:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’d be consulting a lawyer. Perforation is a well-known risk of any endoscopy; I’m sure a consent form which specifically mentioned this risk was signed before our OP underwent the procedure. Now, it’s certainly possible that something was not done appropriately, and it’s even conceivable that said theoretical inappropriateness was directly related to the bad outcome. But it’s much more likely that everything was done correctly and there was still a bad outcome. And that’s not malpractice, nor is it a reason why the patient is automatically excused from all future health care costs. Not in the US system, anyway. And I am no fan of the US system. The patient needs to hold his healthcare team accountable, and find out the whys. But the patient will most likely find out that everyone acted in good faith and consistently with modern medical standards of care. And if that was not the case, _then_ seek more info about his rights for redress. Meanwhile, focus on getting well. ---
**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:** [December 31, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/231 "2017-12-31T22:11:50Z")
A friend of mine got his degree in dentistry, then immediately returned to school for an advanced degree in dentistry/maxillofacial surgery, then immediately went back to get his JD. Then his wife yelled, “Enough!”, so he got a job. He now practices law, with his practice confined to medical malpractice. He has interesting stories to tell. Someone’s grandpa dies on the table. Even if it can be shown that there was malpractice, what is a 97 year old’s life worth? Usually less than the lawyer’s fees. Or a patient with chronic, severe neck pain has disc surgery and leaves the OR a quadrapalegic. That’s one of the risks of the procedure, and it’s been discussed preoperatively. Then again my friend gets a percentage of a huge award every so often, and runs around paying off bills. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/232 "2017-12-31T22:48:43Z")
**davidm,** I hope you get better soon. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/233 "2017-12-31T23:58:41Z")
Oh David, what an awful ordeal. But very glad you’re still in the land of the living! Hope 2018 sees you quickly out of all hospitals and rehab and dancing around the kitchen again. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/234 "2018-01-01T02:07:03Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Why would I do that? I want to be rehabilitated back to normal! Just in case it wasn’t clear, I was making a joke about that Amy Winehouse song, _[Rehab](http://www.metrolyrics.com/rehab-lyrics-amy-winehouse.html)_: _They tried to make me go to rehab But I said no, no, no_ Different kind of rehab! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/235 "2018-01-01T14:16:52Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Perforation is a well-known risk of any endoscopy; I’m sure a consent form which specifically mentioned this risk was signed before our OP underwent the procedure. > … Yes, although when I had an endoscopy they told me the risk was quite low. But mostly I agree with what you said. Sometimes doctors do everything right, but something bad happens. ---
**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:** [January 1, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/236 "2018-01-01T20:41:32Z")
I’m probably leaving the hospital and heading back to rehab tomorrow. Let’s hope it works out better this time. ---
**Author:** ![rbroome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/838e76/32.png) [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/237 "2018-01-01T20:51:11Z")
Good luck! Make sure your vaccinations are up to date! You are associating with a lot of sick people lately-get well soon so you can tell stories to your friends over a beer. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/238 "2018-01-02T00:24:23Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I’m probably leaving the hospital and heading back to rehab tomorrow. Let’s hope it works out better this time. it worked out great last time, David, you didn’t die and you made it through a set back. it’s all good. 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 2, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/239 "2018-01-02T18:44:01Z")
Another setback. Breathing problems and neurological symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049/240 "2018-01-03T01:32:15Z")
damn, I’m sorry to hear it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-davidm-in-the-hospital-recovering-from-a-medical-screwup/803049.md?page=13)